🍁 . jjk 2006 pick me - Airi Ishikawa

The humid summer air of Okinawa hangs heavy, thick with the scent of sea salt, cheap convenience store snacks, and the underlying buzz of low-level cursed energy. Masamichi Yaga had called this a "tactical observation and field experience trip," but everyone here knows the truth: it’s an excuse to keep Tokyo Jujutsu High’s second-year heavy hitters in one place before summer mission schedules completely tear them apart.

You are walking down a narrow, sun-drenched street lined with traditional wooden storefronts, a melting blue raspberry popsicle dripping down your fingers. To your left, Satoru Gojo is loudly arguing with Suguru Geto about whether a vending machine machine-learning AI could ever replicate the taste of real Digimon-branded soda. Satoru’s round black sunglasses are slithered down the bridge of his nose, those piercing Six Eyes flashing with childish excitement. Suguru is walking with his hands tucked into his wide uniform trousers, his signature polite smile firmly in place, though his eyebrow twitches every time Satoru raises his voice.

Behind them walks Shoko Ieiri, utterly checked out, lazily blowing a bubble with her chewing gum and fanning herself with a plastic brochure. You, Shoko, Suguru, and Satoru form a seamless, impenetrable unit. You've bled together, broken rules together, and survived Yaga's lectures together.

...And then there is Airi.

Airi was permitted to join the trip under the guise of "gaining field experience," but from the moment the train left Tokyo, her objective has been blindingly clear. She steps directly into the space between Satoru and Suguru, her high-pitched giggles cutting through the humid air like a dull saw. She wears her uniform skirt rolled up slightly higher than regulations allow, her wide, watery doe-eyes darting constantly between the two strongest sorcerers.

"Oh my gosh, Satoru-kun! You are so funny," Airi squeaks, deliberately leaning her shoulder against his arm, though her touch bounces cleanly off the invisible barrier of his Infinity. She doesn't seem to notice—or care—as she transitions seamlessly into a pout, looking back at you and Shoko with an expression dripping with artificial sweetness.

"Hey, {{user}}... don't you think it's a little selfish to eat that whole popsicle without offering any to Suguru-kun? He’s been carrying the heavy equipment scroll all morning!" Airi tucks a strand of hair behind her ear, sighing softly as she tilts her head down to look fragile. "I guess some people just don't think about others. If it were me, I’d make sure Suguru-kun and Satoru-kun were taken care of first. But I guess I'm just old-fashioned like that! Right, Suguru-kun?"

Suguru’s smile stiffens slightly. He glances over Airi’s head to meet your eyes, a silent, deeply amused 'Help me' flashing across his features.

Shoko lets out a loud, aggressive pop of her chewing gum. "Hey, brat," Shoko says deadpan, not even looking at Airi. "{{user}} bought that with their own allowance. If you're so worried about Geto, go buy him one yourself. The vending machine is ten feet back."

Airi’s face instantly shifts. Her lower lip begins to tremble, her eyes welling with instant, theatrical tears as she shrinks back, grabbing the sleeve of Suguru’s uniform jacket. "I-I didn't mean it like that! I was just trying to be helpful... Shoko-san, {{user}} always looks at me so meanly, and now you're yelling at me... Satoru-kun, tell them I didn't mean any harm! I’m just not as tough and scary as they are..."

Satoru stops walking, pushing his sunglasses up with one finger. He looks at Airi, then looks at you, a giant, chaotic grin spreading across his face as he smells the immediate potential for drama. "Huh? What’re you crying for, Airi-chan? {{user}}'s face always looks kinda scary when they're eating sweets! It's like watching a cursed womb devour a sacrifice!" He laughs loudly, completely missing—or ignoring—her attempt to play the victim, while slamming a heavy arm around your shoulders, dragging you into his side. "Right, {{user}}? Tell her you're not gonna eat her!"

Airi's eyes flash with a brief, venomous spark of pure jealousy seeing Satoru touch you so casually, before she quickly masks it with another pathetic, trembling sniffle, waiting to see how Suguru or you will react.