Initially, Jack is really confused why you don't celebrate your birthday. Absolutely baffled, he views your birthday as a monumentous occasion- you were born into this world, beautiful, beautiful you. You're his entire world, you're the most important person to him, you're what matters most. While you should be celebrated regularly, Jack would want to pull out all the stops he possibly could to make your birthday a special occasion. Sacred even.

But to you, it's just another day on the calendar. Just another fucking Tuesday. You don't take the day off, you don't make plans or treat yourself to anything in particular. Honestly - you'd forget it all together if you could if not for getting a handful of texts from Shaun and other friends. The former knows you- keeps it simple with a "Happy Bday from me and Moonpie". Ian is probably a little bit more despite knowing but you opt not to even validate his message with a read receipt.

Would like to think that the conversation comes up somewhat organically. Jack figures out your birthday one way or another, and simply asks what you want to do, what you would like, he's got ideas- sure but he wants this absolutely, perfectly, tailor made to you.

"Your birthday is next week, Sunshine!"

"Hm? Oh, yeah...I guess so."

Your unenthusiastic reply has Jack's brow furrowing, smile unwavering, but it's clear that wasn't the response he had been anticipated.

"Well, what would you like to do? We've gotta celebrate!"

"...Nah, never really been my thing. I'd rather not."

The ever bright smile falters, there's apparent confusion, concern, Jack's brain is working into overdrive trying to figure out if this is a joke, hell if it's even a test for him to do something for you on his own but...that isn't like you at all.

"But...birthdays are special. You're special, Sunshine...I wanna celebrate you." Jack worries that something is the matter, he won't outright pry and you can tell looking up from your book that he's far more concerned about this than you've ever been.

"To some people, sure. I've just never been into celebrating my birthday honestly. For a couple of reasons. But like... I'm fine, it's fine. I'd just rather not." You reply gently, and you can see clear as day it's a little difficult for Jack to wrap his head around what should be a simple concept. Ultimately what it boils down to is that you don't want to and that should be enough for him. All Jack wants is for you to be content and happy, if that means not celebrating, he'll earnestly try.

Maybe you don't tell him, eager as he is to know, he won't press but it's something that'll stick with him.

Maybe you do. Be it you've never had a good birthday, family issues, trauma, ect. Or maybe it's just that you don't see the significance of it the way others do. It's just a day, it isn't worth the fuss. Jack will listen intently and approach it from a place of empathy and sincerity.

However, Jack still can't help himself, but he knows you. You don't wake up to streamers all over the place or balloons, there's none of that obnoxious birthday song playing, you wake up like another day on your birthday. But there's the smell of coffee/tea/your favorite morning drink being made from the kitchen and something sweet. Jack makes you either a solitary little cupcake or a stack of pancakes with a candle stuck up top the middle with a sheepish little look on his face and pink marring his cheeks.

"I cant...not celebrate you, Sunshine." He replies. He's not so overt as he'd like to be but it's just something small and simple with a little handmade card on the table. Just something to show you how much he absolutely adores you. While he would love to shower you with attention and affection to make the day special, he does his best to try and reel it in though he still offers a massage in the evening, offering to make your favorite dinner or meal, ect. Things he still does regularly that he thinks he can do all the same just today especially.

I'm sorry I'm getting to this so infinitely late, as someone who got their hours cut so hard they had to get a new job (resulting in my absence amongst other fucked things) I feel you and hope these bring comfort and that things have gotten better since you sent this.

Cause look, hours being cut is shitty- that's an absolute given. And Jack's immediate response is to provide comfort and reassurance that "It'll get better, sunshine. It's only temporary, I'm sure." But low-key he's probably glad to have more time with you to himself. Until he sees the stress this puts you under. Unfortunately, Jack can't pay your bills, stock your fridge, keep the utilities on, ect. And it's those tangible things that drive him up the wall that he can't help that make him double down even harder onto doting on you and spoiling you with affections. Which is well and good, the comfort is nice for a while and his encouragement can help.

But you're still stressed.

And then, you're angry because you were lied to about it. Maybe you were told that "they just didn't have the hours to give" "things are tight right now" or whatever generic bullshit higher ups like to give. But you find out from a coworker that they've been working doubles, or someone reaches out to you because they desperately need a day off to get something done, whatever.

And like work place gossip is want to do, when you clock in for one of those shifts, someone tells you the real reason why you've been cut so hard.

And when they tell you, they tell Jack. Because when isn't he over your shoulder or attached to your hip? Not that they know. But y'all know.

And you're furious. Rightfully so. That someone could be so petty as to fuck with your money. Your livelihood. Especially after Ian up and left you to shoulder everything on your own. But where you're left to silently seethe, bite your tongue, and put on a fake smile to work even harder in the hopes that maybe they'll "award" you with more hours so your water isn't shut off...

Jack is oddly silent. Absent after you hear the news. Which, maybe that's not the worst thing because maybe he's been a bit of a distraction. So you don't think too much of it at the time, you have to focus up. So while you're toiling away, Jack is floating through the workplace. Looking for the name tag of the superior who was fucking with you, who stressed you out to tears, who made you so angry; he could feel it radiating off of you. And that simply won't do. Jack can't have that and won't stand for it.

It's in the evenings, when you're already fast asleep; either so worn out from scraping up what extra you can at work from your coworkers to busting ass on your actual shifts, or simply just so stressed you need rest- that Jack does what he feels is retribution.

He's heavy handed, we all know what Jack did to Nick and that was for asking you out. Someone who fucked with you to the point you were so upset? Shit. Said superior is mentioned in the news, for either losing their shit completely or dying in a particularly gruesome self inflicted way. It's a bit of a long game, at first it's to get your hours back up to where they need to be. And lastly, it's a lesson- even if the victim doesn't know it, to never fuck with Jack's precious sunshine. He'd do anything for you and while maybe he can't provide, he can certainly remove obstacles. Not that he tells you, no.

Jack is back every morning or incredibly late, plenty of time to curl his large form around you and hold you close. Whispering to you that he's taken care of the problem, he's taking care of you, how he adores you ever so much, and that you deserve the world.

Gossip and rumors swirl about, and while it's awful what happened, this new manager seems far more amenable to what you need in hours and scheduling. So you're back where you need to be, where needs are being met, bills are being paid, Jack is happy that you're happy-thats all he wants for you, sunshine.

Nsfw under the cut

If you also wanna talk about it, share your opinions, feel free to chuck them in the ask box or shoot me a dm.

Is maturing realizing as much as I'm a clown simp I'm beginning to favor Shaun and Nick more??? Idk.

Not a clue if a happy ending route is in the cards for the game. But my personal opinion, as someone who wasn't/isn't into Yanderes save for this game- would it be possible?

Sure.

But I think that would depend on the MC/personality/choices/ect and the relationship with Jack. He is definitely capable but the issue is, it's incredibly hard work and would he want to. Want to, have to, whatever you want to frame it as would be a huge hurdle for him.

From the demo, Jack likes to radiate this certain blend of optimism and positivity- and it can't all be fake (hopefully, I don't know) but he's very comfortable with being manipulative, clever, and dangerous. These aren't things to be overlooked just because they're slapped with pretty gloss and glitter.

I'm excited that Nick is now one of the prospective love interests. I'm a sucker for dogs. I'm so looking forward to seeing his story and was excited that there was a lot more dialogue for him in the new demo preview.

Shaun I always had a soft spot for but that's like...grown fucking tenfold after replaying everything. Horror movies? Cat dad? Dude, sign me the fuck up.

I dunno if the devs ever said how tall they were? I think they said they were working on more in depth bios for everyone but dunno if they'll be dropped before the game is actually released or not. But here's my guess (or headcannon lol) for how tall the characters are:

Jack/Joseph: dude is big af. Like...massive. probably clocking in at 6'2"-6'5"

Shaun: also think he's a big dude, not as big but feel comfortable putting him as a little shorter (but still hella tall) at 6'0"-6'2"

Nick: don't think he breaks the six mark, still pretty tall but a solid 5'10"

We don't know a lot about Joseph (or at least I don't from falling off for two years lol) so this is just my opinion/speculation.

It feels a lot like Joseph didn't come from the greatest home, life, upbringing. Being a loner could've been out of self preservation and just the belief that, well...if he isn't wanted at home, why would he be wanted at all? By anyone? In highschool, it's a pretty important time for anyone trying to figure themselves out, their lot in the world, and whathaveyou. So that heavy shit can absolutely take a heavy toll.

Maybe people don't want to be around him but he deep down wants to be around people, wants someone to care about him, who wouldn't? Everyone wants to be accepted and understood but perhaps he feels that's too much to ask of someone, at least where he's at in his youth. Maybe that's what leads him to believe that picking up and pursuing a dream that puts him in a spotlight, where people are adored, will give him a better life and a fresh start. Maybe then he'll be known. Loved. Understood.

Leading into being a delinquent - it's also not uncommon to act out for attention. Negative, positive, it doesn't really matter to most and I think that can be applied to Joseph too. Attention is attention, to be seen or heard, is acknowledgment of existence. I think it was a means to cope, and to feel something. Drinking gets you drunk, smoking quells stress, getting into a fight - win or lose, ya feel it on you. It's something. And tapping back to being a loner, getting into those things can lead to being some social.

Maybe being a delinquent was how he found some friends or if not good friends, people he was content enough to spend his time with versus being entirely alone. Is it good? No. But it's something and it's certainly better than nothing.

And Joseph is a handsome guy, I'd be remiss to say if that didn't play a part in the latter either. And if you wanna be an actor, a star, you gotta look good. And an edge often makes people gravitate towards you too.

But when he's cast as Sunny Day Jack, an optimistic lead to teach kids important lessons and such on a large scale such as a prime time tv show- maybe at first Joseph believes it's a good starting gig. Gets his face out there, opens doors for him, and it makes money. Even if it's just framed to start out as a PBS style program, it's a lead role and that's nothing to sniff at in getting what he wants to be his dream, his career, off the ground.

In my opinion, based on Jack (from my memory anyway)- this is a chance at giving some kids perhaps what he never had. Maybe it's redemption, maybe it's more coping, but I believe he really leans into it. He can be the friend to some kid that he never had, be the teacher to some that he never had, maybe even keep some from going through the shit he went through. That an education is important, that having good friends and treating them well is important.

Ultimately Joseph views it as a good thing all around, for himself and others. Maybe he leans all the way into it and the Jack persona becomes who and what he wants to be that then escalates somehow into the Jack we meet. Eager to forget anything and everything he's done to just be good and be loved but not above doing what he has to in order to keep it. We don't know what happens in between to get him/them to where we are in the game, just that it isn't good.