For some this will be the case (the nasty social media rumors etc) but the interview shows us that this sort of thing was limited and contained.
There will be haters and superfans, but most of the world sees the MC and the band as an era defining phenom and as with most of these types of music groups the good and the bad go together.
Yeah that hit the nail on the head! It’s exactly like you (and Simon Young also hehe) said. There’s haters and nasty people, and there’s obsessive superfans (it gets worse than Lin, Lin is level 1. You’ll be grateful for Lin once you meet some of the others), but the “normal” fans have a very positive view of the MC.
The cool dumbass guy 
Mc is still the heartthrob frontman. MC and Paul are both the sexy one, just different types of sexy, at least with my mc they are. My mc is more the pretty boy/ice prince with his more ethereal beauty while Paul is the “macho” hunk.
Matter of perspective both Paul and Maddox have their own issues and adult Paul definitely seems to have a temper. If anyone is the stable one it is Stevie.
Yeah. It is just I feel my mc needs some actual stability, preferably including not being as desperately poor as he and mom were back in the day, in his life. Somebody who is actually there for him and sticks with him through thick and thin, even after the band breaks up. The only two characters I can see who might help my mc with that are Stevie if she doesn’t cut mc out of her life, like Angel and Paul seem to be post band and hopefully Link, who I am still leaning towards romancing with my mc.
ZIMA GOT INTRODUCED LET’S GOOOOO 
But on a more serious note, holy shit this update was heavy, keep up with the good work
Fantastic update. I’m pretty invested in all the characters and love the variation in their dialogue (especially Stevie when she had a crush on MC vs friend route). Really nice work.
I’m super curious how this all ends. I mean, all the ROs are doomed, but is there an after-interview sequence where we can reconcile? Not looking for an answer, don’t want the spoiler lol but I am looking forward to finding out.
My only critique is I would like a little more reaction when Zima joins. And don’t get me wrong, there is some, but I want a little more. I kind of felt like I could be reluctant and pissed or some degree of accepting. I want to be hugely, territorially against the idea of anyone joining the band, given my hate of change and other traits already established in the story (based on prior choices of course). And I want to be hurt the band is so eager to agree, but not angry (which feels like the only way). Anyway, a minor detail but the only place I wish I had a different choice in an otherwise pretty flawless read.
this is great！！！love your work❤ the description of character’s dissociation is sooo relatable…
Thank you! Most MCs probably don’t even know that what they’re experiencing is derealization/dissociation yet… So I’m very glad you picked up on it, you’re probably the first person to talk about it
Heyo!! Very, VERY happy you enjoyed. You’re actually not the first person to tell me they’d appreciate a “deeply hurt” option. You’re… the second!! Haha. Still, a pattern emerges… I will end up adding an option like that, but that’s gonna take me longer than a simple bug fix. But know that I hear you and it is on my agenda
Thankyouthankyouthankyouuu 
Yeah I’m really proud of it. Overwhelmed by how much positivity I’ve been getting in response, too. Here and to a much greater extent on Tumblr.
Thanks for explaining, that means I don’t have to 
and yes you’re quite right, Maddox’s career definitely isn’t without scandal aaand yeah. More on that in the future. And Zima still has issues (plural), but it’s got less to do with their temper than you’d think. Like… Stuff has happened to them in the meantime. People have happened, and certain ones have left much deeper wounds than MC. Also more on that in the future.
I’m not gonna say too much more about what happens with the band… But I have great plans and I think MCs who strive to have a peaceful life will be able to achieve that, even if it looks different than expected. Still, I gotta lead y’all down the abyss first… “If you would follow me, sir”
Loved the update and I’m super interested to see where things can go with Zima.
Side note, when it comes to transgender ROs in IF they often seem fall into a select few character archetypes. It’s not often that you get to see them put into roles like ‘the Hot One’, so that’s refreshing to see.
After further thought, I really need to give you another compliment. I’ll start by saying, I typically don’t enjoy games where mental illness is involved. Not only because it’s something I know and would rather escape, but also because it’s a fairly prevalent theme in a lot of current IF and rarely done well. I feel like you have really achieved something different here.
Not only do you deal with it directly, but you give us so many choices to kind of cobble together our own issues/illnesses through choices, it feels very authentic and provides a lot of roleplay variation. I also like being able to have lyrics/songs be hard and driving but hopeful (and all the other variations), it really makes a beautiful narrative reflection of the kind of recovery you are trying to make.
TLDR: you’ve done really nice writing here, especially with a tough theme running through already chaotic rockstar theme. Looking forward to more!
Well said.
What I don’t understand is, why is Zima angry about us not recognizing them, when they’re using a completely different name and, if I understood correctly, they also look (somewhat) different?
Irrationality – she figured you were bonded for life in her first (potential) crush. First time love is always the hardest to let go of or see in a “normal” light.
Ah, I think zima is just generally hurt, its more insult to injury that the MC just didn’t recognize them regardless of time/physical changes; like even had zima been dressed as a sourcering, medieval clown with a wig and full face-paint (probably a frown face) the MC should still recognize them. That’s my headcannon of zima 
Honestly with the option of having the MC drink and do drugs can fuck up your memory, I can speak from personal experience.
Even with a person transitioning, sometimes it can be harder to remember.
And not everyone has a good facial memory in the first place.
That was never really my problem though
I can remember faces but it takes at least 10-20 meetings just to remember a name 