"You serious right now?" Michael asked, disbelief clear in his voice.
Kai sighed, trying to stay calm. "Relax, okay? Think of it as a backup plan."
"A what?" Michael folded his arms, his eyes narrowing.
"A backup," Kai repeated. "Look, I'm confident about the exam, but I'm not stupid. If there's even the slightest chance I lose the bet, I need a safety net."
Michael raised an eyebrow. "And Rebecca's your safety net? That still doesn't sound like you. I never took you for someone who'd chase money. What's changed?"
Kai hesitated, his voice softening. "There's someone I care about. Deeply. She needs me as much as I need her." He paused, his expression tightening. "I need to know I'll be able to take care of her... take care of Minny."
Michael's skeptical expression faded as he heard the name. His voice was quieter now. "You've never mentioned her before. Is she your...?"
Kai cut him off, his voice firm but heavy. "She's my little sister, Michael. The only family I've got left. I can't lose her."
Michael studied Kai for a long moment, the weight of his friend's words sinking in.
Michael let out a sigh, his expression softening. "For what it's worth, I think you're doing the right thing. Just… be careful with Rebecca, alright? The Chronoas aren't exactly normal."
Kai quirked an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued. "Not normal how?"
Michael smirked, his eyes gleaming with mischief. "Come on, where's the fun if I spoil it for you? You'll find out soon enough—especially if you end up as their future in-law."
Kai deadpanned. "I'd rather fight Damian again."
Michael laughed, shaking his head. "Yeah, good luck with that too."
As Kai turned to leave, Michael called after him. "Hey, Kai."
Pausing, Kai glanced back. "Yeah?"
Michael hesitated, his tone unusually serious. "Since we're having this heart-to-heart... I guess now's a good time to tell you—I'm part of Vanguard."
Kai froze for a moment, then slowly resumed walking. "Yeah, I know."
Michael blinked, stunned. "Wait. You knew? How?"
Kai smirked faintly, his back still turned. "You never said where you ended up, so I figured it out. Wasn't exactly subtle."
Michael sighed, his shoulders slumping in a mix of relief and irritation. "Huh. I thought it'd be a bigger deal."
Kai chuckled softly. "If it makes you feel better, I'll act surprised next time."
Michael grinned, shaking his head. "Alright. If we do end up fighting, just promise me one thing—don't make it look like I went down too easily."
Kai glanced over his shoulder, his smirk widening. "Don't worry. I'll make sure to drag it out before I kick your ass."
Michael groaned, throwing his hands up in mock frustration. "You're impossible."
Kai waved casually as he walked off. "It's a gift."
As his footsteps faded into the distance, Michael leaned back against the wall, his expression contemplative. "Minny, huh?" he murmured, his mind drifting back to the girl who seemed to be Kai's anchor.
*******
The sun dipped lower on the horizon, painting the school grounds in hues of amber and crimson. Students moved about, some heading for their dorms, others laughing and chatting as they dispersed toward evening activities.
Kai, now dressed in a plain black hoodie and baseball cap, made his way toward Luminary Haven. The air had grown cooler, carrying the faint scent of jasmine from the meticulously maintained gardens.
The school's architecture stood in stark contrast to the setting sun—a harmonious blend of modern and traditional styles. Glass-paneled walls reflected the golden light, while stone carvings adorned the facades of the main buildings. At the heart of the campus stood Luminary Tower, its glowing orb casting a warm, pulsating light over the grounds like a sentinel watching over the students.
Kai slowed his steps, letting his gaze wander over the magnificent scene. "Wow," he muttered under his breath. "This place makes my dorm look like an orphanage." A faint smirk tugged at his lips. "Well, I would know."
Ahead, the towering spires of Luminary Haven loomed, their silhouettes dark against the fiery sky. This was it—the seat of influence, the pinnacle of power within the school. If he performed well enough, this could be his new home.
He entered the reception area, its polished floors gleaming under soft lighting. A poised receptionist sat at the desk, typing away.
"Good evening," Kai greeted.
The receptionist looked up with a practiced smile. "Good evening. How can I assist you?"
"I'm here to see Rebecca Chronoa," Kai replied casually.
The woman's smile faltered, her expression hardening into a disapproving frown. "I'm afraid Miss Rebecca does not entertain uninvited visitors. You've wasted your time coming here."
Her tone turned sharper as she crossed her arms. "Honestly, boys like you show up all the time with ridiculous excuses to bother her. It's disgraceful and inconsiderate."
Kai blinked, momentarily caught off guard. "Wait, I think you've got the wrong idea—"
She cut him off, her voice stern. "Leave now, or I'll have no choice but to report you for harassment. This behavior is completely unacceptable."
Kai studied her for a moment, his expression unreadable. Then, without a word, he reached up and removed his cap, revealing his dark hair and sharp, piercing eyes.
"My name is Malakai Blackwell," he said, leaning forward slightly. "And you can go ahead and tell Rebecca Chronoa that her boyfriend is here to see her."
He emphasized the last word with deliberate clarity, watching as the receptionist's eyes widened in shock.
Her professionalism faltered. "You're… her boyfriend?" she repeated, disbelief coloring her tone.
Kai raised an eyebrow, his impatience barely concealed. "That's what I said. Now, are you going to let her know, or should I go find her myself?"
Flustered, the receptionist stammered, "N-no need for that! Please wait while I confirm," and quickly picked up the phone. Her hushed conversation was almost amusing to Kai as he caught snippets: "Miss Rebecca… Yes, he says his name is Malakai Blackwell… He claims to be your boyfriend?"
After a brief silence, the receptionist paled slightly. Whatever Rebecca said had clearly rattled her.
"Y-yes, of course, I'll send him up immediately," she stammered, hanging up. She turned back to Kai, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. "Miss Rebecca has requested you go straight to her suite. I'll have someone escort you."
Kai smirked. "Thanks. That wasn't so hard, was it?"
Without waiting for her to respond, he adjusted his hoodie and followed the escort toward the elevator. As the doors slid shut, he allowed himself a moment of satisfaction but unease crept in, lingering in the back of his mind.
As the elevator ascended, Kai felt a sudden wave of unease. He let out a slow breath, his reflection staring back at him in the mirrored walls.
"That's the first time I've actually said it out loud," he muttered, running a hand through his hair. Pressing a palm to his forehead, he let out a quiet groan.
"My impulsiveness is going to be the end of me."
Leaning back against the elevator wall, he closed his eyes for a brief moment.