Does discussions/gifts change anything?

In Dangaronpa, you can talk to people during your free time, and even give gifts.

Does that change anything in the game? The rest of the game seems pretty on rails. Like deciding to talk to Hina or Makoto doesn't seem to change much (like an extra clue in a trial).

So does discussing with somebody and gifting them gifts change anything to the story? And does the person you talk to may change something?