This article contains spoilers. Please read only after completing the game.

This is a lengthy article of 12,000 words, providing a detailed analysis of SakuToki's key plot and philosophical insights. It is suitable for readers who have questions about SakuToki's plot design or are interested in the philosophy it expresses. No prior understanding of philosophy is required to read this article. It only introduces the most basic philosophical concepts and employs visual aids to ease comprehension. All you need is patience. I believe it can at least partially reverse your negative perceptions of SakuToki (if you have).

(Since I am not a native English speaker, there might be some issues with my expression.)

As the sequel to Sakura no Uta (/SakuUta), Sakura no Toki (/SakuToki) has been eagerly awaited by many visual novel enthusiasts since its announcement. Yet, in stark contrast to the pre-release fervor, the Internet has been bereft of in-depth discussions about it, almost half a year after its launch. The lack of discussion largely boils down to its plot design.

Admittedly, SakuToki has received widespread acclaim for its emotional atmosphere and character development. But its plot design, especially Chapter Five, has drawn complaints from many players. (At least within the Chinese community)

• Many players find SakuToki's transitions to be abrupt and filled with a sense of discontinuity. Some think the plot has "serious logical problems," even to the point of "logic breaking down."
• Some players argue that resorting to deus ex machina merely for dramatic effect and emotional impact ultimately led to a creative impasse, with the author "escaping from the pain of creation." Because of Chapter Five, SakuToki transitioned from a "plot-driven work" to an "atmosphere-driven one."
• Even among the more level-headed players, many believe that SakuToki starts strong but fizzles out.

In fact, I am no exception. I find a severe disconnect between Chapter Five and the rest of the text, likely due to the sudden emergence of supernatural elements. Moreover, since supernatural forces are always linked to various things through deus ex machina, it has, to some extent, stifled my desire to ponder deeply as I read. From the latter part of Chapter Five until the end of the game, my mind was almost blank, devoid of thought.

Perhaps due to the less-than-satisfactory experience of Chapter Five, my curiosity was piqued rather than quelled: Why would SakuToki, with themes like "the passage of time" and "calm, unremarkable happiness," resort to such an outrageous use of supernatural settings? With these questions in mind, I embarked on a second playthrough of SakuToki (and other related works) and ultimately found answers that satisfied me. This article is built upon the discoveries from that exploration. I believe it can at least partially reverse your negative perceptions of SakuToki.