73: Hakuto, Just Doing His Job

This really wasn't Hakuto's fault—he was just doing his job.

Just as Nao had planned, the student council president made his move right at lunchtime, using the school's broadcast system to summon Otosaka Yuu to the student council office.

"So, what is it this time? Didn't I already say I'm busy?"

Otosaka Yuu entered the student council office, clearly irritated. His mind had been preoccupied all morning with what had happened earlier, leaving him frustrated and restless.

"Good afternoon, Otosaka Yuu. I apologize for taking up your lunchtime."

The student council president remained polite toward Otosaka Yuu. After all, someone in his position couldn't afford to have an arrogant, self-important attitude.

"This is a copy of your last exam paper…"

"A flawless perfect score. Impressive."

Otosaka Yuu was momentarily stunned, completely unsure of what the student council president was trying to get at.

"I believe I mentioned that my time is valuable."

"This won't take long…"

As he spoke, the student council president pointed to a desk in the center of the office.

"Over there is an identical test to the one I'm holding. Please take a seat and start solving it."

Hearing this request, Otosaka Yuu's mind went completely blank. All the blood in his body seemed to rush to his legs as his instincts screamed at him to run.

But he forced himself to resist the impulse.

"I have no obligation to do something so troublesome."

Just like before, Otosaka Yuu refused, just as he had rejected Hakuto earlier.

However, Otosaka Yuu seemed to have overlooked one crucial detail—he had been able to refuse Hakuto because Hakuto had never truly pressured him.

But the student council president was different. Since Otosaka Yuu had already been called into the office, it was clear that preparations had been made.

"You're free to leave. But if you do, expect an official school report… or even expulsion."

"E-Expulsion…?"

At the mention of that word, Otosaka Yuu began trembling uncontrollably. He had never imagined the situation would escalate to this level.

"I've already secured approval from both the principal and the disciplinary director."

"If you can score at least 90 points on this test, you'll pass. Otherwise, you will receive an official school notice or, in the worst case, be expelled."

"If there's no issue, please take a seat and begin."

At this point, Otosaka Yuu had no choice. Gritting his teeth, he reluctantly sat at the desk.

After all, if word got out that he had cheated—and if he was expelled from this school—his reputation would be ruined.

With his family background, there would be no chance of continuing his high school education elsewhere.

"Damn it… Was this Hakuto's doing…?"

Staring at the test paper before him, Otosaka Yuu couldn't help but grumble.

Just as Hakuto had hinted earlier, Otosaka Yuu had never truly understood his real motives. Even now, Otosaka Yuu had no idea what Hakuto was actually after.

Was this just for fun? Watching a fool struggle for the sake of amusement?

Cold sweat dripped down Otosaka Yuu's back as he realized that ever since Hakuto had appeared, everything around him had started spiraling out of control.

"No choice…!"

Otosaka Yuu glanced at the student council president, who sat nearby, holding Otosaka Yuu's previous exam paper.

That meant he had the correct answers in his hands.

Without hesitation, Otosaka Yuu prepared to activate his ability and take control of the student council president's body.

But just as his eyes began turning green, a pair of merciless hands suddenly covered them.

"Hm? Otosaka Yuu, are you taking a test right now?"

The voice belonged to none other than Hakuto. Wearing his usual playful grin, he feigned ignorance.

"Oh, Hakuto. So you're still at our school after all."

"Good afternoon, President. I hope I'm not interrupting anything."

"No, not at all. Otosaka Yuu is just taking a test right now, so I wouldn't call it an interruption."

"Then can I sit next to him and watch him take the test?"

Hearing this, the student council president showed a troubled expression. After all, Otosaka Yuu's test had been arranged with the principal's approval.

If anything went wrong, the president would be the one held responsible.

"Relax, I swear on the name of Toyosaki Academy that I won't do anything inappropriate."

"...In that case, suit yourself."

The student council president relented upon hearing Hakuto invoke the school's name—he couldn't exactly refuse after that.

What he didn't know, however, was that Hakuto was no longer a student at Toyosaki Academy.

And as for the school's honor…

To put it bluntly, the biggest stain on Toyosaki Academy's reputation was having Hakuto as a student in the first place.

Which was exactly why Hakuto had no qualms about using its name so casually.

As for why he did it? Well, because he was about to pull some tricks.

Hakuto grabbed a small stool and sat directly in front of Otosaka Yuu, staring intently at the hand holding his pen.

"Otosaka Yuu, why aren't you writing?"

Otosaka Yuu was already under immense pressure—let alone with Hakuto watching his every move.

"...What do you really want?"

"How many times have you asked me that now?"

Hakuto waved him off and then whispered softly.

"bbcac…"

"…?!"

The moment he heard that sequence, Otosaka Yuu felt like he had just been blessed with rain in the middle of spring—an overwhelming sense of relief.

But in the very next second, he snapped back to reality. Why would he believe anything from the guy who was grinning at him with such a mischievous expression?

"...What did you just say?"

"The answers. Did you forget I was ranked first at Toyosaki Academy?"

"Weren't you 'first' in the same way I was?"

Otosaka Yuu still naively thought that Hakuto had relied on his ability to achieve his grades, just like he had.

"But right now, I'm the only one you can trust."

Saying that, Hakuto even threw him a flirtatious wink—looking like a male version of a succubus.

"That's disgusting…"

"Screw you. Believe it or don't. I'm only saying this once."

After an internal struggle, Otosaka Yuu finally gave in and wrote down the answer Hakuto had given him.

He really had no other choice. If he tried to use his ability, Hakuto would definitely stop him.

"cbac…"

And just like that, Hakuto read the answers while Otosaka Yuu wrote them down.

"bbbbbbbb…"

"Wait… how many B's?"

"Just write what I say. This test maker is something else, throwing in so many B's."

Hearing that, Otosaka Yuu had the sudden urge to slap Hakuto across the face.

"What? Why are you looking at me like you want to hit me?"

"There are only ten multiple-choice questions, but you've fed me way too many answers."

At that, Hakuto awkwardly turned his head away, whistling as if to change the subject.

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Check out the other translations too: [Mash-Up: I'm Not A Substitute]

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