Sweat and Soap 8

Asako is working at the toiletry maker Lilia Drop, and she is ashamed of her body odor. The company's lead product developer approaches her and wonders what that smell is; she is terrified, but could it be that he likes it? And, even more surprising to Asako, does she like him?

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 192 pages
Publication date: 31 August 2021
Publisher: Kodansha America, Inc

Asako's living her dream, working at the toiletry maker Lilia Drop. Little do her coworkers know, the reason she loves the company so much is that she's ashamed of her body odor, and their soap is the only thing that does the trick. So when the company's lead product developer, a perfuming genius, approaches her in the lobby and wonders what that smell is, she's terrified. But could it be? That he likes it? And, even more surprising to Asako, does she like him?

Asako has always been self-conscious about her body odor. She has tried countless products and remedies, but nothing has worked. She is embarrassed by her smell and often hides it with heavy perfume.

One day, as she was walking down the hall at work, she caught a whiff of a scent that she couldn't quite place. It was subtle, but it was also pleasant. She followed the scent to a conference room where the company's lead product developer, a perfuming genius, was waiting for her.

"What's that smell?" he asked, his nose twitching.

Asako was mortified. She had never been asked that question before. She tried to cover up her embarrassment by pretending to sniff the air.

"I don't know," she said, her voice trembling.

The product developer smiled. "It's a beautiful smell," he said. "It's you."

Asako was stunned. She had never heard anyone say that before. She was used to hearing comments about her body odor, not her scent.

The product developer continued to talk to her about perfume and scent, and Asako found herself becoming more and more interested. She had always been fascinated by the way that smell could evoke emotions and memories.

As the weeks went by, Asako and the product developer became closer. They would spend hours discussing perfume and scent, and Asako would often test out new fragrances on him.

One day, the product developer asked Asako out on a date. Asako was hesitant at first, but she eventually agreed.

On their date, the product developer took Asako to a perfume shop. He showed her different fragrances and explained the notes and ingredients in each one. Asako was fascinated by the way that perfume could be so complex and nuanced.

As they were leaving the perfume shop, the product developer stopped and turned to Asako.

"You know, I think you're beautiful," he said. "Not just because of your scent, but because of who you are."

Asako was speechless. She had never been told that before. She felt a warmth in her chest that she had never felt before.

Over the next few months, Asako and the product developer's relationship grew stronger. They would spend hours together, talking about perfume and scent, and exploring new places together.

Asako had never felt so comfortable in a relationship before. She had always been self-conscious about her body odor, but with the product developer, she felt like she could be herself.

One day, the product developer surprised Asako with a gift. It was a bottle of perfume that he had created specifically for her. The scent was a blend of different flowers and spices, and it was unlike anything Asako had ever smelled before.

Asako was overwhelmed with emotion. She had never felt so loved and appreciated. She knew that she had found something special with the product developer, and she couldn't imagine her life without him.

In the end, Asako realized that her body odor had been holding her back for so long. She had been so focused on her flaws that she had never been able to see her own beauty. With the help of the product developer, she had learned to embrace her scent and to see herself as beautiful.

Asako and the product developer continued to work together at Lilia Drop, creating new fragrances and products that were inspired by their love of scent. Asako had never felt so fulfilled in her life, and she knew that she had found her true calling.

In conclusion, Asako's journey from self-consciousness to self-love was a difficult one, but it was also a beautiful one. She had learned to embrace her scent and to see herself as beautiful, thanks to the help of the product developer. Asako and the product developer's relationship was a testament to the power of scent and the importance of embracing our own unique qualities.

Weight: 240g
Dimension: 207 x 145 x 13 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781646511679