Rebooted Dashboard

The room was shrouded in dim light, the shadows casting a curious and somewhat tense atmosphere. Two people found themselves in a peculiar situation—one that could only be described as strange yet fascinating.

"Honami, you know I rarely refuse your requests, but... don't you think this is a bit excessive?" said Kayden Osawa, looking at his girlfriend, Honami Ichinose, with a mix of confusion and a slightly nervous smile.

Honami, without losing her enigmatic smile, stepped closer to him and, in a soft, seductive tone, responded:

"Come on, Kayden, it's not that big of a deal. Besides, I think this could be... interesting, don't you think?"

"Interesting..." Kayden repeated, trying to find the right words to describe what he was feeling at that moment. "Being handcuffed and blindfolded... Interesting? I'd say it's more... a bit strange."

She gave him a playful look before moving closer and, with firmness yet gentleness, placed the blindfold over his eyes, leaving him in complete darkness.

"Don't worry, Kayden. Just leave it to me," she said as her fingers skillfully adjusted the blindfold, ensuring he couldn't see anything.

All Kayden could do was think about what had led him to this situation—what it meant to accept being her boyfriend and how, with each passing moment, he seemed to dive deeper into a world full of unpredictable surprises.

...

The new school year had started a few weeks ago, and Kayden was now in his second year of high school. It was the first time in his life he had managed to complete an entire school year, a small personal achievement that, in some way, made him feel somewhat proud.

Like every year, some students, such as Manabu Horikita, had already completed their high school studies, while new faces filled the hallways. Now a second-year student, Kayden observed the newcomers with curiosity. Would they be more cunning than those from his first year? Or was it too soon to judge their abilities? The uncertainty kept him alert, wondering whether these new students would be surprising or predictable.

The start of the new school year brought several unexpected changes. For one, the classrooms were now much more sophisticated. Instead of the classic blackboard, a modern interactive digital screen dominated the front of the room. Not only was it visually impressive, but it was also incredibly practical.

Another notable change was the seating arrangement. Kayden was no longer sitting next to his closest friends or his girlfriend. Instead, his new seat was at the front, near the exit. It wasn't the most interesting spot, but he had no reason to complain.

However, the most impactful change came in the form of a new student evaluation system. At the suggestion of the current student council president, Nagumo Miyabi, a revolutionary application was implemented. This new system recorded and analyzed various data about the students, giving the school an almost video game-like atmosphere. Was this an attempt to modernize education or a strategy to exert more control? That remained to be seen.

2nd Grade A - First Year Results

Student: Kayden Osawa

Academic Ability: A+ (100)

Physical Ability: A+ (100)

Quick Thinking: A+ (100)

Social Contribution: A+ (100)

Overall Ability: A+ (100)

The new evaluation system compiled data on each student's performance during their first year, and Kayden Osawa's results did not go unnoticed. Thanks to his leadership and outstanding skills in multiple areas, he was the only student in the entire school to achieve a perfect score in every category. For many, his scores seemed unreal, almost unattainable. However, for Kayden, it was nothing out of the ordinary.

Shortly after classes began, the details of this system were revealed. It wasn't an evaluation exclusive to second-year students—it applied to the entire school. The administration sought to modernize and simplify its grading method, and as a result, this innovative platform was born.

A system inspired by video games, where each student could view their progress in exact numbers. For some, it was an opportunity for self-improvement. For others, an overwhelming source of pressure. But for Kayden, it was just another number on the screen.

...

"The first-year students seem to be achieving better results than the other classes did in their first year," Kanzaki commented, addressing the small group gathered in front of him.

At that moment, several students were in the classroom, chatting casually while waiting for their teacher to arrive and start the lesson.

"It looks like these new kohais are sharper than our generation when we entered," added Amikura Mako, resting her chin on her hand thoughtfully.

"Let's not overestimate ourselves too much, Mako. Remember, if it weren't for Kayden and Honami, we wouldn't have performed as well either," Himeno Yuki added with a slight smile.

"Hmm... I suppose you're right," Mako admitted before turning to Kayden. "What do you think about the new students?"

Kayden, who had been listening to the conversation in silence, lifted his gaze with an indifferent expression.

"Hmmm... well, I guess they're not bad. But it's not something that interests me much, unless we have to interact with them later. For now, they don't concern me at all," he replied in a bored tone.

"Wow, it seems Mr. Kayden doesn't have time to care about anyone other than his beloved girlfriend, Honami," Mako teased with a smirk.

"Oh, come on, Mako-chan, that's not true. Kayden goes out with you all the time," Honami intervened, laughing softly.

"That's true, but remember, you're always there too. So what should be a group outing ends up looking like a date between you two... and us as the third wheel," Mako added with exaggerated annoyance, rolling her eyes.

Honami chuckled at the complaint, while Kayden simply sighed, used to those kinds of remarks. However, before the conversation could continue, the classroom door swung open.

With her usual carefree smile, their teacher, Chie Hoshinomiya, entered the room, instantly capturing everyone's attention.

"Good morning, everyone~!" she greeted in her cheerful tone. "I hope you've been enjoying your second year so far because...," she paused dramatically, looking at her students with a playful expression, "for no one's surprise, it's time for your first special exam of the year."

A murmur spread through the classroom.

"I knew things had been too quiet lately..." Shibata muttered, leaning on his desk with a resigned expression.

"Well, at least this way, you'll stop slacking off and sleeping in class," Mako said with a teasing smile.

"Hey, that's Hamaguchi's fault! He makes me play video games until late at night..." Shibata protested, frowning.

"Yeah, sure, excuses." Mako clicked her tongue, amused.

While they argued, Kanzaki sighed and looked at their teacher.

"Sensei, better ignore them and continue with the explanation."

"No need to be so serious, Kanzaki-kun," Hoshinomiya responded with a light laugh. "But anyway, back to the topic... As I mentioned, this will be your first special exam of the year, and you won't be alone."

"What do you mean by 'we won't be alone'?" Honami asked, frowning in curiosity.

"I'm glad you asked, Ichinose-san~. For this exam, you will have to form teams with the first-year students."

The expressions of Class A students turned to surprise.

"Teaming up with the first-years...?" Honami repeated, processing the information.

"Exactly. But instead of explaining everything myself, it's better if you read it directly," the teacher said, quickly tapping her tablet screen. "I just sent the exam rules to your devices."

At that moment, all the class tablets lit up with a notification. The students picked up their devices and began reading the contents of the file carefully.

The classroom fell silent as they processed the information. A special exam... and this time, it involved the newcomers.

Kayden looked at his tablet screen, reading each line calmly.

"Well... this should be interesting," he murmured to himself