It didn't seem that bad to me, tbh. Maybe a little slower, but you were consistant about tagging back, so that helped a lot to not make it feel like you weren't around, if that makes sense at all.
For Sayaka in particular, it does seem like she hasn't been around in a long while. It might simply be more noticeable for her because she's one of your most sociable, open characters, however.
I don't really have anything to crit characterization-wise, but I'd like to add that Saya's just wonderful. I'm really looking forward to seeing her future involvement in the game, she's got so much potential and is such an interesting character, and you're playing her so well already.