I actually thought the writing was really well done. I'm not sure that tying in a gift-buying mechanic AND making the interactions have actual gameplay effects so they're no longer optional were good ideas... but hence why a dev can discuss this forever.
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... But you can't give it to them until you go on a date with them. And you can only go on a date once every 3 combat sessions. And I won't tell you who wants Snackbox #2 and who wants Snackbox #7, so you gotta guess and hope."
I just didn't need an entire mechanic for unlocking the character interactions and making sure everyone liked me. (Or well not *me* but, the character)
I did also have a notebook full of things Blade liked