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CHAPTER 18: MECH.div: OFFLINE

"Oh look," Steven whispered to his friends. "They found their pet dog."

The girl in front of them snorted. Her features were notably-feature-like, with a 'rich girl' vibe that came from visiting a plastic surgery clinic. (Not for any cosmetic procedures, mind you, but to donate money to those who needed it.) She was one of those girls that had an eye color and hair color and was dressed down to the brim in clothes.

"How could you forget me, my pupperino?" She whined, as she leaned down.

"You got something in your teeth," Steven pointed out.

Mayo nodded.

The girl in front of them quickly straightened her back and pulled out a mirror from somewhere. (It was really unclear where.) She looked at it for a bit, and said, "Well, I don't see anything, my smile is perfect as always."

"Anyway, pup," she said, "So who are those... two? Are they mutts like you? Hmm, that girl barely has a presence... I don't recognize them from any of the parties we used to go to?"

She sounded sad, like she had just heard of turtles she couldn't save. The poor turtles! It was clear to everyone that her compassionate soul rang through.

"No, Zero's a..." Steven looked at Zero.

"I'm a cripple." Zero said.

"And Mayo is..." Steven continued.

"I'm from a working class family!" Mayo beamed proudly. "I also work part-time!"

"Oh my," The girl frowned, wiping her eyes, "Oh my, my, my. You poor little whittle things."

"Isn't it upsetting to be friends with him? He'll eat off the floors if he's allowed to!" Regina dabbed her hand to her heart.

Zero nodded.

"Oh, I almost forgot to introduce myself." She smiled. "My name is Regina, but my friends call me Gigi. It's such a pleasure to meet you all."

"Regina," A boy called out. "What are you doing there?"

He walked over, taking a long look at Steven, before flashing a charismatic smile, "Hey bro, nice to see you, how've you been? Mom treating you alright?"

"The usual." Steven replied, sprawling his legs out.

"Bro?" A shocked expression appeared on Regina's face. "B-but,"

"Hey, treat my brother nicely alright." The boy looked over at her. "Look, if Regina said anything, I'm sorry. She's got a kind heart, and she likes to speak her mind, even though the things she says might sound a bit brash."

"Right." Steven said.

"My name's Vetsyak." He introduced himself to Zero and Mayo.

"Look, those are my friends." He shouted out, "Hey guys, come over."

A huge group of students swarmed over.

"I'd like you guys to meet my brother, Seven." He announced, glancing over.

"We already know who he is." One of the guys in the crowd smirked. "He's famous."

"Thank... you?" Steven said.

"It's been so long since you've talked to us. Ever since you left, you haven't contacted us at all." Vetsyak said, his eyebrows furrowing, "The whole family has been worried sick."

"Wait, isn't he that son of the..." one of the guys called out. He whistled and shoulder-punched another dude. The rest of the guys snickered.

"Ugh guys, gross," one of the girls said.

"Yeah, but gotta say," One of the dudes hollered at Steven, "Don't gotta worry about food, when you already got an 'all-you-can-eat' buffet at your house, amirite?"