MY DEAR☆LOVE (DEMO) : A Shojo-Inspired Otome Sim/Visual Novel

"I'll always remember you, Megumi..."

MY DEAR☆LOVE is a crossover between visual novel and stat-raising simulation game, inspired by classic titles in the genre such as the Princess Maker series and shoujo manga series such as Baby & Me (Aka-chan to Boku) and Aishiteruze Baby. You play as high school girl Megumi Takahashi (first name renameable) who takes on the task of taking care of kindergartner Katsuya, the little boy nephew of her crush, Atsuya Suzuki! The game is anticipated to release for free (no planned release date yet), available for Windows on Steam and itch.io and in Japanese and English.

Extended demo available now!

Our current demo was developed in one month to showcase main game features only. There are many features we intended to include (see our devlog for more detail) however were not able to due to time constraints as we have day jobs and can only work on game development in our free time.

Plans for the version 2.2 update:

• Enhanced functions of the stat-raising simulation mode
• More character sprite expression
• More "cut-ins" which are in-game visuals that complement text
• Enhanced graphics and staging effects, camerawork, etc.
• Fixes to the GUI and other minor fixes

If you like our game, please consider supporting us on Ko-fi or PayPal! It is our dream and our goal to deliver multimedia content professionally.

Wishlist on Steam!!

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Cherish this moment, and it will become forever—

During her summer job at an amusement park, Megumi meets a lost little boy. The boy is reunited with his parents very shortly, leaving Megumi relieved but sad about their short time together.

A year later, Megumi is in the same class as her crush, the ever-popular Atsuya. In spite of this opportunity to get closer to him, she is satisfied with just watching him from afar...

One day in the neighborhood park, Megumi sees Atsuya with a little boy and mistakes the boy for Atsuya's child. Turns out, the little boy is the lost child she met at her summer job!

Atsuya explains that the little boy is his sister's son —— Katsuya, who had come to stay with Atsuya for a month while his mother is away. However, as he is of a single mother household, Atsuya is not confident in taking care of little kids. Megumi, wanting to help her crush, takes on the task of baby-sitting along with Atsuya.

Megumi's life takes a turn as she becomes closer to the two boys...

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*Game is in development and does not represent final product.

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• Re-nameable Heroine with Option: You can change the first name of the heroine, Megumi Takahashi, and toggle her side image on/off during the game.
• Expressive Character Sprites: Character sprites with different poses and eye-blinking and mouth-moving animation!
• Full colour CGs: Experience slice-of-life moments with Katsuya and Atsuya accompanied by beautiful illustrations in Japenese Watercolouring Style.
• Stat-raising Simulation: Choose from a list of commands to interact with Katsuya or raise his stats, which includes sociability, intelligence, and fitness. Talking to Katsuya or playing with him will raise his affection for and trust in you, and will also affect your relationship with Atsuya, the romanceable love interest.
• Cooking Mini Game: Enjoy a cooking mini game with simple mouse controls!
• Multiple Endings: Your relationship with Katsuya and his stats will impact his future and determine the ending of the story. There are possible ending(s) with the male love interest, Atsuya.
• Multiple Languages: Choose to play the game in full English or Japanese text!

*The game is currently in development. Features are subject to change.

- Extended demo features -

• Estimated 1 hour play time
• Meet the male love interest Atsuya and side character Hayato Arihara (not animated)
• Stat-raising simulation mode is now playable! It can be accessed from the title screen.
• Cooking mini game is now playable! You can make curry in the story mode, or make omurice in the mini game mode (accessible from the title screen).
• Visual novel mode that extends to the end of the prologue.
• 1 full colour CG featuring the male love interest Atsuya. (CG gallery is not available in this demo.)
• Save/load feature and general settings menu with a toggle for Main Character portrait.
• Keyboard input is available; please refer to the "Read Me" text file included in the demo file.
• Japanese or English language option available in settings from the title screen only. (Save files are not language compatible.)

Keyboard Controls ---------------------------------------------------

Ctrl: Skip
F: Full screen/Window
H: History (Backlog)
A: Auto toggle
S: Save
L: Load
M: Options (right click on mouse)
T: Return to Title Screen
Esc: Quit Game
Space: Hide Textbox

F1 to F7 keys correspond to the following.
F1: Save
F2: Load
F3: Options (right click on mouse)
F4: Full screen/Window
F5: History (Backlog)
F6: Auto
F7: Skip Seen Text

Bugs/Errors list ---------------------------------------------------

1. Font rendered with inconsistency - We're using a google font named M PLUS Rounded 1C (Medium) as the main font for the game. If the player's computer system does not have this font face installed, the game engine would find a font face to replace. To enjoy the full on experience, we suggest installing the font face; in the meantime, we're also looking into using a different font or other solutions. FIXED.
2. Parallax in full screen mode during cutting in the mini cooking game - In the step where you cut the ingredients, the knife will not be aligned with your cursor in fullscreen mode. To avoid this, at the tutorial screen, switch to window mode (large) by pressing the F key or F4 key on your keyboard. We are working on resolving this and will provide a fix as soon as possible.
3. Error Message "script exception raised cannot load plugin windowex.dll" - Running the game in a Win 10/11 OS may receive such error message due to our utilization of the game engine KrkrZ and the plugin windowex.dll. To resolve this, the VC runtime package "Microsoft Visual C + + 2010 Redistributable Package (x 86)" (link to Official Microsoft Website) must be downloaded and installed onto the computer. Please download and install the runtime package vcredist_x86.exe. Another game on Steam Return to Shironagasu Island developed with same engine also has an article regarding this issue. Unfortunately, currently this is the only option to resolve this issue.

*The game is in development. The demo does not represent the final game as it is only to showcase the mechanics and features we want to include in the final game.

Please email us at hnineosix@gmail.com if you encounter any errors when playing the demo.

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Hinata Yoyo - Project lead, programming, writing, character design
Sakuraba Oki - Writing, graphics, chibi art, merchandise design
Kuro - Our studio mascot, a cat-like creature whose expertise is to look cute! The fur on its head is shaped like the Arabic numeral 6 and its tail like a 9.

Hello, we are H9O6, a small indie studio consisting of two creative minds.
This game is made with love and wholesomeness as we would like everyone to stay cute and positive!

Follow our socials for more updates and game development!
X (Twitter) | Tumblr

Credits:
Background Assets - K's Factory / みんちりえ
Music Assets - aiGame(藤崎藍) / Otologic / 月に憑かれたピエロ
Game Engine & Script Plugins - KrKrZ(吉里吉里Z) / KAICHO / OUTFOCUS

*Credits will be updated after the game releases.

Did you enjoy the demo of MY DEAR☆LOVE? If you like similar content, please consider rating our game, leaving a comment and sharing our game! Your support drives us to continue our work and create even better games!

Please also consider supporting us on Ko-fi! We are completely self-funded but it is our dream to continue making fun free games!