Thank you so much for your kinds words and very generous reviews!!!
As for your question, I consider everything in the games to be equally canon. It is up to the player to decide which story they like best and what happens after ^o^
My design for Ren is changing, along with Strade as well in the new game I am making, which is a remake of the BTD1 Strade route. You can see more information about the new game here-> https://www.dirtymurdergames.com/pgs/ykmetstrade.php