I kinda like harem in h games as, in search of a better word, a buffet. Like, a way of getting a little bit of every character, have some variety. But as a plot itself, specially outside of games, it's just a sunken ship.
1. Steven, while a pacifist, he's actually a bit tougher and more aware than he looks like.
2. You conveniently ignore what Denji said at the end of Part 1, you know, the whole "Even after what she did to me, I still like Ms. Makima".
Barem would fit better in this scenario.