Before proceeding, please know that credit for this guide goes to Lupai on blogspot. They're a life saver for providing the answers I needed on why I couldn't get Matthew's romance ending despite following the other steam guides to a T. Turns out some of their info was wrong and it was causing conflict with his affection and friendship which was what messed things up. So here's hoping this helps those who have suffered as I have. I hope this brings you some relief and a satisfactory end. Or saving the struggle for those just getting started.

Without further ado, let's begin.

Start a new game.

Since Matthew's preferred stats are primarily Charisma and Fashion in that order, you're going to need to work on Blogging and Working a lot. Because by the end of the route, you need to have BOTH MAXED out in order to get the romance scene as well as the epilogue after the credits roll. According to Lupai, you'll definitely need to get your Charisma at 100-150 before Christmas. Don't fret about your popularity though, it comes with the blogging.

Save your game every weekend. This will be a big help if you make a mistake and need to reload.

Storywise, the first job you're forced to accept will be from Lloyd. After that, you should meet Dale Vincent for the first time after Adam's shoot. From here on out, only accept Dale's job offers (via Mail). Don't accept jobs from anyone else. Not even Benito's.

When you choose your first schedule for the week (8/30-9/4), set it as Blog, Work, Exercise, Blog.

On day 9/5, you'll meet Matthew at the Mall. Choose Ask who he's hiding from.

Sleep on the weekend, then go to the Brains and Puzzles store at the Mall on Monday (9/7). You're gonna need to get a few things for a big boost in your Charisma as well as some fatigue relievers. Pho 24 will also help with Fatigue.

-Purchase History of Makeup, Workout Music, all three DVD's, and all three of Athena's Ward Novels.-

When you get more money, purchase the Advanced Makeup Techniques as well. Eventually you will need to purchase Rivenwell Online Companion Book to unlock a mysterious shop titled '???' (Yes, literally) where you'll have to make an important purchase for Matthew's birthday. But we'll get to that later.

Week 9/7-9/11
Monday - Go to town and purchase the previously listed books at the Mall
Tuesday - Go to the mall. This is also the day you first meet Dale. Choose to Accept the job. After that, you should officially meet Nicole at the Mall. You'll get the option to either take Adam with you again, or go alone. Do the latter. when prompted, choose Tell her the truth. You're completely broke right now thanks to buying all those books so don't bother shopping, lol. But do browse the clothing shop because you will be needing to buy clothes soon.
Wednesday - Blog
Thursday - Blog
Friday - Story.


Weekend - 9/13
Now's the time to use those charisma boosting books we bought. Go into your inventory and use History of Makeup, Workout History, and the three DVD's. Then sleep.


Week 9/14-9/18
Monday - Blog
Tuesday - Work. This is the day you first work for Dale and meet Matthew and his mother. Choose Talk about the mall.
Wednesday - Story
Thursday - Blog
Friday - Exercise

Weekend - 9/20
Check your email and accept Dale's next job offer.
Now that you earned some money from Matthew's photoshoot, let's use one of those novels in your inventory (Throne of Ice) to reduce your fatigue, and then head to the Mall. Back to the Brains and Puzzles store, go ahead and purchase the Advanced Makeup Techniques magazine.

Week 9/21-9/25
Monday - Go to Pho 24 to reduce fatigue
Tuesday - Blog
Wednesday - Work
Thursday - Blog. You'll chat with Dale, Matthew and Nicole. Choose Change the subject.
Friday - Work


Weekend - 9/27
Check email and decline Benito's job offer. Then check the message board. You should now see a new thread titled 'Anyone into Fashion?'. This is when you'll have to start buying clothes, and for Matthew's route, you're gonna need to buy the ones that's popular in fashion. In other words, the clothing that's being talked about on the message board.

There should be talk about a cute skirt on the thread. So let's hop into your inventory to use the Edge of Shadow novel, and then head to the Mall. At the clothing store, buy one of the skirts. Feel free to buy whatever shirt and shoes you want to go with it. After buying, you'll be able to change your clothes, so go ahead and put on the new outfit you just got.

Be sure to check the Anyone into Fashion? thread often to keep up with what's popular so you can buy and wear the clothing during the right seasons and for every date with Matthew. You'll know you got the right item if he comments on it.


Week 9/28-10/2
Monday - Exercise
Tuesday - Pho 24
Wednesday - Blog
Thursday - Work
Friday - Blog


Weekend - 10/4
Check email. Use your last novel (Advent of Spring) and Advanced Makeup Techniques to boost your fashion. Sleep.


Week 10/5-10/9
Monday - Blog
Tuesday - Work
Wednesday - Blog
Thursday - Adam's Birthday. (Getting him a gift is entirely up to you)
Friday - Work


Weekend 10/11
Sleep.


Week 10/12-10/16
Monday - Story
Tuesday - Blog
Wednesday - Work
Thursday - Blog
Friday - Pho 24


Weekend - 10/18
Sleep again.


Week 10/19-10/23
Monday - Exercise
Tuesday - Blog
Wednesday - Work. Story.
Thursday - Blog
Friday - Pho 24


Weekend 10/25
Check email. Accept the job from Dale and decline the Halloween job from S.K. Then go to the clothing store and buy the Vampire Hunter costume. Don't put it on yet.


Week 10/26-10/30
Monday - Pho 24. You get a free trip to the mall to buy a costume (which you've already done). Go ahead and buy one of the Chinese outfits. You'll be needing it later on.
Tuesday - Blog. Dale invites you to the Midnight Cosmetics Event.
Wednesday - Work. Rachel invites you to the Halloween party.
Thursday - Blog
Friday - Pho 24


Weekend - 10/31
Choose Go to the Midnight Cosmetics Event. Now it's time to wear the Vampire Hunter costume, so go ahead and put that on. Enjoy the sweet scene.

Weekend - 11/1
By this point, you should have over 100 Charisma and at least 1 full heart with Matthew. With the event you just attended, you can finally progress in furthering your relationship with him. Take this opportunity to head to the mall where you'll meet Matthew and he'll give you his number. This unlocks the ability to start asking him out every weekend.

Since you're at the mall now, it's a good time to head into Brains and Puzzles to purchase that Rivenwell Online Companion Book. Getting this book will initiate an encounter with a woman who tells you about the ??? store. You'll be needing to buy an Oil Painting Set from that shop as a gift to Matthew for Christmas.


Now, from this point on, since you'll be dating Matthew every weekend, that means you can't afford to sleep during those times. But you should know the drill by now as far as your weekly schedule goes. Prioritize Blogging and Working in that order to up your Charisma and Fashion. Exercise once in a while and go to Pho 24 often to maintain your Fatigue. Usually go when you reach the 20's and 30's. With the schedules I've been providing you thus far, I had already reached nearly 140 Charisma and almost 70 Fashion. Remember, the goal by Christmas was to have 100-150 Charisma. So as long as you keep it up, you should be okay throughout the rest of the route. I'll be providing key points and choices the rest of the guide.


Date Locations and Preferences:
Cafe Diem - Cranberry & White Chocolate Scones/Spinach & Feta Salad
VG Zone - Dance Dance Substitution
Movie Theater - High Octane (shown during Spring)/Night Witches (shown during Summer)

If you haven't unlocked the VG Zone yet, study once a week and do homework at Cafe Diem one time (on any day except Monday) until Alvin talks to you about it during one of the tutoring days. It should only take a few weeks if I'm not mistaken. But get this done before your final exams since he won't be there when you're done with college

The Movie Theater will automatically unlock later on when you visit the mall as the story progresses.

But keep in mind those two places are optional. You'll be perfectly fine just going to the Cafe as long as you alternate the two preferred meals. Don't just pick one more than the other.

For the remainder of the route, get through the weeks keeping up with your Blogs, Work and Fatigue and make sure you take Matthew out every weekend while wearing popular clothing. The ideal schedule would be Pho 24, Pho 24, Blog, Work, Blog.


Weekend - 11/8
Check the message board. Guess what's being talked about on Anyone into Fashion?
Good thing you bought the outfit in advance, but it's not time to wear it yet. We gotta put the skirt you're wearing to good use for your first date.

Call Matthew and ask him out. Choose either the Spinach & Feta Salad or the Cranberry & White Chocolate Scones to start off with. Make sure you choose the other on your next date. Remember, you need to alternate them.


Weekend - 11/15
Call Matthew. Now you can wear the Chinese clothing, so put that on.

Weekend - 11/22
Date Matthew

Weekend - 11/29
Date Matthew. The two will have conversation about college.

Weekend - 12/6
Check email. Accept the Winter Show job from Dale. Then date Matthew.
At some point this week, go to the ??? shop and purchase the Oil Painting Set. You should have more than enough money for it if you've been keeping up with work.

You'll need to start upping your game on it too since you'll be meeting another character later who will introduce you to the GameGo store. It's another important shop where you'll need to buy a special gift for Matthew's birthday. And rather expensive if I recall. So keep this in mind. After buying the paint, change your weekly schedule to Pho 24, Pho 24, Work, Blog, Work.

After you date Matthew, you'll notice the time skipped ahead straight into the next weekend. Don't fret, that's supposed to happen.

Weekend - 12/13
Check email. Decline Benito's job offer. Then check the message board. There's talk of winter clothing being available for purchase on the Fashion thread. Follow this schedule for the week before you swap to the previously suggested schedule. And don't forget to date Matthew again.

Week - 12/14-12/18
Monday - Go to ??? and buy Oil Painting Set.
Tuesday - Go to the clothing store and buy one of the faux fur boots and a pair of jeans. You can get whatever top you like. The jeans will be needed later so you might as well get them now. You'll also find Nicole working at the mall. Choose Try to comfort her.
Wednesday - Pho 24
Thursday - Go to the book store and purchase the board game. You'll be prompted to give Adam a Christmas gift right after Matthew. Give the board game to Adam.
Friday - Blog


Weekend - 12/19
Adam will take you Christmas shopping. Although you've already purchased the board game, you don't need to buy anything else. But you will be prompted to change your clothes, so now's the time to put on the winter outfit you just bought. You'll be wearing it for a while thanks to the jeans.

Weekend - 12/20
Ask Matthew out. Remember to switch your weekly schedule. Pho 24 twice, then Work, Blog, Work.

Week - 12/24
It's the Winter Fashion Show, but it's also time to give Matthew his Christmas present. When prompted, select the Oil Paint Set. This gift is crucial to unlocking a CG later down the line. So take care not to accidentally select the board game. Remember to save your game every week in case of mistakes like this. (It's happened to me before lol)

Week - 12/25
Now it's time to give Adam his Christmas gift. Select the board game.

Weekend - 12/27
With the holidays done, your Fatigue has been reset to zero. So rather than going to Pho 24 the first outings of your week, make it the last 2. Check your stats. Your Charisma should be nearing 200 and your Fashion should be over 100 by now. Date Matthew.

This week may look strange to you with all the extra open slots. That's because you're on winter break. Still maintain the same schedule.

Week - 1/9
You'll meet with Matthew and his mother Madeline. This event marks that you're officially on the romance route with Matthew. You should have around 4 hearts with him by this point. You'll even notice that when you save your game, there'll be a cute little icon of his face at the bottom corner of your save file. Seriously, it's the cutest thing.

Weekend - 1/24
Check the Fashion thread on the message board. Good thing we got those jeans, huh? Continue dating Matthew.

If you've been maintaining your schedule, you should have a steady pace with your stats and should've have had a scene with John at some point if not soon. This means you're getting close to meeting the character who will unlock the GameGo location. There will be a new thread on the message board titled Vice/Versus popping up soon. So keep prioritizing work over blogging. You're gonna need the money soon enough anyway.

Week - 2/8-2/12
Sometime this week you finally meet Allison, the girl you need to talk to in order to unlock GameGo. After this meeting, head to the mall on your next opportunity to meet her there. That's when she'll tell you about the shop and then you'll have it unlocked.

Weekend - 2/14
Valentine's day! Instead of asking Matthew out this time, it's the other way around. (Although you can still take him out afterwards, so don't forget to do that.)

Before doing anything though, if you want to take a quick moment to collect a CG, save here. Choose to Order the Spicy Soup. (poor fella)

Reload your save. Now choose to Order something Milder for him.

Week - 3/4
Happy Birthday! Matthew takes you out on another date. Choose Ask Matthew to guide you.

Week - 3/14
Check the fashion message board. There should be discussion about the frilly shirts that just came in stock. So take a day this week to hit up the clothing shop to buy one. Either the black or white one. You can purchase whatever skirt and shoes you'd like to go with it. Buy one of the dresses too. You'll be needing that later as well.

Weekend - 3/20
You'll be prompted to change your clothes for the new season. Put on the new outfit with the frilly shirt you bought.

Weekend - 3/28
Check the message board. There should be a new thread about the Movie Theater. You'll need to visit the mall to unlock it, so take a day this week to do that. You'll be able to start taking Matthew to the movies once that is done.

Week - 4/3
You'll unlock the bakery where you can make cupcakes. Feel free to spend the next weekend making Matthew's favorite cupcake that you can start gifting him on every date. It's the German Chocolate cupcake. Use Chocolate batter, apple sauce frosting, and coconut sprinkles to make the cupcake. Then you can just go into recipes and make it over and over. But be careful with how much you make, since it costs 15 bucks every time you make one. You still need to buy him a birthday gift and more clothing so watch your money. I would suggest making no more than 10 as that should last you the remainder of the route at this point.

Weekend - 5/2
Check the fashion message board. There should be talk of the dress you purchased a while back. So put that on now. Check your stats as well. By this point, you should have your Charisma maxed out. So you can stop blogging and focus on Working to get your fashion up. If you don't, keep at it until you do. Remember, the deadline to have both maxed out is by the end of the route, which I believe is on 8/7.

Week - 5/10-5/14
Finals week. Another time skip. Even with never studying throughout this route, your intelligence should be maxed out by the end of the week. As well as your Charisma and Popularity. Fashion should be nearly there, and your GPA above 2.5.

Finish off maxing out your fashion from this point on and then when that's done, just spend the rest of your time working on Exercising. You just might get that maxed by the end of the route and end up with the achievement for maxing out all your stats. IF you're lucky. But we'll see.

Still date Matthew every weekend though. And still go to Pho 24 to drain fatigue. You should never be sleeping. Ever. Sleeping has a chance of bringing your stats down if your fatigue is too high. (Usually when it's in the 30's.)

Week - 5/25
Event with Matthew. Choose Agree to go with him.

Week - 5/28
Awards ceremony.
Sian actually wins it in this playthrough for me, but it's probably due to having just maxed out my fashion stat. So all but Exercise should be maxed if you've been maintaining your schedule properly and avoiding sleep. Your schedule should now be Exercise 3 times, then Pho 24 twice since you'll be working for Midnight Cosmetics full-time now.

Weekend - 6/6
Check the fashion message board. Summer clothing is out so it's time to get the new upcoming hot clothing. Take a day this week to shop at the mall and buy a pair of jeweled sandals (not the thick flowered ones) and a tank top. Choose whatever bottoms you want.

Week - 6/7
Event. This is one that required you to have really high Charisma to impress Madeline. But you should be perfectly fine considering it's maxed lol.

Weekend - 6/13
You'll be prompted to change into summer wear. You should've already done your shopping, so put the new clothes on now. Check the message board. There should be talk of new movies out at the theater. If you decide to take Matthew there, be sure to choose to watch Night Witches.

Week - 6/14
Event with Matthew.

Weekend - 6/20
Message from Nicole. It's time to get Matthew his birthday gift. Take a day this week to go to the GameGo store and purchase the DSP. You should have more than enough money by now to get it.

Week - 6/21
Event with Madeline and Matthew.

Week - 6/25
Give Matthew his birthday gift.

Weekend - 7/4
Check the message board. There should be a new thread about the Renaissance Fair. You should be getting an email the next week about confirming your address. Do so in order to score some tickets. You'll be taking Matthew to the fair. And trust me, you don't want to miss it. You're in for a treat!

Week - 7/6
Event with Matthew.

Weekend - 7/11
Check your email. Reply to the Survey to confirm your email address. Then check the fashion message board. You'll see talk of the tank top you're already wearing. This is the last piece of clothing you'll have to worrying about wearing for the remainder of the route as you'll be reaching the end soon. Make sure you put the outfit back on when you date Matthew since the event with Matthew and the cat reverted Sian's outfit back to the regular one.

Weekend - 7/17
You take Matthew to the fair. Enjoy this event!

Weekend - 7/30
Event with Matthew and Nicole. This was the CG you got if you gifted Matthew the Oil Paint Set for Christmas.

Annndd that was the last event for the route. You should at least have your Charisma and Fashion maxed alongside your Popularity and Intelligence. If you've been following this guide thoroughly, you should be all set for the ending. You only have one week left now, so make it count! (Just don't let any of your stats drop lol) On 8/7, you should get the romantic ending rather than just Matthew will asking you out, and then the credits will show. Enjoy the tender moment and beautiful CG's. The journey was well worth it, and I'm glad I finally got it done! You should get the epilogue event after the credits.

Many thanks to Lupai for their superb guide.