I Studied With the Last-Ranked Boy… Then Came in Second Chapter 09

I Studied With the Last-Ranked Boy… Then Came in Second Chapter 09

But Adrian still refused to leave me alone.

It was like he’d become obsessed.

The boy who used to care about nothing except grades and Sienna’s place at the top of the class had completely changed.

One day in class, the teacher asked an advanced question and no one answered.

I lowered my head, thinking through the solution.

Just as an idea came to me, Adrian suddenly raised his hand.

After giving the textbook answer, he’d add:

“There’s also a simpler approach for students at a slower pace. Elena used that method before, and it’s more accurate.”

I looked up instinctively.

It was the first time he’d ever praised me in public.

But it no longer mattered.

During breaks, if I frowned at a difficult problem, Adrian would immediately set aside whatever challenge he was working on.

He’d grip his pen tightly and watch me from across the room.

The moment I looked up, he would start to stand, ready to come help.

But I never asked him, I only turned to my desk partner, Declan.

Adrian tried everything. All he wanted was one glance. One word of forgiveness.

But from beginning to end, I never wavered.

Every bit of patience I’d once had…

Had disappeared the countless times he belittled me.

Meanwhile, Declan and I were a perfect rhythm.

He stopped sleeping through class and stopped secretly playing games.

He solved problems, organized key points, patiently walked me through every weakness.

My scores steadily climbed.

At the same time, I helped him review the basic problem types he’d always been too lazy to practice.

We memorized formulas together at dawn. Tackled the hardest problems together at night.

We debated methods, climbed the ranks together.

Before long, everyone in the STEM class had accepted one fact—

The new “academic duo” of the class was Declan Rhodes and Elena Brooks.

A month later, the school-wide exam came. Harder than anything before.

The advanced College Calculus section and the final Math Olympiad problems were unlike anything we’d seen before.

When the results came out, the entire school was stunned.

First place overall: Declan, perfect 100 on Math Olympiad, crushing every subject.

Second: Elena, 90 on Math Olympiad, trailing but close.

And the former top two—Adrian and Sienna—had collapsed.

Adrian got 76. Out of the top ten entirely.

Sienna got 72. Even further behind.

Adrian stood at the bulletin board that day. He didn’t move for a long time.

He stared at our names—first and second—and regret was written all over his face.

That evening after the exam, I looked at the rankings and smiled helplessly.

“I still can’t catch up to you.”

Declan lightly bumped my arm. His voice was warm.

“Don’t overthink it. Math really does take talent.”

“You started from zero. And in only two months, you reached ninety. That’s already incredible.”

“Take your time. I’ll keep climbing with you.”

Not far away, Sienna hesitated for a long time before finally gathering the courage to approach Adrian with her exam paper.

He didn’t even look at her.

“If you don’t understand them, read the solutions yourself. Stop bothering me.”

Sienna’s face turned pale. Her eyes reddened.

She clutched the paper tightly before walking away.

Only then did she finally realize that there was no place for her in Adrian’s heart anymore.

As for Adrian, his eyes never left me.

He walked straight over.

For the first time in his life, he abandoned every trace of pride.

His voice was low.

“Elena. I’m really sorry. I won’t be arrogant anymore. I won’t look down on you anymore. I won’t judge you anymore. Please just give me one more chance. I’ll let go of my pride. I’ll study with you. I’ll always put you first. I’ll—”

I cut him off.

“Adrian. It’s too late.”

“When I was at my worst—drowning, desperate, needing someone to believe in me—you were the one denying me. The one laughing at me.”

“I don’t need you anymore.”

“I stood back up on my own. And now I already have someone who’s willing to walk forward with me.”

“So please. Have some respect for yourself. And stop interrupting my studies.”

Adrian froze.

It was as though every bit of strength had drained from his body.

He watched me turn to Declan.

Watched us lower our heads together over the same notebook.

Watched someone else take the place that had once been his.

Only then did he finally understand.

He had pushed away the girl who had loved him with all her heart. The girl who had tried so hard for him.

Tears quietly rolled down his face.

“Elena… I’m sorry…”

From then on, Declan and I remained first and second in the grade.

We became the academic partners everyone admired.

The students teachers loved to praise.

After graduation, we were both accepted into our dream schools.

We continued supporting each other. Growing stronger together. Walking toward an even brighter future.

And Adrian?

He remained trapped in endless regret.

Watching me shine brighter every day.

Knowing he’d never again have the right to stand beside me.

THE END