I am using quantity as an example because "quality" would fill a whole page. A good portion of the story is devoted to the relationship between Mallory and Amanda. An entire chapter is focused on Amanda, Mallory, and the MC. We know a lot more about Amanda and Mallory; more than "she loves them both 'very much'." What else do we know about Tara?
On the other hand, we know Mallory's entire backstory. Why she is the way she is. What makes her struggle with self-esteem. Why she changes the color of one eye. We know what she does for a living. We know that she is inexperienced in relationships and sex, and we know why. We know that she was the product of illegal experimentation by her father who was infatuated with the MC's mother. Of course, we know all these things and a lot more because she is a main character and one of two love interests.
We know that Amanda struggled and was near a complete loss of herself due to an extremely rare variation of Rett Syndrome. After experimental treatment exposure, she seems to have a complete remission. We know that her relationship with Mallory is as close and tight as they come. They would do anything for each other and have been there for each other since very early in childhood and throughout excruciating trauma. We know that Amanda has an extreme thirst for knowledge and, now that she can participate fully in life, a huge appetite to experience all that it has to offer. She has chosen to explore life, love, and sex with Mallory and the MC as her guinea pigs.
Is Tara important to the story? Sure. She provided the link between Jaye and the MC. She was Jaye's best friend and confidant. And sure, we know that she loves and respects both Jaye and the MC. Knowing their secret, she wanted to bring them together. She was both Jaye's and the MC's first sexual partner. What else do we know about her? If we removed her completely from the story, would it cause any problems?
There is another chapter coming where we return to Boston. Perhaps Tara will play a bigger role in that chapter. It is highly unlikely that she will be a sexual interest because that would conflict directly with the established relationships of the main characters. But maybe we will learn more about her. Or, we may just have to wait until the next visual novel!
