XOXO Droplets: Shiloh path reactions
Sep. 21st, 2019 05:12 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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So this route is summed up by the main character telling someone who doesn't understand why she's dating such a fake guy, "I like him because he's a cute little skeezeball, not in spite of it".
From my previous post: Shiloh is always """nice""" and obedient/helpful/complimentary, enjoys manipulating people to get his own way or hurt those he doesn't like, and will stab you in the back in a heartbeat.
I found the dynamic absolutely fascinating. Here's some general thoughts and some scenes I squeed about to a friend, there's no big twists or anything to spoil but it's probably more fun to play without reading this first.
The protagonist pegs Shiloh as a liar right off the bat, but thinks it's funny, and he knows she knows he's lying and finds that funny too. It creates this weirdly enjoyable dynamic, where he swoons and blushes about how amazing she is and she wallows in the attention then laughs at what a skeeze he is, and they both know it's mostly an act but they're also both having fun. (Everyone around them finds it nauseating, which they also both enjoy) It means there's no Big Romantic Moments, the times they're being the most traditionally romantic are generally the times they feel the most insincere, which can be a little jarring. But in their own weird way they're sweet.
So! My reactions as they happened! Mostly cut and pasted from a discord chat with my friend Ash, hence the odd formatting.
Currently playing xoxo droplets and immediately boarded the Shiloh train. He's this tiny cheerful freckled guy who is nice to everyone and when protag is like "So why are you in the group of friendless losers nobody likes?" was all "haha I guess because the school has all these cliques but I try to get along with everyone, and some people don't like that! ^_^"
Protag: So when you say nice you mean liar?
Shiloh: No I'm nice ^_^
(he is a liar)
Protag is put in the afterschool group for kids so unpleasant none of the other afterschool groups want them. She is cheerfully just...thirsty.
MC: Haha you're all jerks but I just want a hot boyfriend and you're hot so that's cool ^_^
everyone but Shiloh: >:/
Shiloh: Ok! ^_^
jerk boy 1: should we warn her about Shiloh?
jerk boy 2: No it's funnier this way
I am wondering...just how awful he is.
Their next game ("A Foretold Affair")had a variable gender protag and multiple genders of LI and so far it's enjoyably ungendered. Protag is into boys and aware these are boys. Female characters have been a little girly I guess. But I like that boys have a variety of looks within the Hot Boy template
I'm not sure I've seen this social dynamic before and I like it. Like this guy just being SUPER sunshine friendly. And everyone knows he's actually an asshole, and he knows they know.
Bae: lol everyone at this school hates me
Shiloh: I like you Bae!!
Bae: haaaaa.
Shiloh: :)
And protag has figured out something's up with him so it's not like a Twist. But it is Something waiting for his true colours to show
Shiloh continues to be Nice. I did like this exchange.
MC: (Name) is such a faker
Shiloh: I never noticed o.O
MC: Eh, it's kind of funny
Shiloh: I'm glad you're friends ^^
MC: I'm still trying to get closer to the real faker
Shiloh: Good luck :)
MC gives him some shit for wearing a woman's hat which was annoying but Shiloh very clearly didn't care.
So this path is SLOW and idk where it's going. But man I am into manipulatively cheerfully subby dudes. Not the gentle older brother type but the bouncy younger brother type but it's all an act. I've only seen it here and in Dandelion but it is an A+ dynamic. Sincere bouncy younger brother types tend to be written a bit young. I like them but feel dirty flirting with them unless protag is also kinda dumb and young, which this one very much is not (she's 17 but very cynical)
MC asks Shiloh on a date to a haunted house.
MC: You going to be scared?
Shiloh: No, I've been heaps of times!
MC: So you won't pretend to be scared as an excuse to grab my arm.
Shiloh: I wouldn't pretend to be scared. But I haven't been in a while!
MC: Nope, no backtracking! Still, I might get scared.
Shiloh: Really?
MC: One of us has to be, so we can hold hands, and you lost your chance.
Later:
MC: Two teenagers...alone in a dark place...anything could happen...
Shiloh: Like?
MC: Me sneaking into this fireplace!!
Shiloh: I'm not sure that's allowed
MC: There's no sign saying I can't! And this way I can jump out and scare someone!!
Shiloh: Ha! That would be pretty great!
Employee: Hey, get out of there!
Shiloh: I TOLD HER IT WAS AGAINST THE RULES AND SHE DIDN'T LISTEN
MC: >:( Shiloh you suck!!
Shiloh: I do! But I thought I could persuade him to leave if I...
MC: No, you threw me under the bus to save your own skin. It's not surprising but it still sucks.
Shiloh: How can I make it up to you ;_;
MC: Talk about how much you suck some more
Shiloh: I'm the WORST.
MC: You are.
On another date
MC: Wait did you just admit you deliberately keep your dad at a distance so you look more pitiable to others and can get away with more shit? D:
Shiloh: :)
MC: You don't like people at all do you?
Shiloh: I like people! I just don't always respect them. But just because I think some people are...overrated doesn't mean I treat them badly.
So there's no like REVEAL or anything. He's just a cheerfully manipulative guy.
MC: Shiloh which of these dudes would you fuck/marry/kill? And you can't pick the teacher.
Teacher: That's inappropriate
MC: Kiss...marry...lightly punch? :)
Shiloh: Ok! Marry Bae (the other insincerely cheerful person), kiss Nate, punch Everett
Nate, currently bouncing up and down because MC is a dick about truth or dare: WHAT
Shiloh: You hate being touched and you're pretty strong so if I punched you I'd just hurt my hand :) Everett is weaker.
Also MC's first choice for Nate's dare was for him to kiss her but the teacher nixed it (as did Nate)
Power Couple
Every time Nate's glowering, hopping sprite shows up on screen I start chortling so loud I'm worried I'll wake Cam (Nate is a grumpy control freak built like a linebacker)
MC's other truth/dares: "Rate my attractiveness on a scale of 1-10", "Eat this gross old candy I left in my bag", "Do the carpets match the- teacher vetoes -what colour is your underwear" "Carry me like a princess for the rest of the meeting"
and now she's in the arms of the huge, quietly brooding guy being given a present and having everyone wish her happy birthday
living her best life
while Nate is still bouncing up and down, grumbling
(Bae cheerfully rated her an 8)
Also I've realised one thing I like is that yes, it's a girl in a group of guys. But they do not care that she's a girl and act like she's just Another Annoying Asshole I Have to Spend Time With In This Group (or Another Great Friend!!! in Shiloh's case lol)
They're less hostile to her than the ones they ACTIVELY dislike but also more hostile than to their friends and noone hits on her. She hits on them constantly and they find it annoying (except Shiloh <3)
(Ok Shiloh has shown subtle signs of being jealous about her hitting on any passing cute boy)
MC: Guess what! You get to be my boyfriend!
Shiloh: Huh!
MC: MORE JOY AT THIS WONDROUS OCCASION
Shiloh: I am very happy of course!!!!
MC: Yeah, yeah, let's make out.
Shiloh: Ok :)
Everyone else was like "Really? Is having your ego stroked worth...that? Wouldn't you rather date someone who actually likes you?"
Shiloh: I DO LIKE HER >:( You're just jealous because I get to date such a wonderful girl. Maybe if you were nicer to people you wouldn't be so lonely ^_^
There's this interesting conversation they have about marriage. Shiloh will always cheerfully talk about How Much He Likes The Idea Of Being Married to anyone who asks,
and gets performatively blushy once he starts dating MC about how He Didn't Mean To Her Specifically and she's like yeah but we both know you don't actually want to get married.
Shiloh: Yes I do!!
MC: Uh huh. But seriously.
Shiloh: I did always assume it wouldn't suit me, but there's no reason I can't have a long term relationship. And idk, if someone genuinely understood me maybe I could get married after all.
And it's like ok I think that last bit was sincere??? Maybe???
MC: Good news I am taking you on a karaoke date!
Shiloh: ...would it be ok if Bae came? We used to be karaoke buddies and we haven't sung together in a while.
MC: You want to invite him on our date? Was the karaoke buddies thing code for dating? I wouldn't judge.
Shiloh: haha no you're the only one for me :)
And then it turns out Shiloh and Bae had this game of singing "songs it's hard to take seriously" with as much sincerity as they could to the other person until one of them laughed.
MC: So "karoake buddies' was code for singing love songs to each other
Bae: Yes :)
Shiloh: Yeah ok let's try this game
So the THREE of them sing love songs to each other??? Off screen so I can imagine it as shippy as I like.
MC: So do you like Bae more than me as a singing buddy?
Shiloh: Don't make me choose :(
MC: Wait what? He's not here, why aren't you pretending you only ever care about me...are you actually friends with Bae???
Shiloh: Of course! :D
MC: Yeah, never mind, there's no point asking you :P
So yeah, I kinda ship it, even though I still want to punch Bae in the face any time he talks. Sadly Bae is just the most annoying character. He's meant to be annoying!
He's very different to Shiloh, too, good job on writing two insincerely friendly characters, game. But I just want to punch him any time he speaks. He's all "Oooh, good idea CUPCAKE, I'll tooootally do that." He's one step from adding "In case you can't tell I was being sarcastic" to everything he says.
I mean, look at this sexual tension:
(My MC's full name was Frodo Doh. Her canon nickname is JB so I may try riffing on that next time)
Asides from her relationship with Shiloh, it feels like MC and the other main guys are all sort of becoming actual friends, and becoming very slightly less assholeish, if not actually nice. It gives me hope for a heartwarming Power Of Asshole Friendship ending. It's cute how they do also try to be halfway decent to the teacher in their way.
Like, I wouldn't describe myself as an asshole (though to the extent I can be one, Shiloh is more similar than I'd like) But I was definitely unpopular as a teenager, and one of the great things about growing up has been realising I don't have to stop being myself to make friends. While I've lost some of my sharper/more difficult edges I'm still basically the same awkward weirdo I've always been, I've just found other compatible weirdos to be friends with. And this feels a bit like that.
Haa ok Cam came in and asked what I was laughing at, when I explained he said "Ah that would explain why it was your malicious laugh". So maybe I'm a little like MC as well ;)
Didn't get prom queen! Looks like Nate always gets Prom King so I might cheat my way to the top on his route (which Nate would HATE, but it's pretty IC for MC)
MC: Wow, a lot of people wanted to hang out with you at prom. How do you get so many people to like you when you're so obviously fake?
Shiloh: I can't tell you :)
MC: Come on, it's a special occasion.
Shiloh: Ok, well. I can tell you one thing. My being obvious is deliberate. People underestimate me, and then if I show them "the real me" they feel smart and special.
MC: Ha! So is there a real you in there? You don't have to tell me what it is, just...is there one at all?
Shiloh: No, I don't think so. As sure as my name's Shiloh, I'm an optimistic and smiley kinda guy. That'll never go away no matter how close I am with somebody :D
MC: It's just that the things making you smile aren't the ones you say they are.
Shiloh: Maybe. But a me that isn't being manipulative isn't really me at all :)
MC: Creepy. But I figured. And I know you're only telling me because you know it'd hurt our relationship if you didn't, not because you actually want me to know you better.
Shiloh: Right-o :)
MC: That kind of makes you pitiable
Shiloh: Different strokes for different folks.
MC: Ok final question: What do you really think of me?
Shiloh: You're amazing <3 :D
MC: Haha yeah that was asking for too much.
Shiloh: I never used any strategies on you because you'd have seen right through them!
MC: You can stop now :P
Shiloh: Hahaha. The nice things I say to you have so little impact I could say anything, be as serious or unserious as I wanted, and not have to worry. It's pretty sweet.
MC: Damn, Shiloh, you're good.
Shiloh: :D
Then he walks her back to her room.
Shiloh: What a magical night. I'm so sad it's over!
MC: It doesn't have to be ;)
Shiloh: I'm not sure what you mean?
MC: Shut up and get in here before somebody sees.
Shiloh: Ok :D
The game crashed and I had to replay a BUNCH, I am now saving more carefully but I got so bored with the stats building I've been skipping it as much as possible without cheats. I've unlocked and seen all the dates and didn't care about Prom Queen, and afaict those are the only things it affects as long as you don't screw up so badly you lose the game.
I got a few new scenes during the replay which was interesting to see. It seems to be set up to stay moderately varied on replays even though the main plot (such as it is) stays the same.
For her birthday MC gets everyone to play kiss/marry/punch, not just Shiloh (Who of course blushingly says he'd marry her) but they have to give two answers, one excluding her (to keep things interesting) and one including her (because she wants to hear them all say they'd marry her)
Bae picks punch Nate because it wouldn't hurt him, marry Shiloh because he's cheerful and supportive, and kiss Pran because he wouldn't care. And doesn't change it with MC included which she is VERY displeased about.
Jeremy: I would punch Bae, marry Pran, and kiss Nate.
Nate: WHY ME AGAIN
At least you're not having to hop this time, Nate :D
Aw, "Nate also knows that kind of stuff is gross so we'd get it over quick", is Jeremy ace? He also doesn't change anything when she's included :D
Everett: Marry Nate, punch Jeremy and kiss...damnit. Shiloh :/
MC: What about when I'm an option?
Everett: I'd kiss you, duh.
Nate: Marry Everett, punch Bae, and....blech, kiss Jeremy. Same when you're included.
MC: Why would you all rather kiss someone you supposedly hate than me >:(
Nate: You'd make it weird.
MC: Wrong. None of you want to admit how much you want to kiss me ^_^
Pran: You can't make me do anything :)
Nate: His answers are marry Jeremy, kiss MC, and punch himself. Done.
Ooh and now I get to choose for MC!!!!
Ok, so, look. MC likes Bae. But I want to punch him. Sorry, kid.
But she REALLY wants to kiss Nate, so. You can have him, MC.
Nate: Don't tell me why D:
MC: You know why ;)
And obviously she marries Shiloh and he swoons.
Shiloh gives her a gift!
MC: Ooh, sexy lingerie!
Nate: o.O
MC: Just kidding it's dvds of a zombie tv show. (Shiloh LOVES horror)
Nate gets everyone to put on a mystery play for his birthday. We don't see the setup but I can imagine how Pran ended up playing the dead body lol. Shiloh is playing an errand boy who says "Sir" to MC's detective character a lot and I'm into it shh.
Oooh I gotta guess the murderer! Haaa every time I get something wrong the character MC is talking to makes a face like she forgot her line.
And now it's graduation!
MC: Admit it you guys all liked this group.
Everyone but Shiloh: No.
Shiloh: Yeah!
MC: At least admit you liked me.
Everyone but Shiloh: No.
Shiloh: Yeah!!!!
MC: Aw, I heart you guys too.
Oooh I have the choice to amicably break up with Shiloh or have a long distance relationship. Time to save and see both!
Breakup Ending:
Aw, she says he deserves someone who'd take the relationship more seriously. Does he, though?
Shiloh: Oh no ;_;
MC: Tone it down.
Shiloh: Ok :) But I'm sad on the inside!
They have a cute and very them conversation about keeping in touch, and then the game gave me some cheat codes.
MC graduates, and tells herself whatever the future holds it will be better still.
Relationship ending:
Heh. That was cute too.
"Use the code you-totally-already-liked-me to get 500 Shiloh relationship points" lol
MC: I'm going to miss you guys.
Shiloh: They'll miss you too!
MC: Yes they will, I'm the best person they'll ever meet. The only person who truly might not care is you.
Shiloh: You're right, I'm not sad...because we're staying together! :D
MC: Real talk, Shiloh, are you going to dump me the moment we walk through those gates?
Shiloh: Of course not!!
MC: ...I guess there's no way you can actually answer that straightforwardly.
Shiloh: Not in a way that would satisfy you. We'll have to wait and see. I'm looking forward to seeing how much faith you actually have in me :)
MC: I think I have just the right amount, babe.
Shiloh: Then it's all good :)
And then they kiss, and hold hands as they walk through the gate.
THE END
Man, that was a WEIRD trip but I enjoyed it a lot. Not many writers would go so dark with a character yet take it seriously and manage to make it romantic without in any way fixing or changing him.
I'm a little sad there's no sign any of the rest will stay friends after graduation, but they did grow from it. A little. And the game obviously wants to avoid stereotypical shmaltz.
I'm pondering who to romance next.
Everett is the only dude to express much unprompted sincere interest in MC (under a lot of insulting bluster) and likes being ordered around, but it might be better to go for someone more different to Shiloh.
Pran, maybe. I like tsunderes but they're all SO mean it's a bit off putting. But Pran feels the most traditionally tsundere-y. Also he's cute.
I want to give Jeremy a hug, but his evident depression might hit weird buttons for me. Also while he is definitely an asshole in the way he expresses his negative thoughts, I worry that if I end up sympathising with him too much I'll be pissed off on other routes when people bug him about it.
Kinda curious to play Bae to see if I can make a Bae/Shiloh/MC triad work in my head, but I definitely need a break from insincerity. Also may have a similar issue where I feel too sorry for his evident energy issues and get angry on his behalf. Or think the GAME is too quickly dismissive of the possibility of him being genuinely sickly (which he probably isn't, but it's very easy for the subject to hit a button for me)
Nate...idk, I usually like "I'm too rational to worry about romance" overachievers but he can be very controlling which I am really not into. Plus there'd be an awkward period where MC was flirting with him more but he was still acting grossed out.
I didn't unlock most of the side conversations for the other characters last time, I just saw the first couple for everyone. So from now on I'll pick two characters to unlock scenes for at a time: one at school on weekdays and one at the shops on weekends. Unless I get bored again and just sleep through the whole week like I did for the last like...4 months of this playthrough.
Unlocking the clique boyfriends who have no lines but offer buffs sounds INTERMINABLE so I won't be doing that. Who needs buffs when you have CHEATS :D
So this route is summed up by the main character telling someone who doesn't understand why she's dating such a fake guy, "I like him because he's a cute little skeezeball, not in spite of it".
From my previous post: Shiloh is always """nice""" and obedient/helpful/complimentary, enjoys manipulating people to get his own way or hurt those he doesn't like, and will stab you in the back in a heartbeat.
I found the dynamic absolutely fascinating. Here's some general thoughts and some scenes I squeed about to a friend, there's no big twists or anything to spoil but it's probably more fun to play without reading this first.
The protagonist pegs Shiloh as a liar right off the bat, but thinks it's funny, and he knows she knows he's lying and finds that funny too. It creates this weirdly enjoyable dynamic, where he swoons and blushes about how amazing she is and she wallows in the attention then laughs at what a skeeze he is, and they both know it's mostly an act but they're also both having fun. (Everyone around them finds it nauseating, which they also both enjoy) It means there's no Big Romantic Moments, the times they're being the most traditionally romantic are generally the times they feel the most insincere, which can be a little jarring. But in their own weird way they're sweet.
So! My reactions as they happened! Mostly cut and pasted from a discord chat with my friend Ash, hence the odd formatting.
Currently playing xoxo droplets and immediately boarded the Shiloh train. He's this tiny cheerful freckled guy who is nice to everyone and when protag is like "So why are you in the group of friendless losers nobody likes?" was all "haha I guess because the school has all these cliques but I try to get along with everyone, and some people don't like that! ^_^"
Protag: So when you say nice you mean liar?
Shiloh: No I'm nice ^_^
(he is a liar)
Protag is put in the afterschool group for kids so unpleasant none of the other afterschool groups want them. She is cheerfully just...thirsty.
MC: Haha you're all jerks but I just want a hot boyfriend and you're hot so that's cool ^_^
everyone but Shiloh: >:/
Shiloh: Ok! ^_^
jerk boy 1: should we warn her about Shiloh?
jerk boy 2: No it's funnier this way
I am wondering...just how awful he is.
Their next game ("A Foretold Affair")had a variable gender protag and multiple genders of LI and so far it's enjoyably ungendered. Protag is into boys and aware these are boys. Female characters have been a little girly I guess. But I like that boys have a variety of looks within the Hot Boy template
I'm not sure I've seen this social dynamic before and I like it. Like this guy just being SUPER sunshine friendly. And everyone knows he's actually an asshole, and he knows they know.
Bae: lol everyone at this school hates me
Shiloh: I like you Bae!!
Bae: haaaaa.
Shiloh: :)
And protag has figured out something's up with him so it's not like a Twist. But it is Something waiting for his true colours to show
Shiloh continues to be Nice. I did like this exchange.
MC: (Name) is such a faker
Shiloh: I never noticed o.O
MC: Eh, it's kind of funny
Shiloh: I'm glad you're friends ^^
MC: I'm still trying to get closer to the real faker
Shiloh: Good luck :)
MC gives him some shit for wearing a woman's hat which was annoying but Shiloh very clearly didn't care.
So this path is SLOW and idk where it's going. But man I am into manipulatively cheerfully subby dudes. Not the gentle older brother type but the bouncy younger brother type but it's all an act. I've only seen it here and in Dandelion but it is an A+ dynamic. Sincere bouncy younger brother types tend to be written a bit young. I like them but feel dirty flirting with them unless protag is also kinda dumb and young, which this one very much is not (she's 17 but very cynical)
MC asks Shiloh on a date to a haunted house.
MC: You going to be scared?
Shiloh: No, I've been heaps of times!
MC: So you won't pretend to be scared as an excuse to grab my arm.
Shiloh: I wouldn't pretend to be scared. But I haven't been in a while!
MC: Nope, no backtracking! Still, I might get scared.
Shiloh: Really?
MC: One of us has to be, so we can hold hands, and you lost your chance.
Later:
MC: Two teenagers...alone in a dark place...anything could happen...
Shiloh: Like?
MC: Me sneaking into this fireplace!!
Shiloh: I'm not sure that's allowed
MC: There's no sign saying I can't! And this way I can jump out and scare someone!!
Shiloh: Ha! That would be pretty great!
Employee: Hey, get out of there!
Shiloh: I TOLD HER IT WAS AGAINST THE RULES AND SHE DIDN'T LISTEN
MC: >:( Shiloh you suck!!
Shiloh: I do! But I thought I could persuade him to leave if I...
MC: No, you threw me under the bus to save your own skin. It's not surprising but it still sucks.
Shiloh: How can I make it up to you ;_;
MC: Talk about how much you suck some more
Shiloh: I'm the WORST.
MC: You are.
On another date
MC: Wait did you just admit you deliberately keep your dad at a distance so you look more pitiable to others and can get away with more shit? D:
Shiloh: :)
MC: You don't like people at all do you?
Shiloh: I like people! I just don't always respect them. But just because I think some people are...overrated doesn't mean I treat them badly.
So there's no like REVEAL or anything. He's just a cheerfully manipulative guy.
MC: Shiloh which of these dudes would you fuck/marry/kill? And you can't pick the teacher.
Teacher: That's inappropriate
MC: Kiss...marry...lightly punch? :)
Shiloh: Ok! Marry Bae (the other insincerely cheerful person), kiss Nate, punch Everett
Nate, currently bouncing up and down because MC is a dick about truth or dare: WHAT
Shiloh: You hate being touched and you're pretty strong so if I punched you I'd just hurt my hand :) Everett is weaker.
Also MC's first choice for Nate's dare was for him to kiss her but the teacher nixed it (as did Nate)
Power Couple
Every time Nate's glowering, hopping sprite shows up on screen I start chortling so loud I'm worried I'll wake Cam (Nate is a grumpy control freak built like a linebacker)
MC's other truth/dares: "Rate my attractiveness on a scale of 1-10", "Eat this gross old candy I left in my bag", "Do the carpets match the- teacher vetoes -what colour is your underwear" "Carry me like a princess for the rest of the meeting"
and now she's in the arms of the huge, quietly brooding guy being given a present and having everyone wish her happy birthday
living her best life
while Nate is still bouncing up and down, grumbling
(Bae cheerfully rated her an 8)
Also I've realised one thing I like is that yes, it's a girl in a group of guys. But they do not care that she's a girl and act like she's just Another Annoying Asshole I Have to Spend Time With In This Group (or Another Great Friend!!! in Shiloh's case lol)
They're less hostile to her than the ones they ACTIVELY dislike but also more hostile than to their friends and noone hits on her. She hits on them constantly and they find it annoying (except Shiloh <3)
(Ok Shiloh has shown subtle signs of being jealous about her hitting on any passing cute boy)
MC: Guess what! You get to be my boyfriend!
Shiloh: Huh!
MC: MORE JOY AT THIS WONDROUS OCCASION
Shiloh: I am very happy of course!!!!
MC: Yeah, yeah, let's make out.
Shiloh: Ok :)
Everyone else was like "Really? Is having your ego stroked worth...that? Wouldn't you rather date someone who actually likes you?"
Shiloh: I DO LIKE HER >:( You're just jealous because I get to date such a wonderful girl. Maybe if you were nicer to people you wouldn't be so lonely ^_^
There's this interesting conversation they have about marriage. Shiloh will always cheerfully talk about How Much He Likes The Idea Of Being Married to anyone who asks,
and gets performatively blushy once he starts dating MC about how He Didn't Mean To Her Specifically and she's like yeah but we both know you don't actually want to get married.
Shiloh: Yes I do!!
MC: Uh huh. But seriously.
Shiloh: I did always assume it wouldn't suit me, but there's no reason I can't have a long term relationship. And idk, if someone genuinely understood me maybe I could get married after all.
And it's like ok I think that last bit was sincere??? Maybe???
MC: Good news I am taking you on a karaoke date!
Shiloh: ...would it be ok if Bae came? We used to be karaoke buddies and we haven't sung together in a while.
MC: You want to invite him on our date? Was the karaoke buddies thing code for dating? I wouldn't judge.
Shiloh: haha no you're the only one for me :)
And then it turns out Shiloh and Bae had this game of singing "songs it's hard to take seriously" with as much sincerity as they could to the other person until one of them laughed.
MC: So "karoake buddies' was code for singing love songs to each other
Bae: Yes :)
Shiloh: Yeah ok let's try this game
So the THREE of them sing love songs to each other??? Off screen so I can imagine it as shippy as I like.
MC: So do you like Bae more than me as a singing buddy?
Shiloh: Don't make me choose :(
MC: Wait what? He's not here, why aren't you pretending you only ever care about me...are you actually friends with Bae???
Shiloh: Of course! :D
MC: Yeah, never mind, there's no point asking you :P
So yeah, I kinda ship it, even though I still want to punch Bae in the face any time he talks. Sadly Bae is just the most annoying character. He's meant to be annoying!
He's very different to Shiloh, too, good job on writing two insincerely friendly characters, game. But I just want to punch him any time he speaks. He's all "Oooh, good idea CUPCAKE, I'll tooootally do that." He's one step from adding "In case you can't tell I was being sarcastic" to everything he says.
I mean, look at this sexual tension:
(My MC's full name was Frodo Doh. Her canon nickname is JB so I may try riffing on that next time)
Asides from her relationship with Shiloh, it feels like MC and the other main guys are all sort of becoming actual friends, and becoming very slightly less assholeish, if not actually nice. It gives me hope for a heartwarming Power Of Asshole Friendship ending. It's cute how they do also try to be halfway decent to the teacher in their way.
Like, I wouldn't describe myself as an asshole (though to the extent I can be one, Shiloh is more similar than I'd like) But I was definitely unpopular as a teenager, and one of the great things about growing up has been realising I don't have to stop being myself to make friends. While I've lost some of my sharper/more difficult edges I'm still basically the same awkward weirdo I've always been, I've just found other compatible weirdos to be friends with. And this feels a bit like that.
Haa ok Cam came in and asked what I was laughing at, when I explained he said "Ah that would explain why it was your malicious laugh". So maybe I'm a little like MC as well ;)
Didn't get prom queen! Looks like Nate always gets Prom King so I might cheat my way to the top on his route (which Nate would HATE, but it's pretty IC for MC)
MC: Wow, a lot of people wanted to hang out with you at prom. How do you get so many people to like you when you're so obviously fake?
Shiloh: I can't tell you :)
MC: Come on, it's a special occasion.
Shiloh: Ok, well. I can tell you one thing. My being obvious is deliberate. People underestimate me, and then if I show them "the real me" they feel smart and special.
MC: Ha! So is there a real you in there? You don't have to tell me what it is, just...is there one at all?
Shiloh: No, I don't think so. As sure as my name's Shiloh, I'm an optimistic and smiley kinda guy. That'll never go away no matter how close I am with somebody :D
MC: It's just that the things making you smile aren't the ones you say they are.
Shiloh: Maybe. But a me that isn't being manipulative isn't really me at all :)
MC: Creepy. But I figured. And I know you're only telling me because you know it'd hurt our relationship if you didn't, not because you actually want me to know you better.
Shiloh: Right-o :)
MC: That kind of makes you pitiable
Shiloh: Different strokes for different folks.
MC: Ok final question: What do you really think of me?
Shiloh: You're amazing <3 :D
MC: Haha yeah that was asking for too much.
Shiloh: I never used any strategies on you because you'd have seen right through them!
MC: You can stop now :P
Shiloh: Hahaha. The nice things I say to you have so little impact I could say anything, be as serious or unserious as I wanted, and not have to worry. It's pretty sweet.
MC: Damn, Shiloh, you're good.
Shiloh: :D
Then he walks her back to her room.
Shiloh: What a magical night. I'm so sad it's over!
MC: It doesn't have to be ;)
Shiloh: I'm not sure what you mean?
MC: Shut up and get in here before somebody sees.
Shiloh: Ok :D
The game crashed and I had to replay a BUNCH, I am now saving more carefully but I got so bored with the stats building I've been skipping it as much as possible without cheats. I've unlocked and seen all the dates and didn't care about Prom Queen, and afaict those are the only things it affects as long as you don't screw up so badly you lose the game.
I got a few new scenes during the replay which was interesting to see. It seems to be set up to stay moderately varied on replays even though the main plot (such as it is) stays the same.
For her birthday MC gets everyone to play kiss/marry/punch, not just Shiloh (Who of course blushingly says he'd marry her) but they have to give two answers, one excluding her (to keep things interesting) and one including her (because she wants to hear them all say they'd marry her)
Bae picks punch Nate because it wouldn't hurt him, marry Shiloh because he's cheerful and supportive, and kiss Pran because he wouldn't care. And doesn't change it with MC included which she is VERY displeased about.
Jeremy: I would punch Bae, marry Pran, and kiss Nate.
Nate: WHY ME AGAIN
At least you're not having to hop this time, Nate :D
Aw, "Nate also knows that kind of stuff is gross so we'd get it over quick", is Jeremy ace? He also doesn't change anything when she's included :D
Everett: Marry Nate, punch Jeremy and kiss...damnit. Shiloh :/
MC: What about when I'm an option?
Everett: I'd kiss you, duh.
Nate: Marry Everett, punch Bae, and....blech, kiss Jeremy. Same when you're included.
MC: Why would you all rather kiss someone you supposedly hate than me >:(
Nate: You'd make it weird.
MC: Wrong. None of you want to admit how much you want to kiss me ^_^
Pran: You can't make me do anything :)
Nate: His answers are marry Jeremy, kiss MC, and punch himself. Done.
Ooh and now I get to choose for MC!!!!
Ok, so, look. MC likes Bae. But I want to punch him. Sorry, kid.
But she REALLY wants to kiss Nate, so. You can have him, MC.
Nate: Don't tell me why D:
MC: You know why ;)
And obviously she marries Shiloh and he swoons.
Shiloh gives her a gift!
MC: Ooh, sexy lingerie!
Nate: o.O
MC: Just kidding it's dvds of a zombie tv show. (Shiloh LOVES horror)
Nate gets everyone to put on a mystery play for his birthday. We don't see the setup but I can imagine how Pran ended up playing the dead body lol. Shiloh is playing an errand boy who says "Sir" to MC's detective character a lot and I'm into it shh.
Oooh I gotta guess the murderer! Haaa every time I get something wrong the character MC is talking to makes a face like she forgot her line.
And now it's graduation!
MC: Admit it you guys all liked this group.
Everyone but Shiloh: No.
Shiloh: Yeah!
MC: At least admit you liked me.
Everyone but Shiloh: No.
Shiloh: Yeah!!!!
MC: Aw, I heart you guys too.
Oooh I have the choice to amicably break up with Shiloh or have a long distance relationship. Time to save and see both!
Breakup Ending:
Aw, she says he deserves someone who'd take the relationship more seriously. Does he, though?
Shiloh: Oh no ;_;
MC: Tone it down.
Shiloh: Ok :) But I'm sad on the inside!
They have a cute and very them conversation about keeping in touch, and then the game gave me some cheat codes.
MC graduates, and tells herself whatever the future holds it will be better still.
Relationship ending:
Heh. That was cute too.
"Use the code you-totally-already-liked-me to get 500 Shiloh relationship points" lol
MC: I'm going to miss you guys.
Shiloh: They'll miss you too!
MC: Yes they will, I'm the best person they'll ever meet. The only person who truly might not care is you.
Shiloh: You're right, I'm not sad...because we're staying together! :D
MC: Real talk, Shiloh, are you going to dump me the moment we walk through those gates?
Shiloh: Of course not!!
MC: ...I guess there's no way you can actually answer that straightforwardly.
Shiloh: Not in a way that would satisfy you. We'll have to wait and see. I'm looking forward to seeing how much faith you actually have in me :)
MC: I think I have just the right amount, babe.
Shiloh: Then it's all good :)
And then they kiss, and hold hands as they walk through the gate.
THE END
Man, that was a WEIRD trip but I enjoyed it a lot. Not many writers would go so dark with a character yet take it seriously and manage to make it romantic without in any way fixing or changing him.
I'm a little sad there's no sign any of the rest will stay friends after graduation, but they did grow from it. A little. And the game obviously wants to avoid stereotypical shmaltz.
I'm pondering who to romance next.
Everett is the only dude to express much unprompted sincere interest in MC (under a lot of insulting bluster) and likes being ordered around, but it might be better to go for someone more different to Shiloh.
Pran, maybe. I like tsunderes but they're all SO mean it's a bit off putting. But Pran feels the most traditionally tsundere-y. Also he's cute.
I want to give Jeremy a hug, but his evident depression might hit weird buttons for me. Also while he is definitely an asshole in the way he expresses his negative thoughts, I worry that if I end up sympathising with him too much I'll be pissed off on other routes when people bug him about it.
Kinda curious to play Bae to see if I can make a Bae/Shiloh/MC triad work in my head, but I definitely need a break from insincerity. Also may have a similar issue where I feel too sorry for his evident energy issues and get angry on his behalf. Or think the GAME is too quickly dismissive of the possibility of him being genuinely sickly (which he probably isn't, but it's very easy for the subject to hit a button for me)
Nate...idk, I usually like "I'm too rational to worry about romance" overachievers but he can be very controlling which I am really not into. Plus there'd be an awkward period where MC was flirting with him more but he was still acting grossed out.
I didn't unlock most of the side conversations for the other characters last time, I just saw the first couple for everyone. So from now on I'll pick two characters to unlock scenes for at a time: one at school on weekdays and one at the shops on weekends. Unless I get bored again and just sleep through the whole week like I did for the last like...4 months of this playthrough.
Unlocking the clique boyfriends who have no lines but offer buffs sounds INTERMINABLE so I won't be doing that. Who needs buffs when you have CHEATS :D
