There's so much great VN language here; the timing on the graphical and music cues is ridiculously on-point. I was shocked afterward reading this was your first time using Ren'Py. I started picking up the When They Cry influence in earnest during chapter 5 -- you absolutely nailed the comic timing of the clubhouse bits with both the writing and the VN direction.
The stories themselves are super-lovely. Each episode is cute and exciting on its own, and then the whole thing builds in a really nice way that totally caught me off-guard. The action and catharsis-y bits in the back half were really good and felt earned me.
This was stunning, thanks so much for making and sharing this. Stories like this that make me feel extremely rewarded for seeking out new-to-me devs on itch.