#licobits

‘This is an official notice that arrived from Ryuuei, a report regarding it from the sector has also—.....my lady? Are you listening?’

‘Yeah. What kind of report?’

My lady responded composedly.

She was definitely listening, but somehow still seemed off.

(Her eyes aren’t meeting mine at all…..)

Usually my lady looked at people when she listened to them speak.

(.....And yet…has something happened?)

‘My lady. Might I come to your room tonig—’

‘S-Sorry, Awayuki. I’m really tired today. Good night!’

Watching her dash up the stairs as if fleeing, I was now certain.

(My lady is avoiding me)

That was the only thing I could think of.

Her frequent outings were nothing out of the ordinary.

But everything about her behaviour when within the mansion was definitely strange.

(.....What started it must have been “that”)

I knew my lady well.

I had spent my days gazing at her more than anyone, and from closer up than anyone else.

Which was why there was no way I wouldn’t know the reason for the sudden change in her.

A few days ago.

My lady had invited some friends over for a meal.

Including Aoi-sama, a few friends from her girl’s academy days had gathered together to enjoy the latest popular snacks and some lively conversation.

Although I had entered the living room a number of times to serve them, the atmosphere had been peaceful—or rather, very animated and lively.

(She saw off the guests without any problems. That day, my lady wasn’t acting particularly different)

It was the day after that, and in the days following that the changes gradually began to appear.

At first I had only thought that she was being slightly awkward, but now her behaviour had become entirely odd.

If I might say so without putting personal feelings into it, it had already entered the territory of behaviour undesirable of a leader of the nobility towards a servant.

(......That day, the majority of the women at the gathering were married ones)

For daughters of a noble family of the same age as my lady, that was only normal.

As far as I was aware, the only one there who did not have even so much as a fiance was my lady.

Which is why…..

She might have seen reality.

(She can’t marry me. There’s no way society will look favourably on the leader of the Tougo family remaining single indefinitely…..)

I had always wished for Lady Hinagiku’s happiness.

I had always done nothing but think of how to support her in living a blessed life.

Even suppressing the emotions I had become aware of wouldn’t have been a trial, just so long as she had never looked my way.

(But now, I can’t make it as if it never happened. …..That’s why….)

I wasn’t sure what to do.

My lady was surely confused at this moment.

Perhaps I should wait until she’d had time to properly come to terms with ‘reality.’

The person I had been before now would have undoubtedly made that call, and avoided saying anything to interfere.

(I can’t wait)

It would be a problem if she went and made the decision all on her own.

If by any chance, her feelings for me had cooled….I could barely stand to imagine it.

(It’s not as if I’m doubting her or anything, and I’m sure she knows as well as I do that it won't be possible to turn back so easily, but…)

I didn’t believe “the feeling of loving someone” was something that could continue forever without any conditions.

For better or worse, humans could not remain the same.

(.....Which is why we need to put in the work. So that we can continue to stay in love with one another)

In order to protect what we had now.

Fully aware that my lady’s feelings were still as yet unsettled, I headed for her room without waiting for dawn.

‘Lady Hinagiku.’

I called out to her as I knocked.

She should still be awake at this time.

‘My lady, I’ve brought you some arrowroot tea.’

Leaving a space of one, two breaths after calling out-

Without waiting any longer for a reply, I opened the door.

‘!’

Perhaps because she had been looking for a place to hide, my lady was standing stock still in the middle of the room.

‘It’s still a little cold tonight, isn’t it?’

I placed the mandarin arrowroot tea on the desk as I spoke.

‘...........’

Still with her gaze averted from mine, she gradually closed the distance between us and came to sit in the chair.

‘Thank you, Awayuki…..’

As she looked down awkwardly, Lady Hinagiku’s face relaxed at the steam that rose from the cup.

Carrying up the teacup with both hands, her eyes lit up as she put her lips to the brim.

Well, of course they had.

I knew absolutely everything about my lady’s tastes.

I had been certain this arrowroot tea would be to her liking.

‘By the way, my lady, there’s something that’s been bothering me a little recently.’

What I was about to say to her.

Even she would be able to predict what that was.

‘You’ve been avoiding me, haven’t you? …..Speaking with your school friends must have given you a lot to think about. Like the fact that you aren’t able to marry me.’

‘.....Huh-?’

‘Mm?’

My lady looked up at me in clear surprise.

(It’s the first time in a while she’s met my eyes…..)

Even if our relationship were to be hindered by the high wall of our difference in status, I couldn’t let her go.

In as much as there were things that I lacked, I would dedicate everything else I had to make up for it—just as I was about to begin to speak again of the depth of all that I felt for her-

‘Um, yeah. Since you’re a commoner, Awayuki, we aren’t able to get married are we?’

It was written on her face that she was puzzled as to why I would speak such an obvious fact.

(So that wasn’t it.....? Then why has she been acting like this?)

In my bewilderment I unintentionally went silent.

And when I did, she averted her gaze as if just realising. It was way too delayed a reaction.

‘.....What are you hiding, my lady?’

‘..........’

Although she stayed quiet for a moment.

Eventually, she began to speak as if resigned to her fate.

‘Um, you see- It’s true that speaking with everyone gave me a lot to think about. …..But, it’s probably not like what you’ve been thinking, Awayuki.’

‘Meaning?’

‘It was talk about how “Married life is hard!” Things like, “It’s just so irritating that my husband doesn’t get it!”

‘That’s…..’

She was right in saying that it was the complete opposite to what I had been thinking.

‘So then, you popped in and out a number of times, didn’t you? It was after that, um-’

‘Yeah.’

‘.....They said things like “If only my husband had a face as pretty as your servant.” “Even if his personality is hopeless, I could forgive it if he had a good-looking face.”

‘I see.’

‘And then they said, “Not only that, Awayuki is considerate, polite and listens to what you say, I’m so jealous you have a servant like that~”

It had appeared I had been complimented unawares.

My looks aside, I was grateful that they had estimated my work ethic as a servant.

With a somehow unusually serious look on her face, my lady continued to speak.

‘Aoi-sama has always said to me that “Awayuki has a good-looking face” for a long time now, and I have been conscious of the fact I don’t know very much about people’s appearances…..whether someone is good-looking or not. So after everyone said all that, I tried thinking about it again.’

‘.....About me?’

‘Y-Yeah. …..That’s right, about you, Awayuki.’

For just an instant, her gaze returned to me.

And then, turning her face away as if flustered, her white cheeks reddened slightly.

‘Um, so, yeah. I thought a lot of things through…..and I realised. That you might actually be tremendously handsome, Awayuki….!’

—So that’s what it had been.

In times like this, my lady sometimes surpassed anything I could have predicted.

‘A-And then, my heart started to beat so fast just looking at your face!’

I had raised my lady with great care.

Thus, when it came to romantic affairs, she was considerably lacking in knowledge, or perhaps one could say, rather dense.

‘Is that so…..’

If that was what it had been, I was actually rather happy?

I began to feel a little foolish for worrying so much, perhaps even amused over the whole thing.

‘You’ve come to like my face, have you?’

She remained silent and didn’t answer.

‘.....My lady.’

Caressing her now reddened ear as if tickling it, I whispered gently.

You don’t have any plans for tomorrow, right?

—Stay up late with me tonight.

The burnout was real this year so while I didn’t complete/get to play everything that I would have liked to, I think I still managed to finish a decent amount of games.

100% Completed List

9 R.I.P. Sequel (Fave routes: Toka Godly, Seiya Heavenly/Godly, Hibiki Heavenly/Godly, Sena Heavenly)

Norn 9 Var Commons (Fave routes: Kakeru, Akito, Sakuya)

The Red Bell's Lament (Fave guy: Rhodes Heartfield)

Taisho x Alice (Fave guys/routes: Cinderella, Kaguya, Alice)

Fuyuzono Sacrifice (Fave routes: Hiver, Elias)

Over Requiemz (Fave routes: Dorothy, Claude)

Gensou Manege (Fave routes: Luciole, Lyon)

Radiant Tale (Fave guys: Paschalia, Radie)

In progress list

Ken ga Kimi (Just starting Enishi’s route, Kei, Suzukake and Tsuzumaru to go)

Utakata no Uchronia -trail- (Yori, Tobari, Yashiro and Another story still to play)

Favourite games played in 2025: 9 R.I.P. Sequel, Over Requiemz

The 9 R.I.P. Sequel was a worthy followup to one of my favourite otome games, expanding on the different route endings from the first game and further developing the characters for a satisfying conclusion.

Over Requiemz also featured a strong cast with memorable storylines, as someone that loves dark fantasy otome, this one was right up my alley for sure.

2025 Best Boys: Toka (9 R.I.P. Sequel), Dorothy (Over Requiemz) 

Apparently if there was something that was a trend for me in 2025 it was pink-haired guys that are completely devoted to/obsessed with MC, who also happen to have a strong connection to her back story….

Other 2025 Best Boys: Seiya, Hibiki, Sena, Yukimaro (9 R.I.P. Sequel), Claude Grain (Over Requiemz), Rhodes Heartfield (The Red Bell’s Lament), Saneaki Kuroba, Sakyo Sagihara (Ken ga Kimi), Sakuya (Norn 9 Var Commons), Tsuwabuki, Hiiragi, Tsuyukusa and Awayuki (Utakata no Uchronia -trail-)

2025 Fave MC: Yuhiru (Over Requiemz)

A fun personality (especially with some of the more...interesting response choices lol), I feel like a lot of people will be able to relate to her reasons for adventuring in Oz. 

Other 2025 fave MC’s: Misa (9 R.I.P. Sequel), Koharu, Nanami and Mikoto (Norn 9: Var Commons), Hinagiku (Utakata no Uchronia -trail-)

Favourite Good End: Toka Godly Route, both 粋 and 深 endings.

While the 粋 ending was the more wholesome grand finale-esque ending, 深 took a slightly darker turn. I think both endings did a good job of showcasing different sides to Toka’s personality and his romance with Misa.

Other favourite good ends: Dorothy Fact Route Ending I, Claude Fact Route Ending O (Over Requiemz) Saneaki 幸魂 ending, Sakyo 和魂 ending (Ken ga Kimi)

Favourite Bad End: Sakyo Sagihara 荒魂 ending (Ken ga Kimi).

This one was a wild ride with a devastatingly beautiful and tragic final CG for the after story.

Other favourite bad ends: Rhodes Sad End (The Red Bell’s Lament), Claude Dark Route Ending M, Kaize Dark Route Ending N (Over Requiemz).

Favourite side characters: Meimei, Koga, Soran, Konoemaru, Tsuzura-sensei (9 R.I.P. Sequel)

Easily one of my favourite aspects of the 9 R.I.P. Sequel was the addition of the side characters (including ones not mentioned here), lots of kooky/likable personalities that added to the story and world-building of the game

Other fave side characters: Eileen, Flynn, Oleander (The Red Bell’s Lament)

Biggest Trashman Character/Routes: Ron (Norn 9 Var Commons), All characters on their Dark Routes (Over Requiemz)

Fave OST: Norn 9: Var Commons

Favourite Art: Usuba Kagero/Miko (Radiant Tale)

Favourite VA Performance: Shun Horie (Dorothy - Over Requiemz)

Other favourite VA Performances: Kouhei Amasaki (Toka Kuon, 9 R.I.P. Sequel), Shinnosuke Tachibana (Seiya - 9 R.I.P. Sequel, Hiver - Fuyuzono Sacrifice), Kengo Kawanishi (Rhodes Heartfield - The Red Bell’s Lament), Yoshitsugu Matsuoka (Alice - Taisho x Alice, Tsuyukusa - Utakata no Uchronia -trail-), Toshiyuki Toyonaga (Hiiragi - Utakata no Uchronia -trail-), Souichiro Hoshi (Sakyo - Ken ga Kimi)

2026 Want to play list (New Releases): Crazy Cha!n, UN:LOGICAL, Matsurika no Kei FD, Sins of Kaleido, Hakuouki Ibun: Berezinskii no Majo, Sullyland Nursery Rhyme