This entry is to tell you a bit about the group that made the original version of this game.

Just for disclaimer sake, I am not associated with them in any way. :)

GRACIAS is a Japanese Doujin circle who puts out short kinetic and visual novels. Most of their novels are short (some can be played in 15-20 min) and are Yaoi-themed. A lot of their releases are free, while the paid ones are usually quite cheap costing a dollar or little more.

GRACIAS visual novels are characterized by a low screen resolution rate (640x480), use of free stock backgrounds from Japanese groups like Gutari Nyanko and Mao Space, music from free license Japanese studios, and minimalist but quite colorful and expressive character sprites.

Their novels also tend to be quite dark, and I do mean dark! Anything from rape, and murder to full-blown Yandere insanity. Certainly *not* family-friendly entertainment and not everyone’s cup of tea.

I got acquainted with their games when I was beginning to check out the Japanese VN Doujin subculture and ended up playing their repertoire of free VNs, and buying those that were available on DLSite.

Apart from the aesthetics of the character designs, which I grew quite fond of, what drew my attention to the works of this Doujin circle was how well they used the venerable LiveMaker engine to tell entertaining (and often shocking) short tales. The choice of soundtracks for their games was also something I enjoyed, and it was thanks to GRACIAS I then delved into the world of free-use Japanese music tracks for VNs. There are real music jewels out there, and it is funny watching certain themes pop up in different VNs from different circles.

GRACIAS and other Doujin circles were a great influence in my approach to making my own VNs with Ren’Py. Even more so than the Ren’Py games themselves, as I didn’t get acquainted with this subculture of ours until later.  

‘Runa Runa Runatica’ was one of the last unplayed GRACIAS VNs I had lingering on my PC. Right after I played it I found out about Yaoi Jam 2021, and after checking fan games were viable submissions to it, the rest was history as they say…...

‘LUNATICA: A Love Triangle Tragedy’ is not the first GRACIAS fanwork done in the itch.io community.

Teatime for Cabbages has releases English patches for two of their games, ‘Even if this is fate…’ an omegaverse-themed VN, and  'Futanari Alice and Virgin Guys in Wonderland'.

Yeah…… that last one was weird.   :)