It's the most effective route to getting your feeling across. If you play too soft, you'll become predictable. (you'll just be like the majority of guys hitting on girls.)
Besides, asking directly with zero flavoring will net you an yes or no response. You want her thinking about more than just the outing.
Don't listen to this dude. Pushy and soft are both bad ways. Be direct and honest, but don't act like she owes you anything or that you are trying to pursue anything more than a coffee date. You have to get to know each other first before anyone should start to think about 'more than just the outing'. Don't play stupid games.
It's a dating app. Not person to person.
Unless TC looks like Sephiroth, she's not gonna look twice.