This game is known for 3 things:
1. Doing a good job of recreating the vibe of Varicella, where numerous NPCs are on strict timetables and can be manipulated.
2. Having a strong narrative voice of a competitive kid with a stage mom.
3. Being very, very (perhaps unfairly) hard.
I played through with the walkthrough and really enjoyed it. I don't know anyone who solved more than 1 or 2 of the puzzles on their own. In such games, I like to play through once with the walkthrough, and then play it again a month or two later so that it's still a challenge, but you know what you generally have to do.
This is a frankly fantastic game, and it should have more recognition.