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alias_sqbrAn aspiring screenwriter ends up the secret ghostwriter for a boyband full of utter assholes. The free route is for Nagito, who is the friendliest but also super skeevy, making a lot of "jokes" that are basically sexual harassment.
My non-spoilery review is that it was compelling but pretty cheesy, and I didn't end up entirely shipping the main pairing.
And now, my spoilery reactions, because it was a Journey.
Content note: incest, sexual harassment
MC is hired as the secret ghostwriter for a boyband! I thought it would be like "We saw you writing and think it's cool" and she'd be flattered but I think they literally stole her notebook and then used the lyrics. Also she is a professional writer whose boss tries to pressure her into sex so I guess she's in need of a new job.
She gets a mysterious room key and is like "this better not be from my boss". But it's the boyband and she's like "Wait. You ALL want to have sex with me??"
boy1: What, no, ew
boy2: If you're offering :D
boy3: :D
MC: Uh. You're all...awfully close...
where is this going
(And then they ask her to be their ghostwriter, and at first she says no, but they persuade her it's what's best for her career as a screenwriter)
Turns out they didn't steal the notebook, their songwriter did, but then told the band so they'd hire her, and then Mysteriously Vanished. Which is still kind of unfortunate but not as bad. They are SUCH JERKS ABOUT IT though, all YOU HAVE TO WORK FOR US BUT IF YOU SCREW UP WE WILL RUIN YOUR CAREER.
On the plus side, she is moderately aware that they're assholes, and is only doing this to help her career.
this free dude is SO TERRIBLE and yet I keep reading
they're all terrible
it has a little bit of that Diabolik Lovers "trapped in a house with a bunch of awful dudes" vibe but they're just making her write pop lyrics
they're really mean about it though
except free dude who is friendly but sleazy
She pretty quickly starts liking them and thinking their TRULY RIDICULOUS obsessive overworking is admirable, and is inspired to work harder too. Skipping sleep and dancing until your feet bleed should not be inspiring, MC!
ok they had to share a bed and he was only a little creepy about it
He mentions a woman he used to be in love with and had to let go, and literally the only other woman he's shown to know in the game is his adopted sister....
Apparently she's been bugging him to get a girlfriend for years and so he gets MC to play his fake girlfriend.
episodes 1-5:
Nagito is aggressively sleazy to MC
Episode 6:
MC: wow, Nagito posing for the camera is kind of...hot...
MC: OH NO I AM A DISGUSTING PERV
Yep this dude is 100% in love with his older adopted sister
they met when he was in elementary school
the plot of this path is him helping MC write a love song for the band to sing at his sister's wedding
OH also
sister is marrying a fashion designer, who she's been with for 10 years, and who is Nagito's fashion design senpai
and it's been brought up that it's odd for Nagito to be so set on working as a designer in addition to the heavy workload of being in a boyband
But I guess it's all part of his fixation on his sister
amazing!
MC is so painfully oblivious
MC: Why are you hiding these lyrics about unrequited love that are clearly about your sister's wedding?
Nagito: I...haven't written lyrics before so was worried they were bad >.>
MC: Aw, I believe in you Nagito, let's use them! Your feelings of gratitude and affection really shine though!
Nagito: >.>
I was worried the skeeziness would get worse as the path went on but it's actually gotten less
and they've retconned it to him being a harmless jokester who'd never cross the line
which...is not true, but sure
MC: I was trying to write a love song, but you've inspired me to write from the POV of the family!
Nagito: >.>
In his spare time he hand sews personalised clothing for the children at the orphanage he was abandoned at as a baby
I love otome
I had legitimate feels about his angsty backstory as a lonely orphan who thinks noone will ever really care about him.
Episode 1: Nagito bumps into MC in the bathroom, asks to have sex and attempts to remove her towel
Episode 8: Nagito very politely asks to hold her hand
Interesting. She realises she's in love with him and accidentally blurts out her feelings
and he very calmly says "Then let's date. I like you, and I think I could grow to love you"
and she's a bit iffy on that but gives it a shot
it's a lot less dramatic than all the angsty mutual pining of the last route
and also
kind of odd knowing that he's like "hey this girl is nice, and likes me, and isn't my sister. Let's give this a decent shot." It feels a bit like being his incest beard.
"Let's learn to love each other little by little"
I...don't normally ship incest...but am just
dude you really do just love your sister don't you? Don't force it with MC you'll both end up miserable
he asks to sleep next to her, and is very respectful and just strokes her hair
and then
in his sleep
starts saying his sister's name
but he only says "Miyu" instead of her full name "Miyuku" so MC still doesn't get it
clearly she is in denial
the way he's gone from aggressively sexual to "respectful" makes it feel like
one appeal of MC is how sexually reserved she is, so he has plenty of time to try and bring himself to have sex with her when he's only really attracted to his sister. Like he only hits on MC sexually at the start, when he thinks she's not into it. Honestly you wouldn't need to change much to make this a "helping a closeted gay man pretend to be straight" romance. They do have a cute mutually supportive friendship, though.
oh also he is designing his sister's fiance's wedding tux
kind of ship the triad tbh
...you know, it would all work just as well if he's in love with the fiance
and gay
he says it's a woman, but...he would
and that might just be the translation since Japanese is usually more ambiguous
MC: And so you see, Nagito, you may be adopted, but your real family is everyone who loves you. Like me, and the band!
Nagito: Hey guys, me and MC are dating
the band: It doesn't affect you singing? Then we don't care.
OH MY GOD
Sis: I need to speak to Nagito!
Nagito: What is it?
Sis: I'M LEAVING MY FIANCE
!!!!
WHERE IS THIS GOING
(it's probably some dumb misunderstanding and they'll work things out but still)
yep, a dumb misunderstanding. But Nagito is trying really hard to keep the couple from breaking up, which I guess is to prove he's given up
but somehow
they way they argued
meant MC has FINALLY OPENED HER EYES TO THE INCEST
(I think it might have been a subtle honorific thing the translator didn't get across)
And now MC's realised the song he wrote for his sister is a love song!!
MC: OMG MIYU IS THE START OF MIYUKI
Though since she HAS worked it out, it might be a red herring and he was really in love with idk some random girl we never met.
Poor MC is just quietly angsting, not wanting to be a jerk about his tragic one sided love for his sister but feeling very sad about it.
Now she's decided to let him go, because he will be happier with his sister?? Oh, or at least can get those feelings off his chest and start a genuine relationship with someone else.
uuurgh and he's trying to tell MC he really loves her but she's convinced he's going to tell her he does really love his sister, so refuses to hear it. FOR AGES AND AGES IT'S SO DUMB.
News announcer: Boyband member Nagito has...
me: aw, is he going to prove his love for MC on tv?
New announcer: ...physically assaulted fashion designer [fiance]!
(it was another dumb misunderstanding)
MC puts all her love for him into the song he's going to sing to his sister
hoping he can use it to finally express his feelings
and then leaves, unable to hear it
Oh wow, in context these lyrics are kinda obviously about him being in love with his sister. That's quite a choice for the band to perform in public, MC.
Nagito tracks MC down and sings an adapted version to her. Instead of just "me" (Nagito) and "you" (sis) there is also "her" (MC). And then he says he WAS in love with his sister but has finally let those feelings go, and then they have moderately convincingly romantic and passionate fade-to-black sex.
THE END
That's the Romantic ending, I played the Dramatic ending, and it was fine, but I again liked the Romantic one a little more.
But uh, yeah. I don't usually ship incest, and it's very rare for me not to ship the main couple of a romance, but...idk if I see unresolved angst or a poly incest foursome in everyone's future, but either way I'm not entirely convinced by MC/Nagito as it is.
Still, it was an Experience!
My non-spoilery review is that it was compelling but pretty cheesy, and I didn't end up entirely shipping the main pairing.
And now, my spoilery reactions, because it was a Journey.
Content note: incest, sexual harassment
MC is hired as the secret ghostwriter for a boyband! I thought it would be like "We saw you writing and think it's cool" and she'd be flattered but I think they literally stole her notebook and then used the lyrics. Also she is a professional writer whose boss tries to pressure her into sex so I guess she's in need of a new job.
She gets a mysterious room key and is like "this better not be from my boss". But it's the boyband and she's like "Wait. You ALL want to have sex with me??"
boy1: What, no, ew
boy2: If you're offering :D
boy3: :D
MC: Uh. You're all...awfully close...
where is this going
(And then they ask her to be their ghostwriter, and at first she says no, but they persuade her it's what's best for her career as a screenwriter)
Turns out they didn't steal the notebook, their songwriter did, but then told the band so they'd hire her, and then Mysteriously Vanished. Which is still kind of unfortunate but not as bad. They are SUCH JERKS ABOUT IT though, all YOU HAVE TO WORK FOR US BUT IF YOU SCREW UP WE WILL RUIN YOUR CAREER.
On the plus side, she is moderately aware that they're assholes, and is only doing this to help her career.
this free dude is SO TERRIBLE and yet I keep reading
they're all terrible
it has a little bit of that Diabolik Lovers "trapped in a house with a bunch of awful dudes" vibe but they're just making her write pop lyrics
they're really mean about it though
except free dude who is friendly but sleazy
She pretty quickly starts liking them and thinking their TRULY RIDICULOUS obsessive overworking is admirable, and is inspired to work harder too. Skipping sleep and dancing until your feet bleed should not be inspiring, MC!
ok they had to share a bed and he was only a little creepy about it
He mentions a woman he used to be in love with and had to let go, and literally the only other woman he's shown to know in the game is his adopted sister....
Apparently she's been bugging him to get a girlfriend for years and so he gets MC to play his fake girlfriend.
episodes 1-5:
Nagito is aggressively sleazy to MC
Episode 6:
MC: wow, Nagito posing for the camera is kind of...hot...
MC: OH NO I AM A DISGUSTING PERV
Yep this dude is 100% in love with his older adopted sister
they met when he was in elementary school
the plot of this path is him helping MC write a love song for the band to sing at his sister's wedding
OH also
sister is marrying a fashion designer, who she's been with for 10 years, and who is Nagito's fashion design senpai
and it's been brought up that it's odd for Nagito to be so set on working as a designer in addition to the heavy workload of being in a boyband
But I guess it's all part of his fixation on his sister
amazing!
MC is so painfully oblivious
MC: Why are you hiding these lyrics about unrequited love that are clearly about your sister's wedding?
Nagito: I...haven't written lyrics before so was worried they were bad >.>
MC: Aw, I believe in you Nagito, let's use them! Your feelings of gratitude and affection really shine though!
Nagito: >.>
I was worried the skeeziness would get worse as the path went on but it's actually gotten less
and they've retconned it to him being a harmless jokester who'd never cross the line
which...is not true, but sure
MC: I was trying to write a love song, but you've inspired me to write from the POV of the family!
Nagito: >.>
In his spare time he hand sews personalised clothing for the children at the orphanage he was abandoned at as a baby
I love otome
I had legitimate feels about his angsty backstory as a lonely orphan who thinks noone will ever really care about him.
Episode 1: Nagito bumps into MC in the bathroom, asks to have sex and attempts to remove her towel
Episode 8: Nagito very politely asks to hold her hand
Interesting. She realises she's in love with him and accidentally blurts out her feelings
and he very calmly says "Then let's date. I like you, and I think I could grow to love you"
and she's a bit iffy on that but gives it a shot
it's a lot less dramatic than all the angsty mutual pining of the last route
and also
kind of odd knowing that he's like "hey this girl is nice, and likes me, and isn't my sister. Let's give this a decent shot." It feels a bit like being his incest beard.
"Let's learn to love each other little by little"
I...don't normally ship incest...but am just
dude you really do just love your sister don't you? Don't force it with MC you'll both end up miserable
he asks to sleep next to her, and is very respectful and just strokes her hair
and then
in his sleep
starts saying his sister's name
but he only says "Miyu" instead of her full name "Miyuku" so MC still doesn't get it
clearly she is in denial
the way he's gone from aggressively sexual to "respectful" makes it feel like
one appeal of MC is how sexually reserved she is, so he has plenty of time to try and bring himself to have sex with her when he's only really attracted to his sister. Like he only hits on MC sexually at the start, when he thinks she's not into it. Honestly you wouldn't need to change much to make this a "helping a closeted gay man pretend to be straight" romance. They do have a cute mutually supportive friendship, though.
oh also he is designing his sister's fiance's wedding tux
kind of ship the triad tbh
...you know, it would all work just as well if he's in love with the fiance
and gay
he says it's a woman, but...he would
and that might just be the translation since Japanese is usually more ambiguous
MC: And so you see, Nagito, you may be adopted, but your real family is everyone who loves you. Like me, and the band!
Nagito: Hey guys, me and MC are dating
the band: It doesn't affect you singing? Then we don't care.
OH MY GOD
Sis: I need to speak to Nagito!
Nagito: What is it?
Sis: I'M LEAVING MY FIANCE
!!!!
WHERE IS THIS GOING
(it's probably some dumb misunderstanding and they'll work things out but still)
yep, a dumb misunderstanding. But Nagito is trying really hard to keep the couple from breaking up, which I guess is to prove he's given up
but somehow
they way they argued
meant MC has FINALLY OPENED HER EYES TO THE INCEST
(I think it might have been a subtle honorific thing the translator didn't get across)
And now MC's realised the song he wrote for his sister is a love song!!
MC: OMG MIYU IS THE START OF MIYUKI
Though since she HAS worked it out, it might be a red herring and he was really in love with idk some random girl we never met.
Poor MC is just quietly angsting, not wanting to be a jerk about his tragic one sided love for his sister but feeling very sad about it.
Now she's decided to let him go, because he will be happier with his sister?? Oh, or at least can get those feelings off his chest and start a genuine relationship with someone else.
uuurgh and he's trying to tell MC he really loves her but she's convinced he's going to tell her he does really love his sister, so refuses to hear it. FOR AGES AND AGES IT'S SO DUMB.
News announcer: Boyband member Nagito has...
me: aw, is he going to prove his love for MC on tv?
New announcer: ...physically assaulted fashion designer [fiance]!
(it was another dumb misunderstanding)
MC puts all her love for him into the song he's going to sing to his sister
hoping he can use it to finally express his feelings
and then leaves, unable to hear it
Oh wow, in context these lyrics are kinda obviously about him being in love with his sister. That's quite a choice for the band to perform in public, MC.
Nagito tracks MC down and sings an adapted version to her. Instead of just "me" (Nagito) and "you" (sis) there is also "her" (MC). And then he says he WAS in love with his sister but has finally let those feelings go, and then they have moderately convincingly romantic and passionate fade-to-black sex.
THE END
That's the Romantic ending, I played the Dramatic ending, and it was fine, but I again liked the Romantic one a little more.
But uh, yeah. I don't usually ship incest, and it's very rare for me not to ship the main couple of a romance, but...idk if I see unresolved angst or a poly incest foursome in everyone's future, but either way I'm not entirely convinced by MC/Nagito as it is.
Still, it was an Experience!
