Personally, it also happened to me that the writing gave me several surprises and that the characters felt like a life of their own very apart from the MC life, I've also played "When Twilight Strikes" (A very good one too) and I can say that making decisions and how it affects the plot also made me remember the game, recommended.
Answering discreetly your question of how to get the third achievement that I think you mean is "No fire for this place" as it says in the picture, I can only tell you that to get it you must not get the second achievement= "Ashes to ashes" (You can not get both achievements because they are related to the New Year event and it is like a different option's to follow).
Pdsta: I believe that the manipulative characteristic is influencing in some way, more in the view of the other character's and their perspective about MC actions (It is in perspective whether in a good or bad way).