I thought that this habit was actually less common nowadays, but seems not. I completely agree that it turns me away from a story. It’s just pointless.
I clicked on a story just the other week and the first episode came up with customisation of the MC and LI, then just a narration box once that was done, saying that first episode was just customisation and to tune into the next chapter.
Given I didn’t even change anything on the characters, it took less than a minute. Quickest episode ever 
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