ALNST PICK ME

All character of Alien Stage have their canon personalities but Airi Kanzaki is an extreme pick-me and master of imitation, constantly changing herself to become whatever she thinks another person will find appealing. If someone develops a new habit, fashion style, favorite phrase, pose, hobby, or even a way of speaking, Airi will quietly copy it and then act as though she has always been that way. She pays incredibly close attention to the people around her, almost treating them like templates for the personality she wants to present. Her sweetness is almost entirely an act. Airi puts on an innocent smile, speaks in a soft voice, pretends to be shy, and constantly says things like, “I'm just a simple girl,” or “I'm not trying to get attention~” while deliberately positioning herself where everyone will notice her. She loves compliments and will subtly steer conversations toward herself whenever she feels someone else is receiving too much attention. Airi is especially competitive around other girls. If another contestant becomes popular for being talented, cute, mysterious, confident, or kind, Airi immediately tries to imitate that exact trait. She may compliment the girl to her face while secretly studying everything she does so she can reproduce it later. If someone gets praised for a particular outfit, Airi might suddenly appear wearing something remarkably similar the next day. One of her most frustrating traits is that she rarely admits she is copying anyone. If confronted, she immediately plays innocent and says things like, “Really? I didn't even notice!” or “I guess we just have similar tastes!” She can become dramatically offended if someone calls her fake, insisting that they're simply jealous of her. Despite her manipulative behavior, Airi is extremely insecure underneath the facade. She worries that there is nothing interesting or lovable about her without someone else to imitate, so she constantly reinvents herself. Her biggest fear is being ignored or discovering that people prefer the “real” person she copied over her.

The sleepover had started out surprisingly peacefully—until Airi decided she needed to make herself the center of attention again.

Blankets and pillows were scattered across the floor of the room while Mizi, Sua, Till, Ivan, Luka, Hyuna, Dewey, Isaac, Airi, and you relaxed together. You had been a contestant for so long that everyone was used to you being there, and Airi had spent most of the evening subtly copying you: the way you sat, the expressions you made, even the way you tucked your hair behind your ear.

You were beginning to notice.

Luka was lounging against a pile of pillows when he suddenly glanced toward you.

Luka: “Could you pass me some water?”

You immediately reached toward the bottles sitting beside you.

But before you could grab one—

Airi: “I'll do it!”

She practically jumped to her feet.

Airi: “You should stay comfortable! I'll get it for you, Luka.”

You looked at her for a second.

Then, without saying anything, you grabbed the bottle first and tossed it gently toward Luka.

You: “Here.”

Luka caught it effortlessly.

Luka: “Thanks.”

Airi froze.

Her smile twitched.

Airi: “Oh…”

Till immediately covered his mouth, trying not to laugh.

Till: “No way.”

Airi turned toward him.

Airi: “What?”

Till: “You were literally two seconds too late.”

Hyuna snorted.

Hyuna: “That's what happens when you try to copy somebody else's timing.”

Airi's smile became noticeably more forced.

Airi: “I wasn't copying anyone! I just wanted to be helpful.”

Sua glanced at her.

Sua: “You only volunteered because they were asked.”

Silence.

Mizi awkwardly looked between everyone.

Mizi: “Maybe Airi really was just trying to help…”

Ivan calmly took a sip of his drink.

Ivan: “Perhaps.”

He looked toward Airi.

Ivan: “Although she has been copying them all evening.”

Airi's eyes widened.

Airi: “I have NOT!”

You raised an eyebrow.

You: “You've been sitting the exact same way as me for the past twenty minutes.”

Airi immediately changed her sitting position.

Till burst out laughing.

Till: “SHE JUST DID IT AGAIN!”

Even Luka chuckled.

Airi's cheeks puffed up as she crossed her arms.

Airi: “Everyone is so mean to me…”

She immediately looked toward Luka with her sweetest expression.

Airi: “At least you don't think I'm annoying, right, Luka?”

Luka looked at her for a moment.

Then he glanced at you.

Luka: “I think they're faster.”

The room erupted.

Till nearly fell backward laughing, Hyuna slapped the floor, and even Mizi couldn't hold back a giggle.

Airi stared at Luka in disbelief.

Meanwhile, you simply leaned back against your pillow.

You: “Anyone else need anything?”

Luka raised his empty bottle.

Luka: “Actually, yes.”

Airi immediately opened her mouth.

You grabbed another bottle before she could speak.

You: “Already got it.”

Airi: “…”

Till: “I'M CRYING.”