One room of happiness is a manga following the tragedy that is the life of Sacchi due to an uncaring and complaisant society while tackling the absurd bureaucracy of the modern world.

Sacchi the main protagonist of this world escaped with her alleged stalker because she had enough of the abuse she endured in her home. She went missing for days and it was officially announced by the police that she was kidnapped. And despite the official narrative of the public, she was having literally the happiest and greatest time of her entire life living with her stalker. But more tragic of all is despite the status quo that she is being kidnapped and is in danger, those that are directly involved in her life downplay the severity and treat the news of her kidnapping either as a joke or a hinderance to their own selfish needs.

Her stalker just known as Onni-san despite the only one in the world that treats her with love and kindness is labeled by the public as a dangerous criminal that has to be brought to justice. Because in accordance to the law, he is a kidnapper holding a minor hostage. It does not matter that she willingly follow him, it does not matter that he has protected her from an abusive home and life. He has broken the law according the black and whites of the written law. Which is tragic because as the manga progress we learn more about Onni-san and his character, as he is the only person in the world that actually truly care about Sacchi and is genuinely a kind individual.

Then we are introduced to the detective Matsubase who is also an active participant in the very few that genuinely wants to protect Sacchi but is too caught up with the complex bureaucracy of society to directly do so. But for him, he knows the system better than most which leads to him wanting to help Sacchi in a indirect yet rational way that does not tangle with the law. But Sacchi refuses and insist in staying in her one room of happiness.

The manga center around these 3 characters as they try to protect their safety and happiness despite uncaring and selfish wishes of society. These 3 characters know what they are currently doing is the best course of action for their own safety and their own happiness. What they are doing is not wrong, they are not hurting anyone and they are just peaceful living their lives. But in the official narrative of society, what they are doing is wrong and the 'right' thing to do is for Onni-san to be sent to prison, Matsube to have his detective license revoked and for Sacchi to go back to her abusive home.

And this is the thing about the manga which I both love and hate. It started off really optimistic and feel good with Sacchi finally escaping her terrible life and finally feeling love from somebody that actually cares for her. Sacchi finally feeling safe and happy despite her understandable trauma from her hellish life before. And throughout the story it emphasizes more how miserable her previous life was and how happy her current situation was. Yet it kept reminding us that despite how much fun and happiness our characters are having and creating in their one room of happiness, to the absurd uncaring bureaucracy of the world, they are doing the 'wrong' things and have to be corrected.

I don't want to spoil the ending to this manga, but I will say it left me with conflicting thoughts and emotions. I will just say that Sacchi being taught what love means by her stalker, in turn, reciprocate the love she received with sacrifice as she learnt from him. It was quite an emotional finale.

I like this manga, it is a strong emotional character driven story that tackles societal perception and morally grey actions. Though I don't think the ending was perfect, I could not even begin to imagine a better outcome that will satisfy the wishes and well-being of these nuanced characters. A truly captivating and conflicting read to the very end.