I have replayed this amazing game multiple times and I still have strong memories from years ago when I first played it. Across every playthrough the scene that has always affected me the most is the Nefuru and Amicus bed scene basically the first sex scene. Years later I have realized why it still hits me so hard every time I reread this VN. We are given explanations that make logical sense. Amicus did not sleep with Nefuru because he wanted to betray Marco but because he wanted to secure a political deal. It is also emphasized that in this culture sex is treated as something far less romantic and more primal. Amicus did feel sexual attraction but not in a way that was meant to be cheating. It is also pointed out that Marco and Amicus were not officially together so expecting celibacy would be unfair. However the story explains that one of the main reasons it hurts Marco so deeply is that Amicus never consulted him. Amicus makes decisions that affect Marco without ever asking for his input. He acts in ways that suggest he sees Marco as lesser or at least not as an equal partner. I think the real reason the scene hurts so much though is because there is no foundation of trust between Marco and Amicus. From the start Marco is kidnapped and brought to Adastra against his will which makes it hard to trust Amicus at all. Amicus repeatedly makes mistakes and contradicts himself. He claims he found no enjoyment in the encounter yet earlier scenes like the bathroom scene and his comments about having needs suggest he is not being fully honest. Because of this it becomes difficult to believe anything he says or claims to feel. Without trust how is Marco supposed to believe that Amicus truly loves him, or that sex with Nefuru was purely transactional? Why should we as the reader trust that what their saying is genuine rather than some convenient justification for sleeping with someone else? This is not meant as a jab to the authors or the VN itself. It is simply a reflection on why the moment is so painful. Marco was finally beginning to trust Amicus and they were on the verge of a confession. That small amount of trust was shattered. I still believe that everything works out well in the end and I do not blame Marco’s intense reaction at all. It is hard to believe someone when you never truly had trust in them to begin with. Still love this vn and hope that khemia lives up to it