THE SECOND BUTTON EQUIVALENCE

Prequel/Spin-off

Author's note

Hey, dearest readers! You are about to read the prequel/spin-off to Skyline Hearts which revolves around young S-Rankers and their first meeting. For clarification purposes, Chris is six, Wolf is seven, and Ace is eight in this spin-off. It's also a one-shot so no further chapters will be published. The "Second Button Equivalence" marks the end of the Skyline series. Without further ado, let's begin!

Happy reading! 

***

Bright sunlight streamed through the windows as the lavish silver-gray Audi A6 pulled over. Before the car was the entrance to the popular Royal City Soccer Club Day Camp. 

Lush green forests served as the camp boundaries and the dusty forest tracks split into two — both leading to the inside of the camp. 

The driver's gaze shifted to the rearview mirror and it softened as soon as it noticed the peaceful sleeping expression on the young boy's face.

The boy's tousled raven hair made him look innocent and gentle, unlike the grumpy expression he wore when he was awake.

The driver knew his aloof nature wasn't his fault, but rather it stemmed from living in a toxic and dysfunctional wealthy family. 

Sometimes, his heart would ache for the young boy — he was only seven and did not deserve the piles of problems on his shoulder. He always pictured wealthy children as spoiled brats, but this young boy had changed his perception within the first week of knowing him.

He was unlike any child the driver was assigned to.

The young boy stirred in his sleep, pulling the hood of his jacket over his eyes. His expression soured.

"Ugh, are we there yet?"

The driver snapped from his thoughts and a little smile tugged at the ends of his lips. The young boy's face returned to its default grumpy expression, and even though he would never admit it, he found the boy adorable despite his distant nature.

"Yes, young master," the driver smiled at the rearview mirror. "Remember, no picking fights. Mr. Winchester will—"

"—throw me to the dungeons. I know, Tyler," the boy grumbled as he rummaged through his backpack for his sunglasses. "And you don't have to call me young master. I told you. It's Wolf."

Tyler chuckled at the boy's insistence on being called Wolf. Despite being named Wallace Winchester by his family, young Wolf preferred being called Wolf — a nickname his late mother had picked for him. She would always refer to him as 'her little Wolf' when she was alive.

His expression saddened at the thought of Mrs. Winchester. She was a lovely lady — kind, gentle, and motherly. She was the only one who loved Wolf unconditionally and dreamed that he would take over the Winchester Corporations one day.

"What's wrong?" Wolf questioned with a frown.

Tyler shook his head and plastered a smile on his face, hoping young Wolf wouldn't catch on it.

"Nothing, youn—I mean, Wolf. Nothing's wrong."

But Wolf was perceptive. He had caught onto the sudden shift in atmosphere. Part of him wanted to press for answers, but refrained himself and focused on leaving for the camp.

Tyler let out a sigh of relief and instantly changed the topic.

"So, are you excited?"

"Eh."

He internally cringed at the young boy's reply. He should've known that only a handful of things interested Wolf and soccer camp wasn't one of them.

"So, you're mostly going because of your father, huh?"