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Okay so I finally sat my butt down and played through this and I have to say it was really immersive, mainly because of how good the writing is! I have to say, MC is the most MC as they managed to even make their own self-doubt fall in "love" with them which I find absolutely hilarious. But I do have to say how interesting it is that each of Geist's words were so carefully picked out and targeted that even me, as a relatively less-overthinking kind of person, began to think about all the things Geist's says.

I like the use of the VAs, I know that there are realistically only two VAs because of the relevancy of Geist and Kalei but I like to think MC can only "hear" these two characters because of the amount of impact they have. Like, Geist's voice being all smooth and his tendency to enunciate words really makes you focus on him and his slow cadence, like he drowns out everything that you don't put in any audio in the background signifying the outside world because MC has gotten used to desperately trying to block out Geist's words that, by consequence, they've blocked and isolated themselves from hearing the outside world as well.

So, having Kalei able to speak helps ground MC, especially when it actually stops Geist from speaking because now MC's thinking isn't clouded over negative thoughts but focusing on Kalei. I also like the duality of their voices, Kalei noticeably has an accent but his voice is bright, fun, expressive, and he talks in a pretty chill manner compared to Geist's more formal way of speaking. He's the direct opposite to Geist which is another way to visually set them apart, and I think it helps ground MC because MC doesn't really notice anyone, nobody has any art or even a name attached to them aside from Kalei and Geist so having them visual different makes it so that MC can starkly recognize them (and also the Hawaii somewhat music playing every time Kalei is on scene is so funny, I wonder if MC's mind is just playing that as Kalei's theme).

I didn't think Geist is much of a yandere, he only really shows it somewhat at the ending where you have to push or accept him. I know that yanderes aren't ALWAYS violent, they manipulate and hurt you so you can stay by their side, and their love is both painful and suffocating. Looking back, I do think Geist was showing his love in a backhanded way by isolating MC and making them dependent by beating their self-esteem and identity all while spinning a nice story of accepting the version of MC he managed to create by ruining the MC that would have never created him (an MC with no self-loathing thoughts).

The yandere-ness is subtle but no less toxic and I find it very interesting how Geist mellowed out, he'll never fully be away from MC and even if Kalei is in the picture. But Kalei will never live inside of MC's mind like Geist is and I think that could be Geist's ultimate petty victory over Kalei. That in the end, he'll always will be by MC even if they don't want to acknowledge it, they'll accept it.

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OHH gosh, this was a very interesting read! Thank you for leaving such a long and insightful review~ (I'm sorry that it took me so long to reply!) I'm really glad you enjoyed the writing, and still felt immersed even if these aren't problems you usually struggle with ๐Ÿค”

I agree, the VAs did an absolutely fantastic job ๐Ÿค” I really wanted this game to be voiced in particular, just because I knew that Geist's lines would be so much more impactful if read aloud. Regarding his lines, it was actually the VA's interpretation! I initially was envisioning him to sound a lot more cruel (almost bully-like), but Shaun's ended up reading the lines a lot more gentle and slow and close to the mic, which gave a much more "intimate" feeling, like you mentioned - and ended up fitting the character much better. I'm really grateful for his diligence in reading the script ๐Ÿ˜Š

And ohh you noticed Kalei's accent!! Since he's Hawaiian, I did really want a Hawaiian VA (he uses Hawaiian pidgin sometimes too), and working with Noah was such a treat! I really concepted Kalei to be Geist's antithesis in basically every way ๐Ÿ˜‚ (and I'm glad you enjoyed the ukelele tracks ๐Ÿ˜‚๐Ÿ˜‚๐Ÿ˜‚ I couldn't help myself, when will I ever have the chance to use them again?? And they ended up fitting Kalei really well too) 

And LOLLL yes, I wanted to experiment with kind of a different kind of yan with Geist! I actually did (half-jokingly) consider an ending or two where he somehow killed Kalei but it just felt so out of place LMAOOO and I thought that having a yan who exclusively plays on the MC's insecurities would be an interesting writing challenge. (And well, I do like soft yans myself in general, I describe most of mine as having the energy of sad wet dogs ๐Ÿคฃ) Your interpretation of his character is spot-on, though - he does genuinely love the MC, and that's why he does what he does - he thinks that he's protecting their fragile self from a world that will shatter them (even though he's the reason they're so fragile in the first place.) And that "protectiveness" is no less toxic than pure "possessiveness." 

๐Ÿคฃ Honestly I never thought of Geist having the ultimate victory of Kalei but honestly you're right ๐Ÿคฃ (the thought of Geist constantly third-wheeling the two of them makes me chuckle...) I mean, he did say he would never leave the MC... and he didn't lie ๐Ÿคฃ

Thank you again for playing and taking the time to write up your thoughts, I really enjoyed looking through them! ๐Ÿฅฐ

So I wasn't being crazy whenever I heard the ukelele tracks, I kept replaying the scene where Kalei is and I'm thinking "The music is changing, this must be a significant character detail" lmao. And also I'm really amazed by the VAs dilligence! They really brightened up the experience and I have a new found appreciation for all the scenes now that I know, especially Geist's VA, I love his creative take because it really does speak to me from a narrative standpoint! 

You did such an amazing job with the story, and also the thought of Geist being a consistent third wheeler in all of MC and Kalei's relationship is so funny to me. He'll have the last laugh but I know he's occupying those third wheel couple places and glaring pettily at Kalei like a disgruntled cat.