The story really was a story-for-the-time, yeah. I figured, at the time, that Satoshi and Haruko would pretty much work out their differences, but that they wouldn't be Best Friends Ever (and I think that that shows pretty well in there).

Thinking about Satoshi and Katie's completely deteriorated relationship always makes me a little sad. They used to have a solid friendship going. I remember the mini where Katie said that Satoshi and Kaede were her two favorite guys (aw, warm and fuzzy!) and a few other minis where they'd talk candidly about problems one or the other would be having, but after the closet thing, it started to go downhill (and it *really* went downhill after Tenjirou and Ryo kidnapped her). I agree that it's because Satoshi was afraid or worried but didn't know what to do, like you said.

At this point, really, I'd say that the only person Katie actually feels close to and safe with is Kyon. Kaede's easily her second best friend, despite her being vaguely convinced that he'll try to kill her someday. Haruko, Taki, and Satoshi, while she'll still call them friends, just feel too distant. They don't understand her. So Satoshi's not alone. ;P