First of all, Kon has nerves of steel pursuing someone when she doesn't have a job. My second hand anxiety was peaking this whole time. Pursuing someone who was already in love with someone else to boot
Second, I'm preparing my heart.
Actually, I kept seeing someone who was a bit like Kaede, flighty and does things for attention but she makes you feel warm when you're together so you get stuck on it. In some ways, when they say they have feelings for you, they're not lying because they mean it but only in that moment. As I was entranced, I can see why Ai is hung up on it as well. But Kaede doesn't love her. Actual love shouldn't be destructive like that but Ai doesn't realize or rather isn't ready to accept that yet.