What is he doing here? I thought. Departure was supposed to be at 9 a.m. sharp. No delays. No excuses.

  Then I heard the voice again, calm but firm:

  "Can I come in, Mr. and Mrs. Ashborn?"

  I blinked. His tone had authority without shouting—like he expected to be let in.

  "I can explain," he added, stepping forward. Serious. Commanding. No hesitation.

  "Of course," my dad said, opening the door wider. My mom came from the kitchen, hovering behind him. They offered him tea. He declined politely, hands behind his back, standing straight and still like someone used to being noticed.

  Then came the awkward part: they gestured for me to sit next to them on the couch. My heart raced. By the way, I'd just been grounded for… well, last night. And now my dragon keeper life was standing at my front door.

  I slumped onto the couch, backpack still on, fingers twisting the straps nervously.

  Kai stood in the doorway, tall, calm, impossibly confident. His blonde hair fell lazily over his forehead. His blue eyes caught the morning sunlight and somehow made it feel like the light itself was focused on him. I hate to admit it, but he was… handsome.

  "Oh yes," he said, voice light but firm, "the exchange program. It's in Japan."

  "Japan?" my mom and dad said, confusion written across their faces.

  "Yes," Kai continued. "It's open only to Redwood High School students. Many kids were accepted, and your son was one of them."

  I blinked. Good grades? Me? That was a joke. My parents were staring at me, mouths slightly open. My dad's jaw tightened. My mom's hand hovered near her lips.

  "Our son got a study abroad program?" Kai repeated, with a small approving smile. "Yes, William Ashborn."

  Their expressions softened instantly. Shock melted into smiles. Yesterday's anger—my dad yelling, my mom crying—vanished as if it had never happened.

  I didn't know what to say.

  Kai gave me a subtle thumbs-up from the side, a silent Go along with it message.

  "William, is this true?" my mom asked, voice almost trembling.

  "Why haven't you said anything?" my dad added.

  I swallowed hard. I had to lie. To protect them. To protect myself. To survive.

  "Yeah… I've been studying harder lately," I said, keeping my voice calm. "I just applied on a whim. I didn't think I'd get accepted. But… here we are."

  I saw their suspicion fade. Kai's encouraging smile never wavered.

  "When does the program begin?" my dad asked, cautious but softening.

  Kai's tone was calm, almost casual. "Today."

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  "Today?" my parents said together, disbelief written all over their faces.

  "Yes," Kai said. "I was supposed to arrive earlier, but I got my times mixed up."

  You're kidding me, I thought. Lazy? Forgetful? For someone who lectured about punctuality yesterday…

  He scratched the back of his head, giving an awkward little smile. He looked like he had just rolled out of bed. And yet, somehow, he carried authority effortlessly.

  "So this is just for William?" my dad asked.

  "No," Kai said smoothly. "If you'd like, you're welcome to join as well."

  Both my parents froze, unsure what to do. Happiness and confusion danced on their faces. And somehow, my role in all this—my magical life—felt invisible.

  "Okay," they muttered, still skeptical but with no choice.

  "," Kai said lightly, standing perfectly straight. "Now, William, can you go pack your bags?"

  I narrowed my eyes. "Fine."

  I dashed upstairs, stuffing clothes into my bag, throwing in my headphones, and carefully slipping my sword inside so my parents wouldn't see. My hands trembled slightly as I zipped it up.

  Downstairs, Kai still talked with my parents about logistics like it was nothing.

  "I'm done," I said flatly.

  "Great," he said, handing my mom a neatly folded paper. "This is an excuse letter for work. We'll travel first, and a plane will come after to pick you up once your jobs are situated."

  My mom hugged me quickly. "Be safe, William."

  My dad knelt slightly to meet my eye level. "Stay out of trouble. Be smart."

  I nodded, barely acknowledging them. My mind was already racing.

  Kai's hand rested lightly on my shoulder, guiding me to the door. Calm. Light. No force, just steady. I closed the door behind me and looked up at him.

  Taller than me, just enough that I had to tilt my head to meet his eyes. His blonde hair caught the sunlight, and his blue eyes reflected the sky above. The light clung to him like it obeyed him.

  "Why were you late?" I asked, frustration creeping in.

  "I got caught up doing something," he said casually.

  "Which was?"

  "You ask too many questions," he replied, raising an eyebrow. "Don't worry about it."

  "You made it sound serious."

  "It was serious," he said, smirking.

  "Then tell me."

  "I don't have to."

  "So, you're just bad at time?"

  "Who are you to tell me I'm bad at being on time? Just get in the car," he said lightly, stepping back and opening the passenger door.

  I exhaled sharply. Grounded. Forced into an exchange program. Dragged along by my dragon keeper