Many workplaces exhibit predictable patterns: a domineering manager who shirks genuine duties; staff whose mission is to flatter him; those who appear flawless in every way; and the few who shoulder all the real responsibilities. Retsuko, the red panda, belongs to that last group, staying late night after night to cover for colleagues who are unwilling to lift a finger.
She escapes the daily grind by belting death‑metal at a nearby karaoke bar. Each evening, Retsuko pours her frustration into the mic and treats the venue as a private refuge. Yet as she pushes beyond familiar boundaries and the expectations others hold of her, she realizes that opening her metal‑filled sanctuary to outsiders might actually be a blessing. She finds that sharing her passion not only strengthens bonds but also lightens the weight she carries, turning a solitary outlet into a communal source of resilience for all involved and family together.
