Chapter 2: The First Day in a Strange Group

I regretted it. I regretted it from the bottom of my soul.

I cursed myself for not having the backbone to reject her from the start. Kurumi’s sweet, radiant smile had somehow hypnotized me—as if an invisible spell had pushed me to step inside this room without thinking twice.

The door to the vacant room in the old building creaked as I pushed it open. It was a long, raspy sound, like an old man groaning under the weight of having to witness yet another romantic drama.

The light inside was dim. A single bulb hung in the center, creating an atmosphere that felt like a low-budget interrogation scene.

And there they were—a few people sitting in a circle. Their expressions were so grim, so utterly serious, you’d think they were planning a ritual to summon a god of love.

“They’ve definitely watched too much anime. They’ve completely lost touch with reality... Good grief,” I muttered under my breath.

A guy with longish hair stared out the window with a dramatic, melancholic gaze. A girl hugged her notebook to her chest as if it were a sacred scripture on relationships. Another member stared at a three-word text on their phone screen as if trying to decipher a top-secret military code.

This wasn't a club. This was a collection of high-level, acute chuunibyou patients whose fantasies far exceeded the norm.

I let out a long, heavy sigh.

I thought my college life would be peaceful. Study. Go home. Sleep. No drama. No romance. Certainly no sunset scenes filled with misunderstandings. But now, I was standing before a group of humans who viewed 'Love' as the primary genre of existence. Idiotic.

And all of this—every single bit of it—was because of Kurumi Mitsuzu.

I was even starting to regret being in the same class as her. If I could turn back time, I’d probably switch majors.

Suddenly—

“Kengo-kun, you finally came!”

That cheerful voice shattered the heavy silence. Kurumi stood in the center of the room with a beaming smile, as if I had just signed a life-long contract I hadn't bothered to read.

Several pairs of eyes snapped toward me. Judging. Observing. Scanning. As if I were a new character whose arrival would determine their fate.

I just stood there, paralyzed. Damn it... so much for a peaceful first day.

The room fell silent again.

SLAM!

A hand struck the table with violent force. I winced.

“I know what you're thinking. You think we’re just a bunch of chuunibyou weirdos, don't you?” the guy with glasses muttered, glaring at me.

Well, if the shoe fits...

“You’re dead wrong, Kengo! We are the Heartbreak Society! We are far more than that! We have a grand mission to determine the future of romance on this very campus!” He spoke with the intensity of a villain revealing a world-domination plot.

Actually, it was a bit terrifying.

“Before I officially join, may I ask a question, Grand Master?” I asked.

“Grand Master?” “He called Touma ‘Grand Master’?”

Touma smirked. “Go ahead then, Kengo-kun. What is it?”

I took a deep breath. “What is true love? Can love really be ‘managed’ by a group like you?”

The room went dead silent. Whispers began to erupt like a low-fizzing soda. “His question is so unexpected...” “What kind of guy is he?” “Even Touma can’t answer that...”

“What is true love?” I pressed on. “Can love be determined through a meeting? Decided by a vote? Scheduled like a cleaning roster or organizational bylaws?”

I stared straight ahead, not at anyone in particular, but at the empty space of the room.

“If a group of people can decide who we should love... then where does the heart fit in?”

Silence.

“Love isn't a contract. It’s not a mutual agreement or a strategy you can map out.” I clenched my fists. “Love happens when we aren't ready. When we haven't planned for it. When someone slowly enters our lives... not because they were required to, but because we were the ones who opened the door.”

My breathing was heavy. “If ‘true love’ is chosen based on rules... then it’s not love. It’s an obligation.”

I looked down for a moment, then continued in a lower, colder voice.

“Heartbreak Society, huh?” I leaned back against a chair, eyeing every member. “You gather every week, discussing love like a math problem that can be solved through a group study. You give advice. You build strategies. You even predict the outcomes. But since when has the human heart ever submitted to a majority vote?”

“If love can be managed by a committee... then it’s not love. It’s a project.”

“Touma-san, he’s—” one member started, but Touma raised a hand.

“Just as I thought!” he shouted. “I knew you’d say that, Muramasa Kengo!”

He threw off his black cloak with practiced drama. Beneath it was a strikingly handsome man with blond hair and blue eyes. “Did you all hear that? From this day forward, Muramasa Kengo shall be our advisor! He is one of us!”

The room erupted in cheers.

“Wait, wait! Since when did I join? I haven't decided anything!”

“What are you talking about? You became one of us the moment you stepped into this room!”

“Dammit... so this was all a setup?”

The room lights flickered on brightly. Everyone shed their cloaks. My eyes widened as I spotted one particular girl—long pink hair, golden-yellow eyes. She was quiet, unlike the others.

I knew her. She was the girl I had helped when she fell off her bike back in high school.

One by one, they welcomed me. Including Kurumi—the girl I wanted to avoid most.

The next day, my official duties began.

“Kengo-kun, don’t go home after class. We have a client,” Kurumi told me.

“A client?”

I went to the room, resignation heavy in my chest. Inside, a girl I didn’t know was posing as if she were in deep prayer.

“What should I do? He’s so oblivious. I’ve given him so many ‘hints,’ but I can't tell if he likes me or not.”

“Why don't you just give up then?” I said bluntly.

Kurumi nudged me hard. “Sometimes we feel like we’re giving clear hints,” Kurumi said, her voice sounding like a Goddess answering a mortal’s prayer. “But in reality, they’re only clear in our own heads.”

“So I’m wrong?” the girl asked.

“Not wrong. But expecting someone to read a language they’ve never learned is like waiting for a train at a station where it doesn't stop.” Kurumi leaned in. “If someone likes you, they usually find an excuse to get closer. They don't leave you questioning everything.”

She continued softly, “Stop giving hints. Have the courage to use clear words. Because the heart isn't a puzzle that needs to be solved.”

The student bit her lip. “Are you afraid of being rejected?” Kurumi asked.

“Yes,” she whispered.

“It’s better to be honest with your feelings. Silence hurts much more.”

The girl began to cry, moved by Kurumi’s words. I had to admit—she really did sound wise. I stood up, feeling the need to add something.

“True love is worth fighting for. It’s not about how fast you get it, but how strong you are in pursuing it. If he’s yours, no matter how far he goes, he’ll return. If not, no matter how hard you chase, he’ll leave.”

Kurumi looked at me, a flicker of sadness crossing her face. I stared back, puzzled. I knew it... she’s hiding something.

The girl wiped her tears. “I’ll be honest with him. No more hints.”

As I walked home, I happened to overhear a conversation.

“Kenta-kun... I... I’ve liked you for a long time. Will you go out with me?”

Kenta stepped closer. “Of course!”

The air felt still. I was stunned. It worked. Another success for the Heartbreak Society.

I thought things would stay this way. Peaceful. Successful.

I was wrong.

“Kengo-kun!” Kurumi appeared again, her face practically glowing with excitement. “We have another client!”

I massaged my temples. This wasn't an organization; it was a 24-hour factory of human problems. And for some reason, I had a terrible feeling about this one.

Our next client... didn't feel like a stranger.