To be honest, the pacing didn't bother me when I was playing it. I think on reflection, there was improvement to be made, but it is by no means the worst offender of pacing in gaming. it's a niggle, but not a major flaw in my opinion. My favourite games have niggles.
I actually didn't mind Ken either. There was this weird thing in the Fem!MC path though where you could pursue a romance with him, which myself and Mr. Carny kinda... laughed at.