"This is the test paper from the last math competition. Although the title 'National Competition' sounds intimidating, it shouldn't be a problem for you, right, Otosaka Yuu?"
Listening to Hakuto's overly enthusiastic praise, Otosaka Yuu's brain short-circuited.
At this moment, forget national competition math problems—he would struggle even with basic functions.
"Hah? Why would I waste my time on something so boring?"
Otosaka Yuu was still resisting.
To him, Hakuto was just trying to cause trouble. If he refused to participate in this so-called math discussion, then everything should be fine.
"Refusing, huh?"
Hakuto seemed to have anticipated this response. He turned to look at the student council president, as if seeking his opinion.
Even the student council president hadn't expected Otosaka Yuu to refuse. Normally, high-achieving students wouldn't turn down an opportunity to improve themselves.
But Otosaka Yuu was an exception—not only did he refuse, but he did so without hesitation.
"I think this is a great chance to challenge yourself. You should give it a try, Otosaka Yuu."
"I still have class to attend."
"I'll take care of it with your teacher. You can focus on discussing the competition problems with Hakuto."
Otosaka Yuu never expected the student council president to be so persistent!
Could he actually discuss math? Of course not! He was a complete fraud!
No, calling him a fraud was still giving him too much credit.
His entire academic record was based on cheating—there was no way he could handle a test without an answer sheet!
No matter what, he had to find a way to escape this situation.
"I've already solved this test in advance, so I don't think this discussion will be of any benefit to me. I have other things to do, so I'll be leaving now."
Otosaka Yuu didn't even bother to make his lie sound convincing. Hearing this, Hakuto nearly burst out laughing on the spot.
Without wasting another second, Otosaka Yuu headed straight for the office door, desperate to get away from this nightmare. Every second he spent here felt like torture.
But before he could leave, Hakuto struck again.
"You've already solved it? Perfect! There were some parts I didn't understand. Would you mind explaining them to me?"
Hakuto wasn't letting up! He had Otosaka Yuu completely trapped!
Otosaka Yuu: I already used Flash, and you're still chasing me? Are you really going for an auto attack after Flash?!
"Sorry, but I don't want to waste my time here—"
Before Otosaka Yuu could finish his sentence, Hakuto leaned in slightly and whispered into his ear.
"I suggest you go along with it..."
Hearing this, Otosaka Yuu glanced at Hakuto, who was now dangerously close. He had no idea what Hakuto's goal was, but there was no way he was going to agree to this.
"I don't know what you're trying to do—"
"You've said that many times already. From the very beginning, you've never known what I was trying to do."
Hakuto cut him off with a grin.
In the end, Otosaka Yuu still rejected Hakuto and decisively left the student council office.
This time, Hakuto didn't stop him. He simply watched Otosaka Yuu's departing figure, a hint of sympathy flashing in his eyes.
"If you don't want to choose me as your NPC opponent, then don't blame me when the next thing you face is the final boss."
"Hakuto, what are you talking about?"
"Nothing, just talking to myself."
The student council president wore a look of apology.
He truly hadn't expected Otosaka Yuu to refuse the discussion—especially when Hakuto, the other top student in their grade, had already lowered himself to offer it.
"Sorry, Hakuto, I didn't think things would turn out like this."
"It's fine. Otosaka Yuu must have other things to handle. This is just a small matter, nothing to fuss over."
Hakuto didn't show any frustration over the rejection because he knew that what awaited Otosaka Yuu was an even bigger challenge.
"By the way, President, don't you find it strange?"
"Strange? What do you mean?"
"Do you really think Otosaka Yuu achieved those grades on his own?"
The student council president's face showed utter disbelief.
"Hakuto, you must be joking. Otosaka Yuu is ranked first in the grade—who else's grades could he have taken?"
Hakuto chuckled and pulled out another test paper from behind him, placing it on the desk.
"This is Otosaka Yuu's last exam score report."
"How do you have something like this?"
"You don't need to worry about that."
Hakuto didn't answer the question and continued speaking on his own.
"Look... a perfect score, almost no mistakes at all."
"But take a closer look at how he solved the problems."
The student council president picked up the test paper and examined it carefully. However, no matter how long he looked, he couldn't find anything unusual.
"What's wrong with his solutions?"
"You might not be able to tell, but to me, it looks like multiple people worked on this test."
"Every problem is solved using a completely different method."
"Look at these two questions—they're of the same type, yet he used two entirely different formulas to solve them."
"Of course, this is just my speculation. As the student council president, I'm sure you know what to do."
"Hakuto, can you guarantee what you're saying is true?"
"It's just a simple test. No harm in trying, right?"
Hakuto still wore his usual playful grin, making it impossible to read his true intentions.
In fact, everything he had said was part of Nao's plan.
Even the test paper and score report had been provided to Hakuto by Nao.
"So you already guessed that he would reject your study session proposal."
Hakuto had already left the student council office. He had said everything he needed to.
Someone capable of becoming the student council president wasn't an ordinary person—they would understand his meaning.
"Yeah. In that situation, he had no choice but to refuse."
"Now, let's see what kind of performance the student council president will put on."
Hearing this, Hakuto waved his hand dismissively. This wasn't his fault—he had already given Otosaka Yuu a warning. It was Otosaka Yuu himself who chose this path.
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Check out the other translations too: [Mash-Up: I'm Not A Substitute]
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