The Second Button tradition has been around since the '60s. It's a popular Japanese tradition that involves the man giving his second button to the woman he adores. A similar tradition has been around in the lives of Wolf Winchester, Chris Lancaster...
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"So, um, which year are you from?"
That question was a desperate plea for the awkwardness to go away before it swallowed me whole. I had to survive the next four months of this class and I couldn't go each day, cowering away out of embarrassment because of what happened thirty minutes ago.
He smiled at me, seemingly understanding the assignment.
"Fourth. This one's my last semester."
I raised my eyebrow. Last semester? That was a surprise. I thought students in their final years took major-related courses mostly. Then why was Alexander studying a basic, yet compulsory course like Literature right now?
"Oh? Then why are you taking Literature now? Shouldn't you have completed it in your first year like the rest of the students?"
He chuckled at my curious tone.
"I wanted to take an easy course. Most students here focus on their major-related courses in their final semester, then they break under immense pressure, fail, and are later overwhelmed by depression. They almost lose all faith in their future as that one fail grade shatters their confidence."
I nodded, taking in the new information. Wow, was Skyline Academy so competitive that the major-related courses broke the students entirely? I knew it was competitive, but I never knew it was so terrible. Part of me sympathized with those whose spirits were broken in the end by the very Academy that they gave four years of their lives to while the other part of me feared for my future. Would I share the same fate as them?
"You won't," Alexander said reassuringly. It was as if he knew what I was thinking. "I see a bright future for you. You won't break under the pressure, miss."
I smiled, feeling a little reassured. It was nice to have someone rooting for me, but he didn't know the future, and neither did I. What if I did crack under the pressure? What then?
"What..." I paused briefly, trying to gather my thoughts. My voice was almost as low as a whisper. "What happened to the ones whose spirits were broken?"
Alexander frowned. "They live normal lives. Average lives."
"What would've happened if they hadn't cracked under pressure?"
"They would've been living extraordinary lives," Alexander faintly smiled. "Skyline Academy, though competitive and strict, shapes its students to become future leaders of the world. If one can survive Skyline Academy, they can tackle whatever obstacle thrown their way in real life. Our Academy's a simulator for real life—except it's ten times tougher."
"They even have a strict screening process before they send out offer letters." Alexander nodded when I mentioned it. All of what he said, and what I knew about my newest educational institute came crashing back. I could feel panic slowly crawling up my spine, my stomach dropping, and my eyes widening in fear. Today was only my second day and I was scared to death.
