AX   > This is a real fancy place, huh? <

AX   > Cmon, stop dragging your feet! <

You'd be impressed by the facilities if you weren't surrounded by noise and people. Big, sweaty people.

??   - and another school year, more bratty freshmen…

??   You were just as fresh, once.

??   I'm still fresh, asshole.

??   It’s best to set a good example. So they look up to us.

??   Or at least, not judge us by our worst.

??   That reminds me. zsoldos seemed to be causing trouble around -

AX   > You doing okay? <

You face your brother, who seems to be feeding off of the busy energy in contrast.

CL   < What do you mean? >

AX   > You were spacing out <

CL   < ... >

CL   < Just, eh, lots of /tall/ people at this place, arent there? >

CL   < Big fellas, drinking their milk and what not >

CL   < Makes you feel small >

AX   > Aww, dont worry <

AX   > Weve been making good progress on that growth spurt, yknow <

CL   < /One/ of us has... >

AX   > Your time will come. Its genetically predestined <

AX   > Maybe youll even be taller than me one day <

He places his hand on your shoulder in a comforting and patronizing way.

CL   < Right >

CL   < Only if /you/ stop growing >

CL   < Better yet, grow backwards. Right into the ground >

He grins.

AX   > Anything for you, Clank <

When you make it to the freshmen side, Axel goes out of his way to greet everyone he sees. Though even his attitude doesn’t interrupt the existing bustle.

??   - you excuse me, my beautiful peer!

??   Watch where you're going!

??   And you. What are you staring at?

??   W-wah! Nothing, I’m sorry…!

??   Stop FUCKING yelling. It's too early for this SHIT.

??   Here, my shaking friend! Dry your eyes.

??   ...th-thank you.

??   At least one of these freaks has empathy. What a DAMN -

AX   > Interesting company we have here <

He makes a concerted effort to look at their faces. Memorizing them. It's the best asset for a businessman, aside from a firm handshake.

AX   > Political heiress, one of those siblings from that big company... <

AX   > I think I've seen that one, they must have an important parent <

AX   > Wow, these are some important people! <

AX   > And Im sure there are some hard-working scholarship kids too ehehe <

AX   > See anyone yourself? <

CL   < Hard to, eh, make out, I guess >

CL   < And too many people at once >

AX   > Making connections is more important than ever, Clank <

AX   > First day means first impressions <

CL   < Its a bit, eh, early for that >

AX   > Nah <

AX   > How about that nerdy-looking one, with the beanie! <

AX   > He’s gotta have some takes on, uh, taking care of ant houses or something <

CL   < Theyre not /houses/ >

CL   < Theyre formicariums >

CL   < And there are no /takes/. Theres a right and a wrong way >

AX   > See? Youre a natural when youre all smart like that! <

AX   > Look at him. Im sure hell be into it <

CL   < Eh... please, dont make me >

Now it’s your turn to drag him away. Away from all the riffraff.

AX   > Im only doing whats best, yknow <

CL   < ... >

CL   < It /is/ nice that you care >

CL   < But you /know/ I hate it when you set me up like that >

CL   < You make me feel like a baby! >

CL   < Like I cant do anything right on my own >

AX   > Youre not, and you can <

AX   > Which is why I hate seeing you be all... I dont know <

AX   > Like youre not even trying <

AX   > I just dont get why you cant \try\ <

CL   < You dont get to tell me whether or not Im trying >

AX   > Im just saying! <

AX   > You think I \want\ to have all that company talk on my shoulders? <

AX   > I want you to be as much a part of it as I am <

AX   > But thatll only work if you show them you can do it <

AX   > At least show \me\ <

CL   < ... >

AX   > Oh, hey! That must be mine! <

You follow Axel to his - expecting its immediate neighbor to be yours - but your ID doesn’t match. You swivel around, searching, before you realize that your locker is on the other side of the hall. Right across from his.

AX   > What is it? <

Then, he realizes it too. Even he looks surprised.

AX   > Huh <

AX   > At least were \kinda\ in the same spot, right? <

AX   > Itd be a lot weirder if we were in totally random spots <

CL   < Yeah >

AX   > But thats a shame <

AX   > No more Mecha_Locker_Combos <

AX   > It was fun while it lasted, comrade <

He salutes you before turning back around and inspecting his locker. It takes a moment to get your feet moving.

The space between is about six steps long. Why does it feel like a chasm?

AX   > Hey, I guess we’re locker neighbors! <

You turn around instinctively. But he's talking to someone else, whose locker is to his right. Obviously.

??   That's a saccharine way of looking at things.

AX   > Are you calling me soft? <

??   What do you think?

AX   > Eh? Well... <

You turn back around. Upon further inspection, your 'locker neighbor' has already come and went. Their name is on a sticker plastered neatly at the bottom. It's a lot like Axel's - with an 'x' at the end, instead. You wonder if the universe is playing a joke on you.

AX   > You have an interesting outfit <

AX   > Yknow, Ive dabbled in a bit of fashion design myself <

??   That explains your ensemblage.

AX   > Ehehe, thanks! <

??   That was the most neutral way I could've described it.

AX   > Still <

AX   > Any words are pretty, coming from the prettiest girl in the world <

??   Incredible.

??   I'm swooning.

AX   > Seriously? <

??   Yes. Clearly, I'm displaying the upmost sincerity.

AX   > Cool, ehehe <

There's no blocking his voice. It's a lot like yours, and hearing it's like hearing an alternate version of yourself. A version who was born a few minutes later, with all the advantages that came with.

Even then, all you did was wait for him.