https://web.archive.org/web/20180731214925/http://wolvenfire86.blogspot.com/2012/02/32-lessons-i-learned-remembered-thanks.html it's hard to rate this. Would you base your criteria on this being a game or a book?... maybe both, though tbh I care more about the novel part, let's take it as it is, an experience. What hasn't been said about this visual novel? 5 stories that develop themselves as we get closer to one of the protagonists. We learn about their personalities, their hardships, and how each one has dealt with their issues and has adapted to become who they are. It also shows how Hisao changes his perception of disabilities as he starts knowing more about the girls, as he himself slowly starts accepting his own condition and tries to solve his own inner issues.. The themes and how to represent each route is totally different, depending on the person who Hisao gets closer to, and with that set on, their relationships get stronger in a simple and natural way, just depending on who with and where do you spend time the most. Hisao is easily inspired by the understanding of the world that each girl has developed, slightly changing his habits and perception of those around him. They're mundane stories that can perfectly be real. Even the side characters are well-written and memorable, specially Kenji and Yuuko, throwing some pieces of knowledge and relief in each of their appearances. The reasons that motivates Hisao to stay close to someone varies on the route: >For Lilly, he sees someone to rely on, someone who cares about him and whose always there for him, almost a motherly figure to say the least, who at the end helps him with his emotional turmoil. >For Rin he sees someone so close to him but at the same time miles away from him, Hisao reflects himself and his problems in Rin's, exploring each of these aspects simultaneously with her. >For Emi, well, it's the best fucking option. >For Hanako, though at the beginning, he sees someone to care and protect, which makes sense due to her current state when he meets her, but he soon realizes that acting as a white knight and insisting so much in protecting and prying on someone, can lead to bad results. He gets closer to her, maybe because they share similar preferences, like reading, or because of how much she is able to do on her own. Luckily Hisao manages to change his behavior and impulses to protect her and let her, without removing the love and care he has for her. >For Shizune, well, she's the first one he meets in his first day, and with Misha both show him kindness right from the beginning. My favorite routes in order are the following: Lilly > Emi > Rin > Hanako > Shizune. And with this I don't mean that last one is bad, it's just the one I liked the least. The order in which I got them is: Emi -> Lilly -> Lilly -> Rin -> Shizune. 1. Lilly Lilly is presented as a blind girl, half Japanese half Scottish, who loves tea and reading books. I gotta admit her FMV (film music video) is my favorite one, for the foreshadowing, the echoing of ideas and images in the coming plot, and the transitions; all adds up to a bittersweet introduction to Act 2, which suggests that it's only gonna end bad. To me, this is the most develoveped story of all, it's also the longest one and the only with post-credit scenes. It's also the only route in which Hisao's heart condition plays a great role in the direction and conflicts of the plot. Most of the plot happens out of school too, which is expected, as Lilly is from a different class and in a different floor. 2. Emi Maybe the most wholesome route. Also the first route I got. Maybe the best kind of person to be in a relationship with: someone that will push you to overcome your problems, to be a better version of yourself, and to look towards the future, someone that will inspire you to do better everyday, an all due her persistance in every aspect of her life. She helps Hisao to become better physically, with morning running routines and diet regimes. Also, this is the route where Hisao seems to be in the best emotional condition, even being able to find a clear path for his future in Science. 3. Rin The character I relate the most with. I don't really care about the romance in this route, because that's not the main point (until the ending). Her route is MUCH more contemplative, introspective, as abstract as the mind can go, emotional, and to an extent, philosophical (nihilistic) and depressive. It's a complete roller-coaster of emotions compared to the 5 stories. The only story where both Hisao and Rin start at the very bottom of their lives, and end up in a much better position together, accepting each of these aspects they aren't able to understand of each other. This route also has lots of my favorite lines in the novel, of which the last line of her route is the best imo. Nevertheless, Hisao ends up really lost with his life and future, leaving everything in an uncertain place, so that makes me a little sad. 4. Hanako The most adorable and wholesome route, as you see how very very slowly Hanako begins to open up to Hisao, Lilly and the rest of the world. This shows you that it's really hard to deal with trauma, bullying, isolation, and loneliness, and the consequences of it. 5. Shizune The development of their relationship is closer to a slice-of-life in the first stages, UNTIL the last act starts, which I don't really like so much. As everyone says, Misha deserved better that the treatment they gave her. I have not much to say, it's pretty, it's wholesome and entertaining to read/watch, the only issue I have is that none of them change so much throughout the route, specially Shizune's ideas and conception of the world and what she wants. I feel like the "slice-of-life" approach is out of place w/r to the other routes. I mean, after they become a couple, they keep treating each other as "classmates" most of the time, and nothing else. It's like, they are couple by title, not actions. "so many dislike Shizune's Route is that there is only one choice for the player to make once you start her Route, and that choice is made while Shizune is somewhere else. She's already got her life figured out. She doesn't need Hisao's help to have a happy ending of her own. Instead, Hisao follows along like a planet orbiting its star, and the good things that happen because of his presence are simply added bonuses rather than milestones in Shizune's life. Her song perfectly encapsulates this as well, by sweeping you into its swift, relentless pace. There's never a moment to slow down and think and make a decision; the course is set and all you need to do is follow the river down stream."