Modern times are characterized by the development of complex commercial facilities like supermarkets, convenience stores, and shopping malls. It's a characteristic, so it can't be helped.
Super sentos (public bathhouses) are one such example, but recently "Hyper Sentos" have emerged, creating a class of "sento people" who reside there, which has become a social problem.
The sento people began when individuals started using super sentos as workplaces. Around the time nomad work and remote tasks became popular, a small number of people began staying for long hours, using them like shared offices.
Naturally, the bathhouse side also started offering services for these users. At first, it was just private rooms, desks, or office supplies, but eventually, they provided full-scale rental meeting rooms and office services. They shifted their target from individuals to corporations, hosting seminars. This is where hell began. It began, so it can't be helped.
You know those wristbands used to manage customers in super sentos? Those became collars. They became impossible to remove, equipped with trackers and bombs. They were attached, so what can you do?
Yes, super sentos began providing services where companies could lock up and force their employees to work. What? Human rights? What are those?
Since these facilities already provided food, baths, and nap areas, they were perfect for confining workers. Targeting mainly IT companies, super sentos marketed "Ultra-Efficiency Labor Packs." If a worker escaped, they could be tracked; in the worst case, the bomb could be detonated.
Are they demons?
The era of "net cafe refugees" feels nostalgic now. This is much worse. After all, internet cafes didn't partner with companies to monitor workers 24/7. In super sentos, you could see the sight of exhausted workers nibbling on food right next to families.
The bathhouses also saw huge benefits. They could sell beer, massages, and ice cream to stressed-out workers. They consumed far more than regular customers.
This "loose labor camp" system was a massive hit. People started saying to be careful if a job posting mentioned "accommodation provided."
Companies loved it because they could write off these labor camp fees as "welfare expenses." It's irresistible to be able to put a collar on a human and call it a welfare expense.
The government turned a blind eye.
The United Nations protested fiercely, but when Japan hinted at cutting its contributions, they went silent and instead recommended super sentos as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Occasionally, rebellions occurred. The largest was later called the "Reiwa Super Sento Rebellion." During the rebellion, workers brandished swords secretly fashioned from razor blades and stationery, taking employees hostage and barricading themselves.
Since the bombs were neutralized by wrapping them in aluminum foil, it eventually became a major incident requiring police special forces. The final confrontation, the "Bloody Sauna Incident," resulted in 60 casualties.
Taking the situation seriously, the government... did not ban the confinement of workers in super sentos. By then, Japanese industry could no longer function without them. Instead, Labor Standards Inspection offices were set up inside the bathhouses, and "Sento Police" were deployed. Yes, the government sanctioned slavery.
That is history. That's how it is. You were born in this super sento, so you probably don't know anything about the outside world.
Deep inside this building, there's a city, and the sky stretches out.
Oh, my boy. The sky has no edges. Unlike the ceiling.
Go now. In a little while, my collar will explode.
