Real Estate Sales x The Art of War. A romance where you win without fighting.
About
"Is true victory really about defeating your opponent?"
In modern society, everyone faces various "battles" every day— work, romance, human relationships. However, what is needed to win is not necessarily strength or a competitive spirit. It is about understanding the opponent, assessing the situation, and leading to the best result without conflict. Can the philosophy of "winning without fighting" left by the strategist Sun Wu 2,500 years ago still be a power that solves people's troubles today?
Work Description
"The Art of Love" is a human drama set in the modern Japanese real estate industry. The protagonist, Sho Atago, is a young salesman working for the real estate company "Toei Housing." Still lacking experience in his work, he faces troubles that any working adult experiences, such as business negotiations, customer service, and internal relationships. One holiday, while walking through the city with his lover and colleague Miki Abiko, Sho stops by a second-hand bookstore he had been curious about. There, the two encounter a single old book.
"Sun Tzu"
Carefully preserved by the bookstore owner Ryuji Miyashiro, the moment Miki touches that book, a mysterious event occurs. Wrapped in pale blue smoke, Miki loses consciousness. And when she wakes up, the soul of the strategist Sun Wu from 2,500 years ago resides within her. Since then, whenever they face difficulties in work or romance, the Sun Wu within Miki appears. Negotiations in sales, competition with rival companies, workplace relationships, and romantic misunderstandings. Sun Wu analyzes the various problems occurring in modern society not as a battlefield, but as "relationships between people." What Sun Wu teaches is not how to defeat the opponent. It is how to understand the opponent, avoid conflict, and lead to a result that both yourself and the opponent can accept. "Winning without fighting." With that teaching in his heart, Sho gradually grows.
Have you ever worried about work? Results don't come as expected. Negotiations with the other party don't go well. The distance between you and a loved one gradually changes. Once you go out into society, everyone is fighting something. But is it really necessary to win that fight? Does winning mean defeating the opponent? Or does it mean moving toward the best future without hurting anyone? This is a story woven by a young man living in modern society and a strategist from 2,500 years ago.
A holiday afternoon. Sho Atago was walking through the city with his lover, Miki Abiko.
A time for just the two of them away from work. For Sho, who usually spends busy days as a real estate salesman, time with Miki was precious. During this, they happen to find a second-hand bookstore.
It was a shop he had been curious about for a while.
Old books were lined up inside the store, and a quiet time flowed. The owner, Ryuji Miyashiro, smiles gently when he sees the two. "Something unusual came in the other day." Pointing to where he said that was a wooden box. Inside was a single old volume. "There's no way it's the real thing, though." Even as he said that, Miyashiro handled the book as if it were precious. Miki, for some reason, couldn't take her eyes off the book.
As if being called by someone. And the moment she reached out her hand to "Sun Tzu"— The world changed quietly. Pale blue smoke envelops Miki.
"Miki!" Sho runs over. After a while, Miki's eyes open. However, the being there was slightly different from the usual her.
The moment her eyes meet Sho's, she quietly speaks. "...I see. So this is the world of the future." Crossing 2,500 years of time, it was the moment Sun Wu, the author of The Art of War, appeared in the modern age.
Characters
Miki Abiko Age: 25 Height: 160cm Occupation: Toei Housing Real Estate Sales Personality Gentle and compassionate, treats everyone with kindness. Good at listening to people and trusted by those around her. Hobbies Reading, visiting cafes Likes Omurice, Japanese sweets, quiet coffee shops Dislikes Extremely spicy food, arguing with people Romance Lover of the protagonist, Sho Atago. Works at the same company and supports him both publicly and privately. Features Triggered by touching "Sun Tzu" at the bookstore, the soul of the strategist Sun Wu resides in her. Usually a gentle woman, but when her persona switches, she guides the protagonist as a cool-headed strategist.
Yushi Kozaki Age: 25 Height: 172cm Occupation: Toei Housing Real Estate Sales Personality Bright and approachable, the mood maker of the workplace. Good at closing the distance with people and can converse naturally even with first-time acquaintances. Often makes light jokes, but has a caring side that faces friends and colleagues seriously when they are in trouble. Hobbies Watching sports, visiting restaurants, socializing with friends. Likes Lively places, fun conversation, delicious food. Dislikes Stiff atmospheres, overly detailed tasks. Work Sho Atago's colleague and a good confidant. Has experience as a real estate salesman and is liked by customers for his inherent brightness and communication skills. Relationships Best friend of the protagonist Sho Atago since they joined the company together. Someone who listens when Sho is worried and sometimes gives him a push. On good terms with Miki Abiko and supports their relationship. Features The type to act first rather than think about difficult things. A contrast to Sun Wu's strategic thinking, but his attitude of valuing connections with people is a great strength that supports the protagonists.
Takeru Kumagawa Age: 45 Height: 178cm Occupation: Toei Housing Branch Manager Personality A veteran employee with composure and tolerance. The type to give advice for growth rather than blaming subordinates for failures. In sales, he values the trust relationship with customers above all else, not just numbers. Hobbies Golf, reading, visiting old-fashioned coffee shops. Likes Time with family, the growth of subordinates, gratitude from customers. Dislikes Thinking that only pursues short-term profits. View on Work Has the conviction that "real estate is a job that supports major life choices." Experienced and watches over the protagonists warmly. Features As the protagonist's boss, he serves as a mentor in work. A person who possesses "wisdom gained from experience" different from Sun Wu.
Tatsuru Sera Age: 27 Height: 186cm Occupation: Prime Estate Sales Representative Personality A charismatic person full of confidence. Proud of his abilities and has a competitive personality that enjoys rivalry. However, he also has the greatness to honestly pay respect to an opponent whose strength he recognizes. Hobbies Sports, fashion, driving. Likes Competition, stimulating work, hardworking people. Dislikes Half-hearted attitudes, giving up. View on Work Believes that sales only have value if results are produced. Obtains many contracts with high communication skills and action. Features An ace salesman with a conspicuous appearance of being tall, blonde, and dark-skinned. A rival the protagonist is conscious of in both work and romance.
Mamoru Endo Age: 26 Height: 174cm Occupation: Brightland Real Estate Sales Representative Personality Cool-headed and intellectual analytical type. Not swayed by emotions, organizes the situation and thinks of the optimal method. Has a gentle personality but a strong desire for improvement toward work. Hobbies Reading, information gathering, historical research. Likes Classics, thinking about strategy, deepening knowledge. Dislikes Actions without basis, judgments based only on emotion. View on Work A strategic salesman who emphasizes preparation and analysis. Especially loves reading The Art of War and incorporates the thinking of military strategy into sales. Features A rival who produces results in a way completely opposite to the protagonist. Has strong respect for Sun Wu and is someone who is greatly influenced when they meet.
Ryuji Miyashiro Age: 72 Height: 168cm Occupation: Second-hand Bookstore Owner Personality A gentle and knowledgeable old man. Loves books and values encounters and connections with people. Soft-spoken and treats everyone politely. Hobbies Reading, collecting old books, historical research. Likes Old books, time spent talking about books, conversation with visiting customers. Dislikes Treating books poorly. View on Work Believes that books are not just knowledge, but something that connects people. Features The owner of the second-hand bookstore that the protagonist and Miki visit. He kept "Sun Tzu" as a precious old book, but does not know the secret residing within it. An important figure who marks the beginning of the story.
Intro
Release Date 2026.10.05 / Last Updated 2026.10.05
