Completion date: October 14, 2025

Review: Utakata no Uchronia

The long-anticipated FD but also sequel to the base game as the character after stories are really sequels instead of pure fluffy romance. I maintain that Broccoli planned this FD before even releasing the main game. There is a decent amount of content in this FD including:

• After story: sequel after the good ending with the 5 LI – not FD. Plot heavy. There is a “normal end” but no CG so not necessary to collect. Not all best endings have wedding CGs.
• If story: Hiiragi and Tsuwabuki endings.
• Another story: sequel after truth ending where you have a mini ending and CG with each of the 5 original LI based on choices.
• For the 5 main LI, there is an extra story with one CG each.

Uchronia reminds me of a Chinese sweet/after meal dessert, where the best compliment is “it’s not too sweet”. The romance is there. You get resolution and the happily ever after. But it is not heavily laden with rich creamy confessions or passionate scenes. It’s calming, comfortable, and cozy.

The length of the after stories are on the longer side IMO. Again the writing still suffers from pacing issues, such as miscommunication “conflicts” that can be resolved by Hinagiku opening her mouth but instead drags on for 2 chapters and one hour of text. Seems to fit the non-confrontational stereotype of Japanese people but I do not know enough to comment on this. I expected and am tolerating of this so it’s not a deal breaker for me.

CGs are pretty with my only complaint being Hinagiku either looking 18 or 38 in some pictures … like so mature with heavy makeup?? The guys are well-drawn. Also the inconsistency of her height. She is 157cm/5’1” but some of those proportions make her look like a tall girlie like 5’7”… If you say she is 157cm then sorry she isn’t going to have long slender legs and proportions…

Quicklinks are in my play order which does not matter in the FD:

Yashiro/Yori/Tsuyukusa/Tobari/Awayuki

If Story: Hiiragi/Tsuwabuki

Another Story: Summary/Final Thoughts

Finally, WHY IS THERE NO KARATACHI ROUTE. HE MADE A COMEBACK APPEARANCE IN THE GAME SO WHY NO IF STORY WHYY BROCCOLI

**SPOILERS INCLUDED IN THIS REVIEW**

CATCH UP: MAIN STORY

If you don’t know who’s who then this is not the page for you. I ask you to kindly catch up from my review of the base game or any review/source of your choice.

The main conflict of the story is that Itehari is fuelled by “hihiirokane” (an endless energy source) to float in the sky and avoid war as well as natural disasters on land. However, the steam produced by keeping Itehari afloat not only afflicts the lower class of Itehari (Senka) but also those on land (Touei – which is literally what Japan was referred to by China in history) and its fictional capital Ginwan, with an incurable terminal disease hariyamai (glass [lung] disease). Ginwan seeks to conquer Itehari for its riches and for revenge of the above issue by sending assassins and agents to sew unrest.

At the same time, a drug sumizome made from a plant (homage to opium) has the ability to enhance a person’s physical capabilities or at extreme doses, stop aging. However, it is extremely addicting. People who do not get timely access to it will become “kemonotsuki” or literally, possessed by beasts and go berserk. Different parties have different interests in sumizome, as it provides Itehari with a large income as well helps Ginwan train their troops.

Itehari is hailed as a utopia where people are averse to conflict. The commoners have been genetically engineered to avoid conflict or even die out of fear when seeing bloodshed (so they’re all baby rabbits). The ruling class do not have this in their genes; this is the reason why commoners are strictly forbidden to marry aristocrats and why Kurozuru only takes aristocratic children, with Awayuki being an exception.

Due to a misunderstanding, Hinagiku who was destined to die as a child meets the automata Narukami who has hihiirokane as its heart. Narukami shared a tiny bit of hihiirokane with her which allowed her to recover and live a healthy life. In the final showdown, Itehari’s steam mechanism is damaged requiring Narukami to use his heart to maintain the machine and fall into a slumber. Saku, the boy who sells information, is revealed to be one of the oldest spies sent from Ginwan, but unable to age due to an overdose on sumizome. He falls down from Itehari with his fate unknown.

Yashiro (CV: Kobayashi Chiaki)

Yashiro defected from Ginwan and chose to stay at Itehari as of the good ending last game. He’s now got his own place and store called “whatever time store” because nobody in his crew could agree on a name. He runs errands – any kind of errand, any time, any place – and starts becoming part of the Itehari community and liked by the people. He continues to call Hinagiku hime-sama and displays quite a bit of PDA with her in front of the others, but they’re used to it at this point.

[I’m purposely leaving the Narukami plot line out because it is irrelevant to this story, but did make an appearance.]

Hinagiku and Yashiro become attacked by more Ginwan assassins. They report to Hiiragi and co. (with Karatachi making an appearance again! my heart!). A discussion breaks out whether the assassins are coming for Yashiro or Hinagiku.

Yashiro, who is noted by the group to often act like a “lone-wolf” and resort to self-sacrifice, is noted thinking that he needs to do something in order to stop assassins and Ginwan drama from disturbing Hinagiku’s peaceful life in general.

Hinagiku has a strong sixth-sense this route and asks Yashiro if he’s hiding anything, but he continues to find excuses (bruh… like you didn’t lie enough in the main route). He takes Hinagiku on a date and buys her a pair of hariko.

Remember that Saku’s cover doesn’t get blown in any of the LI routes. So his cover is blown and captured by Kurozuru. He makes some kind of deal with Yashiro off-screen so Saku spills all the beans to Kurozuru. Hinagiku finds this suspicious and sees Saku in private. Because Hinagiku was kind to Saku and he owes her one, he tells her that in exchange for Ginwan to cease sending agents to Itehari, Yashiro would return to Ginwan alone.

Aaaaand Hinagiku sits on this information for almost two entire chapters without confronting Yashiro. She tries to bring it up a few times but Yashiro would quickly change the subject. Instead of interrupting him and saying listen boy, we need to talk, Hinagiku just swallows her words and we press next for another 30 minutes lol.

In the meantime we see more of Yashiro’s past. How he yearned to be important, useful, and loved by someone. Found family is a theme of Yashiro’s route and his memories reflect this.

While Hinagiku knows that he is going to quietly disappear off Itehari this whole time, he tries to spend as much time with her as possible, but it’s just even more sad as the reader because he was going to leave T_T

The night before Yashiro leaves, he and Hinagiku share one last embrace at the same place and under the same sunset they met:

Hinagiku is a lot smarter than what she lets on on screen. When Yashiro tries to leave in an early morning before sunrise, Hinagiku and friends catch him and force him to admit his plan.

Yashiro acts all tough. The crew is like YOU OWE HINAGIKU AN EXPLANATION AND APOLOGY. Yashiro drops the bombshell that he is the emperor’s child, but from a lesser concubine not the empress, hence he isn’t the heir. He knew that those assassins were after him not Hinagiku. [So some people in the CN otome community predicted that Yashiro wasn’t just some random kid but royalty, bravo!]

Therefore, he wants to return to Ginwan as his words and title do carry some weight. Maybe he can work out a solution by negotiating with the emperor. Hinagiku says, okay, because this is so important to you, who am I to stop and not support you. Then she says, I will go with you.

I did not see that coming, just like how dumbo me didn’t see Yashiro being one of the princes of Ginwan. Anyways, I loved this plot twist.

Yashiro goes to Hiiragi and gets his blessing to return to Ginwan as official diplomats of Itehari, along with Hinagiku, Tobari, Awayuki, and Saku.

They meet Ginwan prime minister Suoh (sorry all I can think of is Suoh Mikoto from K), the counterpart to Sakaki, who acts all arrogant and sus and won’t let them see the emperor or the other prime minister (as there are two instead of one in Ginwan), or even the heir to the throne.

Beautiful onsen date scene with fireflies with Yashiro thanking Hinagiku for supporting and accompanying him on this journey. But can someone tell me why Hinagiku looks like a slender tall girlie here isn’t she 5’1”

With some sleuthing, the group finds out that the emperor is actually dead, likely poisoned by Suoh, months ago. The other prime minister is on the run. The crowned prince is under house arrest by Suoh.

By a silly coincidence Hinagiku helps a random old dude on the side of the country road, who turns out to be the other prime minister on the run (lol aight). Hinagiku and Yashiro go confront Suoh and distract him while Tobari and Awayuki rescues the crown prince. Suoh’s evil plans are foiled. The crowned prince becomes the new emperor of Itehari.

All is good… until Yashiro asks Hinagiku to return to Itehari without him. He says he has some unfinished business here but promises her he will return to Itehari to be with her. He also proposes to her, asking if he can marry her upon return.

Yashiro takes a bit longer than expected, but eventually he follows his promise. When Hinagiku goes to the same platform under the sunset to reminisce about their times together, he greets her by surprise just like how the two met in the beginning.

Wedding CG: [ok I’m happy that there is a wedding CG but why do they look like they’re posing for a tooth whitening commercial and Hinagiku looks mature!]

Extra story: their wedding night (nothing steamy, CERO C)

Another story Gentou-sai CG: The two try catching goldfish with a paper net (a game at one of the stands)

THOUGHTS: Got slightly long and suffered from pacing issues in the middle but overall a cute route. I especially liked Hinagiku’s fast thinking and sense, and how supportive she was to Yashiro. Some of the events were cheesy (like she randomly deciding to wake up and take a walk outside at 4am in the morning then runs into Yashiro making an escape, ok) but gives that fated feel especially in the finale. This is the poster boy after all.

Yori (CV: Eguchi Takuya)

That’s right, I’m using larger font for his title because our best boy deserves it. If you couldn’t tell from my extremely long section dedicated to Yori in the base game review, you will soon appreciate that my favouritism for him is blatant and I stand by it. So buckle up. I truly wish I could screenshot every scene and share it with you because that’s how good this after story is. Alas, I cannot so I will try to be judicious.

The route starts with Hinagiku and Yori – who is stripped of his inheritance of the “West Two” family due to him trying to frame Tsuwabuki and the things he did in the base game, and under house arrest with Hinagiku, living with her in the same house – attending an evening party for the upper class. The only complaint I have about the conversation is that the aristocrats still choose to talk to Yori first, even if he is a “criminal” and relying on Hinagiku’s title. They should be addressing Hinagiku first!

Yori dislikes this kind of fake socialization so he finds an excuse and goes home early with Hinagiku. He acts all pouty and upset, Hinagiku has 3 options for response and the one that increases his affinity is “offer him food” LOOOL. Yori route has some gem dialogue options that we will dissect, don’t you worry…

Having two rivals and enemies living under the same roof means they are bound to bicker.

Yori: Hey Awayuki, this tea is kind of bitter.
Awayuki: My tea is never bitter.
Awayuki: If you don’t like my tea, you can choose to not drink it.

HINAGIKU TAKES YORI’S SIDE OMGGG and Awayuki looks (sounds) like a hurt puppy T_T Even if she tells Yori to cut it out later (and to ask for the honey and be “direct” instead of asking for it in a roundabout way by talking badly of Awayuki), she scolds Awayuki first T_T Even if I’m biased towards Yori he is clearly picking on Awayuki this is not fair himegimi…

Yori still works at Kurozuru, but he requires constant supervision by Aijiro or Awayuki including on his way to work. Hinagiku often goes to pick up him from work. She also asks herself why she kept the engagement after he no longer has political value, and is proven to be a liar in the base game… “The reason must be… I love him. He who is the worst, good-for-nothing, and a liar…”

What makes Yori so special as a character is his tension with Hinagiku. The push-pull dynamic is masterfully written. When Hinagiku comes in close, he pulls away; but when Hinagiku gives him distance, he cozies up to her. Hinagiku at the beginning of this route already realized her feelings for him, but aren’t sure if they are reciprocated. Yori knows Hinagiku loves him and accepts him no matter what. However, at this point he is in no hurry to declare his side just like he wouldn’t ask for honey directly when the tea is too bitter… instead like a cat playing with its mouse, he toys with her a little. To Hinagiku, he’s hard to read, plays a lot of games, but sometimes shows her a glimpse of his true feelings at the least expected times.

Hinagiku replies sheepishly that she comes to pick him up from work every day because Yori said “if it’s not Hinagiku picking me up then I don’t like it”.

Hinagiku replies that she also “doesn’t mind” walking home with Yori every day. He teases her for “opening up” then says:

He then asks what Hinagiku really wants. We have the option of choosing “I want to be treated gently by Yori” and “…” Hinagiku feels she would continue to get teased whether she admits she wants to be treated nicely or not (by faking she doesn’t care), so she stays silent. To which Yori smiles and tell her that she chose the “correct answer” because he already knows her heart. He also starts calling her Hinagiku-chan instead of just himegimi.

Yori starts to get busy at work and returns home later. He tells Hinagiku she doesn’t need to pick him up. Hinagiku starts worrying that he is tired of her, despite Aijiro telling her that Yori actually has legitimate duties at Kurozuru. She goes to Tsuyukusa (and Saku who is also there) and asks “is my man cheating on me”. (Tsuyukusa was initially concerned but upon hearing this is man-trouble he was like “why did I even ask, why am I here just to suffer” LMAO) The two do not reassure her, if anything they’re like welllll Yori isn’t really the type to stay loyal, cuz he lies and is sus and all that…. So now Hinagiku is definitely spiralling.

On her way home, Hinagiku gets attacked by Ginwan assassins. I’m glad Tsuwabuki saves the day but her reaction to the blade was literally “I closed my eyes” girl no lol.

Yori over-teases Hinagiku so she gets dejected and leaves for her room. He grabs her by the arm and APOLOGIZES?? He notes she is off and asks what’s on her mind.

So Hinagiku tells him honestly that she worries he is cheating on her with women from the red light district. Yori is like BRUHHH I’m under constant supervision I ain’t got time or opportunity (or motive) to cheat on you woman you crazy. But he is secretly happy that Hinagiku cares about him so much, even if this concern was silly. He also finds out Hinagiku went to visit Tsuyukusa alone and pouts and throws a little jealous fit~ but then acts like he doesn’t care because “he is no match to me” LOL aww

He definitely cares and wants to spend more time with Hinagiku. Yori tells Hinagiku he will take her to a cafe on his dime. He asks if she has a place in mind. Hinagiku replies:

Yori and Hinagiku run into Tsuwabuki. Yori finds out that Tsuwabuki got alone time with Hinagiku (even though he was literally saving her life) and becomes upset again. Hinagiku has the options of “explain” “I have no excuse”. She chooses to come clean and explain that nothing happened between them. Yori calls Hinagiku for having “quite a personality” for making her fiancé jealous and that she should have told him way sooner, but then adds “because you are so afraid of me disliking you, and desperate to explain yourself, and the fact you’re cute, I guess I’ll forgive you this time.” This is why I called him a CAT-like LI in my base game review and why I LOVE HIM SO MUCH.

Yori then shares a bit about his childhood growing up with Tsuwabuki. There is a childhood CG but the quality was meh – RiRi chose to draw chibi but I think she should have stuck to her original style. Tsuwabuki is always calm, gentle, and a reliable big-brother figure to Yori. He will always let Yori have his stuff and look out for him. He has never been mad at Yori, even when Yori tries to get a rise out of him and even bully him. Yori says he dislikes Tsuwabuki because he refuses to believe he is that kind at heart, and that he is doing all of this because he has commoner blood and wants to get on his dad’s good side to be the successor. [Tsuwabuki is literally Jesus in Yori routes. I wonder if that persona will stay the same in his own route?]

Hinagiku decides to go on a detour to Tsuyukusa’s place. Yori of course follows because he doesn’t want them to get alone time. Instead, they run into Hiiragi, and Yori learns the face behind Taijyu-sama. Hiiragi says more assassins are being sent after him lately, despite Kurozuru’s best efforts. He then talks about his ambition to make Itehari a utopia for everyone… Including those in senka, to Yori’s surprise – because Yori obviously only cares about the upper class so to him, maintaining the status quo is the best choice.

On their way home Yori discusses this with Hinagiku, who supports Hiiragi’s view and has a more idealistic version of the world and how it should be.

H: I think it’s so great that our Taijyu-sama thinks this way!
Y: Hm… I see. Instead of being satisfied by the status quo, himegimi you are type to seek change.
Y: No matter how I look at it, I can’t agree with this viewpoint. Bestowing love and care to those who are less fortunate – in the end this is just an act of self-serving virtue-signalling [Tsuwabuki.jpg].
Y: I just think it’s so unrealistic of a ruler who has no idea how the real world works to talk about his dreams and ideals. That sure sounds rich.
Y: … You two are romantic idealists. I do not share those values.
Y: We are already fortunate enough to be blessed with a good life. Instead of being grateful, we want more. Are you trying to make your life more difficult?
Y: … That being said, I know how hard you work to reach your goals. You should keep doing what you want.
H: Wait, what?
Y: … Even if I cannot share your sentiment, I accept that this is just how you are.

On the other hand, Awayuki brings a snack to Hinagiku. Hinagiku thanks Awayuki because she finds it delicious. Awayuki then admits that Yori is the one who has been asking around Hinagiku’s likes and tastes and got this for her.

Hinagiku takes Yori to the her favourite platform. They see two unexpected guests: Hiiragi and Narukami. A Ginwan assassin appears. In that moment, Yori instinctively shields Hinagiku instead of Hiiragi, causing Taijyu to be mortally wounded.

Narukami takes out part of his heart/hihiirokane and cures Hiiragi on the spot, but at the price of him shutting down. His automata identity is revealed when Hinagiku and Yori speak to Sakaki. On the way there, Hinagiku has the option to “tell him thank you” or “ask about his injuries”. The correct option that increases affinity is to ask about his injuries, but interestingly Yori gets pouty and says he doesn’t want Hinagiku to worry about his injuries and gives her one more “chance” to say the response he “wants”, to which she says “thank you for protecting me, Yori-sama” and he’s like “good”. Ahaha 素直じゃないよね

Sakaki has doubts that Hinagiku has hihiirokane, and to test her he asks her to open the Core, as only people with hihiirokane have the ability to unlock the entrance. Hinagiku opens the door. Sakaki then tells Hinagiku that hihiirokane is what also keeps Itehari afloat. However, it’s been 300 years and the machine is getting old and malfunctioning. For Itehari’s sake, Narukami cannot be in a slumber because only he knows how to maintain the machine. Narukami needs hihiirokane; and we obviously cannot kill the Taijyu… so he asks Hinagiku to sacrifice her life for Itehari.

Hinagiku is conflicted but actually seriously considered this, out of noblesse oblige. Yori gets extremely upset and interrupts Sakaki to tell Hinagiku that he dislikes this side of her and that she should just firmly turn him down. What is she thinking of, harming and killing herself for some greater cause?! He says it’s Hiiragi’s fault anyway for running outside and being vulnerable to the assassins, so why is Hinagiku responsible for picking up his slack by offering her life?!

Sakaki gives them a month to come up with a solution. He also makes some kind of deal with Yori alone, so Yori’s supervision is lifted & he can act alone again. Having just played Yashiro route I’m so worried he’s going to do something self-destructive… fortunately he does not as we will see.

Yori works with Tsuwabuki again. Tsuwabuki tries to explain himself to Yori that he has nothing but respect and a brotherly love for Hinagiku. Hinagiku tries to clear this up with Yori as well. Yori surprisingly brings up the paperweight that Tsuwabuki gave Hinagiku in the base game.

Hinagiku is like omg it’s just stationary, he’s not gifting me a dress or jewelry in which case I’d obviously decline. Yori is like idc he will start with something small and innocuous then escalate and steal you away from me!! and gets all pouty again. AND WE GET A POUTY YORI CG WITH HINAGIKU TRYING TO CALM HIM AWWWW [Yori: me want attention.jpg]

H: Aww Yori… you’re not a little kid anymore.
Y: Sorry, I’m not responsible like Tsuwabuki.
H: So? I love this childish version of you.
Y: … no, you just think I’m annoying and a pain in the ass.

Hinagiku finally appeases Yori and we get a smiling version of this CG before Hinagiku realizes people are looking at them because they’re in the middle of the street, lol. This FD has so much PDA.

Hinagiku blushes and tries to change the subject by saying she will buy a dessert that Yori likes ahaha.

Yori is doing his “mission” alone (we still don’t know what at this point) and fights a Ginwan assassin, getting wounded in the progress. Hinagiku tends to his wounds. He teases Hinagiku that she should “reward” him with something. For all the times Hinagiku is naive and dubbed “clueless” by Yori, she catches on and asks him if he means … that kind of reward. Unfortunately, we don’t get any more description other than Yori says he will visit her tonight. Okay….

Hinagiku sees Yori and Saku discussing something suspiciously in the street and follows them to the platform. Saku calls out to her saying he sees her. Yori then blatantly trades information with Saku, who shows his hand of being the oldest Ginwan spy. He tells Saku that the hihiirokane that Ginwan is looking for rests within Taijyu’s heart. Hinagiku wants to add that she has it too, to defend Hiiragi, but gets warned by Yori to not say anything stupid. Yori also tells Saku that Tsuyukusa is not making headway with repairing Narukami or the machine, so it is only a matter of time before Itehari falls to the ground for Ginwan’s conquering. He advises Saku that all Ginwan needs to do is wait. There is no need to expend lives or send any more assassins/operatives.

On the way home, Hinagiku asks Yori what the hell he just told Saku.

Y: Well. If Ginwan learns that you possess hihiirokane… do you know how much danger you would be in?
Y: My solution ensures your safety. Sure, this sends Taijyu some inconveniences his way…
Y: He is an assassination target regardless of whether he has hihiirokane or not, so what difference does it make?
Y: You know that I won’t allow you to sacrifice yourself for this, right?
Y: So what if you die for Itehari’s preservation. Hooray, I guess? Everyone continues to live on blissfully ignorant, unaware of your sacrifices?

And then Yori CRIES!!! I did not see this CG coming in 100 years. The man who teases and plays with Hinagiku’s feelings, the man who always had a nonchalant attitude towards everything in his life, is shedding tears over someone he cares about?!

H: … I’m sorry, Yori-san…
H: for making the man I love cry.

Yori then tries to end the subject and takes out the same handkerchief Hinagiku made him in the main game!! He still has it with her!!! This route keeps refreshing my expectations in a good way. He then cryptically says “I don’t like to make my life difficult, so I take my own precautions.” Hinagiku asks what he means by that, but he only smiles and doesn’t answer her. We will soon find out…

Saku honours his part of the deal and helps Yori/Kurozuru arrest some spies on the loose. Meanwhile, Tsuyukusa excitedly tells everyone that he’s figured out a way to repair the mechanism keeping Itehari afloat and even predict which areas need maintenance next. When I first read this, I thought who cares? However, the genius of this route’s writing is that the writer placed this scene here for a purpose, wait until the end..

Leveraging his title as general of Kurozuru, Karatachi takes Hinagiku out for a “walk” alone, but actually to kidnap her as the highest ranking Ginwan spy.

Karatachi found out from other avenues that Hinagiku has hihiirokane – the one thing Yori does not want him to find out. Tobari tries to distract Karatachi and help Hinagiku escape, but they are no match for the strongest person in the game.

Yori and Tsuwabuki arrive. This whole time Yori and Tsuwabuki have been pretending to be infighting. The task Sakaki gave Yori was to investigate Karatachi. Now that their boss finally showed his true colours, its time to pull the net they casted. Yori even has the time to tell Hinagiku “you are such a troublesome princess. But it’s ok, I’m used to it <3”

Karatachi is defeated and arrested. Yori completed Sakaki’s mission with flying colours. As a reward, he has his West Two aristocratic title back. His criminal record is wiped which means… he does not need to rely on Hinagiku’s household title anymore.

The camera pans to Hiiragi and Sakaki. Hiiragi says Yori could have offered Hinagiku’s life to save Itehari. Because if Hinagiku dies, he would inherit her estate and title as her fiancé. This is the most beneficial route for him, but he still chose to speak up and protect Hinagiku. Sakaki then sarcastically adds today might just be the day that Yori actually falls in love with the himegimi from East Five district.

Hinagiku and Yori walk in the woods of the forbidden area. Yori mentions that Tsuwabuki became angry at him for the first time in their lives, because he took on Sakaki’s mission without telling him.

Y: He was so angry at me… it’s almost like I did a bad thing.
Y: By the way… I don’t need to stay in the East Five district anymore.
Y: You don’t need to be responsible for me anymore. I can live as an aristocrat myself.
H: Are you saying that I should let go of you?
Y: Well, didn’t you stay with me because you felt pity for me all this time?
H (holding Yori’s hand tightly, with a smile):

Me:

LET’S GO HINAGIKU SO PROUD OF YOU SO HAPPY FOR YOU TWO AHHHH

YORI TELLS HER TO CLOSE HER EYES

AND WE GET THIS BEAUTIFUL CG (ok the kiss could have been drawn better it’s like she’s kidding the edge of his mouth but the people are drawn beautifully and the environment too I can die in peace)

However, the story doesn’t end here.

The brothers Hiiragi and Tsuyukusa lied to the world that Tsuyukusa figured out how to fix the mechanism. They haven’t. And they probably will never without fixing Narukami. However, it was an alliance formed among them and Yori that in order to protect the girl they love, they will lie to the world. Itehari will fall in the near future; we end on an ominous note…

Short story: Yori doesn’t want to get up to go to work and has an ichaicha moment with Hinagiku (why is she looking at him like that lmaoo she wants it)

After story: Yori dresses up as a commoner to sneak to the movies with Hinagiku without being noticed (ahhh daily attire Yori we need more parodies like this)

THOUGHTS: I forgive the writer for butchering other routes solely because of this route. There are so many highlights with amazing dialogues. She continues to display Yori’s charm as a character, how he would say the meanest things but we all know his feelings for Hinagiku. Their push-pull dynamic as I mentioned in the body of the review is masterfully written and a demonstration of their chemistry. I love how Hinagiku finally becomes confidence of not only her feelings for him, but his feelings for her, and proposes to him as a result.

This FD did not take the direction I expected, given how some scenes in the main game got sexy with him I thought we would get more spice, but this was surprisingly pure and precious. The ending as well was interesting. Yori continues to be a morally grey character. We really do not and will never get the “happily ever after” ending with him. Very hard to find a mainstream otome LI sharing his qualities; he has his own trope. There are no redundant scenes or details. Everything is mentioned for a reason and becomes addressed.

I am surprised at his relationship with Tsuwabuki, as in the showdown with Karatachi it is shown that Yori’s relationship with and view of Tsuwabuki is certainly… complicated. This makes me reexamine the events of the first game. Since when did he and Tsuwabuki work together to put up a less than amicable front to fool Karatachi?

Tsuyukusa (CV: Matsuoka Yoshitsugu)

THOUGHTS: Final thoughts first for this one. Unfortunately, I heavily disliked the direction that Tsuyukusa FD took. I liked him in the base game. His personal charm in the base game are summarized as follows:

1. He is an unapologetic Hinagiku-con and would declare his love and clear bias for her.
2. He would support her decision no matter what. He respects Hinagiku’s opinion.
3. He would behave to Hinagiku in a spoiled kid manner and we got scenes where he sleeps in her lap, or have to hold his hand or he won’t get up etc. almost like a pseudo big sister-little brother dynamic.

Aaand we lose all of the above in the FD. I can see the writer was trying to show Tsuyukusa growing and maturing as a person, only she doesn’t fully commit and he doesn’t fully mature either. The end product is a half-assed character who loses all his charms in the base game and doesn’t grow into a decisive, independent man either; he is stuck in the middle and it just feels awkward as the reader because I don’t know what to do with that. There was no point trying to write him into a second Hiiragi especially in light of a dedicated Hiiragi route.

The route also spends 80% of the time talking about court intrigue that I did not care about at all. Because of said court intrigue and “plot needs”, Hinagiku and Tsuyukusa don’t even get to meet much. I felt I spent more time watching her with Yori/Tsuwabuki than with the main Li of this route. The decision to make this route politics focused is IMO in poor taste because to me, Tsuyukusa’s charms are his nerdy niche interests and quirkiness. He is not built for or interested in playing the chess game called politics. I don’t mind main plot-focused routes (see Tobari’s commentary after) but not here.

A lot of the confessions were half-assed because they took place in the form of Hinagiku/Tsuyukusa speaking to a third party, but not actually confessing to each other. Did I mention the setting at the beginning of the FD is that these two are dating?

The only saving grace of this route is Matsuoka’s voice acting, some scenes were just … 🔥 you have to listen to them to experience them.

We start the game with a spiicy scene of Tsuyukusa waking up beside Hinagiku… on the floor after a day’s hard work. Matsuoka let us eat good and gave me the delusion that this is going to be a lovey dovey sweet amazing route.

A lot of change needs to happen in Itehari including the renovation/rebranding of the Hanamachi (Tobari’s district), the treatment of senka-dwelling Chigaeshi Clan [name pays homage to Chigaeshi no ookami or the god who guards the entrance to the underworld in Japanese mythology], and the maintenance of Itehari’s steam mechanism which seems to be breaking down all over the place. Hiiragi and co. aren’t sure if this is due to sabotage attempts from Ginwan, but we know it’s because Sakaki and Narukami died/got damaged from the main game in this route, so the repairmen are gone. However, for the rest of this game it goes on and on and on about “why are things breaking”.

Some minor cute scenes in between but nothing worthy to be mentioned here. What is CG and mention worthy is that Tsuyukusa and Hinagiku supposedly had a day off together, but they kept getting interrupted by the main plot i.e. Yori/Saku/Yashiro/everyone else and in the end Tsuyukusa gets grumpy because he didn’t spend quality time with his beloved Hinagiku. Hinagiku basically says aww cute grumpy baby. Tsuyukusa does not want to be called “cute” he wants Hinagiku to view him as a man but Hinagiku either really thinks he is cute or is too naive to realize that you shouldn’t call a man “adorable” (probably a combination of both) so Tsuyukusa ends up turning into the tickle monster and we get this cute CG

Tsuyukusa’s identity at this time remains a commoner. Remember that twins are viewed as a bad omen. The fact he and Hiiragi are twins set off a series of political infighting resulting in the death of Hinagiku’s parents. People don’t see Hiiragi’s face so they have no idea he looks exactly like Tsuyukusa. Tsuyukusa lives on as a random commoner not as a relative of Hiiragi.

This becomes important because Hinagiku is under pressure from her foster father (I almost forgot she had one, because she and Awayuki have been running the household) to get married to someone of her class. Awayuki, who has been an A+ wingman in other people’s FD routes including this one (God I hope he gets the FD route he deserves for being so loyal to Hinagiku), suggests that she talk to Tsuyukusa, let him know that she is under pressure to marry, and that obviously she wants to be married to him. Hinagiku’s response? She doesn’t want to because she worries about being Tsuyukusa’s burden. She doesn’t want Tsuyukusa to reveal his identity for something “trivial” as… marrying the love of his life? Guuuurl you are already dating him and you know that Tsuyukusa is the last person in this world to think you’re a burden. So because of this I am forced to sit through chapters and chapters of BS. Thanks a lot. Ugh.

So instead of talking to each other like normal human beings, Hinagiku goes to her childhood friend Aoi, and Tsuyukusa to Tobari, and they confess by proxy… I can’t with this trope… especially in an FD when the two are already dating… you have no excuse of doing this… next…

They introduce Kagetsu, the young leader Chigaeshi clan. I like the design and vibe, but this character can be removed from the game and nothing would be affected lol. Other than showing that Hiiragi is benevolent and truly wants to work towards change, this character doesn’t do anything.

The plot gets advanced because Yashiro just randomly blurts out that Karatachi is a Ginwan spy in a casual conversation. So now they have to find ironclad proof that he is a spy because you can’t just accuse the general of this country for treason. Hiiragi crashes at Hinagiku’s house because he keeps getting assassins in the “forbidden area” (not so forbidden after all) and it’s somehow safer to be at Hinagiku’s. None of this plot makes sense. I’m over it at this point.

Tsuyukusa again gets irritated with Hinagiku for letting a bunch of other men live in with her but he is not one of these men.

Hinagiku is like sorry babyyy I was clueless that my boyfriend might not like other men living with meee my bad I love youuuu (…………..)

Hiiragi introduces Tsuyukusa as his brother (not twin) officially to his cabinet. This reignites the division between nobles and some of them want Tsuyukusa to replace Hiiragi, then rule Itehari through manipulation of Tsuyukusa. This is all planned by Hiiragi to bait Karatachi to commit treason and have a reason to arrest him. Hinagiku confides in Yori/Tsuwabuki brothers because they appear loyal to Hiiragi/the regime to aid her in their plan.

Tsuyukusa visits Hinagiku one night only to tell her he loves him but to protect her they should not meet again and keep their distance. Okay??? This was such an extra move. Hiiragi snuck out of the forbidden area all the time, surely Tsuyukusa can do the same.

I’m basically numb at this point:

Hinagiku has the option to say “but I want to be involved in this and stick it through with you”. Tsuyukusa was basically like

Hinagiku is all impressed like wow Tsuyukusa has grown up and matured I’m just like ??? please let your woman help you and don’t deprive your opportunities to see her. He then asks to KISS her before their farewell, only it was a kiss on the forehead. We are all as disappointed as Hinagiku in game ok!!

Tsuyukusa returns to the forbidden area and talks to Hiiragi, who tells him that maybe you should respect Hinagiku’s feelings more and not make decisions on her behalf.

In the meantime, Hinagiku practices constraint and does not go find Tsuyukusa, but she misses him so much. Awayuki goes to Tsuyukusa and for the first time says, hey I’m not supposed to tell you this, but my lady really likes you and is waiting for you, despite her marriage pressures from her foster parent.

We get our plot breakthrough when Suzune/Tobari tell Hinagiku about a certain area in senka, leading Hinagiku to find the Core, and its vast library of knowledge. Tsuyukusa is called upon to investigate the library and gets to reunite with Hinagiku. Awayuki thoughtfully gives them a bit of alone time. They reminisce on the old times together.

When they leave the Core, they run into Saku who makes a deal with them to sell out Karatachi in exchange for Saku’s peaceful life at Itehari. With the evidence Saku provided, which is Karatachi’s birth documents showing he is from Ginwan and not of noble Itehari lineage, Hinagiku leads the accusation of Karatachi’s treason during a council meeting. This turns into a battle where everyone draws swords and concluding in the good guys’ victory because Karatachi doesn’t have much time left anyway. There was a mention of Hinagiku rushing to Tsuyukusa’s side, but she wasn’t blocking any attack nor was she going to achieve anything by running, so that was just redundant lol.

The dust settles but not really as we still don’t have a solution to prevent Itehari from falling. Tsuyukusa discusses with Hiiragi about how to tell Hinagiku’s feelings. Hiiragi smiles and gives him a suggestion off screen.

The next day, Tsuyukusa sends Hinagiku a note with only a time and date. At sunset, Hinagiku arrives at the platform as written in the note. Tsuyukusa tells her that he wants to tell the love of his life something important, at the location she likes. He gets down on one knee and asks Hinagiku to marry him, stuttering out of nervousness in the process. As the brother of Hiiragi there is no barrier between them (hence why I found that whole tirade about Hinagiku not wanting to “disturb” Tsuyukusa about his real identity absolutely useless).

He gives Hinagiku a delicately made pocket watch by his hand.

Lol “The whole point of me making money is for my wife to spend it”

I’m sure this will win the heart for many ladies so included it here. I find it meh though.

Kyaaa morning after scene. Enjoy the voice acting… Thank you for the drama CD…

Short story: Tsuyukusa gets too carried away and realizes he hasn’t really considered what Hinagiku wants. In a panic, he overcompensates to the point Hinagiku wonders if he is cheating on her. Once he explains himself, they kiss and make up.

After story: Hinagiku catches Tsuyukusa hiding in his official uniform at a council meeting, suffering from social anxiety. She tells him that he looks handsome AF and believes he will do a great job presenting himself in front of everyone, motivating Tsuyukusa to go get that bread. Heh, I dig it.

Tobari (CV: Okamoto Nobuhiko)

I have to give it to the writer that I liked Tobari’s FD a lot more than his main story, mainly because the writer decided to focus on one plot point instead of 75.

Hinagiku runs to Hangetsudou after getting word that Tobari collapsed in the middle of the street. Hinagiku offers to help take care of him… by washing his back DAMN, but they are lovers already so it’s OK. I definitely sat up since the CG lol.

He kisses Hinagiku and tells her to go back. Remember that Hinagiku isn’t allowed to date someone from the red light district like him… Come to think of it, the only one she is “allowed” to date is Yori out of the five main LI.

The writer gives us a reminder of the base game: Dr. Shouhaku died. There is no cure to hariyamai only medications that stabilize the disease. Sakaki is a non-factor in this route. Two political problems are highlighted in this route: the treatment of people of red light district, and to some extent an extension – the treatment of people from senka. Hiiragi wants to improve his relationship with Chigaeshi, so asks Hinagiku and conveniently Tobari to act as his messengers on an official trip to senka. Hiiragi and Tobari both share idealistic views about the world, with Tobari making a name for himself as someone whose opinion is valued by Taijyu, despite his low status. Hinagiku wants to display with affection with Tobari, but he tells her not to touch him in public, as they cannot afford to be seen that way.

Suzune, Aoi, and Hinagiku have a girls’ tea party, with Suzune sharing her type (Shioji) and wondering how great it would be if Hinagiku could become her sister-in-law.

Hinagiku goes to visit Tobari, who bought her a little snack and feeds her. There are a lot of nonverbal interactions between the two – one must play the game for themselves to experience it!

In the meantime, we notice that Tobari has been delegating his leadership tasks to his subordinates. Awayuki also mention that Tobari is slowly but surely achieving the changes he wants for the red light district, and that when this is all finished, Hinagiku will no longer have a reason to meet him… He is preparing for his death from hariyamai. Just because there is no mention does not mean it’s not there.

Someone loses his wedding ring at the red light district. Hinagiku explains to a bewildered Yashiro that this is the custom in Itehari to propose with a ring.

Hinagiku continues to visit Tobari in secret. During one of their gatherings, he tells her about his and Suzune’s story. Suzune and Tobari are adopted by a geisha. Suzune was sick. He cannot take her to doctors in Itehari because he believed that sick kids will be abandoned, so ran to senka and begged Dr. Shouhaku to help Suzune.

Hinagiku breaks up a random fight in the middle of the street, but some cargo falls down. She gets a laceration and is injured. A worried Tobari rushes to Hinagiku’s home and checks up on her. He scolds her for being reckless but ultimately supports her decision. He tells Hinagiku he will visit her until she recovers fully.

Small gains are made in finding a cure for hariyamai. Aijiro reveals he is a member of Toukei clan – the clan that has access to medical knowledge and raised many doctors. He says he will double check their family library’s notes. In the meantime, Hinagiku’s wounds recover at an extremely fast rate… almost too fast. We know it’s because she has hihiirokane, but the others don’t yet. Hinagiku catches Karatachi’s attention… Hinagiku gets revealed this information quickly by Narukami, who says he can show her because she is “the child of the forbidden area” (that he has registered her as ally in his automata system).

In another scene, Yashiro sees a coughing Tobari. His disease is progressing. Yashiro asks Tobari why he doesn’t focus on himself for a bit, and why he is so insistent and devoted on bettering Itehari. Tobari replies that to Yashiro, his efforts may seem like a joke and that Itehari is a false pretence. At one point, Tobari also wanted to burn it all down and start anew. However, he sees the everyday people of Itehari doing their best to make a living and survive in this world. This gives him calling.

Hinagiku and Tobari have a brief meeting, but Hinagiku cannot tell him about hihiirokane or Narukami yet. Narukami has told her that the hihiirokane residing in her heart can be used to save Tobari. However, hihiirokane can only be harvested after the host dies.

Hinagiku continues to meet with Tobari, who gets a hunch she is hiding something from him. She admits that and says now is not the time to tell him; but when it’s all over, he will have his answer.

Tobari stokes the fire but then puts it out when Hinagiku says SHE WANTS TO SLEEP OVER. Now it’s his turn to tell her now is not the time… Their love cannot come to light. Again my summary is not doing this route justice. Play the game/Aksys localize it for my Western girlies!!!

The plot slows down here a bit. Hinagiku and Tobari go on a date, where she notes he appears sicker than usual. Tobari accompanies Hinagiku home and says he wants to give her a gift.

He says some ominous statements (like the one above) then shows a small box. Hinagiku hurriedly tries to remove her gloves only for him to say “wrong hand… this goes on the left, no?” AND THEN I REALIZED WHAT GIFT HE BROUGHT AAAA

Tobari: To be fair, my status is not fitting of your title, and I probably don’t have the right to propose to you with this ring…
Hinagiku: This is… my ring finger…
Hinagiku: And I… will never entrust this ring finger to anyone else in this world…

Mention is made to karasufuyou (“opium” of Itehari) and a comedic gag of having Oboro switch careers from senka mob boss to farmer but overall, irrelevant to main plot. Shioji, who was employed and close to Dr. Shouhaku, is still in captivity and not willing to communicate with the protagonists about what he, or Shouhaku knew about the cure to hariyamai.

Time is ticking. Hinagiku and Tobari start discussing the inevitable. Tobari says he knows that he doesn’t have much time left. Hinagiku asks if he is afraid of death. Tobari replies of course he fears death, but he has so much left to do and wants to make the most out of his little remaining time.

The two return to Itehari. Tobari makes up a bs excuse and asks Hinagiku to stay over :^)

Now is a better time than ever, so Hinagiku opens up about the whole hihiirokane business.

Hinagiku admits yes. Tobari knows that nothing good comes without a price and presses if Hinagiku seriously contemplated dying for him. Hinagiku gives a vague answer. Surely, she wants the best ending where she lives on with him, but that may be unattainable. Tobari scolds Hinagiku that in no world would he ever want to live on alone on the sacrifices of his lover; that this would never make him happy. He makes Hinagiku promise that she wouldn’t do this.

Hinagiku starts crying. Tobari sighs and says Hinagiku still doesn’t know how important she is to him, so he will demonstrate :^)

AND OUR MOST HANDSOME BOY GETS SOME ACTION… BUT THIS ISN’T CERO D <:(

In the meantime, Yashiro gets his ass kicked by Ginwan assassins and is staying over at Tsuyukusa’s. We get a comedy scene where Tsuyukusa realizes the two took the relationship to the next level and protests their PDA. After that Hinagiku returns home expecting Awayuki’s wrath, but doesn’t receive any because Awayuki has already accepted and approves of Tobari.

In this route, Yashiro blows Karatachi’s cover, forcing the general to start taking action. With the only current lead being karasufuyou, Hinagiku and Tobari pay another visit to senka.

They visit Shioji again. Hinagiku and Tobari ran into his Shioji’s child who is being well-taken care of. Instead of threatening Shioji with his son, Hinagiku offers to tell him updates about him. Shioji who is so touched by “aw ojousama didn’t threaten me but rather showed me kindness” (good negotiation tactic tbh), decides to open up and tell them where Shouhaku hid the other half of his notes. Hinagiku scans the notes and finds a mention of a medication requiring extremely high temperatures to make.

As Hinagiku reports this to Hiiragi, Karatachi breaks in, already have neutralized the guards. He comes straight for Hinagiku and her hihiirokane.

Karatachi being the best fighter in the entire game, easily beats everyone. Keep in mind Yashiro is in recovery and Tobari is at the end stage of his disease. Hinagiku also picks up a naginata lying somewhere and attempts to defend herself.

Tobari gets protagonist buff and KOs Karatachi – a clean shot to the chest. With the boss down, Tobari’s hariyamai remains. Hinagiku and Aijiro read more into alchemy, which is regarded as fantasy, not a real science in this world. Aijiro mentions that Shouhaku, who was an outcast from his clan, meddled around with exotic alchemic measures from India. Tsuyukusa adds in that he’s read about philosopher’s stone, where three different minerals are mixed together to form a new element that cures all disease. The ingredients are the easy part, but the difficulty lies in the production… high temperature is needed to melt them into an alloy. High temperature, energy, hihiirokane… Hinagiku consults Narukami who tells her that it is possible. However, while this is not harvesting, there is no guarantee what will happen to Hinagiku and her safety. This word reaches Hiiragi, who’s always respected Hinagiku’s opinion and will. He asks her that if she wants to gamble on this last possibility, to which Hinagiku replies yes because there is no alternative with her and Tobari’s backs against the wall.

With Narukami’s help, Hinagiku uses her hihiirokane to heat up the mixture, suffering intense pain in the process. Her world goes faint until she hears a familiar voice “just how long do you have to keep me waiting, hime-san…” She wakes up to a tearful Tobari, who is now cured. She was in a coma for 10 days. Unfortunately, the medication cannot be replicated or produced again.

The couple’s next destination is Ginwan/Touei/the ground. Hiiragi promotes Tobari to aristocrat status, setting the first for a commoner to change classes and his social reform, and allowing the two to be formally together.

Short story: Tobari attends a ball as a new-generation aristocrat with Hinagiku. This is giving me European vampire AU??

After story: Tobari adopts a cat!

THOUGHTS: I really enjoyed this route! I think the writer (less so Tobari himself) really redeemed themselves by having a focus and a clear main plot. The nonverbal communication between the two elevated their chemistry. I love how Tobari always respects Hinagiku’s opinion and actions, and the fact she is her own person with her own will. The two support each other and will sacrifice even their lives (as we see from Hinagiku in the end) to protect each other. The confession from Hinagiku in the end to Tobari wishing him to outlive her hits especially different in this context. Finally, it’s so unfair that his sprite is so beautiful. I caught myself taking so many screenshots! I think the Tobari girlies will be pleased with this one. It’s a pretty happy conclusion too with major conflicts resolved, which is not always the case, see next exhibit…

Awayuki (CV: Saitou Souma)

All you need to know from the first route is that Yori tries to do some naughty things and had beef with Awayuki from their school days (because Awayuki beat his ass), and is currently in jail. However, Yori’s family exploited a loophole where Yori declared “separation” from the west two family, thus sparing his clan from all moving to senka.

We start our route with a beautiful CG where it starts to rain. The two share an umbrella. However, why do the stores look like modern day konbini in the background?

Life is cozy, and mundane. Hinagiku continues her life as the leader of her district, being taken care of by Awayuki, including morning kisses (yes he kisses her right after the good morning).

Aoi writes to Hinagiku. People have seen her acting close to her servant, sharing the same umbrella and such. This is seen as scandalous and unacceptable. Aoi asks Hinagiku’s feelings towards Awayuki, seeing the two grew up together and all. Hinagiku doesn’t play around and says he is the love of her life. Aoi then gives her blessings and says she wishes the two the best, but the rules of society are hard to bend.

The main conflict of the route is introduced while Hinagiku talks to the people of her district. People banished to senka have found a way to Itehari and are committing crime. They are dubbed “ghosts”.

After the two retire from their day, Hinagiku shares her and Aoi’s conversation with Awayuki. Hinagiku reassures Awayuki that she loves him, but maybe it’s for the best that the two act more discreet in public and not give others an excuse to break them apart. Awayuki says he understands and confesses his love to Hinagiku, including the “I love you” I put in the beginning of this section. He then gives Hinagiku a good night kiss before leaving her bedroom. [Awayuki eating good this route. It only gets better too.]

Hinagiku helps a lost child find her mother, inadvertently walking to a district that is unfamiliar to her. She sees Awayuki and a woman in the distance having a happy conversation. Who is she?

I’m gonna save y’all (and I wish I did to Hinagiku in-game) the suspense. IT’S A TRAP.. basically Hisame as we know from other routes is one of Taijyu’s guards. So their communication has to be in secret yadi yada. I don’t buy this reasoning at all from Awayuki (why he deflected Hinagiku’s questioning) because Hinagiku is acquainted with Hiiragi/Taijyu, so it’s not exactly a breach of information to talk about Hisame’s identity… Filler content. Of course, Awayuki is all happy and gushy about Hinagiku being jealous for his sake… yeah I can’t stand this plot device, at least not when it’s used cheaply like this … moving on.

The “ghost” issue continues to be problematic. Hinagiku and co. are summoned by Hiiragi. In this route, Kagetsu/Chigaeshi clan are not cooperative with Itehari. Hiiragi says as the head of Itehari he doesn’t want to go to senka himself. However, what he can do is appoint a figurehead, with that person being Hinagiku of all people. Awayuki reverts to his old protective habits again, jumping out and rejecting the offer on his master’s behalf. And then we see probably the sassiest Hiiragi has ever been in two games combined:

On their way out, Awayuki asks if Hinagiku still remembers her childhood wish, and whether she wants to make it come true. Hinagiku replies yes, and that she’s honoured their promise: to not tell anyone else.

The camera pans to Kagetsu, who seems to be talking to someone, and growing distrustful of his soon-to-arrive visitors from the ground above.

Hinagiku is still bothered by this Hisame fiasco. She runs into Suzune in the street and asks her for advice. Suzune suggests the road to a man’s heart is his stomach, so Hinagiku gets all fired up and wants to cook for Awayuki, only to be caught in the act. She doesn’t know how to cook or even cut anyway so this ends up being a private lesson ohohohoho

In the end, Awayuki tells Hinagiku that he is super happy that she loves him so much to the point she wants to try new things and cook for him. However, he half-jokingly half-seriously says cooking is his job, and she doesn’t need to make him jobless.

Hinagiku, Awayuki, and Tsuwabuki go to senka and meet Kagetsu, who acts hostile towards them. He clearly has been letting criminals out, but would not cooperate or let in on more information. Tsuwabuki, being the good oniisan he is, asks about Yori. Kagetsu sarcastically replies that Yori is thriving, even though most people don’t even last 3 months down in senka – but nothing for Tsuwabuki to worry about Yori, he is doing well.

The two finally return home. Hinagiku wants to be Awayuki’s widdle pwincess and baby girl so she is like Awayuki~~ I’m tired~~ The two share a passionate kiss, with Awayuki telling Hinagiku to never show anyone else those expressions that she displays when she is kissing. This will come important later… He also gets some action if you know what I mean after this scene.

Even though the two are getting it on at home, to the public eye Hinagiku is an aristocratic woman of age who is unmarried and unbetrothed. Her adoptive father meets her and tells her that she needs to have a husband, someone of her calibre in status, of course. Aka not Awayuki. Hinagiku cannot name her lover, so all she could do was buy time and say she does not want to be married, which makes her guardian upset.

Camera pans to Kagetsu again. To nobody’s surprise Yori has been stirring shit up behind the scenes even when he is in jail, and feeding Kagetsu preconceived misconceptions about Itehari.

Back to above ground. Hinagiku runs into Awayuki and Hisame again. Still not knowing Hisame is a dude, she angrily runs off on a “date” with Yashiro in a silly attempt to make Awayuki jealous. Yashiro gives some god-awful but entertaining relationship advice in this route btw. Here he tells Hinagiku to just marry some random dude and keep some side pieces, such as Awayuki, ahem. He even says she doesn’t need to be limited to one lover, lmao (is he recommending himself?)

Hinagiku returns home and wants to talk to Awayuki and make up. However, she decides against it. The next day she spikes a fever (smh did Yashiro give her the flu). Awayuki goes into caregiver mode and stays with Hinagiku so she takes her afternoon nap and rest.

Tobari and Sakaki meet up and further confirm that Yori is doing something in senka and persuading Kagetsu. Meanwhile, Awayuki gets threatened by unnamed figures in a dark alleyway. At this point, we don’t know with or for what. All he can do is return and in a roundabout way asks Hinagiku to remove herself from the senka/ghost fiasco. I don’t know how she could because she was tasked with investigating this/talking to Kagetsu by Taijyu himself; it’s not like she can just disobey Hiiragi. Also, without knowing he is getting blackmailed, of course all Hinagiku does is caress Awayuki’s hair and tell him everything is ok; she is safe. Awayuki almost throws a tantrum and says he can’t fully protect Hinagiku from all the dangers of this world, nor can he support her in all her endeavours. He feels like a glorified, replaceable cooking and cleaning maid. Hinagiku is like ??? of course you are not replaceable to me honey.

Hinagiku senses that something is wrong and Awayuki is being weird. However, he just shuts her up with another implied sex scene. Count two for our boy.

The night is young. Hinagiku is asleep. Awayuki reminisces about their older days, where a young Hinagiku became extremely upset whenever Awayuki was out of her sight and depended on him.

He regains his resolve to protect her against everything that may hurt her in this world. He will stay by her side. With that, he goes to his blackmailers and declines their offer, saying they can go public with whatever dirt on him. He would rather get arrested than do what they say.

It wasn’t until here in the story where Hinagiku finally learns that Hisame is a guy. She confronts Awayuki and demands him to tell her why he’s been weird and insecure. Awayuki acts cool and says it’s none of Hinagiku’s business. A desperate Hinagiku threatens Awayuki to… kiss him in public and show her kissing face (damn how lewd is it)?????

Anyways it worked. Awayuki tells Hinagiku and Yashiro that he is the child of two rich merchants who were banished to senka. Before the whole family left, his parents swapped him out with a commoner’s child to ensure he could continue living in Itehari instead of dying young of hariyamai. Kagetsu has access to all the records and deducted from appearance descriptions of all the criminals and their family that Awayuki should have never left senka, hence sent people to blackmail him, for Hinagiku’s plans and actions. I mean, sure, but what use does Kagetsu or Yori have for Hinagiku’s whereabouts. This route has enough romance to shut me up but I really can’t with the plot.

Finally, Yashiro gives Hinagiku yet another piece of his relationship advice, that she puts into practice very soon…

Awayuki’s like wait a minute who taught you this? Fortunately Hinagiku is no snitch and does not give away her sources.

The conflict also comes to a comical end where Itehari and Kagetsu kiss and make up, with the former inviting Kagetsu to visit Itehari. Yori is reprimanded for his mischievous ways (his motives were deadass “I just wanted to cause trouble for Awayuki”) and sentenced to community service and sending written apologies to people he affected negatively. To Yori this is worse than death – he says that in the game hahaha I’ve never seen him this upset.

Awayuki returns to Hinagiku and continues as her servant. The two continue their forbidden relationship, while waiting for another opportunity to arise to break free of the chains of societal norms.

In the epilogue, the two visit Touei and fulfill Hinagiku’s childhood wish. They see snow for the first time. Light snow… just like Awayuki’s name.

Short story: Hinagiku spends a lazy day off’s afternoon… in her favourite person’s lap.

Another route: Hinagiku takes Awayuki for matching outfit shopping!

THOUGHTS: Awayuki is one lucky dude as he’s definitely got the most action with Hinagiku in the base game and now FD as well. The CGs are so gorgeous especially coupled with his and Hinagiku’s colour palette, giving a royal, pure feel. There is plenty of fanservice in this FD. I like how the romance was handled but am left less than satisfied about the conclusion to the main conflict. Hinagiku and Awayuki still maintain this forbidden relationship and hold up the “master and servant” facade to the public. She will continue to be pestered by her adoptive father to find a husband. I hoped better for Awayuki because our loyal boy deserves a happily ever after. I don’t think Licobits can milk a sequel out of this franchise (i.e. a third game) so there is no opportunity left to close the book. Awayuki is overall an one-dimensional LI. There was no reason to make the ending as “complicated” as in Yori’s route. I honestly would have preferred an elopement ending (especially with Hinagiku clearly declaring she would give up the world for Awayuki and how possessive they are towards each other) versus simply writing that Awayuki is actually the child of two aristocrats instead of two random rich commoners, thus legitimizing their union and explaining Awayuki’s non-aversion to violence contrary to the commoners’ genetic programming.

Hiiragi (CV: Toyonaga Toshiyuki)

THOUGHTS: This is an idealistic, fragile, and beautiful story that wouldn’t have existed if the setting wasn’t Itehari: the utopia atop the sky. The overarching theme of this route centres on how Hiiragi completes his transformation from Taijyu to Hiiragi, or from God to man. All the stars aligned perfectly for Hiiragi to the point it almost felt surreal. This is in a way the fairytale ending and imo, the “truth” route befitting of Itehari.

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This route is a continuation from Tobari route. Shiranui is rebelling against Taijyu’s rule and sewing chaos in Itehari. In the beginning of the base game, we hear Taijyu telling the tale of how Itehari came to be. What starts this route, is Hiiragi’s monologue: he is at the core of the faith of people of Itehari, yet he is no God.

The first 2-3 chapters are lighthearted and goes by fast. Hinagiku runs into Hiiragi running outside from his duties. Even after he reveals his identity, he asks Hinagiku to treat him like another person, not a deity. Hinagiku and him being the innocent and idealistic people they are, hit it off. They venture to senka with Hinagiku accidentally falling in the lake and awakening her childhood memories: nearly drowning to death and meeting Hiiragi & Tsuyukusa.

It is not difficult to deduct why Hiiragi likes Hinagiku so much: she treats him as another person, a friend, instead of with reverence. With Hinagiku, he feels free to voice what he likes and dislikes, without being lectured by Sakaki or worried about not living up to the image of “God” in front of people of Itehari. They become friends quickly, making pinky promises and going on play dates together, including the sixth day of Gentou festival, that Tsuyukusa volunteers to disguise as Taijyu to allow his brother spend time with Hinagiku as a human, partly out of guilt. Back in the day both of them were considered as candidates for the next Taijyu. Tsuyukusa basically ran away and quit the race himself because he wanted freedom, inadvertently forcing Hiiragi to be the next Taijyu, without asking if Hiiragi wanted this. Hiiragi, being the soft, kind-hearted person he is, just took on all of this responsibility and did his best to be a symbol of the country’s faith and a puppet of Sakaki and Karatachi.

While I like the direction where this romance is going, I don’t quite agree with how it is executed early on. Tsuyukusa I feel so bad for Tsuyukusa in this route. He has known Hinagiku for much longer and grew up with her. Tsuyukusa chose to confess to Hinagiku, knowing she didn’t feel the same way towards him. He said he only wanted her to know his feelings. He also very early on sensed and said Hinagiku liked Hiiragi in a different way from friends. This is what I don’t agree with. I really don’t think Hinagiku viewed Hiiragi more than a friend. Hiiragi has his reason to love Hinagiku but not vice versa. Anyways, Tsuyukusa quits the race early on and chose to watch the two people he loves most be happy with each other. T_T

Tsuyukusa gets attacked by Ginwan assassins at the forbidden area. Hiiragi is advised to not return until the dust settles. In addition to his observations in the previous senka trip, Hiiragi sees with his own eyes how Taijyu is believed and revered in Itehari. He is moved by how people place their trust in him. His heart aches for how not all people are treated equally. He wants to do better and make Itehari a better place for everyone. He is motivated to create change – the opposite of what the ruling class want.

Ugetsu delivers bad news: Sakaki is killed protecting Tsuyukusa. This places tremendous pressure on Hiiragi again. Fortunately he has Hinagiku to support him. She is his stabilizing force, telling him that it is OK to be human, to laugh, to cry, to have selfish wants. Everyone is expecting Taijyu to do this, to do that. Taijyu is not even allowed to show emotions. This is all so unfair to Hiiragi. She feels frustrated and sad on Hiiragi’s behalf and starts crying.

Hiiragi appreciates Hinagiku’s empathy. He comforts her in his embrace and thinks about his conversations with his twin brother. Tsuyukusa always regarded Hinagiku as his “treasure”. He senses that his brother is starting to view her as someone important as well. He acquiesces this race, allowing Hinagiku to choose, knowing she wouldn’t choose him in this timeline.

Eventually, Tsuyukusa arranges a meeting with Hiiragi, as he can’t be playing as Taijyu forever. Knowing his brother best, Tsuyukusa chooses the meeting place to be at the red light district. This facilitates the meeting between Hiiragi and Tobari. Yori gets added to the mix because why not. The meeting goes very smoothly because of the idealistic similarities between the two, and Hiiragi’s honest will to communicate. Usually I’d laugh at this but hey, we are in Itehari, and this is the fairytale ending.

Shioji overhears this and confesses his under-the-table deal with Sakaki. One because Sakaki is dead. Two because he feels Hiiragi may be able to bring the radical change that Shioji wanted. Again, overly idealistic but the buildup allows it. At this point I don’t even know if I should criticize the writing or applaud the writer’s genius. If any of those people had ulterior motives like Karatachi, Hiiragi would have a very bad time, but he just manages to dodge all the shady people and win over allies so easily.

We see from Hiiragi’s perspective that he has fallen in love with Hinagiku. However, he isn’t sure how to process these feelings. Like a high schooler to his crush, he acts distant and almost cold towards Hinagiku. Yet, he confesses to Tsuyukusa sheepishly that maybe he has a thing for “his treasure”. Tsuyukusa gets angry at how much a coward his twin is. He knows that they have feelings for each other. He created space for them to be with each other, yet this is how Hiiragi chooses to confront his feelings and Hinagiku! The two have their first quarrel of their life with Tsuyukusa telling Hiiragi to man up and fess up.

So Hiiragi does exactly that on their trip to the karasufuyou fields in senka. Hinagiku’s response is a flustered me too, ahaha. Hiiragi then tells Hinagiku was originally chosen as Taijyu’s next bride anyway, so now every puzzle falls into place. They can wed as originally planned!

At the fields Chidori (who is also the assassin that killed Sakaki) along with Yashiro attack the group, especially Hiiragi. They are defeated with Yashiro escaping and Chidori captured. Narukami also shows up to defend Hiiragi and takes a heavy hit, shutting down in the process. His last words were for Hiiragi to find the Core that is beside the lake. In exchange for his life, Chidori reveals Karatachi’s true identity.

Hinagiku’s hihiirokane leads her to and into the Core. Hiiragi reads some diaries and realizes that Narukami is the automata that has been maintaining Itehari afloat. Now Narukami is defunct. He finally breaks down because he realizes he is powerless; he is nothing. He feels he has let everyone down.

However, he did not have time to mope because everyone feels an earthquake sensation. Is Itehari falling from the sky? There are only so many people who has access to the machinery in the forbidden area to adjust Itehari’s height. Sakaki is dead. Both brothers are here. [Tsuyukusa was brought here to decipher the notes with Ugetsu filling in as “Taijyu”] Hinagiku blurts out a name that nobody wants to hear: Karatachi…

They rush back to the forbidden area. Hiiragi faces off with Karatachi/Yashiro. Hiiragi stays calm and uses his natural leadership skills to PERSUADE Karatachi join his side! That was certainly not in my bingo table. Hiiragi says that once Itehari falls, Ginwan has no use for Karatachi or Yashiro, and would dispose of him. The good old 鳥尽弓蔵 which actually comes from Chinese history: when the bird is shot down from the sky, the bow also gets put away. Karatachi, who already doesn’t have much time left (due to his poisoning from sumizome), says fuck it Ima do what I want, I wanna live longer, and I kinda like you kid, you’re pure and stupid, just like this goddamn Itehari, so he defects Ginwan on the spot and slashes Yashiro LMAO Kinda fitting for his chaotic and carefree personality. I am impressed!

Hiiragi starts his political reform. And yes, he did keep Karatachi alive; I believe his status as well. Starting from a public announcement to the people that Taijyu is not some omnipotent god, he starts making Itehari great again.

We get an ending CG of Hinagiku confessing to Hiiragi again. They share a kiss after but unfortunately no CG of that. But don’t worry we get a beautiful kissing CG in the short story.

Short story: Hiiragi and Hinagiku run away from their duties to spend some peaceful time together.

Tsuwabuki (CV: Azakami Youhei)

Warning: if you’re a Tsuwabuki fan, you might not want to read this section. I won’t dedicate a special thoughts section but my opinions will be woven into the body. Overall, this is a predictable route but there are too many counts of hypocrisy that I cannot bring myself to like Tsuwabuki. Hinagiku being clueless, annoying, and useless in this route didn’t exactly help, either. Finally, I thought there was going to be a backstory where Tsuwabuki liked Hinagiku especially with him gifting her stuff in Yori’s stories, but there was never any mention of that, or anything deeper at all, making the relationship more superficial. Tsuwabuki is not a bad character, but I truly think you can only like him or Yori one or the other – it is not possible to like both. And I’ve made my choice loud and clear from day 1.

This is the alternative universe to Yori’s main story. Tsuwabuki still catches a falling Hinagiku. He takes her to the infirmary and patches her up. She has a little scratch on the face, so Tsuwabuki is extra careful and even got Aijiro to look at it so she doesn’t leave a scar.

Hinagiku catches onto the fact that Yori is lying to her and playing with her feelings moreso to fuck with Tsuwabuki. She also hears less than glowing accounts of Yori’s personality from just about everyone including Awayuki. Rightfully she is like idk if Yori is someone I can trust or marry.

Meanwhile, rumours of Tsuwabuki holding Hinagiku in his arm from that day start to circulate; probably thanks to Karatachi, who has been trying to drive a rift between the two brothers so they don’t work together against his plans. People are speculating that if the end goal is the union of two prominent families, then it would make sense for Hinagiku to monkey branch to the “better” brother who is the actual heir. Hinagiku also learns that Tsuwabuki has never been interested in marriage, so what Yori said to her was another lie.

The same shenanigans Yori plans in his route happens again here. People getting killed left and right. Only Hinagiku and Tsuwabuki actually team up and go to senka to interview some of these “criminals” who all claim to be framed. With help of a reluctant Kagetsu, Tsuwabuki later discovers that Yori has been falsifying documents to get these people convicted. The motive is undecided, with the two making excuses for Yori, such as maybe he needs a promotion, and act hesitant on taking action, which I found hard to stomach. Even as someone with a bias towards Yori, he has harmed people and even caused them to lose lives. Yet Tsuwabuki cannot see beyond brotherly relations, yet later preaches to Yori that he cares about not only everyone in Itehari but also in Ginwan. This inconsistency is the first strike of hypocrisy for me.

Tsuwabuki also starts dropping hints of his insecurities, setting up for the reveal of his true bloodline. Whenever Hinagiku praises him for being a morally just and respectable person, he always says something along the lines of I had no choice, I had to work hard and appear perfect.

Tsuwabuki is also 10+ years older than Hinagiku. He himself expressed that he feels guilty to be even associated with someone who probably can be his daughter give or take a few more years. However, this doesn’t matter at all. Hinagiku would pout and whine to Tsuwabuki about how even as leader of a district, she cannot get up in the morning or eat too many sweets. Tsuwabuki would laugh and say she is very adorable as these are all age-appropriate concerns of an 18-19 year old girl. So why is he attracted to this? I get it, guys like young women, but for someone like Tsuwabuki whose whole brand is “morally just”, this is hypocrisy strike 2. 4000 aristocrats in Itehari and as a 30 year old man he has to like a girl who is barely legal and mentally even younger than her actual age? I am not even against age-gap relationships but not when the guy’s brand is that he’s a stand-up guy. If he’s a playboy I’ll let it slide. Again, inconsistency.

He again deflects Hinagiku’s praise with “I have to be perfect.” Something something mysterious old guys wins the young girl’s heart, yeah yeah.

This whole time, he spends one-on-one time with Hinagiku, who doesn’t go to Sakaki to annul the engagement until chapter 4. (Sakaki was basically like about time, idc lol) I get that love is love, and that Tsuwabuki compared to Yori reputation and personality wise is an easy choice for Hinagiku, but can the two at least sort out Yori’s business before doing this? Maybe some people find this “unconventional” “thrilling” but it literally is cheating. I know people are going to jump out and say but the engagement to Yori is fake and based on lies. Ok, then wouldn’t it be even easier to call it off? Tsuwabuki keeps talking about how much he respects and adores Hinagiku, yet he puts her in a difficult situation by orbiting around her yet not confessing or committing and asking her to make a choice. Hypocrisy strike 3.

Speaking of love and respect, doesn’t Tsuwabuki love his little brother to death? How is all of this remotely respectful to Yori? He doesn’t even know this is a fake engagement. I also don’t buy the whole story (even from Yori’s side) where growing up Yori would bully Tsuwabuki, who would just give Yori what he demands. Maybe Yori, like Hinagiku, wanted to see his brother show some damn emotion and be a human instead of this holier-than-thou existence that’s suffocating to Yori who is being constantly compared to him. Like, has he talked to Yori and had a heart to heart instead of being like “here, take this, I don’t want it, I bestow it to you” (and he does this even in the end when Yori is in jail). He talks about his parents favouring Yori, that whenever he makes a mistake his parents would say “oh he is half peasant, so it can’t be helped, he isn’t as talented” yet they let him inherit the family name. I see people through their actions not words. I still think Tsuwabuki is the favourite child, and that Yori’s frustrations from this shaped him into the twisted person he is. Hypocrisy strike 4.

Anyways, Hinagiku confronts Yori who has a mental breakdown and spills the beans on Tsuwabuki’s mom being some random peasant. Behind a kind, just, respectable person lies unending insecurity and Tsuwabuki tells Hinagiku that he has been a liar since his birth, that he should have never been born, and that because of this, he is a despicable being and not fit to be with her. He runs off and starts avoiding her.

Hinagiku finds him with the help of Aijiro. He continues to say that him being born is a mistake. Hinagiku confesses, hugs him. The two share a passionate kiss (sorry the CG is a bit weird in proportions so I won’t share).

Tsuwabuki walks Hinagiku home, dropping her off to Awayuki, who isn’t home yet. Hinagiku gets kidnapped briefly by Yashiro (who is all in all, irrelevant in this route) who has been fighting against Yori. Yashiro wants to get rid of karasufuyou because of the addiction problem in Ginwan and how his homeland is bleeding money to Itehari and Sakaki. Yori, as we know from the first game, is basically Kurozuru Sakaki and believes this is a necessary evil, and would go beyond what is allowed by the law to protect Itehari his way (and I love how even in his FD ending this theme continues).

For this route’s purposes he and Tsuwabuki end up having a fight with Yori yelling at Tsuwabuki that him showing mercy to the enemy is cruelty to his own, and that he just doesn’t get it. Again, I’m with Yori on this one. You can’t be looking out for other states as the protector of your nation when they’re looking to invade and take you down. But maybe this is why Tsuwabuki and Hinagiku make a good match… Anyways hypocrisy strike 5.

Somehow the topic changes to Hinagiku. Tsuwabuki says that he’s allowed Yori to have many things he wanted (even though Yori wants to earn them, not have them given to him out of pity), but Hinagiku is not an object and he would not let go of her. Then the two sword battle in front of Hinagiku who basically cries omg please stop fighting for me guys~~ until Karatachi comes and breaks this up. I can’t stand the trope where two guys fight for one girl who wails helplessly… Hinagiku is so damn useless this entire route. Her whole role is a being a pure, delicate, and youthful flower for the plucking of an older established man like Tsuwabuki.

Same plot as Yori main story. Yori ends up in jail/senka. He meets Tsuwabuki who still talks about how he’d rather Yori be the head of west two. Dude your competitor is in jail we all know you’re going to be the next leader 1000%. Hypocrisy strike 6. I laughed out loud when Yori said to him yeah cool whatever, I fucking hate you until the day I die.

Hinagiku confesses to him again in the ending something like that yeah. Cute CG. He proposes to her too.

Epilogue: Hinagiku demands the kisses from Tsuwabuki.

Short story: Tsuwabuki gives in to his sweet tooth.

Another Story: Synopsis

This story basically talks about the identity of the first Taijyu, and hihiirokane. The first Taijyu is some alchemist who was trying to invent the philosopher’s stone (literally) and grant immortality. Hihiirokane was actually a failed product made out of gems/metal from Touei as it did not grant people immortality, but seemed to harness endless energy. Using it, Narukami was born. The first Taijyu arrived at Ginwan. He wrote in his diary that everyone was kind and that he felt this is his new home. However, the emperor wanted his smarts for the empire’s gain & some people started witchhunting him, so he wanted to run away, but this time to the skies. With hihiirokane he created Itehari and levitated it from the sky.

The story is summarized above but the actual plot takes place in present time as Hinagiku and co. discover the first Taijyu’s old lab and reads his diary. They also meet Saku who survived the fall in truth route, but lost his memory. They decide not to tell him the truth and allow him to live in his village under his new name, “Sora”.

Truth end: Hinagiku finds an extra piece of hihiirokane and repairs Narukami, then watches Itehari under the sunset on the platform with him. We also get one additional CG of the first Taijyu with Narukami.

Final Thoughts

Once you clear the game there is a panorama style collection CG that will complete your collection.

Overall, this is a game that hinges between good and great; definitely kept my attention better than the base game. It has a lot of content with gorgeous CGs and voice acting. There’s more romance than the base game. I got what I came here for. However, the plot is left to be desired in certain routes.

My bias for Yori stays strong. He remains my favourite character. He is so unique. I was touched by Tobari’s FD and think what he and Hinagiku have are very beautiful. Yashiro routes continued to be meh; I do love Kobayashi’s voice though. Tsuyukusa FD was a downgrade from his main story unfortunately. Awayuki’s writing is consistent but I just don’t dig his trope; as much as the writer tries to justify it I really don’t think Hinagiku will ever grow up with him, and that in a way he intentionally or unintentionally wants to keep her infantilized – I there is a big audience for this (nor is this inherently a bad thing; we all want to just relax and be babied once in a while), just not myself.

This is a “comfort” creation by the team as many elements – from art, to MC personality and being “key maiden”, to having Okamoto voice the “bad guy” lmao – are similar stylistically to Piofiore. I don’t think they are able to do the same for their next release UN:LOGICAL. I am curious to see how they will perform with a different artist and take a different direction in their writing, and hopefully a different kind of MC.

Character rankings:

• Yori – his own tier
• I really liked: Tobari
• Nice I guess: Awayuki > Tsuyukusa > Yashiro
• Thanks for the if route and CGs but I really didn’t get your appeal: Hiiragi, Tsuwabuki

My score: 8/10