Answering some questions before I disappear back into the world of VN's again. PB route is indeed a more direct way to getting results. However, it comes at a cost, mainly your face, nuts, and other places that get bruised and or injured. Luckily for the MC she never hits hard enough to cripple or kill him. If you manage to survive through it all, you'll eventually get past that turtle shell-like exterior of hers and find the sweetness inside, I'm sure it's somewhere in there. Just keep trying? Aiko is going to be the toughest one to crack FYI. Alice is already clear, she was always affectionate towards the MC. Anyhow, back to work, talk soon.