I Studied With the Last-Ranked Boy… Then Came in Second Chapter 07

I Studied With the Last-Ranked Boy… Then Came in Second Chapter 07

After saying that, I didn’t look at Adrian again.

Instead, I turned toward Declan, who was casually playing a game on his phone.

My voice softened.

“Declan, about that integration problem you mentioned earlier, I’m still stuck on the last two steps. Could you explain it one more time?”

Declan looked up.

His gaze drifted past me to Adrian, whose face had turned ashen.

Without a word, he slid his workbook to the middle of my desk, picked up a pen, and neatly circled the key steps.

“Show me which part doesn’t make sense.”

Adrian stood there for a long time.

Finally, he clenched his fists and walked silently back to his seat.

During the break, I finally asked the question that had been bothering me for days.

“Declan. You’re obviously this good at math. Why did you always finish at the bottom of the class on every test?”

His pen paused for a moment. Then the corner of his mouth lifted lazily.

“The problems they use here are way too easy. You can flip through a couple pages of a textbook and figure them out. I couldn’t be bothered writing out the long solutions.”

“I’d rather sleep. Or play games.”

Then he turned to me. A faint warmth appeared in his eyes.

“But things are different now.”

“You spend every day buried in the library, working your butt off. I can’t keep slacking off and dragging you down. I guess it’s time I started taking this seriously.”

“I’ll study with you from now on.”

My heart warmed. I lowered my head shyly.

“Okay.”

“Thank you.”

From that day on, I completely let go of the feelings I’d once had for Adrian.

I no longer lay awake all night replaying every sarcastic remark he’d made. I stopped chasing after him.

I paid attention in class. I traded problems with Declan, filled in our gaps.

My days were full and solid.

But Adrian? He was unraveling.

He’d always been distant and proud. People were the ones who sought him out.

For six straight months, I’d been the one following behind him, asking questions, trying to earn even a little attention.

But one morning during Morning Study Period, while everyone else was reciting formulas, he quietly walked over to my desk.

He placed a brand-new International Math Olympiad Training Manual in front of me.

It was one of the hardest books to find. The same one he always treasured himself.

His voice sounded unusually stiff.

“This could help you. Take it.”

“I was harsh before. Let it go.”

“Just say you’re sorry. We can go back to how we were.”

I didn’t look up. I kept reciting formulas.

“No thanks. I have my own materials.”

His fingers stiffened.

The brand-new book remained suspended awkwardly in midair.

Several nearby classmates secretly watched, holding their breath.

Adrian probably had never imagined that I’d reject him without a second thought.

His face darkened. He slowly pulled the book back.

“Elena. Stop being stubborn.”

“You and Declan only improved because you got lucky. When the material gets harder, I’m the only one who can really teach you. Declan probably doesn’t even understand it himself.”

I finally looked up. Then calmly shook my head.

“Thank you. But I don’t need your help.”

“I know exactly where I stand. So you don’t have to worry about me.”

I turned back to Declan and asked him to quiz me on the formulas.

Adrian was left standing there.

After a few seconds, he slunk away.

But he wasn’t done.

At lunch—when everyone was studying or resting—he walked over with his own pristine math notebook.

He gently placed it on my desk.

I’d asked to borrow those notes countless times before.

Every single time, he’d refused.

“You can have it now. It’s more complete than the one you made yourself.”

His tone softened.

“Come to me every lunch break. You can ask me one question a day. I’ll explain it. I won’t lose my temper anymore.”

“I underestimated you. That was my mistake.”

For someone as proud as Adrian, this was probably the greatest concession he was capable of making.

If it had been the old me, I would’ve been overwhelmed with happiness.

But now, it only felt ironic.

I pushed the notebook back across the desk. My tone stayed distant.

“No. Declan already helps me with my mistakes. His methods suit me better.”

“Your notes are too advanced. I wouldn’t understand them. I don’t need them.”

Declan glanced at Adrian. Said nothing.

He simply lowered his head and continued solving problems, treating Adrian as though he weren’t even there.

Adrian’s face went cold. Humiliation and disbelief warred in his expression.

Ever since we were children, I’d always been the one compromising.

But now, he’d offered to teach me himself and I’d rejected him.

When he still refused to leave, I stood up.

“Mr. Bennett. Adrian is interrupting my studying.”

Under Mr. Bennett’s warning glance, Adrian finally returned to his seat.

I honestly thought I’d made myself clear enough.

Someone as proud as him surely wouldn’t keep bothering me.

But I was wrong.

Milk. Bread. Warm tea. My favorite snacks. All started appearing in my desk.

Tucked on top was a note in Adrian’s handwriting:

[Picked these up on a whim.]