You really did an amazing job, making a fun and engaging game, while still keeping it so much more realistic then most other games containing NSFW. Content.
I played this game, really only looking for another NSFW quick game to play for fun. And was so surprised, to find so much going on. Happy fun moments, friendship, responsibilities, moments of great suspense and or great sadness. A game I thought I would spend a few days playing, hooked me and I played through all the available content (at the time) in one night.
It's not only relatable in terms of accepting one's self and desires, like you've said. But it has so much more that really speaks to the player. Such as waiting to do certain things in life until you're older, the fears and insecurities that plague our minds, letting anxieties cripple you. Growing as a person. Making mistakes, that sometimes habe prolonged consequences. And how no matter how close you get to your friends a part of life is being willing to accept they habe their own path to take, and sometimes thay path leads away from yours. It hurts alot, but its a good pain. A pain of I miss you, but you have faith in your friends, and know one day you'll all meet again.
I hope one day you will make a sequel, or some continued parts of this story. It deserves so much. But you also deserve your time to do ehay you wanna do. I know you love your creation here, but you also need time to do other things, and have some fun with other projects you may be thinking of. So there is no rush.
I don't wanna ruin anything more then I habe of your story, but one part I really wish had more options for us to pick, would be when they go to the beach and a certain someone disappeared. I really don't like our character just sits there frozen going through his own thoughts instead of helping. Idk I just could never freeze up like that especially if someone o consider my friend and love deeply was potentially in danger. I know its supposed to play into their characters. But it kinds feels wrong here. Idk not asking you to change anything, simply sharing the only thing that I was conflicted about. Amazing work and thanks so much for sharing your hard work with us. I love it !