"That's how love works, I guess. It never truly ends if you're willing to nurture it."
I feel bad that I hadn't commented yet, I'd played half of the game when it first came out but forgot to do the secret route until now. I ended up replaying the whole thing to refresh my memory and I'm very glad I did.
The story length ends up being relatively short but the relationship for the characters is so warm and believable in that time. The routes do a good job of showing the different aspects of Dulari's strengths. Despite being so warm and loving, there's still a slight bitterness concerning Dulari's mother and her dissatisfaction, which I liked. Happiness is hardly so clean cut. Everyone was sweet but I found Leon to be particularly heart-tugging. The two openly gave such affection to each other which made me smile (～￣▽￣)～
After reading it, I tried to think of what tied everything together. Family? Friendship? Fate? But I decided it was Dulari's empathy-- not a weak and gentle thing, but a courageous and smart one. It causes her to overthink certain situations but it's also like a magic key that is able to unlock closed hearts. She is a princess but she knows the pain of isolation so she is able to humble herself for others. Even if I forget the story or the names of the characters I'm sure that the warm feeling of Dulari's empathy will remain. "Yes, that's the story that made me smile. I thought about it for the whole night."
Thank you very much for making it. You wrote it so sincerely so had no choice but to surrender my heart. You'll surely lighten the day of anyone who touches your work.
PS: steiner ff9 is the ideal man there is no two ways about it