#the event stories are tough cuz...a bUNCH of them also reference the overarching nxx case!!! like SOTT and BTR!!! but wHEN? CAN THEY HAPPEN

[actualbird]

Hello, i can’t stop thinking about all the dangling plot and character threads left by chapter 9, it’s taking up so much brain space man. Reading your thoughts about it has been really fun though so thanks for that!

I personally believe the main story timeline includes all the card stories available at launch (everything pre-qixi) as well as the first two personal story chapters of each guy.

But speaking of separate timelines (the way i see it), i really wonder what chapter 9 would look like in the world where lukerosa are dating. Because the main story cases would probably still occur in the other timelines and the NXX team would still go investigate them.

Like luke would probably be less aggressive and secretive and desperate and sad throughout… But also if the Oedipus here is the same Oedipus from luke’s personal story, then he’s either been caught, or they know his identity (daniel song, i think it was?) and have evidence against him. I feel like SO MUCH would be different.

Also, this verges on headcanon territory, but I like to imagine that in worlds where rosa started openly dating one of them from the 1st anniv, the boys get along slightly better because they’re no longer aggressively competing for her attention. A year should be enough time to move on (i have no idea tbh) but they’d still have a soft spot for her, something like that. So there’s that possibility to consider.

(Please hoyo… let them be friends… let them care for each other and actually like spending time together… i beg. The current relationships are complex and fascinating but I like it so much better when the love interests get along…)

Anyway, thanks for reading through this super long ask, i hope you have a wonderful day!

// spoilers for tot main story 9

hi anon!! hehe im glad my main story 9 ramblings have been enjoyable to read! im tryna calm down on them a bit because i realized i rambled a LOT AJHFSVASOFAL but in my defense….there was just SO much to chew on

as much as i didnt wanna think about timelines since it gives me a headache, i eventually did HAHA and i agree with you!! the first available card stories are also super aligned in to the beginning of main story (ex. in SR Timely Rescue, mc does not yet know that luke is an NSB agent, meaning that SR Timely Rescue must have happened before main story 5)

like in my brain, the now General Timeline Of Things That Possibly Happened In The Main Story Universe Are, In Order:

Main Story 1

Any and all of luke’s cards available at launch

Main Story 2

Any and all of vyn’s cards available at launch

Main Story 3

Any and all of artem’s cards available at launch

Main Story 4

Any and all of marius’ cards available at launch

Possibly all of the boys’ personal story sweet chapters 1-2

Main Story 5.1, 5.2, 5.3

ARTEM’S XMAS PARTYLAND CARD FOR SOME REASON??? (it was vaguely referenced in 6.2 and this never stops haunting me logistically)

Main Story 6.1, 6.2

Main Story 7

Main Story 8

Main Story 9

like, this timeline is the general thing my brain has accepted since it means that at least mc has Gotten To Know the boys more (and all the launch cards go after each boys' respective First main story focus episode because she'd need to be re-introduced/introduced to them first....though after main story 2, the boys' respective launch cards can get more shuffled. since in main story 2 she meets Both vyn and marius, and artem's can also be shuffled around since shes known him for a while already anyway) BUT has not yet started the deeper chain of events that trigger the boys’ respective character arcs (and also their romantic routes). but again this is….very general. very wibbly wobbly timey wimey. after making that chronological list i tried thinking about the event stories and then my brain just exploded so i’ll stop here HAHAKJFSKDJF

the AU of a chapter 9 after luke’s gone through both emotional development and also being less of a sad sack of shit thanks to mc is VERY INTERESTING TO ME. i agree on the pragmatism that the Oedipus investigation would be affected, theyd have people they can already question and leads that they could check through again. and on the emotional side……he’d be less aggressive deffo, but i still think he’d be quite upset and affected by everything. the big thing that interests me with chapter 9 and luke’s character is how his worsening illness changed his behavior so much. he’ll be doing Better having mc as his support and also having learned more honesty and vulnerability, but his progressing illness would still deffo have him on edge because currently....his illness has progressed and worsened Only in main story 9, nowhere else. his personal story sweet chapters dont mention it, his post-anniv cards dont mention it except for in SSR Dream of Benji but we're not shown any symptoms at all, much less new ones.

...man it's kinda sad to think about now honestly because right now, ch9!luke is the one who goes through the more intense version of the nightmare hes always been afraid of. and yet, hes also the only one without the support system and life outlook to help keep him afloat.....

//LOUD SOBBING

aNYHOO, i love ur hc on the boys having a Romantic Feels Armistice. frankly the timeframe of “moving on” varies a LOT, but all the boys care about mc deeply. itd hurt, yeah, but seeing her happy is most important ;w;

which is to say, I WILL NEVER STOP BELIEVING IN NXX INVESTIGATION TEAM DEEP FRIENDSHIP!!!!! NEVER!!!! //HOLDS ONTO THE TEAM GENTLY, PROTECTIVELY!!!! ;^;

#tot spoilers #the event stories are tough cuz...a bUNCH of them also reference the overarching nxx case!!! like SOTT and BTR!!! but wHEN? CAN THEY HAPPEN #and the Actual In-Game passage of time is weird too cuz my god remember how main story 7 happens just HOURS after 6.2?? #...i need to stop thinking about this or im gonna pop a blood vessel jkvKJVSJFS #asks #anon