Thank you so much!!! I’m so glad you liked it even through the confusing bits haha
The side stories are mostly because I really liked those two characters. Totally not required tho! Only for a little context and some of them are kinda cute lol
Spoilers kinda (but honestly please interpret the story however you like!)
Your black dog theory is pretty close actually! I viewed the blackbird as more of a counter to the MC’s depression but a stand in for maladaptive daydreaming. Almost like a comfort object? I thought of it as the MC viewing one kind person as his savior, building up a relationship in his head to help him deal with life even though he knows it’s not real.