1. No. In my first playthrough I typically make the choices I would make myself, and I did the same here.
2. I imagined SAL as a green web inside a dark gray void, most definitely inspired by the game's UI. At times I did not assign a gender to either, and at other times I saw SAL as a man and Ash as a woman due to my own gender and preference respectively.
3. I wished for a romance but acted with caution and directness, as I too was unsure if SAL was capable of emotion and therefore love. I requested more time to think, and was disappointed when the game ended there.
4. I like how sad it makes me. I dislike how sad it makes me.
5. See above, but it also made me quite hopeful for the characters.
6. I would like to see more of the characters. I have no idea of the direction I'd want this to take, as long as they're happy together.
7. In the end, it was probably my own wistfulness creeping in, but I believed that SAL was capable of emotion. I think that if this is true the two can have a beautiful and long-lasting relationship.
8. Mwahahahahaha I'm free