Well, I see your point. I guess I've spoken too harshly when I said MC and Sage has no relationship development. What I was trying to say is that I'm a bit dissapointed by the level of this development. Did MC and Sage got closer after 9 episodes? Yes, absolutly. Did MC and Rusty got closer? Also yes. Did MC and Tommy got closer? You won't believe it, but yes again. You see, to me is not just about presense or absence of this process but also about its... quality? Idk, I think what we need is to compare Sage's route with other LI's routes to better undestand what I'm getting at.
I won't go through every single moment, there are good major points to compare: hangout scenes and making official/breakup scenes.
M&J's hangouts: we have a picnic-like scene to see them fooling around together and sharing some sweet moments and a full-scale date at water park as the 2nd hangout where they're also having fun, do some bonding.
Jill's hangout: a birthday picnic. Classic and romantic. Jill shows Tremolo her secret spot, they're making some pictures together, have some drama.
Bella's hangout: a nice little dinner together where they're getting to know each other a little bit better, having some fun and making a step further in their relationship.
Quinn's hangout (side girl btw, mhm, with a hangout scene): spending some time at Quinn's place, MC's starting to know Quinn better and we also witness how Quinn's shell gives a crack.
Sage's hangout: Tremolo! To the rescue! Sage needs your help again. I mean caring about someone who's sick is a sweet moment but comparing to other hangout scenes it feels like this one is lacking of something. I almost feel like we see more bonding between Rio and Tremolo than between Tremolo and Sage.
MO with M&J: jumps, hugs, kisses. Pure overjoy.
M&J's breakup: Josy storms out in tears, Maya thanks MC for everything they had and how he changed her with grim expression. Pretty dramatic, something that some of BaDIK's enjoyers swore to never repeat.
MO with Jill: MC tries himself in the role of Forrest Gump. I mean it's a classic scene from average romantic drama series.
Jill's breakup: when two drama queens collide. If you though M&J's breakup was dramatic, well, think again.
MO with Bella: a lot of talking about what awaits them and how difficult the path they've chosen. Adressing some elepants.
Bella's breakup: A calm and rational monologue from Bella, the one we'd believe if we wasn't see how her face expression changed during it.
MO with Sage and Sage's breakup: "Mm? Oh yeah, sure, whatever" (Like WHAT? Even your mom was more furious when Tremolo broke up with her)
That's how I feel about Sage's route. I like her as a character, I really do and you're right: there is development in hers and MCs relationship. But her route bleaks in comparison to other LI's routes (even cringy Jill, even after her banana clownade). I've played Sage's route last and maybe that's why it felt so tasteless to me.