This was EXCELLENT! The entire project was very highly polished, from the writing, to the art (both CGs and backgrounds), to the UI, to the voice acting.
I really appreciated how grounded the story was and the care put into creating a well-rounded cast of characters. Rather than feeling exclusively like Chrys' love story, it felt like a story that was more about Chrys' growth and his process of healing. We see him grow closer to his friends, and we see his relationship with his grandma evolve. He even has a good heart-to-heart with Shay's ex, which was one of my favorite moments in the game; it really concluded Chrys' arc in a very satisfying way, as he is finally able to "close the door" with an "ex" in a mature and thoughtful way (even if it wasn't "his" ex). The story is a bit of a slow burn, but rightfully so - the process of healing is slow, and seeing Chrys warm up over the course of the story was very heartwarming to watch. When Shay and Chrys got together, it felt like a triumph for Chrys as a person because he finally felt comfortable being vulnerable/trusting again.
I loved both of the leads! Chrys was an adorable spitfire, with his own host of relatable insecurities and anxieties. Shay was...basically the perfect romantic lead? He was continuously understanding, sympathetic, and conscious of Chrys' needs. While it was clear that he was interested in Chrys, it never felt like he trespassed on Chrys' boundaries. (Also, not going to lie, Shay is very attractive.)
While there is drama in the storyline, it never feels dramatic or overly manufactured. Chrys' reactions make a lot of sense considering his experiences and his wariness around people, and throughout I only felt empathy for all sides involved, as they try to navigate a slightly rocky relationship. I especially liked the final climax, as I understood both sides: Shay's desire to have closure with his ex, and Chrys' understable anxiety about the possible infidelity.
Overall, I think that this was a really cozy, heartwarming love story that was well-conceived and perfectly executed. As I mentioned before, the art is absolutely gorgeous (and I loved the chibi CGs as well)! The sketchbook UI was adorable and perfectly suited the theme. And all of the voice actors did a fantastic job bringing the characters to life.
Really looking forward to what M2B is cooking up next ;)