Well, end of the year is a little vague...are we talking about 2021, 2022, 2030, ...?
It's not. Unless they've previously specified a year, then when someone says "by the end of the year" they generally mean the current year.
Besides, I think they
did specify this year.
is it really NTR if it isn't actually shown?.. I think not. We never see Mao's conception, it is only in text as history. ( if I remember correctly ) But I may be wrong.
I don't think it matters if it's onscreen or not. The cheating is the inciting incident, but from what I understand, NTR is also about the emotional pain that follows. That part is still very much part of this story, which leads me to think it's intended as a fake out.
I don't really care either way, beyond it making the sex scenes with Mao a little spicier
That said, I do think Matsu's blackout rapist moments haven't been that well established at this point. I may just feel that way due to the incomplete content though.
Skummy Ecchi Unrelated, but I'm curious. Do you know if the idea of starting from scratch has been brought up among the team at all? I'm not saying they should, or not, but I curious if the idea has come up, even if it's been dismissed outright.