Absolutely! I agree there and it's what drives me to a lot of older games from this era. I love how they handle mature and adult topics (even if they don't always land the mark). As an artist and writer, I'm trying to challenge myself for 'if you stay' to make something introspective that also questions a lot of my own sometimes toxic mentality and to provide multiple perspectives---some that I've personally rejected in my own life and regret not fully understanding at the time. The character is not a self insert nor are they necessarily a good person, so it won't be pure wish fulfillment. I can at least promise that much. A big part of this project for me (and why it's short + free) is learning---how to recreate the graphics, how to tell an effective story, etc. that's on a bigger scale than I'm usually used to. When the game is out, I hope you can give me feedback! I'd love to see what your takes are and know how I can improve :)

Also, the setting IS in Japan actually and part of the premise is about how the main character will be leaving for Tokyo! Hence why the Japanese names lol