Kairo Voss woke up to the blare of an alarm clock that sounded like it was auditioning for a horror movie. His new bedroom, a cozy space with posters of bands he didn't recognize and a desk cluttered with manga, felt like a stranger's life he'd been dropped into. But the golden flicker in his vision—the Eye of Wealth—reminded him this wasn't a dream. It was his second shot, and he wasn't about to waste it sleeping in.
Optimal Action: Get to school early and scout the Mystery Club room. Outcome: 85% chance of uncovering key information, 10% chance of meeting a pivotal ally. The Eye's HUD was as blunt as ever, and Kairo wasn't one to argue with a cosmic cheat code. He threw on his Elite Academy uniform, grabbed a piece of toast (because apparently, that's what anime characters did), and bolted out the door.
The morning air was crisp, with cherry blossoms still clinging to the trees like they were staging a protest against autumn. Elite Academy loomed ahead, its pristine buildings practically glowing with narrative importance. Kairo's heart thumped—not from nerves, but from the thrill of gaming a world he'd only ever read about. If he was stuck as a side character, he'd make sure his subplot was the best damn part of the story.
The Mystery Club room was tucked in a forgotten corner of the school, behind a staircase that smelled faintly of mildew. The door had a handwritten sign: "Mystery Club: Solve the Unsolvable, Win Big!" It looked like something a middle schooler would scribble, but the Eye pulsed with approval. Kairo knocked, and the door creaked open to reveal a dimly lit room crammed with mismatched furniture, stacks of old books, and a suspicious number of trading card binders.
A girl with wild, ink-black hair and a lopsided grin stood at the center, shuffling a deck of cards like a casino dealer. This was Yuna Hayashi, the art club president he'd met yesterday, who moonlighted as the Mystery Club's enigmatic leader. Her paint-splattered blazer and the tarot card tucked behind her ear gave her the vibe of a fortune-teller who'd wandered into the wrong genre.
"Voss, right? Didn't expect you to actually show up." Yuna's voice was teasing, but her eyes sparkled with curiosity. "Most people think this club's a scam."
"Is it?" Kairo asked, keeping his tone light. The Eye flashed: Optimal Action: Play along with Yuna's banter. Outcome: 70% chance of gaining her trust, 15% chance of unlocking club secrets.
Yuna laughed, tossing a card onto the table—a shiny holographic dragon that screamed "collectible." "Maybe. But scams need suckers, and you don't strike me as one. So, what's your deal? Why join a club that's half urban legend?"
Kairo shrugged, leaning against a wobbly chair. "Heard there were perks. I'm all about the perks." The Eye highlighted a binder on the shelf behind Yuna, pulsing with a faint golden glow. That's the money move, it seemed to say.
Yuna followed his gaze and smirked. "Good eye. That's our 'treasure trove'—rare cards we trade for profit. Join us, and you get a cut. But first, you gotta prove you're not just another wannabe." She slid a puzzle box across the table, its surface etched with cryptic symbols. "Solve this by tomorrow, and you're in."
The Eye analyzed the box instantly: Optimal Action: Accept the challenge and study the box later. Outcome: 90% chance of impressing Yuna, 5% chance of minor frustration. Kairo pocketed the box with a grin. "Deal. But if I solve it, I want a tour of this card empire."
Yuna's grin widened. "Bold. I like it. Don't disappoint me, Voss."
Class 2-B was its usual circus of teenage chaos, but Kairo's mind was on the puzzle box in his bag. He barely noticed Mia Sato sneaking glances at him from two seats over, her pencil tapping nervously against her notebook. The Eye nudged him: Optimal Action: Engage Mia in conversation about the club. Outcome: 65% chance of deepening connection, 20% chance of uncovering her hidden skills.
During a break, Kairo slid over to her desk. "Hey, Sato, ever hear of the Mystery Club?"
Mia's glasses slipped down her nose as she startled. "The what? Oh, that weird club? People say it's just a front for gambling or something." She paused, her cheeks flushing. "Why? Are you… joining it?"
"Maybe," Kairo said, leaning in conspiratorially. "They gave me this." He showed her the puzzle box, careful not to let the teacher see. "Think you could crack it? You're, like, the math genius here."
Mia's blush deepened, but her eyes lit up at the challenge. "It's not just math. Look at these symbols—they're like a cipher. I… I could try decoding it, if you want." She hesitated, then added, "But only if you tell me why you're messing with that shady club."
Kairo chuckled. "It's not shady, it's… mysterious. Help me out, and I'll spill the details." The Eye gave a satisfied pulse, as if approving his smooth-talking. Mia nodded, scribbling a quick sketch of the box's symbols in her notebook. Score one for teamwork, Kairo thought.
Lunchtime brought another encounter with Lena Aoyama, who was, predictably, waging war on the same vending machine from yesterday. Her red hair was practically sparking with frustration as she kicked the machine, muttering curses that would've made a sailor blush.
"Still fighting the vending machine boss?" Kairo called, strolling over. The Eye flashed: Optimal Action: Offer to buy Lena a drink from another machine. Outcome: 80% chance of strengthening bond, 10% chance of her challenging you to a duel.
Lena spun around, her scowl softening into a smirk. "Voss, you're like a bad penny. What, you stalking me now?"
"Nah, just saving you from a lifetime ban from the cafeteria." He gestured to a nearby machine that the Eye had flagged as functional. "Pick your poison. My treat."
Lena raised an eyebrow but followed him. "Fine, but I'm getting the expensive soda. You owe me for not ratting you out to Ryuji's fan club yesterday." She grabbed a grapefruit soda, popping the tab with a satisfying hiss. "So, what's your deal? You're not one of my brother's minions, but you're not a total loser either."
Kairo laughed, leaning against the wall. "I'm just a guy who likes winning. You should try it sometime—less punching machines, more strategy."
Lena's eyes narrowed, but there was a spark of amusement. "Oh, you're cocky. I like a challenge. Bet I could take you in a race to the gym."
The Eye buzzed: Accept the challenge. Outcome: 70% chance of earning Lena's respect, 20% chance of minor embarrassment. Kairo grinned. "You're on, Aoyama. Loser buys snacks tomorrow."
The race was a disaster in the best way possible. Lena's competitive streak turned her into a blur, but Kairo, guided by the Eye's split-second tips (dodge that stray backpack, take the shortcut by the science lab), kept pace until they collapsed in a laughing heap outside the gym. Lena punched his arm, panting. "Not bad, Voss. You're officially less annoying than most."
By the end of the day, Kairo was juggling the puzzle box, Mia's cipher notes, and a newfound camaraderie with Lena. The Eye guided him back to the Mystery Club room after school, where Yuna was waiting, flipping a tarot card between her fingers. "Well, Voss? Got my puzzle solved?"
Kairo handed over the box, which Mia's notes had helped him crack in record time. The symbols aligned to reveal a hidden compartment with a single, ultra-rare trading card inside—a golden phoenix that made Yuna's eyes widen. "Holy—where'd you get the brains for this?"
"Team effort," Kairo said, thinking of Mia. "So, am I in?"
Yuna tucked the card into her binder, her grin practically predatory. "Oh, you're in, Voss. Welcome to the Mystery Club. Stick with me, and you'll be swimming in profits." The Eye pulsed: Wealth Score Update: +20% financial potential, +15% social capital.
As Kairo left the club room, the sunset painting the sky in hues of orange and pink, he felt a rush of exhilaration. The Eye of Wealth was turning him into a master strategist, weaving connections with Mia's quiet brilliance, Lena's fiery spirit, and Yuna's chaotic charm. He wasn't just surviving the harem novel—he was rewriting it, one golden choice at a time. But as he glanced at the school's main building, where Ryuji Aoyama was probably charming his way through another plot point, Kairo knew the real challenge was staying out of the protagonist's orbit. For now, the sidelines were his domain, and he was ready to make them shine.