Broken Genius: My Intelligence ls At SSS-RANK

Miss Alison was caught off guard by the knock on the door, even though she had been expecting it.

"Who is there?" she called out as she wrapped up her marking.

"It's Derek," came the reply. Derek held his breath, bracing for the worst.

"Come in," Miss Alison said gently after a short pause.

Derek entered the office. It was spacious but cluttered, with stacks of files everywhere, a clear reflection of her dual role as both English and homeroom teacher.

"Sit down, Derek. We have a lot to talk about," she said, clearing the files on her desk to make space for their conversation.

"Derek, I'm sure you heard what the principal said yesterday," she began. "You do know it's a lot easier to get expelled from this school than any other, right?"

She waited for a response. When it didn't come, she continued.

"The principal asked me to coach you. Your grades these past few weeks have been... alarming. And if things don't change..." She paused, locking eyes with him, hoping he understood what she meant.

"You will definitely be expelled," she finished.

"Do you understand me?" she asked softly.

Derek kept his head down. After what felt like minutes, he finally spoke.

"I think it's best I leave the school. This isn't my calling anymore."

His voice was low, almost defeated.

"I've done everything I can to salvage this. I read for up to seven hours a day sometimes, just to avoid disappointing my dad."

Derek lifted his head, tears glistening in his eyes.

"When I got here, I loved you like a mother because I thought you believed in me. I thought you saw something in me. But I was wrong."

A tear slipped down his cheek.

He stood up quietly.

"Ma, if you'll excuse me," he said, turning to leave.

Miss Alison, jolted from her thoughts, quickly rose to her feet.

"Derek, wait," she said, hurrying towards him.

Derek reminded her of someone she had tried to forget, 

her brother.

Back in the 2900s, he had dreamed of starting a tech company. Technology was advancing rapidly, and he wanted to be part of the future.

But out of love and fear for him, she had told him the harsh truth, her truth.

She regretted it for more than ten years.

"Derek, trust me when I say I believe in you. It doesn't matter what anyone else says," she said, placing her hands on his shoulders.

"You look so much like him. You sound just like him," she whispered before hugging him.

Derek, stunned, took a moment before returning the hug gently.

Miss Alison pulled away, suddenly aware of how far she had gone.

But she definitely knew the truth, Derek wasn't just bright. He was a rare genius.

"I'm sorry," she said, wiping tears from her eyes.

She had lost her brother by dismissing his dreams. She wouldn't make the same mistake again.

Seeing her like this, Derek felt a pang of guilt. Gently, he reached out and pulled her into a comforting hug, her head resting against his chest due to their height difference.

"It's okay. I'm sorry for bringing back painful memories," he said, patting her head.

After a moment, Miss Alison stepped back.

When she looked up into his eyes, kind and full of compassion, something stirred inside her. She quickly took a step back, shaking off the sudden rush of emotion.

"Derek, you're going to take part in a competition," she said, steadying herself. "It'll be your chance to prove yourself."

"Think of it as a test from the principal," she added, walking back to her seat.

"Thank you, ma. I won't let you down," Derek said, his voice filled with renewed hope.

"We'll meet every day at 5 p.m.," she said, sitting down again. "The math teacher will speak with you later, but for now 5 p.m sharp."

"Thank you, ma'am," Derek said enthusiastically, then turned to leave.

Miss Alison returned to her marking but paused as soon as the door closed behind Derek. She stared at the door, a storm of emotions swirling inside her.

Maybe it was because of her brother.

She looked down at her papers. The world might have become more technologically advanced, but some things, like pen and paper, still held their place.

Maybe her brother could have changed that.

She sighed and began packing up her things for the day.

---

Derek walked out of Miss Alison's office, his thoughts spinning. Part of him felt light and happy. The other part was fired up with determination not to let her down.

As he walked through the hallway, he suddenly bumped into Michael, again.

This time, Michael looked genuinely shocked to see him coming out of that particular office.

Miss Alison's office.

Derek mumbled a quick apology and tried to continue on his way, but Michael grabbed his arm.

"Now, isn't it strange that I've bumped into you twice in the same place?" he said. "Something's going on, and I think you should tell me."

Derek frowned. What was he talking about?

"Look, it's just a coincidence," Derek replied, trying to move on. But Michael wasn't letting go.

Just as he was about to speak again, a voice interrupted them.