On the other hand, Kirito is a problem too because he's too much of a passive idiot... with Asuna. It's funny how the guy functions as a genuinely normal guy with a normal libido when it's with ANY girl other than Asuna, with whom he's beyond boring and not at all willing to explore anything fun. He's also kinda just latched onto her because of SAO in my opinion. Especially given he shows more interest in other girls at times. He cares about Asuna likely but not in a genuinely passionate way that anyone actually in love would.
Fujino's Kirito appears to have some (severe) subconscious self-esteem issues.
It looks to me like he's putting Asuna on a kind of pedestral, this
"under normal circumstances, she'd be way too good and out of my league" kind of admiration.
So he holds back around her in regards in terms of showing sexual interest more than around any other girls because of too much respect for the person he sees in her (which, ironically, doesn't match the person she actually is).
Meanwhile, Asuna appears to realize that, feels a bit humbled by it (because she kind of knows she's not
that much of an angel) but doesn't really like it, at least not anymore.
However, she also doesn't want to hurt his feelings, so she pretends that she likes him treating her that way.
When in fact, it bores her out of her skull.
Plus, she appears to be a bit tired of having to be Miss Perfect to everyone: Her mother, Kirito, the company etc.
Basically, Fuji-Kirito is projecting onto Asuna what he assumes an out-of-reach "angel" like her would like her life to look like, and since she's too much of a coward to tell him how she really feels, he continues doubling down on things she doesn't actually care about that much (status, appearances, education, FOG game accomplishments), while neglecting aspects she
does care about (mostly herself, aka her feelings and needs).
At the same time, Inoda is kind of perfect for her to live out her true desires, precisely
because of what a lowly creature he is in everything but sex prowess.
She knows that to Inoda, aspects like status, money and intelligence don't matter, nor is he as much of a cocky bastard as some "good-looking asshole" type of guy like Hebishima would be.
She doesn't need to pretend around Inoda, doesn't need to keep up appearances (nevermind that Inoda usually sees through it anyway), she can just be herself and doesn't need to be wary of disappointing anyone, as Inoda mostly just cares about her body anyway.
In short, her relationship with Inoda gives her the 2 things she appears to desire the most: Simplicity and a fulfilling sex life.
With Inoda, she can be sure that all his attention is on her needs, even if it's just a means to an end for him.
No matter how much he's lying through his teeth, he tells her what she wants to hear, watches the movies and TV shows with her that Kirito shuns, touching her and showing his genuine desire for her all the time, even if it's only sexual.
TL;DR: Asuna wants someone who is fully focused on her
personal needs, while Kirito is focusing too much on trying to impress her (and her mother) through external accomplishments and some naive gestures, due to insecurity and lack of self-confidence in other areas.
Inoda on the other hand has only one thing going for him, so he simply doubles down on that, and it just so happens to be a better fit for Asuna.
Of course, none of that changes the fact that various aspects and events of the plot are still awfully conveniently playing right into Inoda's hands.
Just saying that from a psychological perspective, the dynamic between the characters actually makes some sense.
