I wonder if it's that major a cultural thing there in real life, or if it's something that's taken on a life of its own in manga and other pop culture, similar to how any little rainstorm gives people colds with high fever. It's a useful and easy to use narrative device, that's a bit more exaggerated than the real thing.
Yeah, that's basically what I am wondering, too. I don't think extensive knowledge about manga and anime count as valid base for deducting it's an actual, real life Japanese culture thing... :)
That being said, the story took a turn I didn't expect there in chapter three. Ato made some pretty decent points (and her wording wasn't even as bad as she said). It's nice to see characters having an actual, sensible thought process that takes their own life into account. Brining up their parents as an example for real life relationships versus romanticised, idolised love concepts was refreshing.