As Director Aoyama's voice finished speaking through the sound system, the living room instantly fell silent.
The six men and women, all from different fields, had heard the question he just posed. It was as if invisible threads were quietly weaving through the air.
"'Love at first sight, or love that grows over time—which is closer to the true nature of love?'"
"'Is the source of love attraction, or is it understanding?'"
Michiya Gōshin knew Director Aoyama was trying to add interesting elements to the show, but he hadn't expected a question like this on the very first day.
The question sounded simple—just choose one of two options for each part—but the choices would reveal each person's thoughts on love, making it a very sharp line of questioning.
So, everyone in the living room began to think.
Ten minutes passed quickly. Then, MEM-cho was the first to raise her hand, the small devil horns on her head bobbing with the movement. Her sapphire-like eyes glinted with a shrewd light.
"I'll go first!"
MEM-cho cleared her throat and deliberately raised her voice. "I believe in love at first sight! Hasn't everyone fantasized about a scene like that? Your heart racing when you first meet, feeling both nervous and scared—that's the most primal thrill of love, isn't it?"
She paused, then continued.
"As for the second question, I choose understanding! Just being attracted isn't enough. Being able to read the other person's subtle thoughts and understand each other's quirks is the key to a long-lasting love~"
After hearing her answer, Kumano Nobuyuki immediately raised his hand in agreement.
"I'm halfway with MEM-cho-san! Love at first sight is definitely true love! It was love at first sight for me with street dancing, and I haven't gotten tired of it after ten years!"
He scratched his head. "For the second question, I'd choose attraction. You have to be drawn to the other person's shining qualities at the start to have the motivation to get to know them!"
Morimoto Kengo then spoke up after Kumano Nobuyuki.
"Same as above."
Two words, concise and sharp, yet carrying an undeniable certainty. Since everyone was looking at him, he added,
"If you don't feel anything for someone, you can't be bothered to understand them. Attraction is a crucial prerequisite." The rock band lead singer's directness made MEM-cho click her tongue in surprise. "Wow, Morimoto-san, you're so blunt!"
Asakura Toru sat on the single sofa. She listened quietly to everyone's statements before speaking slowly, her voice as light as falling snow.
"Love that grows over time... I think that's very important."
She paused, her fingertips lightly tapping her knee. "As for understanding... that should be the source of love."
The girl offered no further explanation, but her calm expression made Michiya Gōshin glance at her.
If she valued understanding and love that grows over time, then just as he had initially judged, she would likely be a difficult person to win over.
Next, everyone's gaze focused on the remaining two. Kurokawa Akane subconsciously glanced at Michiya Gōshin beside her and began to speak.
"I choose love that grows over time."
Kurokawa Akane's voice was as clear as an icy spring. "The essence of love shouldn't be a fleeting thrill, but a deep connection that settles in after spending time together day and night. That's what I value."
Then, the girl continued with the second question. "As for the source, I choose attraction. The initial flutter of the heart must come from being captivated by someone's specific traits, which then leads to the rest of the story..."
She spoke the last few words very slowly, the end of her sentence brushing over everyone's hearts like a feather.
"Last up is Michiya-sensei!"
MEM-cho clapped her hands excitedly, her cat-like eyes gleaming with a thirst for gossip.
Michiya Gōshin took a deep breath, his gaze sweeping over the five people before him, and said slowly, "I choose love that grows over time."
He met Kurokawa Akane's gaze and spoke with a firm tone, "Love shouldn't be fireworks at first sight, but the steady companionship of a slow-flowing stream. It's like writing a novel—the brilliance isn't in the stunning beginning, but in the lingering resonance of the end."
As soon as he said this, a low murmur of amazement spread through the living room.
"And the second question?" MEM-cho pressed on, her eyes shining as if she'd uncovered some exclusive news.
"For the second question, I choose understanding."
Michiya Gōshin's gaze passed over everyone, finally resting on Kurokawa Akane's face. "Attraction is the starting point, but what makes love last is understanding the words left unsaid, and appreciating each other's vulnerabilities and strengths."
"Alright, it seems everyone has given their answers."
After everyone had answered, Director Aoyama's off-set instructions came through again.
"Next, please take some time to familiarize yourselves with the Heartbeat House. After all, this will be the place you live in together."
"Since it's the first day, the production crew will prepare lunch and dinner, but starting tomorrow, you will all need to arrange your own meals."
"After dinner, today's final task will be announced, so please pay attention."
Following that, the group of six began to explore the villa. Familiarizing themselves with the environment was important, as they would be living here for two weeks.
Time passed quickly into the afternoon. Dinner was served in the dining room on the first floor of the villa. The long table was laden with exquisite dishes, and the warm yellow light made the food look exceptionally tempting.
MEM-cho was constantly taking pictures with her phone, muttering about showing her fans the food standards on the dating show. Kumano Nobuyuki and Morimoto Kengo hit it off, their conversation drifting from band arrangements to music for street dancing.
Asakura Toru ate her sushi quietly, chewing each bite slowly as if savoring the food's temperature. Kurokawa Akane occasionally chatted with Michiya Gōshin about cooking methods, and when their eyes met, there was an unspoken understanding, since she had brought him meals many times before.
While eating, Michiya Gōshin observed everyone discreetly.
As the 'Wolf,' he needed to remember everyone's choices, as this might become key to future tasks.
MEM-cho was the group's mood-setter, lively and extroverted. Asakura Toru was delicate and transparent, not expressing much. Kumano's direct passion and Morimoto's cool exterior hiding a warm interior—these traits became even more distinct in the lively atmosphere of the dinner table.
Finally, there was Kurokawa Akane. The two of them had been through a lot together, so there was no pressure in their interactions, making her the easiest to handle.
After dinner, the group returned to the living room, and Director Aoyama's voice was heard once more.
"Now, for the rules of the first day's 'Heartbeat Message'! You can send a message to one person of the opposite sex using your designated phones, but there's an important condition—you must have at least one answer in common from the two questions you just answered."
"Remember, each person can only send one message."
"You can only reply after receiving a message, and you can also choose not to reply. That is your choice."
"There's a restriction like that?"
Kumano Nobuyuki frowned. "What if none of the answers match? Does that mean you can't send one?"
"Those are the rules."
Director Aoyama said with a laugh, "Love needs a bit of 'on the same wavelength' fate, doesn't it~ It is now 7:50. The messaging channel will open at 8:00 sharp. The countdown begins!"
The atmosphere in the living room instantly became subtle.
Everyone tacitly dispersed, finding their own corners to study their phones. Michiya Gōshin leaned against the side of the sofa and opened the notes he had just taken of the answers.
Me: Love that grows over time, understanding
Kurokawa Akane: Love that grows over time, attraction (Shared: Love that grows over time)
MEM-cho: Love at first sight, understanding (Shared: Understanding)
Asakura Toru: Love that grows over time, understanding (Shared: Love that grows over time, understanding)
Kumano Nobuyuki: Love at first sight, attraction
Morimoto Kengo: Love at first sight, attraction
In other words, according to the rules, he could send a message to the three girls—Kurokawa Akane, MEM-cho, and Asakura Toru. And all three of them could also send one to him.
"Two minutes left."
Time ticked by, second by second. When the prompt sounded precisely at 8:00, Michiya Gōshin's phone immediately vibrated, the screen lighting up to show a new message.
[You've received a message from a member of the opposite sex.]
[You've received a message from a member of the opposite sex.]
[You've received a message from a member of the opposite sex.]
"?"
Three?
Michiya Gōshin was stunned.
________________________________________
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