So, since my computer isn't the fastest around, it's to be expected that there be some latency during playback. And I'm fine with it.
The problem is, it also happens while rendering. In my case, I'm doing a song with quick transitions from intense to soft sections and vice-versa, and automation on bypassing a bunch of effects for achieving that. Those events play a bit "late" in playback, but when rendered, the latency is still there! I tried messing with the Render options, but to no avail.
If you want to hear what's actually happening,
http://picosong.com/aeq3/