#anyhow it was fun revisiting all the endings again haha thanks for the ask

[donuts4evry1]

ok but on that 'date or be killed' post where you tagged it w/ your aro blinders comment. Listen. how many of the routes in hatoful actually feel romantic? Cause I'd genuinely argue that there's very few that feel specifically Romantic. I think Ryouta's is the only one that's particularly blatant. maybe there's signs of Hiyoko having feelings in others, but that doesn't mean it's returned or that she has any issue with just staying friends. i'll die on this hill

Ooh yeah, you're definitely right about that. // Honestly, as an otome game, Hatoful Boyfriend is probably one of the more friendlier ones to aros who aren't exactly romance adverse but don't want to see like, actual romance haha. Seeing everyone as birds also kinda disconnects you from the "romance" part and allows you to focus on the story, which honestly, I'm really glad haha

Hmm, but now that you brought that up I kinda wanna rate all the routes by "explicit crush" level. (note it's been awhile since I've played through all the routes and the wiki didn't do a play-by-play of all of them... h)

Putting it under the cut because I have a friend who still needs to play the game and even tho we've finished all the routes she wanted to play through (I think?) and it's more fun to just learn ab it in-game and NOT in a silly tumblr post teehee <3. You know who you are

ED No.01: While It Lasts (Ryouta) Ro Rating: 9.5/10

This was the route specifically mentioned in the ask, and yeah honestly Tosaka specifically and clearly professing her love to Ryouta is most definitely a sign that romance was in here. //But like... also.... what if it was all platonic? y'know..... just being together for each other because they were really good friends........ my brain likes to second-guess itself when it comes to romance haha

ED No.03: Song of the Foolish Bird (Shirogane)

Ro Rating: 0/10

Nothing about this route was really romantic tbh. It was more focused on Shirogane's character development as opposed to his and Tosaka's relationship.

Heck, even when she gives him beans she only says she wants the two of them to get along, nothing more and nothing less. They live together, but she's just being a really good pal and letting him follow his dreams of being a musician and escaping the (admittedly) toxic household environment he had to live in. We all know Tosaka, she'd most definitely extend a hand of gracious hospitality to anyone in need and give 110% in supporting her friends' ambitions.

(Not to mention he's very, very gay. The thought of being in a romantic relationship with Tosaka probably didn't even cross his mind once.)

ED no.04: Dream's End (Fujishiro)

Ro Rating: 8/10

They did confess to each other in the end I guesssssss.... But idk it all seemed kinda sudden to me. He only started to warm up to Tosaka recently and I could only really see them as good friends. Ouch :<

Tbh Tosaka acts a bit like an energetic older sister, trying to break him out of his shell to no avail haha.

ED No.05: Yuuya Only Lives Twice (Sakazaki) Ro Rating: 2/10

I don't remember exactly if there was a confession but becoming Sakazaki's partner-in-crime (so to speak) is most definitely a Tosaka thing to do. She loves to put wrong-doers to justice!

And also, while incredibly charismatic, Sakazaki definitely lets some of his insecurities and worry slip through the cracks of his mask. Tosaka would most likely be very worried about him, especially after it's known that he skips school often. Which would explain why she keeps going after him independent of any romantic feelings.

I guess you could interpret that as romantic if you wanted to tho, but I like to think it's subtle.

ED No.07: 2011: A Pudding Odyssey (Oko san) Ro Rating: 0/10

There wasn't any romance in here!! at all!!! Just a fun route where you help Okosan be his true puddi self!

This kind of plays out like... a shounen manga story haha. Going on a shounen-esque adventure?? Dropping out of school??? Finding treasure of grandeur? Peak vibes.

If you saw romance in this you're wrong /lh

ED no.08: What May Come (Nanaki) Ro Rating: 1/10

the ending of the route rly made me uncomfy tbhhhh,, like that's ur student you're talking to Nanaki plssssss don't say that ghjdsbf.

It all just kind of boils down to Tosaka: "I kinda like you, is that ok?" Nanaki: "You're a nice girl Tosaka, but I don't have the capacity to fall in love right now so come back later maybe? oh and also you're still my student bllblbllbl"

yeah. i don't wanna rate it higher :<

ED No.10: The Happy Couple (Iwamine) Ro Rating: -9/10

MAN, do I have loads of interpretive tea to spill on this. (Again, kind of uncomfortable about it but the fact that this ending was messed up in more ways than one kind of makes it easier to digest, believe it or not)

Iwamine most certainly vocalizes his feelings towards Tosaka, but I suspect it's not really "love" (the wiki was also inclined to agree, saying he was probably more attracted to her brain or eyes). Maybe it was just aesthetic attraction he was mistaking for romantic attraction, or maybe it was some other kind of toxic attraction. I believe most aroaces can relate to not being able to differentiate types of attractions, and considering Iwamine's emotional history he would most DEFINITELY not even have a chance of getting a hold of those. Obsessive, destructive love + not knowing how to express that is most certainly an equation for disaster.

Tosaka wonders if she was frozen because of love or something but I think it was just. Shock. After all, the doctor isn't usually so affectionate(?) with her and hearing him spout all that nonsense... ouch.

The player eventually answers "yes" to his question in the end but we were forced to. Iwamine may have given us a "choice" but considering it was all the same answer choices, he could've just been projecting the answer, independent of Tosaka's feelings (she's dead, after all! The only way dead people can speak is if you're imagining they speak).

The man really needs someone to show him genuine affection, he desperately needs it. And DEFINITELY not from Tosaka, she got herself killed hgjsdhfj.

ED No.11: To the End of Emptiness (Higure) Ro Rating: 3/10

THEY HAD A SUPER EPIC ANIME BOSS BATTLE AND W O N.

The end is mostly just Tosaka being totally affected by Higure's super hallucinogenic vibes and recalling his timeline.

Though, when she does give him beans, he IS embarrassed because the other birds in his class might make fun of him for being in a relationship... BUT, consider this: maybe he doesn't want to be in a relationship :0. Plus, we get this information from Tosaka, who is shakey at best with her Anghelism translation, so it can't be assured that that's accurate to what he said or felt (she has the perception of a potato, anyhow. as we see in many of her inner thoughts and dialogues she COMPLETELY misreads people all the time).

He also gives her a charm for "easy childbirth" but tbh Higure just doesn't seem like the kind of person to use innuendos to show his affection so either a) it's actually genuine and he wants Tosaka to have an easy childbirth or b) that's just the only charm he had on him at the moment.

ED No.12: Carve It Into Your Soul, Kid! LOVE★BLASTER (Koshiba and Rabu) Ro Rating: 9/10

The romance isn't for you, but it's still really sweet and over-the-top. I absolutely adore these two love birds <33

1.14 ED No.13: To Be The True Java Sparrow (Koshiba) Ro Rating: 1/10

Really depends on how you read it, which is why I gave it a 1. Tbh Azami seems to be more of a mentor figure for Tosaka as opposed to a romantic interest. The law-abiding biker gang is still actually pretty epic tho :D

I'm not gonna rank Nishikikouji's route bc 1) I haven't played through it (it's not available on PC) and 2) I ran out of images so you can't see him :(. From what I read on the wiki it just seems like Tosaka's keeping his dumb ass alive tho, which isn't very romantic Nishikikouji is just hungry for revenge (and death at the hands of Iwamine, apparently)

so yea that's it :D feel free to add whatever you want or anything.