Thanks, I’m glad you’re enjoying the slower start. I wanted Chapter 1 to give the characters and relationships some room to breathe before pushing things too far too quickly.
And yes, you’ll be able to play Fated in a monogamous way if that’s what you prefer. You can focus on one girl, pursue multiple relationships, or even keep things completely platonic.
Some characters may still flirt with Sawyer or put him in awkward situations as part of the story, but whether he reciprocates or takes things any further will be up to you.
So no, the game isn’t designed to force you into a harem or into intimate scenes with characters you’re not interested in.