Derek instinctively turned his head and saw Lucy standing behind him. Without thinking, he casually gestured for her to sit down.
Lucy sat cautiously, her gaze never leaving Derek. They stayed like that for a while—Derek simply looking ahead, admiring the evening sun.
Finally, Lucy broke the silence.
"Derek, you did really well during the competition. You took first place," she said, her voice a little shaky.
Derek continued staring ahead, not sparing Lucy a glance. She kept her eyes fixed on his face, hoping for at least a response.
Eventually, Derek spoke.
"Well… that wasn't the real ranking, I guess. I heard it'll be randomized," he said, still looking forward.
"I doubt that," Lucy replied slowly, beginning to fiddle with her fingers. "I think I'm the only B-rank among all the candidates." Her face remained lowered as she nervously played with her hands.
Derek finally turned to face her.
"Well, that should be something to be proud of—qualifying as a B-rank," he said.
On a normal day, Derek wouldn't have bothered to explain. He would've just answered and kept to himself. But this was Miss Alison's daughter.
He couldn't simply turn a deaf ear.
"Your rank is just a measure of your potential, not your effort," Derek said, gesturing with his hands. "It's like saying a strong football team will never lose to a weak one. It's rare, but it happens—a lot."
Lucy listened intently, amazed by the insight. Before she realized it, she cut in with her question.
"Then what about you—and that SSS-rank? What do you have to say about it?" Lucy asked, concern in her voice as she looked at him.
A thick silence followed, stretching almost two full minutes. Lucy began to wonder if she'd been too direct… or maybe she sounded sarcastic. As she fumbled for what to say next, Derek finally spoke.
"I didn't want to say this… but maybe the competition was scripted. Or wasn't it?" he said, his voice low. "I struggled through school every single time. Is it even possible that I just come up here and suddenly become an SSS-rank legend—something that's never been heard of?"
His face held the weight of childhood pain as he bit his lip. He turned to Lucy as if expecting an answer, but she had none. Derek's eyes trailed from her face down to her hands.
Then he quietly turned his face away again, focusing forward. The evening sun was now setting deeper as more candidates returned to their dorms.
Lucy felt a pang of pity. She moved her seat closer to Derek.
"Have you ever thought… that it could be a trick? Have you, or have—"
She was suddenly cut short by Derek's voice.
"You didn't come with your small box today," he said, his eyes still following the sunset.
Instantly, a wave of panic surged through Lucy. She clenched her fists. Had he found out? If her suspicions were right, she was doomed.
"I… I…" Lucy stuttered, lost for words. In a desperate attempt to salvage the situation, she finally blurted out,
"I just felt like I didn't want to."
Her breath hitched; the words came out more like a rush than a sentence.
Derek smiled and took a sip from his drink. He turned to her, still smiling.
"Did you really forget it?" he asked, his eyes fixed on her.
Lucy was shocked—and confused. Was this the same Derek from Brandon High? It definitely wasn't the cool, calm, and shy boy she once knew.
Something in his gaze sent tiny shocks through her. She realized she just couldn't keep up.
"Um, I… I think it's a little late. I have to go now," Lucy stammered, the panic in her voice barely concealed.
Derek turned back to his drink, the smile still lingering on his face.
"It's okay. I'll just finish up my drink before heading in," he said, sipping from his glass and giving the orange juice its final refill.
Lucy gave a slow nod and walked back to her room.
---
Thompson, who was on the other side, clutched his mom's picture in his hand. He had no idea about the prize or the award that was given that night. Now, it seemed like his chances of winning had dropped by more than a third.
He slowly placed the picture on the table and looked up. Many of his fans had offered help after learning about his mom's illness, but he had refused all outside assistance.
One thing Thompson had hated growing up was begging. He remembered how badly his mom was treated whenever she asked for help for his education.
He could still recall the day he was chased out of school for not having the complete fees. His mom had come to plead on his behalf, promising to pay the next month after selling some of their belongings.
But she wasn't listened to. Instead, she was humiliated publicly. The principal had chased them both out, saying education wasn't for everyone.
From that day, Thompson had vowed never to beg again or accept financial help—not even from the man who had once supported them. For some reason, that man had suddenly turned on them.
Thompson stared at the photo once more. But this time… he might not have any other option. He sighed deeply and glanced at Derek, who had just finished his drink and was about to leave.
---
Lucy entered her room quietly, shutting the door behind her as if someone were following her.
She walked over to where her bag lay and gently pulled it out, her heart pounding and her breathing unsteady. She rummaged through it until she retrieved the black box. Relief flooded her system.
She was glad it was still there—but she immediately shoved it back into the bag as if it were something dangerous.
Her breathing quickened.
How did he know about the black box? she thought, nervously running her fingers through her hair.
Then, suddenly, her phone began to ring.Lucy instinctively raised her head as she retrieved the phone from the desk
---