I wasn't even talking about the seven year timeskip, actually; I think most of the development happens between episode 9 and 15. The novels hint at this as well, from what I've read.

I don't mind that Nia is "packaged" to "make Simon better," because Simon "appears" to "make Nia better" as well, and we get to see the little ways in which this happens, and I find that inspiring.

But if it's not your thing, well, obviously me telling you why it's mine isn't going to change your mind.