Totally agree that the writing is bad, but this sideline has such a Japanese atmosphere, it's also cool in its own way, there are almost no games where there would be implemented Japanese gimmicks, within the framework of the American style.You said it yourself, L&P was already able to remove an unnecessary side story. A side story, that was much more connected to the rest of the game than the two side jobs are. That was a first important step to get the game finished with a realistic probability, but unfortunately not yet enough.
As I said, in contrast to the way you present it, the elimination of unnecessary side stories is the only way to implement the game. That L&P will actually let himself be assisted is simply unrealistic. If the community demands this too much, L&P will just invent some imaginary help again (like the person doing the animations, ...). ... I'm sorry that I have to rob you of an illusion here, but that you think that L&P would build up a team of people working on this game is simply naive. No, the only chance to get the game finished is good project management. A good project needs realistic goals and is made better by not getting caught up in secondary issues. No animations, less side stories., etc.
The story with the kids is so good for cutting mainly due to the fact that it is badly written (not really fitting to the rest of the story) and completely detached from the rest of the game. If L&P would also cut the other side story and maybe one or two more side stories, the game could at least start to be realistically again. I'm not just saying that because I don't like these kids events, but simply because it's necessary.
And yes my opinion these teenagers, should corrupt Sophia, they should take advantage of her kindness, in short I think the role of antagonists would be funnier, but it wouldn't have to be gross shit, rather different situations in which they could take advantage of.
A sleepover at the house, like Ava leaving and asking Sofia to stay with her kids, I think you can think of a lot of things.
