I'm happy to see a fellow connoisseur of needless dissertation and analysis.
As the game has progressed, the characters have become more fleshed out and nuanced, without being needlessly subversive and still having fun with tropes.
As I stated it is interesting that despite her attempts to be kinder towards the PC and her resultant improved self-esteem, instead of reflecting on how positivity towards others improves yourself, she instead brings the PC into her secluded bubble of insecurity. Seeing him as a part of her "social tribe" and status, in her self-imposed competitiveness and hostility towards others.
She hates high-school, but seems to desire, or at least feels obligated, to enter a prestigious college, perhaps due to family pressure or anxiety. If she finds something that she can be passionate and self-fulfilled learning that would probably really help her general happiness.
I didn't view her mirror and Alexa scenes as narcissism, more so auto-sexual self worship and her attraction to women, which I personally found incredibly fun and hot. I love scenes and writing like that.
I'm pretty sure Mai and Melvin are both adopted, as they don't seem to resemble either of their parents whatsoever.
Assuming this is true, I would love a way to access this scene without the corruption zeta. The small scene with Lexxx and Sam was fantastic, and it's great that Steph has continued the tradition of distaste/disinterest when Melvin approaches to chat them up, only to go wide eyed at the tall beefy lady.
