"Yeah... what I went through on the bullshit social ladder wasn't nearly the same as that. My high school reputation was on the line, sure, but it wasn't... as life-threatening." He doesn't know if relating it to the pressure he was under with the SQUIP will help at all, but at least he sort of can relate. "I wish none of that was stuff you felt like you had to do."

He fidgets in place, some of César's word choices making him all the more uncomfortable. "Here, you don't have to be like that. You can try to change. Try to train yourself out of all the things you had to do to survive." He squeezes his hands together to avoid reaching for César's. "Maybe we can both make the most of a second chance? Together? Um, if you want."