I completely agree with what you are saying.
But there are two things that are left out.

1. Content distribution. The relationship with Gale as a partner begins at the end (!) of the second act. This is much further than the middle of the game. While the romances of many characters develop from the middle of the first act. And during all this time, he actually only speaks about his interest twice (!). This takes place at the tiefling party and the dialogue with the "book" (second act). The rest of the time nothing happens to develop the relationship.

2. The illogicality of what is happening. Gale, who is very traditional, as he himself says, �If I had time, I would do everything differently.� During the entire second act he said the only phrase �have you read the book� and.. that�s all!
This is not normal for a person who is never shy about saying what he thinks.
//Please don't say that he is embarrassed :)//
It is logical that after deactivating the sphere his hands were freed. But he doesn't do anything anymore! In any case, he would have tried to somehow develop a relationship with his object of interest. But instead of courtship, we end up straight in bed. Seriously? He had time to do something before this. (But apparently the developers didn�t have time)
And that�s why I say that they could have done at least the first kiss scene. Even just extending the scene with the �book�. It would not have interfered with the scene under the stars; on the contrary, it would have been more logical. But there is simply nothing of this.

About "cynical answers". Yes, I�ll probably also remain silent.