fukaimetsu | 【Impression】Casual Route

Okay, I finally wrote my impressions of the Casual route after getting burned out from writing (I had an endoscopy this week and also accompanied my mom to the doctor). As usual, spoilers ahead.

Despite being called the Casual route, it *isn’t* actually that casual, don’t let the name fool you. The route is pretty bad-end–ish and kind of nightmarish. Why? Because in this route, Takumi and co. are brainwashed by Sirei, and Takumi hallucinates a world where everything is peaceful and casual, only for it to turn out to be nothing more than an illusion created by Sirei.

The route tries to convince you that it’s a joke or filler route—which it kind of is—but at the same time, it isn’t. It deliberately pushes the player to observe Takumi’s ""peaceful"" fantasy. It’s honestly fun and gives off a strong “I wish this were real” feeling, but as players, we know something is off, and it’s clear that something is wrong. I really liked how there were hints that Takumi had already been brainwashed by Sirei even before the actual Nigou choice happens.

This route feels sinister and, in a way, kind of meta questioning whether it’s better to indulge in our fantasies (taking blue pill) or accept reality (taking red pill), even when that reality is harsh.

That said, the route does feel dragged out at times and can be boring or bland in places. I can also see why, if this were the first route someone played, they might feel pretty unfazed by it.

Also, this route has Eitaku content as well, so another fujoshi victory.

Overall, this route isn’t exactly my favorite. It only really becomes kino at the end, when Sirei confesses to Takumi what he’s been doing to him.

I’d give it a 5/10.