Dalia just chilling there completely unfazed is one of the best parts of this scene
I don't even care if anyone tries to wave it off as "eh dev just chose less work instead of more". it's just gold
Nonono, we all know the literal actual gigachad got rejected by Penny
The "unremarkable MC somehow instantly gets girls falling in love with him" genre trope is actually a profoundly aware phenomena of the medium.
The player character of Once in a Lifetime, as well as Orion, are NOT ordinary fellows AT ALL in terms of their character.
They are both extraordinarily compassionate, courageous, and fortitudinous individuals.
The vast majority of adult men in our world couldn't remotely come close to having the strength of character that they already have at age 18.
THINK:
-How many guys would actually take the initiative in the cafe of telling Penny's fan take to his hand off her waist?
-How many guys would actually walk up to Tom and tell him to leave Lauren alone?
-How many guys would actually directly come to Annie's defense against Axel?
-How many guys would actually hold Luna's hand, with love and understanding of her feelings about her mother, and be able to reassure her of having support and care?
-How many guys would actually be genuine enough to (Once in a Lifetime) persistently chase down their schoolteacher right before her wedding just because they care that much about her choosing what she truly wants for herself?
-How many guys would have the virtue to, (Once in a Lifetime) after kicking the ASS of the overly-aggressive bully in Tom, who is bigger than stronger than him and even pulled out a KNIFE, choose not to tell Lauren about it even as he is suffering the injuries that are surely preventing him from easily impressing her with his physical prowess? (NOT saying it's good to not report violence and crime or to hide these things from loved ones, I am highlighting his heart reason for not telling her)
-How many guys would have the love to repeatedly be willing to risk or even sacrifice his life for the sake of his loved ones?
Most guys are anti-confrontational. Most guys are scared of coming off a self-righteous buzzkill. Most guys are too confined by the social pressures of what's considered socially appropriate or not, to take risks in the best interests of those they love.
Most guys might see these things and do nothing, and then idly wonder or complain about it later.
And most guys are too captivated and triggered by beauty, caught up in the moment when in front of an exceptionally beautiful woman (which all the love interests are) to truly have the mental space to actually be present with HER, the person, who is sharing that moment.
The two player characters' internal monologue is filled with lustful admiration for the bodies of all the ladies. But when interacting with them in a serious way (the opposite is shown with humor/color at times), their sheer beauty is NEVER a distraction for him treating them with love, care, and respect, for being extremely understanding of them, and placing their safety and well-being before his own.
Forget the spectacular genitalia or even the (Once in a Lifetime) powers of Astaroth. Neither player character is rich, powerful, particularly charismatic or socially well-connected, or (noted in-game to be) physically attractive. Neither is socially popular with the ladies. They lack all the things that weak men tell themselves women care about, because it's easier for weak men to tell themselves that the real reason women aren't interested in them is because they lack 6 figures, 6 feet, or a 6 pack, rather than because they fall short in having a genuinely loving nature and character.
The two protagonists are extraordinary in their virtue and capability of loving, and it naturally follows they star in extraordinary stories and relationships.
