#established rivals

[sanguinesky-if]

[Guide] Established Rivals Dynamic

Hello! After getting several asks about how to activate the Established Rivals [ER] dynamic, I decided it'd be harder to keep hiding it, especially as the story progresses further.

I won't include this information in the game or in the Romance System Overview, but this post will be linked in the Q&A. For those who want to avoid spoilers, the information is hidden below the line.

Before you continue to the guide, I'd like to once again emphasize one important thing:

This dynamic is supposed to be a bonus for readers who happened to like both ROs and ended up unlocking this option naturally. In my opinion, readers who only like one of the two ROs [or play specifically to get this dynamic] will most likely end up disappointed because it's not a love triangle route and it has minimal impact on the narrative overall. This was already mentioned in the Romance System Overview, so please keep that in mind if you're planning a specific playthrough just to unlock it.

The information below contains spoilers and specific instructions on how to activate the ER dynamic [Q&A format].

Q: Who are those two specific ROs?

A: The two ROs involved in the ER dynamic are I and S.

Q: How to activate ER dynamic?

A: In the story, there are two opportunities to activate this dynamic. First opportunity to activate ER dynamic: ▸ Chapter 2: Choose to go to the morgue. ▸ Chapter 3 Pt. 1: Have at least 1 romance point with I and 2 with S, then choose I's scene to confirm the dynamic. ▸ Chapter 3 Pt. 1: Don't refuse to talk to S during the investigation at the orphanage [otherwise, it'll cancel the dynamic]. Second opportunity to activate ER dynamic: ▸ Chapter 2: Choose to go to the morgue. ▸ Chapter 2: Don't choose Morgan's evening scene in the office. ▸ Chapter 3 Pt. 1: Choose S's morning scene. ▸ Chapter 3 Pt. 1: Don't refuse to talk to S during the investigation at the orphanage [otherwise, it'll cancel the dynamic]. ▸ Chapter 3 Pt. 2: Have at least 1 romance point with I and 2 with S, then choose S's scene to confirm the dynamic.

No matter which opportunity you used, the story already has a bonus POV available if this dynamic is activated and you choose to have sex with S in Chapter 3 Pt. 2.

Hope this helps!

[sanguinesky-if]

This is a long post with several asks about the Established Rivals dynamic, and to avoid spoilers, I've hidden them below the line.

I really appreciate the time readers spend on my IF, and since I don't want to take up any more of it than necessary [unless that's the reader's choice], I'm more than happy to provide specific information and explain the romance mechanics I use for the story.

S hasn't even met anyone besides the detective yet

From the MC's perspective, that's true. However, characters may already know each other or be connected in certain ways beyond the MC's awareness, especially given how many secrets they're keeping.

I probably won't seek it out now that I know as I find S off putting so far, but maybe as the game progresses I'll change my mind.

I'm glad there are readers who won't pursue this dynamic just for the sake of it, because in my opinion, it wouldn't work well that way.

On the other hand, I can't tell readers how they should play, so who knows? Maybe you'll give these ROs a chance and end up actually liking both of them.

Thank you for the message!

I understand it's not very obvious right now, but it will make much more sense once the MC learns the whole truth and their stories.

Thank you for your message!

Yeah, the desire to piss off [ I ] was a great motivator to fuck the MC / let the MC fuck them even harder, though S eventually became focused on the MC and the process itself rather than the pettiness that initially drove their actions.

The reason I repeatedly feel the need to point out what this dynamic means and why it isn't a love triangle is because I want to prevent readers from developing false expectations that could lead to disappointment, which I'd then have to address and protect myself from.

Thank you for your messages!

this has potential to get SO MESSY

But it won't, because the MC will have to choose one RO in Chapter 5, and they won't be able to split their romantic interest between the two ROs after that lock-in point.

What this dynamic means is that the second RO won't stop saying or doing things that make it clear they still want the MC to choose them.

However, the MC won't have that opportunity because I don't want to write them as a cheater.

Thank you for the message!

[sanguinesky-if]

▸ This is not a love triangle route, but an open conflict of interest involving the MC.

I'm sorry if this is a dumb question, but I don't really see the difference? Could you please explain it further?

Thank you, and I'm looking forward to playing the new chapter!

In my understanding, a route is a chosen path of commitment to a certain RO.

In the story, the MC must choose only one RO [or choose the solo route], which essentially resolves the core issue of the love triangle.

After making that choice, the dynamic will still be active. It means the RO who wasn't chosen will continue to show that their attraction hasn't diminished, and their actions will express that they still hope the MC might choose them.

However, the MC will not have options such as "I like RO1… but I can't stop thinking about RO2", nor will they be able to reciprocate while already committed to another, as I would hate to write the MC as a cheater.

What I've described means it would not only be incorrect to label this dynamic as a "love triangle" [since MC won't be actively torn between those two ROs], but it would also give readers certain ideas that simply won't be explored after the route is locked.

This will lead to disappointment from an expectation I unintentionally set, and I'd rather avoid that, which is why this dynamic is called "Established Rivals" [plus, it fits those two ROs much better].

Thank you for the question, and I hope my explanation makes sense!

[sanguinesky-if]

Is there an establish rival scene for Morgan? I played the update when it came out on Patreon but I don't remember getting that

"Established Rivals" is a dynamic that involves only two specific ROs, and since I've intentionally decided not to disclose who these two ROs are [at least for now], I can't openly answer your question on the blog, sorry.

I'll be happy to answer or give you some hints on Patreon though, so feel free to send me a message there.

Thank you for the question, and I apologize for not giving a direct answer!

[sanguinesky-if]

Sorry if you've answered this before, but I couldn't find it. What are the specific options to choose to force a confrontation between two characters? Or at the very least who are the two characters? Thank you.

The Established Rivals [ER] dynamic requires the reader to have enough flirt points with both ROs [let's refer to them as RO 1 and RO 2].

It's implied in the "defined order of choices" in the Romance System Overview, but I can see how it might sound too vague, so I'll provide additional information in the overview to make it more obvious.

As for a more detailed explanation…

The first opportunity to activate ER dynamic occurs in Chapter 3 Pt. 1 if you choose the morning scene with RO 1.

Having required flirt points with RO 2 will trigger a moment where you must choose between confirming the MC's interest in RO 2 [♥] or disabling the dynamic by selecting the option labeled [Block].

The second opportunity to activate the dynamic will appear in Chapter 3 Pt. 2 if you choose the scene with RO 2.

As explained earlier, you will be prompted to either confirm the MC's interest in RO 1 or cancel the dynamic [the game will require you to make a choice, without giving an option to leave it unresolved].

I'm not going to reveal who these two ROs are, but readers who chose RO 1 in Chapter 3 Pt. 1 and have enough flirt points with them and RO 2 should already have an idea.

Also, a small note: currently, the requirement to activate it is simply picking the right scene and having enough flirt points with both ROs. However, the conditions will be narrowed down by a certain choice in the next update, as that's how it was originally intended to be, but didn't happen due to my oversight.

I'm not sure if I want to include this explanation in the Romance System Overview, but I'm certain I don't want to include the names of these specific ROs.

I don't want readers' interest in them [for now, in the RO 1] to be guided purely by the idea of getting their MC tangled between two hot ends.

Because, as it was stated in the overview, it is not a love triangle route. Sure, jealousy within this dynamic will be shown more openly and frequently than with any other ROs, but as stated in the guide, it will be given minimal importance. I don't want to deal with readers' disappointment if they get the wrong idea about it.

Hope this explains things and will be helpful!

[sanguinesky-if]

Chapter 3 Pt. 2 ask [spoiler alert…]

I'm glad you enjoyed the update and that you liked the rivals' scene, since I had so much fun writing it!

can't wait till T and R scenes are out! I miss them ;;

Sorry for keeping you waiting, I hope you'll enjoy their scenes once I release them.

Thank you for the message!

[sanguinesky-if]

Hello! I'm not sure if this has been asked before and if it has, I'm very sorry. But I was wondering, which RO would each other RO be most jealous of if the MC got with them (like, for example, who would K be most jealous of)?

Hello, I apologize for taking so long to reply.

Aside from the two ROs involved in the "Established Rivals" dynamic, the levels of jealousy between the ROs are generally the same (which is jealous as hell).

It's more about the circumstances surrounding the ROs which influence how often you'll encounter combinations of the ROs who would be jealous if the MC shows interest in both of them, rather than the intensity of the jealousy itself.

That said, there are certain ROs combinations you're more likely to encounter frequently, while others may not come up at all.

For example, K, L, and Morgan all work at the department, but they don't interact with each other directly. This is why you're more likely to see jealousy between them earlier in the story.

On the other hand, with the CID team, T will quickly step back if they notice the MC's interest in another team member.

Thank you for your question, I hope my answer makes sense!