glad you agree on the game being well made!
this actually is possible, Hyao hasn't even changed anything major on big events on these by making an optional path come earlier, but maybe Hyao will this time? also, I'm gonna agree on the investigation pertaining to literally everything we just learned, maybe Lady Tess will know/used to know the people who are now shapeshifters personally and already be suspicious of them because they changed after they became shapeshifters, making her side with us and give us more access to Northcrest?
love how they were introduced in the beginning, and everyone STILL understands they are top tier husbands. even if one of them refuses to accept his feelings until.... a long ass time later lol. (Rhot is adorable too, love how he tries to be cold and cool, but his tail is like "BESTIE" and just always wraps around MC's leg lol. Caleb is also just the biggest goofball of all so like.. insane extra points there. but Logan and Bernard are literally perfect examples of the two types people like the most, Quiet and mean until you bond becoming incredibly affectionate and slightly possessive, and literally just a teddy bear who gets more teddy bear the more you know him. everyone can tell who is who there lol.)
I don't know almost anything other than what google said about hyperphantasia, but I hope it's not annoying or difficult for you to deal with. tbf the best we got right now is hopes and dreams for what's coming, specifically involving potential rescuing of someone or changing his fate via manipulation/effort from either us, or old friends.