”Hey, what would you do if the last Christmas of your school life turned into the worst day of your life?”

A story that begins with such a question is the core of this work. The setting is Seibunka Academy, a private school in Asahikawa, Hokkaido, during winter. The protagonist, Subaru Sakaki, and his childhood friend, Honoka Takamura, are excited about their final school Christmas party. However, that peaceful time shatters in an instant. Shocking news arrives that their best friend, Yashiro Miyabi, and their homeroom teacher, Asuka Yuri, have been murdered. Furthermore, the one arrested as the culprit is another best friend, Kazuha Shinozaki—. The desire to believe and the reality thrust upon them. The emotions wavering between these two pull the story into deep waters all at once. The contrast between the silence of the snowy landscape and the raging internal emotions invites the player into the heart of the story.

”Did Kazuha really do it?”

During your playthrough, you will surely ask yourself this many times.

Subaru and Honoka believe in Kazuha's innocence and set out to uncover the truth of the incident themselves. However, it does not end as a mere school mystery. Behind the story, there are figures operating in the shadows who are deeply involved with a ”certain secret” held by the two. The way the foreshadowing is laid out, the meticulousness of the psychological descriptions, and the accumulation of logic—these are exactly like an authentic mystery novel. The scenario is written by Momonozappa-sensei, who won the 67th Edogawa Rampo Prize for ”Rouko Zanmu.” The profound structural power unique to a literary award-winning author brings a reading experience that transcends the framework of a game. As you stack your deductions, the pleasure of hitting your knee in realization, thinking, ”Ah, so that's how it was,” awaits you.

”Looking at this expression, what do you think they are feeling right now?”

The characters' expressions are so eloquent that you will want to ask that question. The character designs and original illustrations are handled by U35-sensei, who served as the original character designer for the TV anime ”The Aquatope on White Sand.” Delicate lines and soft colors create a beauty that seems to trap the clear winter air directly within the screen. Sadness, doubt, determination—visuals that speak of emotions more than words further heighten the immersion in the story. By fusing the tension of an authentic mystery with a transparent art style, a unique worldview is established.

”Doesn't this melody feel like you've heard it somewhere before?”

The theme song is performed by Kanako Ito, known for ”Higurashi When They Cry Kizuna” and ”STEINS;GATE.” The music, which is mysterious yet possesses a sense of speed, harmonizes perfectly with the story's tense atmosphere. Lingering echoes in quiet scenes and a pulse-like rhythm as tension rises—her singing voice shakes the player's emotions and makes the story feel more three-dimensional. It is also noteworthy that the music functions as a vital element shaping the worldview itself, rather than being a mere performance effect.

The words ”Twilight” (Tasogare) and ”Dawn” (Akegata) embedded in the title are symbols of endings and beginnings, despair and hope. The sight of Subaru and the others seeking the truth in the darkness is just like the stars before dawn. This work provides a dense narrative experience depicting the strength of believing in friendship, the conflict brought about by secrets, and the agony of reaching the truth.

A poignant yet sharp mystery drama unfolding in snow-covered Asahikawa. Why not chase the truth along with them this winter?