CHAPTER 2 - Cheating.

My parents had two different philosophies which, despite being different, both respected each other's differences and it was never a reason for argument.

My father believed that worrying too much about the future prevented us from enjoying our present. Being overly concerned would keep us from savoring our lives: "Worrying is okay, but worrying too much would only put a heavy burden on our shoulders. It's better to worry just enough and live our lives our way. Living our lives our way and not living to satisfy others."

And my mother believed that it was okay to enjoy the present, but we should also worry a lot about our future and ensure we have reserves for future crises: "The future is uncertain, Saik. Living carefree brings us happiness, but it could also bring us pain and sorrow. Life isn't all rosy, son. The present, yes, you can enjoy it, but don't forget that the future will catch up with you, and when that happens, will you know how to face it? Worry about your self 10 years from now, because they will bear the consequences of your actions, and the present of your future self might not be able to enjoy it as you do. I'm not asking you to demand too much of yourself, live your life your way. It's your life, you decide what to do with it. Just remember, son, the future is a mystery, and if you want to live happily, it's better to be prepared."

Both had different ways of enjoying their lives. While my father enjoyed his present and was content with being a professor at a university, my mother worried about the family's future, creating new humanitarian aid programs, businesses related to education and health markets, she even worked as a model for various magazines. Although, well, I ended up selling those businesses and handing control of the humanitarian aid programs to my mother's close friends, as I don't have the time to manage them, and I also don't trust others to do it for me.

The money I earned from selling those businesses, I donated to build schools in the poorest areas of the country. That money was earned by my mother, I had no right to use it for my benefit, so I used it for the benefit of the children, those whom my mother loved so much. I only kept the money from selling my house, because I'm not foolish enough to end up on the streets.

My mother improved the reputation of our surname, to the point where we became one of the richest and most famous families in the country... Well, until they died and I sold everything, decreasing the value of our surname.

Many families tried to adopt me, and they even offered me to marry one of their daughters, but I simply refused and asked them to never offer me such a disgusting deal again. They were after my family's surname because, even though I'm the only remaining member, with everything my mother did for the country, it still holds significant social value, and if I marry a girl, her family will gain reputation for having me under their control.

They took advantage of the situation to benefit themselves. They tried to capitalize on the deaths of my parents... Simply revolting.

Ah... Although my parents had different ways of enjoying their lives, they agreed on one thought: "Live your life your way and don't let others decide how to live your life. It's your life, it's your decision. You weren't born to please others, you were born to live your life. It doesn't matter what others think about you, the only thing that should matter is what you think about yourself. Don't live your life pretending to be someone you're not, because you would never truly enjoy it, and live your life being yourself and happy."

That thought is the one I respect the most.

Living my life in the way that feels most comfortable to me, without giving importance to negative comments from people.

"Hey, kid, stop. You can't enter without being properly groomed," said a teacher as I was about to enter school.

"I told you, Saik!" exclaimed Yuki, floating by my side.

"There's no rule against my hairstyle, sir. If you don't let me in, I'll complain to the principal."

"I'm saying it for your own good. First impressions matter the most."

"Results are more important than appearance."

"Whatever you say, but I hope you won't regret it."

"I won't."

I continued on my way, and Yuki sighed, perhaps tired of asking me to fix my hair.

"Everyone's staring at you weirdly, Saik. Seriously, doesn't it bother you?"

"Not really."

"Don't complain later when you're getting teased."

"Bullying, huh? Don't worry about that."

Because anyone who messes with me will end up regretting it.

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Well, here's my assigned classroom to take the entrance exam. Yuki went to find out who the smartest person might be, to copy their answers, so she's investigating, listening to parents' conversations in the cafeteria area.

I entered the classroom.

Hmm... Everyone is so ordinary. Ah, normal school life will start soon. I'll be a regular student, with a regular life. Paradise.

I sat in my assigned seat, and a teacher lifted my hair.

"What's the matter?"

"I thought you might be cheating, hiding answers in your hair."

"I'm not clever, or foolish, enough to do that, don't worry."

He handed me an envelope and left.

There are 5 minutes left, and the instructions are projected on the board.

No looking around.

No talking.

Look only at the exam.

If you turn your head, your exam will be taken away.

Other rules about banning devices like headphones, phones, sunglasses, etc. I'm not worried about that, I left my phone at home.

Open the envelope at exactly 8 o'clock and begin.

Well, well. As strict as the rumors say. I love it.

Basically, they're only asking us to look at the exam and write, without diverting our gaze. They won't even allow us to relax our muscles or stretch our arms to calm down. Interesting.

"I'm here! There's a girl named Ram, the teachers speak very highly of her, I even heard she got a recommendation from the principal."

How unfair. I hope the director's favoritism doesn't interfere with my plan to be the best in my class and generation.

"As long as we copy her answers, you'll pass the exam, Saik. Oh, I feel like a cheater. I hope you'll study seriously, Saik! I'm committing a crime for you, so I hope it's worth it," she said, crossing her arms and pretending to be angry.

Why do I know she's pretending? Because she's pouting to look adorable. I suspect she figured out that I'm easy to manipulate if she acts cute with me, and if that's the case, she succeeded.

"Cake or jelly?" I whispered, falling into her trap to increase her reward.

"Both, both, please! Thank you!"

She kissed me on the cheek while hugging me.

Well, it felt nice. Ah, parents, why didn't you give me a younger sister? Or a younger brother. I suppose you must have had your reasons.

Wait, cake and jelly? Mmm... I think I've come up with a good combination. When I get home, I'll experiment with it.

"Saik, huh? Fufu. Do you really think you're capable of getting into a school like this?"

... And who's this random guy?

"Who is this random guy, Saik?"

I'm wondering the same thing, Yuki.

Let's see... Chubby, acne-covered face, wearing fancy clothes... Mmm... No idea.

"You've always been and will always be the worst. Why don't you spare yourself the humiliation and leave?"

Mmm...

Hand on his hip, looking at me with disdain and a smile on his face.

Oh, he is... No, I tried, I don't know who he is.

"Hey, do we know each other?"

"Fufu. Yes, pretending you don't know me. Pathetic."

He laughed at me and went to his seat, still looking at me with contempt, as if I were an easy piece of trash to get rid of.

"Saik, do you know him?"

"Honestly, I have no idea who he is. I guess he's a wealthy guy who knew me when I used to attend the parties my parents forced me to go to. I highly doubt he's a former classmate, because I attended a public school, and this school is expensive. Even the entrance exam cost me quite a bit, it's the annual salary of an average worker."

"Why did you attend a public school? Your family was wealthy, right?"

"Because I got kicked out of private schools due to certain problems I had. I'll tell you more later."

"Well, well. Fufu. Sounds interesting. Tell me the details after school."

I nodded.

In fact, I got expelled several times for hitting students who mocked me. While it was just rude words towards me, I did nothing. But when they dared to insult my parents or try to hit me, I used my fists and broke their bones, literally.

I got away from legal troubles and the school by showing evidence of the bullying, but I couldn't avoid the expulsion.

In the public school, I was also insulted, but the few people who dared to try hitting me or insult my parents, despite knowing how rich and powerful my family was, would show up at school the next day with black eyes and trembling in fear in my presence.

I avoided legal and school problems by threatening them into silence, and coming from me, those threats, even the smallest ones like "stay away or you'll regret it," sounded like "bother me again and you'll be dead."

I couldn't do that in a private school because they were just as powerful as me in terms of social status, but it worked more than fine with poor students and humble families.

"You may begin. You have 4 hours to complete it."

4 hours. Ah, that reflects how difficult the exam is. Well, I hope that girl Ram answers all the questions correctly. I still have number 2, but the less I use it, the better. I'm a regular student, with a regular life. I have to leave my old life behind.

Alright, let's get started.

Mmm... 100 questions, huh?

I wrote my name and read the first question.

Ah... Oh... Yes, yes... Ah... In what year did this event occur? I don't know, history always bored me.

Let's see...

10 history questions.

10 language and literature questions.

40 biology, physics, and chemistry questions.

And 40 math questions.

Ah... This school is so unfair to those who excel in sports and the arts. Well, after all, as far as I know, this school is focused on students who want to pursue careers related to business and science, not so much on sports and arts.

Oh, well, well.

Saik, it's not for nothing that you studied until you collapsed. Come on, remember what you studied.

...

...

...

"You haven't answered any questions, Saik, and an hour has already passed. Do you want the answers?"

I nodded slowly, giving up.

Ah, I'm really an idiot. I couldn't even answer a single question on my own.

"Fufu. Leave it to me."

Yuki left.

While I tried to answer the exam on my own, just to see if my efforts had paid off, Yuki copied the answers from the student named Ram and wrote them in a notebook on the rooftop of the school, so she wouldn't forget and she could tell me when I gave up.

Ah, am I really this useless?

Mother, father, why am I so useless? I wish I could have been like you.

•

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"The answer is: 1,797.54."

Alright... Good.

I'm almost done.

Yuki is observing everyone's exams to compare answers.

Ram might be a genius, but it's better to be safe than sorry, at least that's what Yuki said.

"The answer to the last one is: 1,689."

"Mmm..."

Yuki is smarter than she appears. She understood the method to cheat. Comparing all the answers and telling me the answer that most students put... I think I'll do fine.

I was one of the last ones to submit the exam, as I didn't want to raise suspicions.

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