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{{Realpage|Rin Tezuka|[[Rin|here]]}}
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{{Infobox act
| name=Rin's Route
| image=1Disconnect.png
| prev=Act 1
| prevdesc=Life Expectancy
| scenecount=42
| choicecount={{tt|9|Always 9 choices, details of choices change depending on player's actions}}
}}
==Act 1 ~ Life Expectancy==


Hisao first encounters Rin on his third day while finding supplies for the student council. With her usual lack of tact Rin asks Hisao what his disability is, guessing it is "in his pants" causing a stunned Hisao to explain his arrhythmia, making Rin the first student to know about his condition. After receiving an ineffective scolding by Shizune for delaying her art project, Rin enlists Hisao's help in mixing the paints while she draws on the wall below the student dormitories. The following day Hisao finds himself helping Rin painting the mural once again, all the while struggling to deal with her eccentric personality and nonsensical conversation. Later, Emi drags Hisao to the roof for lunch where he encounters Rin again. The three converse and Emi invites Hisao to join them again for lunch in the future. While coming back from the convenience store with Lilly, Hisao encounters a confused Rin wandering around and the two bring her to school, where Rin suddenly realizes that she might not finish the mural in time due to her procrastination, and spends the whole night and the following day painting. She enlists the help of Emi and Hisao to provide what paints she needs. That same day, Hisao encounters the art teacher, Mr. [[Nomiya]], who is bringing colleagues of his to the festival to view Rin's work. On a spur of the moment decision, Hisao decides to join the [[art club]]. The day of the festival, Hisao ends up spending the whole day with Rin beside her mural talking about how she feels about her project, which seems to be unsure. As the sun sets, Hisao falls asleep against the brick wall. After a while he is awakened by the sound of fireworks, and is surprised to find Rin sleeping while leaning against him. Eventually Rin wakes up as well. As they watch the fireworks, the two discuss the brevity of human life and Rin remarks on Hisao's cynicism.
==Characters==
* [[Hisao Nakai]]
* [[Rin Tezuka]]
* [[Emi Ibarazaki]]
* [[Akio Mutou]]
* [[Shizune Hakamichi]]
* [[Misha|Shiina "Misha" Mikado]]
* [[Shinichi Nomiya]]
* [[Sae Saionji]]
* [[Yuuko Shirakawa]]
* [[Kenji Setou]]
* [[Meiko Ibarazaki]]
* [[Nurse]]
* Sunglasses Boy
* Student
* Teammate
* Man
* Woman
 
==Acts==
* [[Act 2 - Disconnect]]
* [[Act 3 - Distance]]
* [[Act 4 - Dream]]
 
==Synopsis==
 
===[[Act 2 - Disconnect]]===
 
[[File:1Disconnect.png|thumb|Act 2 - Disconnect|290x290px]] The next day,  Emi collides with Hisao once again, this time bringing papers to a teacher. To apologize, she invites Hisao for lunch on the rooftop again. When Hisao arrives, Rin is lying on the roof, watching the sky. She tells him that sometimes she skips classes to experience things she wishes. Hisao joins her and finds himself relaxing, his thoughts slowing down to calmly drift by like the clouds.
 
At his first art club meeting, the first assignment is to partner up to practice sketching one another. Hisao is left with Rin, the only other person he knows. His own artwork is clumsy, but Rin's is amazing. When asked about the gloomy expression on his portrait, she answers that she's never seen him smile. Hisao starts to reflect on his negative outlook on life since his heart attack.
 
Later, after another art club session, Nomiya tells Rin about a friend of his who might be willing to display some of Rin's work. Rin says she'll think about it and goes for a walk, which Hisao accompanies her on. They stop at a large maple tree which Rin calls the ''Worry Tree''. Rin feels that, to display her work for others, she'd need to become an entirely different person. She isn't sure whether becoming a career artist is something she wants for herself. Hisao shares with Rin his own negative feelings towards the circumstances that lead him to Yamaku, but resolves to stop "wallowing under the weight of all the crap in his life" and change for the better.
 
Hisao receives a [[Iwanako's Letter|letter from Iwanako]], in which she hopes he's gotten back to his feet in his new life. Resolved to change, Hisao observes other students and how they cope with their difficulties. When Rin paints, she goes into her own world that he cannot breach. To her, painting is a way of capturing what she cannot say. Looking at her old paintings reminds her of what she was thinking at the time she made them, and are proof of her existence. She fears she cannot become the person that Nomiya wants her to be.
 
Emi makes good on her promise to celebrate finishing her track meet and the three head out for a picnic. However it begins to rain and they are forced to wait out the storm in the [[Shanghai]]. Emi decides to hike back in the rain, but knowing he can't keep up, Hisao walks Rin back with his umbrella. The next day, Emi is absent from lunch due to a cold, and Rin mentions that she might have it too. She sneezes suddenly and Hisao helps wipe her nose with his handkerchief. She hugs him (in her own way) and leaves as lunch ends.
 
Hisao bumps into Emi a few days later who sheepishly tells him Rin caught her cold. It takes a few days for Hisao to work up the courage to visit Rin, but when he does, Rin answers the door in an unbuttoned shirt and underwear. Speaking very strangely, Hisao figures out that she's taken too much codiene-based cold medicine. As he's about to leave, she falls into him and kisses him on the lips. A bewildered Hisao tucks her in, pondering whether to call a nurse, and pockets the rest of her medication.
 
The next day Rin waits outside Hisao's classroom with no recollection of previous day's events. But she does recall wanting to bring him somewhere, so they walk through the forest to a dandelion-covered hill. Rin apologizes for being so bad with people and confides that her pencils and paints are the only friends she's ever had. Hisao declares that he's her friend. Rin announces that she'll give the gallery a try, realizing change was inevitable so she might as well embrace the opportunity.
 
===[[Act 3 - Distance]]===
[[File:2Distance.png|thumb|left|Act 3 - Distance|311x311px]] Nomiya is overjoyed at Rin's decision and drives the two students to the [[22nd Corner Art Gallery]]. They meet the owner, [[Sae Saionji]], who thinks her technique needs a little refinement, but that she'd be willing to host an exhibit if Rin is willing to add more works. Rin commits herself wholeheartedly, and Nomiya arranges for Rin to be exempt from classes for the rest of the trimester. Saionji arranges the atelier above her gallery for Rin to do her work in, even letting her stay overnight.
 
On her last day, Hisao finds Rin at her desk napping, crying in her sleep. She explains that crying is something she's learned from others. She also tells Emi not to distract her by visiting while she focuses on painting. Hisao still wants to become close to Rin. He confesses his feelings in the atelier, but she cuts him off and tells him she can't think about it right now. Heartbroken, Hisao turns to leave, but Rin asks him to visit again tomorrow.
 
Thus begins a pattern where Hisao visits her in the evenings, watching her paint or reading in silence. He brings her some oranges when he realizes she hasn't been eating properly and gently feeds them to her. Rin begins to struggle--she cannot inspire herself to paint using new methods nor old. She concludes that changing is not enough. First, she must destroy the "old her". She asks Sae for cigarettes and Hisao reluctantly shares the pack with her.
 
Upon seeing that smoking is only increasing her melancholy, Hisao takes her into the city at night, taking random turns and discovering new views. She suddenly asks him to stop visiting her for reasons she won't explain.
 
Within a few days, Hisao finds himself heading back to the gallery, unable to stop thinking about Rin. He runs into Nomiya and Sae who talk about the challenges of a gifted career artist. While the two old friends reminisce, Hisao makes his way into the atelier. He discovers Rin is pleasuring herself on the floor. Realising she's been seen, she rambles about the shame and frustration of pursuing a path as an artist. She asks him to help her finish and he does. In the morning, Hisao wonders whether it crossed a boundary in their friendship. Rin responds in emotionless circles and Hisao gets frustrated trying to connect with the woman he loves.
 
<tabber>
Bad Ending=
Hisao demands that Rin explain what he means to her, but she is unable to do so. He yells at her about how selfish and unhealthy she's being by devoting herself to her art, treating him only as a source of inspiration and not as a person with feelings. Rin coldly demands that he leave. Hisao returns to his dorm. Before falling asleep, he notes how much time he wasted chasing things out of his reach.|-|
</tabber>
 
===[[Act 4 - Dream]]===
[[File:3Dream.png|thumb|Act 4 - Dream]] Hisao returns to school. The day before the exhibit, Hisao encounters Rin on the way to his room and realizes his frustration has not left. He demands that Rin explain what he means to her, but she is unable to do so. He yells at her about how selfish and unhealthy she's being by devoting herself to her art, treating him only as a source of inspiration and not as a person with feelings. Upset, Rin leaves and Hisao becomes even more frustrated for hurting her.
 
The next night Hisao goes to the exhibition to apologize to Rin. Rin is not there, but Emi is, to support her friend. Nomiya finally appears with Rin, who pointedly ignores Hisao. The many guests begin asking questions of Rin, about her disability and how it affects her painting, her inspiration and technique. Rin is so overwhelmed that she sinks to her knees. Hisao escorts her outside to calm down. Rin realises she isn't ready to cope with so many questions.
 
<tabber>
Good Ending=
Rin admits she wasn't ready for the gallery and walks back to school. Nomiya is outraged when he learns what Rin has done. Emi suggests she and Hisao find her and "kick her ass", but Hisao persuades her against that. The two return to the dorms to prepare for exams.
 
Nomiya interrupts Mutou's final exam to talk to Hisao. He has been unable to find Rin since she left. When prodded on why he pushed Rin into it, Nomiya explains that he saw it as his duty to ensure her talents didn't go to waste. Hisao leaves Nomiya and finds Rin in the unused classroom where they first met. Rin continues to hold herself at a distance. Hisao explains that Sae and Nomiya believe Rin is throwing away everything she has been working towards. He convinces her that she needs to apologize to Nomiya.
 
Hisao waits outside as the art teacher scolds Rin, lecturing her throwing away a promising career. She states, in her detached way, that the exhibition was a mistake. Nomiya frustratedly tells her she might not be an artist after all and storms out. When Hisao goes in to comfort her she pushes him away. Hisao tells her that Nomiya was trying to make her into someone she wasn't ready to be, and that in a way he was doing the same thing by trying to make them "more than friends". She cries in his arms, and Hisao holds her until she's done, realizing he fell in love with her a long time ago, even if he isn't able to connect with her well.
 
Rin explains it's easier to express herself with art than with words. She's trying to get people to understand her so she doesn't feel so alone. Hisao realizes she's been reaching out to him like he's been reaching out to her. She accepts that it's okay to never be completely understood, but dares to trust in Hisao a little more.
 
On the first day of summer vacation, a heavy rain pours outside. Hisao hears a thud at his door. Rin stands in the hallway, soaking wet. She's gone for a walk in the rain and, since Emi has gone home for the summer, she needs help changing into dry clothes. Hisao nervously agrees to help. As he dries and undresses her, one thing leads to another. Making love is a transformative act for both of them: Rin discovers what it feels like to not be alone and Hisao learns to stop worrying about the future.


==Act 2 ~ Disconnect ==
Afterwards, Rin takes him back to the hill of dandelion flowers which are now in full bloom. She asks Hisao if he loves her. He isn't sure. Rin tells Hisao "I love you" anyway, describing the phrase as "a weird taste". She admits that she's a little bit afraid of Hisao, because he makes her feel like she should be someone else. She starts to cry.


[[File:1Disconnect.png|thumb|Act 2: Disconnect]] The next day after class Hisao accidentally bumps into Emi again in which she was in a hurry and offers to eat lunch on the rooftop again with Rin. Hisao makes it rooftop sees Rin lying on the rooftop watching the sky, and she reveals that she skips class just to experience the things she wants to do. Hisao then enters the art club room. To his surprise he finds Rin was opposite side of a blind boy that she was talking about then Nomiya announces the club members that Hisao will be their new club member, and tells everyone to begin there projects and choose a partner. Hisao asks Rin to be his partner, in which she agrees and the duo's start to draw a portrait of their partner. Hisao finishes his portrait of Rin, remarking how he is not much of an artist, disappointed. He states Rin's is seems to be perfect, and comments that he wishes to be good as her while looking at it. Rin remarks he seems to be gloomy looking. The next day after class, Rin asks if she can listen to his heartbeat, and Hisao comments that it should be private, to which Rin replies that she ate a orange for breakfast and that it is her favorite fruit. Rin asks Hisao as to why he has not smiled at all since coming to the school.Later on the Library Hisao had a little chat with Yuuko about his time in Yamaku was either refreshing or feels that he was stuck which Yuuko feels that she was now more reliable and joyfully on Hisao that they will meet each other again.On The day of the track meet arrives and Hisao attends with Rin and meets Emi's Mother [http://katawashoujo.wikia.com/wiki/Meiko Meiko Ibarazaki]
But the things about her that frustrate him are also what he admires most about her. Rin decides it's okay not to change. Hisao asks Rin if she still plans to become an artist, but Rin asks him to watch the sky with her instead. She asks him "What's the right word for when it feels inside your heart that everything in the world is alright?"|-|
Neutral Ending=
Hisao tells Rin that she should be happy so many people are interested in her art and convinces her to go back inside. Nomiya brushes off Rin's collapse as a spell of dizziness and Hisao loses her to the crowd of art enthusiasts.


==Act 3 ~ Distance==
After finishing his final exam, Hisao has an abundance of free time. But all he wants to do is see Rin. At the art gallery, he runs into Nomiya and Sae who are still enraptured by the success of the showing. Rin enters the gallery but stops upon seeing Hisao and leaves again. He chases after her for an explanation. She tells him that talking to him hurts her. The two of them wander the streets in silence, until eventually Hisao asks Rin about how she felt the exhibition went. Rin says all she wanted was for someone to look at her art and say "I understand how you feel". Hisao tells her nobody will ever understand her because human beings experience life uniquely. This hurts Rin deeply, who asks "Why do you say that when you made me feel otherwise?"  
[[File:2Distance.png|thumb|left|Act 3: Distance]]
===Bad Ending===
If Hisao demands Rin explain what he is to her, she struggles to do so. He becomes angry, feeling used, believing she is treating him as nothing more than a muse, and expresses many of the feelings he thinks in the more supportive storylines. He gets through to her, although not in the way he intended, causing her to stumble trying to offer an explaination, and realizing that she cannot. She demands that he leave, and he does so, returning to his room. He contemplates the strange change that has emerged in their relationship, unable to decide if this change is in him, or in her. Before lying on his bed, he looks at his watch, noting that it is 3:30 am. He considereds how dependable it has been, always "knowing more about what is going on than I do." He looks at the medications lying on his desk, considering how much he will have to depend on these, and considers the time that stretches out before him, before removing the watch. Before fading to sleep, he notes how much time he wasted chasing things out of his reach.


==Act 4 ~ Dream==
She announces that Nomiya has helped her with a scholarship to an art university in Tokyo, leaving before the final trimester at Yamaku. Hisao is shocked how ready she is to leave him, but Rin states that she must go her own path, even if it changes her. She tells him to forget about her, then walks out of his life.|-|
[[File:3Dream.png|thumb|Act 4: Dream]]
</tabber>
While in class, Hiaso feels disapointed about Rin. Afterwards he goes to the art club meeting so he can talk to Nomiya. 5 days pass with Hiaso finishing his exams on the 5th day. Nomiya invites him in the gallery that he cannot say no as long as he doesn't discuss anything about Rin. After the next day's dinner, Hiaso bumps into Rin while on his way to his dorm. He responds in anger because of her not being prepared for the exhibition. Later that day, Rin rudely enters Haiso's room and sits on his bed. Leaning on his desk, Hiaso anrgrily stares at her, waiting for her to say why she went to seem him. Rin responds in desperation, saying that she needs him, but after, starts talking about seemingly unimportant things, like why Hiaso's would draw a pattern on his dusty desk. Hiaso backfires, saying that Rin in toying with his head. Then Rin response in desperation that she needs him but ends up returns to asking less important stuff like why Hisao draw a pattern in his dusty desk and search for a word for it.But Hisao backfires claiming that Rin is toying his mind.But Rin response that she needs to paint that cause Hisao to Say that he is not a muse and express in anger that he has many important things to do and reveals that he was interested in art a little so that she can feel that he had a really interested at all. Then in desperation Rin says that she can't do anything besides art.Hisao shouts that she never explains everything that he needs to understands her and demands an answer. Unexpectly causing Aa frustrated Rin say to Hisao to go away only in reply that she was on his room then she departs.Hisao reliazes that Rin was Actually upset about he said and bump his head twice and decides to visit the art exibition. There Sae invited some guest to look at Rin's work which impresses them.There Hisao Encounters Emi that she wants to see and congratulates Rin for her work of art. Together they finally met Rin with Nomiya both Hisao and Emi congratulates her but Rin only response to Emi.After Sae introduced the guests to Rin the guests ask her questions that littlerally overwhelms her causing her to fall and seat between her legs then Hisao escorts her outside the exibition helping her catching her breath then Hisao ask her to go back but Rin doesn't like to be asking question that she cannot answer and looks for a person that never had to ask question on her that she cannot answer right.
===Good Ending===
If Hisao asks Rin that if she find that person then what will be the outcome for her.Then Rin realized that she make a mistake and runs off back to school so she can be herself.Hisao tries to stop her from running away but failed then returns to the gallery where Nomiya then asked Hisao that where she had gone to.Causing him to get angry then Emi tells Hisao that they should go find her but Hisao resolves that it's best to leave her alone for now then the duo's decided to go back home for the tomorrow's exams.The next day after Hisao easily finishes his exams Nomiya enters his class and urgently ask Mutou that he needs to talk to Hisao.After they come out of the class Nomiya ask Hisao where Rin is hiding however Hisao doesn't know where she is right now causing Nomiya to be worried.Then Hisao ask Nomiya that he's the one that pushes Rin to do the exibition which Nomiya replies that her goal was his goal and never wanted to see her talents go to waste and tells him that many of the guest in the exibition likes her work and one of the piece is even sold to a reasonable price then Nomiya tells him that if he finds Rin he should bring her to the art room.Hisao finds out that Rin was hiding in her old class room there he finds her and tells her that Nomiya was looking for her but Rin ask if he also was looking for her Hisao replies that he already did.Then Hisao ask Rin that why she runs away from the exibition but Rin is trying to dodge the question and doesn't want to explain.Hisao tries a different approach by asking her that why she paints Rin replies that it's the only path that she can choose then Hisao tells her about what Sae said about a true artist 'must'paint the reason Rin paints is to express her feelings so that she won't be lonely However Hisao confesses that he hated art and art is just to be comprehend and not to understand but ends up changing the subject by telling Rin to apologize to Nomiya.After they reach to the art class Rin enters and Hisao waits outside then Nomiya argues Rin that why she just run off but replies that she  couldn't say anything.Nomiya furoiusly tells Rin that she embarassed not just him and Sae but all the other guest and the path she takes is 'thorny' Rin's reply causing Nomiya to yell at her(the way Hisao did to her previously)expecting that Rin throw her artistic talents for nothing then departs.Rin talks to Hisao that her apology did not recieve well during Hisao's conversation with Rin she tells him to go away because she thought that Hisao failed her as a friend the way Nomiya does but Hisao confronts her telling her that Nomiya was forcing her to be someone than herself and confesses that the reason that he gets angry at her as well is to become someone for her more than a friend.Then Rin became confused and no longer had any idea what she did wrong Hisao utterly relpies that she should either accept it or give up for the things that she did wrong causing Rin bursted to tears.Rin reveals that the reason she paints so that she can express her feelings to others so that she won't be alone but ends up that she cannot use art as a condult to express it this was because others can't see the way Rin does.After Rin feels better hisao escorts her to her dorms then during thier way across downstairs Rin says'i think i had to change'.On the next day Hisao was awakened by the heavy rain outside while waiting for the rain to stop he pack his stuff and take a shower then unexpectedly he hears a loud bump from his door hoping it was not kenji but ends up seeing Rin right in front of him where she was soaked wet from the downpour during she was walking that she never saw it's going to rain.Rin ask Hisao that she needs him to get dry but Hisao ask that Emi should do it but Rin replies that she left and tells him that he was not a fuzzy type then hesitantly Hisao invites her to his room to help her get dried from the rain but ends up turning into love-making.After waking up Rin invites him to go somewhere with her then impatiently ask to dressed her up during Hisao helping her get dressed she starts to speak backwards then after helping her get dressed Rin starts running to the forest Hisao follows her up to where the sea of dandelions that where now shedding seeds.Rin ask Hisao that do he loves her to which Hisao's reply that he doesn't know the same answer as Rin then confesses that she loves Hisao but then also confesses that she was afraid of Hisao to which she respond that she wanted to runaway from it then Hisao feels it like from another life he has before.Then they kissed suddenly Rin told him that she was afraid from his kindness but overcomes it. After Hisao gently blows one dandelion he ask Rin about becaming a true artist but replies that it doesn't matter and starts cloudgazing Rin decided that she should be herself and begins raising her short arms the story ends when Rin ask Hisao that what's the right word that she was searching for.


===Neutral Ending===
==Trivia==
If Hisao tells Rin that she should be happy that everyone likes her art and ask questions for it Rin becames upset and returns to the gallery suprising Nomiya that nothing is wrong about her.The Next Day After Hisao easily finishes his exam and returns to his room he tries to visit Rin but she was not on her dorm causing him to wait for the next day.When Hisao tries to visit Rin again he ends up meeting Emi she tells him that she is back at the gallery.Hisao goes to the gallery and meet up with Nomiya and Sae and saw one of Rin's work even some had already been sold then Sae told Hisao about the story of two friends(one that commits suicide while the other died form exaustion during pursiung his art career)then Rin appears and run outside Hisao follows and covers her from the rain with his umbrella then the duo's start walking together then after the rain stops Rin moves away from Hisao and tells him that she looks for someone that can understand her.But Hisao cynically responds that it doesn't matter that if someone can see the way she feels and people are always alone causing Rin to feel alone even more and decides to accept a scolarship in Tokyo leaving Yamaku for good.Rin hugs Hisao and tells him that she can hug someone on her own and pursue to became an artist Rin tells Hisao to forget about her for now on.Rin walks away from Hisao for good.
*This route has the most choices of any.
{{Rin's Route}}
[[Category:Plot]]
[[Category:Plot]]
[[Category:Rin's route]]
[[Category:Routes]]

Latest revision as of 22:19, 7 March 2025

Information


Characters[edit | edit source]

Acts[edit | edit source]

Synopsis[edit | edit source]

Act 2 - Disconnect[edit | edit source]

Act 2 - Disconnect

The next day, Emi collides with Hisao once again, this time bringing papers to a teacher. To apologize, she invites Hisao for lunch on the rooftop again. When Hisao arrives, Rin is lying on the roof, watching the sky. She tells him that sometimes she skips classes to experience things she wishes. Hisao joins her and finds himself relaxing, his thoughts slowing down to calmly drift by like the clouds.

At his first art club meeting, the first assignment is to partner up to practice sketching one another. Hisao is left with Rin, the only other person he knows. His own artwork is clumsy, but Rin's is amazing. When asked about the gloomy expression on his portrait, she answers that she's never seen him smile. Hisao starts to reflect on his negative outlook on life since his heart attack.

Later, after another art club session, Nomiya tells Rin about a friend of his who might be willing to display some of Rin's work. Rin says she'll think about it and goes for a walk, which Hisao accompanies her on. They stop at a large maple tree which Rin calls the Worry Tree. Rin feels that, to display her work for others, she'd need to become an entirely different person. She isn't sure whether becoming a career artist is something she wants for herself. Hisao shares with Rin his own negative feelings towards the circumstances that lead him to Yamaku, but resolves to stop "wallowing under the weight of all the crap in his life" and change for the better.

Hisao receives a letter from Iwanako, in which she hopes he's gotten back to his feet in his new life. Resolved to change, Hisao observes other students and how they cope with their difficulties. When Rin paints, she goes into her own world that he cannot breach. To her, painting is a way of capturing what she cannot say. Looking at her old paintings reminds her of what she was thinking at the time she made them, and are proof of her existence. She fears she cannot become the person that Nomiya wants her to be.

Emi makes good on her promise to celebrate finishing her track meet and the three head out for a picnic. However it begins to rain and they are forced to wait out the storm in the Shanghai. Emi decides to hike back in the rain, but knowing he can't keep up, Hisao walks Rin back with his umbrella. The next day, Emi is absent from lunch due to a cold, and Rin mentions that she might have it too. She sneezes suddenly and Hisao helps wipe her nose with his handkerchief. She hugs him (in her own way) and leaves as lunch ends.

Hisao bumps into Emi a few days later who sheepishly tells him Rin caught her cold. It takes a few days for Hisao to work up the courage to visit Rin, but when he does, Rin answers the door in an unbuttoned shirt and underwear. Speaking very strangely, Hisao figures out that she's taken too much codiene-based cold medicine. As he's about to leave, she falls into him and kisses him on the lips. A bewildered Hisao tucks her in, pondering whether to call a nurse, and pockets the rest of her medication.

The next day Rin waits outside Hisao's classroom with no recollection of previous day's events. But she does recall wanting to bring him somewhere, so they walk through the forest to a dandelion-covered hill. Rin apologizes for being so bad with people and confides that her pencils and paints are the only friends she's ever had. Hisao declares that he's her friend. Rin announces that she'll give the gallery a try, realizing change was inevitable so she might as well embrace the opportunity.

Act 3 - Distance[edit | edit source]

Act 3 - Distance

Nomiya is overjoyed at Rin's decision and drives the two students to the 22nd Corner Art Gallery. They meet the owner, Sae Saionji, who thinks her technique needs a little refinement, but that she'd be willing to host an exhibit if Rin is willing to add more works. Rin commits herself wholeheartedly, and Nomiya arranges for Rin to be exempt from classes for the rest of the trimester. Saionji arranges the atelier above her gallery for Rin to do her work in, even letting her stay overnight.

On her last day, Hisao finds Rin at her desk napping, crying in her sleep. She explains that crying is something she's learned from others. She also tells Emi not to distract her by visiting while she focuses on painting. Hisao still wants to become close to Rin. He confesses his feelings in the atelier, but she cuts him off and tells him she can't think about it right now. Heartbroken, Hisao turns to leave, but Rin asks him to visit again tomorrow.

Thus begins a pattern where Hisao visits her in the evenings, watching her paint or reading in silence. He brings her some oranges when he realizes she hasn't been eating properly and gently feeds them to her. Rin begins to struggle--she cannot inspire herself to paint using new methods nor old. She concludes that changing is not enough. First, she must destroy the "old her". She asks Sae for cigarettes and Hisao reluctantly shares the pack with her.

Upon seeing that smoking is only increasing her melancholy, Hisao takes her into the city at night, taking random turns and discovering new views. She suddenly asks him to stop visiting her for reasons she won't explain.

Within a few days, Hisao finds himself heading back to the gallery, unable to stop thinking about Rin. He runs into Nomiya and Sae who talk about the challenges of a gifted career artist. While the two old friends reminisce, Hisao makes his way into the atelier. He discovers Rin is pleasuring herself on the floor. Realising she's been seen, she rambles about the shame and frustration of pursuing a path as an artist. She asks him to help her finish and he does. In the morning, Hisao wonders whether it crossed a boundary in their friendship. Rin responds in emotionless circles and Hisao gets frustrated trying to connect with the woman he loves.

Hisao demands that Rin explain what he means to her, but she is unable to do so. He yells at her about how selfish and unhealthy she's being by devoting herself to her art, treating him only as a source of inspiration and not as a person with feelings. Rin coldly demands that he leave. Hisao returns to his dorm. Before falling asleep, he notes how much time he wasted chasing things out of his reach.

Act 4 - Dream[edit | edit source]

Act 4 - Dream

Hisao returns to school. The day before the exhibit, Hisao encounters Rin on the way to his room and realizes his frustration has not left. He demands that Rin explain what he means to her, but she is unable to do so. He yells at her about how selfish and unhealthy she's being by devoting herself to her art, treating him only as a source of inspiration and not as a person with feelings. Upset, Rin leaves and Hisao becomes even more frustrated for hurting her.

The next night Hisao goes to the exhibition to apologize to Rin. Rin is not there, but Emi is, to support her friend. Nomiya finally appears with Rin, who pointedly ignores Hisao. The many guests begin asking questions of Rin, about her disability and how it affects her painting, her inspiration and technique. Rin is so overwhelmed that she sinks to her knees. Hisao escorts her outside to calm down. Rin realises she isn't ready to cope with so many questions.

Rin admits she wasn't ready for the gallery and walks back to school. Nomiya is outraged when he learns what Rin has done. Emi suggests she and Hisao find her and "kick her ass", but Hisao persuades her against that. The two return to the dorms to prepare for exams.

Nomiya interrupts Mutou's final exam to talk to Hisao. He has been unable to find Rin since she left. When prodded on why he pushed Rin into it, Nomiya explains that he saw it as his duty to ensure her talents didn't go to waste. Hisao leaves Nomiya and finds Rin in the unused classroom where they first met. Rin continues to hold herself at a distance. Hisao explains that Sae and Nomiya believe Rin is throwing away everything she has been working towards. He convinces her that she needs to apologize to Nomiya.

Hisao waits outside as the art teacher scolds Rin, lecturing her throwing away a promising career. She states, in her detached way, that the exhibition was a mistake. Nomiya frustratedly tells her she might not be an artist after all and storms out. When Hisao goes in to comfort her she pushes him away. Hisao tells her that Nomiya was trying to make her into someone she wasn't ready to be, and that in a way he was doing the same thing by trying to make them "more than friends". She cries in his arms, and Hisao holds her until she's done, realizing he fell in love with her a long time ago, even if he isn't able to connect with her well.

Rin explains it's easier to express herself with art than with words. She's trying to get people to understand her so she doesn't feel so alone. Hisao realizes she's been reaching out to him like he's been reaching out to her. She accepts that it's okay to never be completely understood, but dares to trust in Hisao a little more.

On the first day of summer vacation, a heavy rain pours outside. Hisao hears a thud at his door. Rin stands in the hallway, soaking wet. She's gone for a walk in the rain and, since Emi has gone home for the summer, she needs help changing into dry clothes. Hisao nervously agrees to help. As he dries and undresses her, one thing leads to another. Making love is a transformative act for both of them: Rin discovers what it feels like to not be alone and Hisao learns to stop worrying about the future.

Afterwards, Rin takes him back to the hill of dandelion flowers which are now in full bloom. She asks Hisao if he loves her. He isn't sure. Rin tells Hisao "I love you" anyway, describing the phrase as "a weird taste". She admits that she's a little bit afraid of Hisao, because he makes her feel like she should be someone else. She starts to cry.

But the things about her that frustrate him are also what he admires most about her. Rin decides it's okay not to change. Hisao asks Rin if she still plans to become an artist, but Rin asks him to watch the sky with her instead. She asks him "What's the right word for when it feels inside your heart that everything in the world is alright?"

Hisao tells Rin that she should be happy so many people are interested in her art and convinces her to go back inside. Nomiya brushes off Rin's collapse as a spell of dizziness and Hisao loses her to the crowd of art enthusiasts. After finishing his final exam, Hisao has an abundance of free time. But all he wants to do is see Rin. At the art gallery, he runs into Nomiya and Sae who are still enraptured by the success of the showing. Rin enters the gallery but stops upon seeing Hisao and leaves again. He chases after her for an explanation. She tells him that talking to him hurts her. The two of them wander the streets in silence, until eventually Hisao asks Rin about how she felt the exhibition went. Rin says all she wanted was for someone to look at her art and say "I understand how you feel". Hisao tells her nobody will ever understand her because human beings experience life uniquely. This hurts Rin deeply, who asks "Why do you say that when you made me feel otherwise?" She announces that Nomiya has helped her with a scholarship to an art university in Tokyo, leaving before the final trimester at Yamaku. Hisao is shocked how ready she is to leave him, but Rin states that she must go her own path, even if it changes her. She tells him to forget about her, then walks out of his life.

Trivia[edit | edit source]

  • This route has the most choices of any.
Act 2: Disconnect A Wider Field of VisionStudies in GreyscaleInterstitialSelf StudyHisao's SmileThings You LikeTarget AudienceEternity in an HourUnderwater and a Maple with a NameIwanako's RegretIn Her Own ImageUmbrella Logic CakeSix Meters Closer to HeavenIndecisionSignal InterferenceDandelions
Act 3: Distance 22nd CornerThe Scent of LightThings You Can't Give Up (BADAAN!Rose-Tinted Glasses) • The Edge of the WorldThe Context of RinFast ForwardSelf DestructionReverse EscapismBoundlessDeliriumThings You Hate
Act 3 - Distance - "Then explain." Shards of Ire (BAD ENDING)
Act 3 - Distance - Other options Act 4: Dream
Act 4: Dream Illusions for PeopleDemusedThe Scene
Act 4: Dream - "Aren't you happy?" WavelengthBlue PeriodThe World Only You Can See (NEUTRAL ENDING)
Act 4: Dream - "If you found someone...?" Desperate GloryProblems of Self-Referential LogicMeasuring ShadowsRaison d'êtreWithout Breathing, Without a SoundProof of Existence (GOOD ENDING)