Did you know An Encounter ~In the Rain~ was a project I started back in 2013, and was originally intended to be a longer story?

( Lint statistics from the game's original unfinished build )

Whilst I was still somewhat actively working on Operation: Magic Hero, I had started a little side project. I actually had not given this project a proper title until I had created the version you see now on this page, the folder was simply entitled one day challenge. That's right, I was challenging myself to write a VN in only one day, and the important parts (which survived in the released version's iteration) were written in one day. But I actually worked on it a bit here and there afterword of course, just not bothering to change the name. I wanted to write something more emotional, more serious than my usual projects, and this was the result.

( A screenshot of a later scene from the original using free-to-use assets )

The original game used sprites by Tokudaya and various different BG resources. In fact, the 2017 beta of the game's current version continued using these sprites as I awaited Lienai to finish drawing the new, original sprites. You may also notice there was going to be another character involved sometime later in the story!

In this version, we were going to explore further Natty's attempt to befriend Van, only for her to get aggressive later thinking Natty wasn't being genuine (this is due to past trauma). The guy on the left (who was named Akiyo) confronts Van about how she treated Natty, telling her how wrong it was to say all those thing and how he knows she's being genuine since he knows Natty's story. The original version ends there, as I never finished it beyond that point, but the plan was to later explore Natty's backstory which is only ever hinted in the new version when she says she knows what it feels like. 

Whilst a lot ended up being cut in this version, the core importance of the story remains the same. Everything after the prologue and before the new ending are directly from the original game, and I feel are the strongest parts of the game. To this day, I feel like the two encounters between Van and Natty in the rain are some of the most beautiful and emotional scenes I've conveyed and haven't been able to convey as well since (maybe that will change in future projects, but I digress). The heart of the story's message remains true as well, which is about loving kindness and friendship, and giving someone who thought has lost all hope a reason to hope again. So whilst the game ended up being cut pretty short, I feel like it works well as a short story. 

Why am I suddenly talking about the original version out of nowhere? Lately I have been accessing some really old files and plan to share some of my original prototypes and incomplete/cancelled projects that have enough to show for it (to continue the TSV 10 year anniversary festivities). And that includes sharing what I did write for this one! After all, the original script (though unfinished) is almost 3x in length to the final product, so there'd be a lot of new content to read even if the game's core is the same. Another thing to note is that the 2019 version does have writing unique to itself, such as the prologue to explore the severity of Van's illness (the original just jumps right in to her standing in the rain) and the end when Natty takes Van out, and afterward they part ways or the day. (Whilst something similar happens in the original, it's taken a different direction here). So I hope you will enjoy comparing the two once it's out!

With that said, thank you to everyone who has given this game a try, it is certainly one of my favorite and I hope to write more emotional and inspirational projects in the future!