Chapter Text
“So I was just wondering-”
“I’m a bit busy,” Chat Noir said curtly. “And you’re not permitted to be here.”
“Just five minutes, I-”
“Excuse me?”
The camera whirled around, and a frowning paramedic reached forward to push it away. The lens captured swinging pavement.
“-extraordinarily unethical, I will be speaking to your company-”
“It’s just for a few minutes!”
“What’s your name, please?”
“I’m not telling you that.”
The cameraman hastily backed away, the camera shooting at eye-level again, only to catch Chat Noir walking off.
“Hey, wait a moment!”
“Leave.”
“I heard that he can spread diseases,” Alya whispered.
“That’s bullshit,” Alix said.
“No, seriously.” Alya tapped furiously on her phone. “See here? I got this footage from the Valentine day akuma. Chat Noir activates his Cataclysm and he doesn’t destroy a pole or the ground or anything, but he throws it at the akuma and boom, they suddenly sank to their knees, coughing up blood.”
Alya triumphantly waved the video as Ladybug walks in, calming plucking the akumatized object off the incapacitated villain.
“There, solid proof.”
Kim squinted at the tiny screen. “Maybe he just threw like a knife or something, shot splinters and we couldn’t see it.”
Alya huffed. “Is it really so hard for you to believe?”
“I mean, yeah.” Kim shrugged. “What kind of superhero spread diseases?”
“That’s why he’s not a superhero,” Max piped up. “He’s a sidekick. This kind of serious firepower needs someone sensible to control it.”
Juleka frowned. “Are you saying Chat Noir can't control himself? That’s a little insulting.”
“It does make sense.” Alya stroked her chin contemplatively. “Why does Chat Noir always wait for Ladybug’s orders? Why does he never attack unless she’s making the first move? Maybe he’s like a superhero intern or something, learning under a superior. Or maybe he just can’t be trusted to act on his own.”
Marinette snorted, she couldn’t stay silent any longer. “Aren’t they partners?”
“Then why do they never stand side-by-side?” Alya challenged. “He always hangs back, leaves Ladybug to take the rein.”
“Maybe he’s just shy,” Rose suggested. “Cat are like that you know, they need some time to get used to crowds.”
Technically Hero’s Day was for every superhero, but people celebrated Ladybug mainly.
There was Ladybug outfits and cakes and balloons. Nadja Chamack had a special Ladybug Hour on her show.
“Your partner doesn’t want to talk?” Nadja asked, eyeing Chat Noir from where he was watching among the shadows. The bustling crew steered clearly of him, even though space was so limited, they had to push by each other. Was it just the lighting or was Chat Noir’s eyes glowing? “We would appreciate a chance to talk to him as well.”
“No,” Ladybug said. “He didn’t want to come at all actually, but he wanted to make sure I’m alright.”
“Ah.” Nadja’s eyes twinkled as the director called for final checks. “He’s very protective.”
Ladybug sighed. “Yes.”
“Almost romantically.”
“Maybe he’s just making sure I don’t get attacked.”
Nadja persisted. “Paris has been wondering about the true nature of your relationship for some time.”
Ladybug crossed her arms. “We’re partners.”
“Nothing more?”
“Absolutely not.”
Nadja smiled. “In that case-”
A clawed hand slammed down on Nadja’s couch, making her jump. Chat Noir had appeared out of nowhere, looking displeased.
“Personal questions are off-limits, that was the deal.”
Nadja recovered quickly. “Oh? Would you like to share your thoughts on this topic? You’re clearly very attached.”
“You ask one more question about this and we walk,” Chat Noir said. Nadja frowned. “Do you understand?”
“You don’t think your civilians deserve some answers?” Nadja asked. “How are we supposed to trust you if we know nothing about you?”
“Goodnight.” Chat Noir reached out a hand for Ladybug which she gracefully accepted. The director did a double take when they walked past him and Chat Noir's gloved fingers was gripping the door handle when Nadja finally caught up to them.
“Wait,” she panted. “I’m sorry. Come back, I won’t ask about it again.”
“Too late.”
Nadja stared in disbelief as Chat Noir led his partner out. Ladybug shot Nadja an apologetic smile.
“You promised me an interview,” she yelled at their backs.
“And you promised us discretion.” The door slammed shut. “Guess we’re both disappointed.”
Alya gasped as a woman grabbed Ladybug’s wrist, so suddenly the hero herself didn’t expect it.
“Hey!” A man besides Alya yelled. “Let her go!”
A wave of incensed cries were rising, the civilians behind the yellow tape now buzzing as the paramedics and authority failed to break the woman’s stiff grip on the superhero’s arm.
“You’re hurting her,” Alya yelled, phone capturing every second.
Ladybug looked mad. She had one hand on the woman’s shoulder and was squeezing hard but the woman didn’t let go, repeatedly speaking some nonsense words.
Alya strained to hear but she was too far away. Ladybug was shaking her head.
And then, out of nowhere, Chat Noir seemed to melt into existence. And with a blank face, he broke the woman’s wrist.
Her screams shocked the audience into silence, watching horrified as the woman collapsed onto the floor, howling as she clutched at her jaunted, floppy hand. The paramedics was changing targets now, trying to pin the madwoman down as she fanatically rolled, the flesh on her right arm turning purple and green.
Chat Noir doesn’t seem interested in the commotion behind him, gently holding Ladybug’s wrist, massaging the area where she was grabbed as Ladybug yelled at him, clearly rebuking.
“Goddamn,” a girl breathed. “That was going a little too far, wasn’t it?”
“I mean, he resolved the situation, didn’t he?” Another boy said. “It’s not like anyone else would’ve the guts to do it. They probably would’ve scrambled on for minutes trying to get her off without hurting anyone.” The boy stood on his tiptoes, peering over the crowd. “Looks like a clean break too, she'll be fine.”
“Damn.” A woman with a pink beanie let out a long whistle. “That was brutal. I might be in love.”
“Excuse me, excuse me!”
Chat Noir looks irritated, hanging off the side of the building, watching as the akuma rampaged. “Leave, this is a crime zone.”
“Just a moment,” the vlogger insisted. “Are you waiting for Ladybug?”
“Leave.”
“Why don’t you ever want to talk to people?”
Chat Noir thumped silently on the floor, right in front of the vlogger. She took several hasty steps back as he levelled his baton between them.
“Leave,” he repeated. “Before I make you.” Chat Noir turned, and before the blogger could follow, vanished onto the rooftops.
The vlogger scoffed. “So rude.”
“Ladybug,” a reporter yelled. “What’s your take on the Police’s new akuma amendments? Do you agree?”
Another reporter elbowed him back. “Do you have any comments for the possibility of international intervention?”
“How do you feel about the Major’s suggestions for privatisation?”
Ladybug smiled, but her lips were tight. She looks astonishingly formal today, dressed in a red pantsuit and a gold collar pendant. As she walked down the pathway to the Police Prefecture, uniformed officers struggled to hold the crowds back.
Chat Noir exited the car, dressed in his usual battle suit, but someone has comedically wrapped a clip-on bow tie around his neck. He wordlessly followed Ladybug, eyes unflinching as the crowd surged towards him.
“Chat Noir? Chat Noir! Do you have any words on the new laws?”
“How do you feel about police intercession?”
“Are you in a romantic relationship with Ladybug?”
The gates of the building slammed shut behind them and the reporters gave an almost synchronized groan. An officer wiped the sweat off his forehead.
“Get off the grounds.” He shoved at a nearby cameraman. “This is private property.”
“They’re so cute,” Rose gushed. Ladybug’s Instagram was booming, projecting from zero to almost two million followers in the span of a week. It wasn’t like she could be certified, and at first, @themiraculousladybug was ignored for just another fan account. But then she posted something no one else could ever have.
A picture of Chat Noir smiling, grinning at the camera with sharp teeth. They were hanging among the night sky, clouds drifting by as they balanced on his baton. Ladybug was sitting on his lap, Chat Noir had his arm around her waist.
Is this proof enough? Chat Noir says hi!
“They gotta be a couple,” Kim said. “You can’t post shit like this and expect everyone to believe that you’re still platonic.”
“You sit like this with Max,” Alix pointed out.
“Does not.” Kim turned red. “Do not!”
“Shut up, everyone, I’m freaking out.” Alya determinedly scrolled down the @themiraculousladybug feed, but apart from a few shots of the city and some mirror selfies, there was nothing else. “Dammit, I can’t-” Alya thought about it. “Actually, I can probably base an entire article off this.”
“Babe.” Nino peered at her screen. “Maybe you should let them have a single post without overanalysing everything?”
“Are you kidding?" Alya exclaimed. "This is a goldmine. This is the first personal insight we get into their relationship, how could you expect me to stay calm?”
“And you wonder why Chat Noir is so private,” Juleka remarked. “Ya’ll obsessive.”
“Okay...I...have never been to a theme park.”
“Neither have I.” Chat Noir sounds unimpressed. “That’s not a rare accomplishment.”
Ladybug huffed. The video was astonishingly clear, not a single light blurring as she whipped the lens towards the black-suited hero sitting cross-legged on the roof tiles.
“What do you mean it’s not a rare accomplishment? That’s like saying you’ve never been to the zoo.”
“I’ve never been to the zoo.”
“Really?”
“Do we have one in Paris?”
“Yeah!”
“Huh.” Chat Noir looks mystified. “Maybe I should go out more.”
“What do you do all day inside?”
“Sleep.”
A group of girls were gushing over the new story from @themiraculousladybug.
“He’s so cute,” one of them squealed. “So mysterious.”
“I never knew he could be so soft,” another sighed. “God, that's the kind of boyfriend I want. Hard to the world, but all smiles for me.”
Marinette chinked her coffee back onto it’s saucer. “They are not dating.”
“Let it go, girl,” Alya said dismissively. “It’s practically an open secret. Do you want to bet on it?”
“What?" Marinette flustered. “No, but...you shouldn't be talking about people’s private lives like this.”
Alya shrugged. “What did they expect?”
“Maybe consider the other aspects of the video?” Marinette suggested. “They work well as partners?”
“Well, everyone’s very interested in their partnership.” Alya waggled her eyebrows. “If you know what I’m talking about.”
“Alya, gross,” Marinette complained. But her expression mellowed a bit. “You don’t think he’s a super villain anymore?”
“Hmm?”
“You know.” Marinette gestured vaguely. “You used to have this theory that Chat Noir was working for Hawk Moth. And that he was secretly waiting for Ladybug to drop her guard so he could steal her Miraculous.”
“Oh that,” Alya realised. “Yeah, I did. Damn, I forgot about that.”
“You don’t think that anymore?”
“Not really, it was just a joke theory anyway.” Alya swiped on Ladybug’s stories. “And look at these, he's clearly in love.”
“He’s not in love,” Marinette protested. “They’re just friends.”
Alya narrowed her eyes. “Why are you so adamant?” She asked suspiciously. A light bulb went off. “Oh my god,” she grinned. “You have a crush on him? That’s why?”
“No!” Marinette flushed. “Of course not-”
“Marinette has a crush,” Alya said gleefully. “I’m telling the entire class!”
“Do not!” Marinette batted at Alya’s phone. “I’m just saying, it’s rude to assume!”
“Okay, okay. Fine, ow!” Alya winced. “I was just joking. But you are always suspiciously in support of Chat Noir.”
“I just feel like everyone’s being so mean,” Marinette said defensively. “Just because he doesn't talk, doesn't mean he's a supervillain.”
“He should talk more,” Alya said. “What did he expect? You can’t just creepily hang around in the background and not stir up suspicions.”
“He’s being a hero,” Marinette said shortly. “That’s his job. There’s no requirement to talk.”
Alya patted her shoulder sympathetically. “Don’t worry, Mari,” she said as another rush of sighs arose. “You’re not alone in the Chat Noir Fanclub now.”
Marinette smacked Alya’s arm as she laughed.
“Kitty!”
Chat Noir turned with a snarl, only to falter when he realised the five-year old girl standing behind him. She was beaming, while her mother stood open-mouthed as the akuma stormed outside the alleyway.
“This is for you.” She held out a limp wildflower. “You’re my favourite hero, I like you better than Ladybug.”
The mother came forward anxiously as Chat Noir stared without expression.
“S-sorry, Chat Noir,” she laughed. “She’s a little young to understand. Let’s go now, honey, don’t bother the superhero.”
Chat Noir reached forward and grasped the wildflower, tucking it behind the little girl’s ear.
“Don’t give me gifts,” he said shortly. “I don’t like receiving things.” He stood up and dithered. The mother swallowed. “I’m glad you like me,” he said. And Chat Noir was gone.
The little girl grinned up at her mother.
“See,” she crowed. “I told you! He’s not scary, he’s just shy. Like Mitaines.”
“I think he’s a little different from Mitaines,” the mother muttered. The wildflower was thrusted rather professionally, at an angle where the stem isn’t stressed, with the bloom peeking out prettily.
“No!” The little girl cupped her hand around it defiantly. “Don’t take it out, Chat Noir gave it to me!”
The mother sighed. “Alright. But you have to take it out at bathtime.”
“Thank you so much for doing this!” Alya couldn’t believe she was actually talking with the Ladybug, sitting in some mid-level hotel Marinette had given her the key for.
“Thank you for writing about me,” Ladybug smiled. “I can’t believe I didn't give my number one blogger an interview yet.”
Alya’s hand trembled as she set the camera and the microphone, Ladybug waiting patiently.
“Before we start.” Alya cleared her throat. “I know that there are some topics which are off limits.”
“Yes,” Ladybug agreed. “My identity, my personal life.”
“Is Chat Noir off-limits?”
Ladybug frowned. “I beg your pardon?”
“I noticed you don’t talk about Chat Noir often.” Ladybug gave the recording tape a cautious look. “Oh no.” Alya hurried to explain. “I’m not recording yet.”
“Please tell me when you do.”
“Of course,” Alya said. “It’s just that you don’t talk about Chat Noir a lot, and it has led to some serious misunderstandings about your relationship and his motivations before. I mean, Paris didn’t even know he was your partner, not your sidekick, until three months ago!”
“Chat Noir is a private person,” Ladybug said. “He doesn’t like talking about himself, and I respect his decision.”
“Of course,” Alya agreed. “But some level of consideration has to be given, shouldn’t it? Chat Noir can’t expect to just stay silent and remain out-of-communication with the people he’s protecting.”
Ladybug hesitated. “You want me to talk about Chat Noir?”
“As much as you can give me,” Alya said. “I want Paris to know about the cat, not just his shadow.”
Ladybug smiled tightly. “I can’t give you much, but I’ll say what I can. And no,” as Alya opened her mouth. “We are not dating.”
“Really?” Alex Cataldi was astonished. “Chat Noir?”
“Yes!” Claire giggled. “Is it really that surprising?”
“Well, we don’t really know Chat Noir,” Alire Perrin pointed out. “And he seems to be a very grumpy and rough person.”
“He’s sweet,” Claire argued. “I’ve been the biggest fan of Ladybug since forever and when she made her Instagram, I was obsessively following every single post. Chat Noir is a really sweet person, he just acts harsh because of superhero requirements and everything. If you watch the stories, he’s clearly really nice!”
“He’s only nice to Ladybug,” Alaire said dubiously. “This is a hero that has purposely injured civilians and attacked the Mayor.”
“Purposely with good reason,” Claire corrected. “And the Mayor was trying to push Ladybug into a crowd, Chat Noir reacted appropriately.” Claire counted off her fingers. “He’s protective and sweet, he has a great body and beautiful eyes. He’s the epitome of the strong and silent! How could you not love him?”
Alex shook his head. “Well, there you have it,” he said to the audience. “Claire Gagnon’s celebrity crush, Chat Noir.”
The LadyBlog’s most popular video now was the Ladybug interview. Alya was the only person who managed to get Ladybug to speak a few words about her partner. This made her credibility and her blog blow up and Alya was delighted by her new revenue and followers, even major news companies contacting her for permission to use her footage.
“The main purpose of the Instagram was to connect us with Paris,” Ladybug said in the interview. “We do hear the rumours about us and we are intimately familiar with the ‘Chat Noir Supervillain’ theory.”
“I’m guessing he’s not a supervillain, then?”
Ladybug fixed off-screen Alya a glare. “No,” she said shortly. “He’s the only person I trust, I would place my life in his hands. I hoped that by showing a different side of Chat Noir, I would change the public opinion of my partner. He's not a bad person, he’s just...reserved.”
“Would you say that he’s violent?”
“I would say that he does what’s necessary.”
Chat Noir trended for six weeks on Twitter. Two other celebrities revealed that he was their type.
“Well, what did she expect?” Alix asked. “Of course it was going to turn out this way.”
“Maybe she thought people wouldn’t be creeps,” Marinette said darkly.
“I’m actually glad she posted these,” Rose said. “I was always a little scared of Chat Noir. But seeing these posts...he’s actually pretty cute.”
Marinette groaned. “What the hell is going on?” She demanded. “Has everyone lost it?”
“Hey, you can’t deny people for having good taste,” Alya teased. “This publicity might be good for them. Chat Noir only had a 13% approval rating before. It’s shooting up to 45% now.”
“I think it’s sweet how much he cares for Ladybug,” Mylene said. “He was always so cold to everyone else.”
“He’s a superhero,” Marinette said. “He’s not supposed to be sweet, he’s supposed to do his job.”
“Still,” Alya continued over Marinette’s tirade. “I wish I could talk to Chat Noir himself or someone else who’s close to him. Ladybug is good and all, but she's kinda biased.”
“You don’t think Chat Noir will be biased for himself?” Juleka asked.
“Oh my god, Chat Noir?”
Everyone turned. Lila Rossi, the new girl, beamed at the group with a lunch tray in her hand.
“Are you guys talking about Chat Noir?”
“Yeah.” Alix moved over to make space. “He’s kinda popular right now.”
“Of course he is!” Lila sat down with a smile. “I was always so worried about his reputation, there’s all these rumours going around about how dangerous and menacing he seems, the law never trusted him like they do with Ladybug. I’m so glad Ladybug posts those stories about them together, it shows a completely different side of them.”
“Yeah, well, Marinette is complaining that they backfired,” Alix said. “Because now everyone’s seeing him as boyfriend material.”
“Because I’m the only sane person here,” Marinette said. “Having a crush on Chat Noir is like having a crush on a police detective.”
“People have crushes on detectives,” Rose said defensively.
“And he’s a superhero,” Alya added. “That’s different.”
“Different because he can kill you quicker or because he fight supernatural entities?”
“I thought you were a supporter of him.” Alya frowned.
“Not like this!”
“Trust me, Marinette.” Lila waved a hand. “Chat Noir will be happy to hear about his new standing.”
“And how do you know that?”
“Because he’s just an introverted person,” Lila said. “He’s not really scary, he’s just aloof and a little awkward and he doesn't know how to handle people. Honestly, in my opinion, he’s far more effective than Ladybug. The whole nice-girl-schtick is good and all, but it doesn’t inspire order like he does. Ladybug would be sooner mobbed if Chat Noir wasn’t there to keep the people in line.”
Mylene and Rose nodded but Juleka leaned forward.
“How do you know he’s introverted?”
Lila blinked. “Well, it’s obvious, isn’t it?”
“No?”
Lila laughed nervously. “Well, you can see in the videos,” she blabbered. “He always hangs back, he doesn’t talk to the reporters-”
“That's because he doesn’t like people,” Alya said. “Not because he’s introverted.”
Lila mumbled some nonsense words under her breath. Marinette’s eyes narrowed but it was Alix who gasped.
“Do you know Chat Noir?” She asked. A guilty look flashed through Lila’s eye. “You do!”
“Not so loud,” Lila said hastily. “Okay, okay, maybe I met him once or twice.”
“Once or twice!” Alya squealed. “Oh my gosh, tell me, girl. How does he act, how does he talk? How do you so much about him?"
“We just talk sometimes,” Lila said shiftily. “I met him on my balcony when he was taking a break from patrolling-”
“Oh, that’s so sweet,” Rose interrupted. “It’s like a meet-cute.”
Lila blushed. “Not really, we’re just friends.”
The girls collectively yelled.
“Friends?” Mylene demanded. “You’re friends?”
Marinette’s cold words cut through their excitement like a knife. “You’re lying.”
Everyone fell silent and turned to Marinette. Lila faltered.
“There’s no way you know Chat Noir personally, you’re lying.”
Lila turned red. “How do you know that?”
“Chat Noir doesn’t interact with civilians, everyone knows that,” Marinette scoffed. “He’s infamous for giving everyone the cold shoulder except for Ladybug. Why would he speak to some random girl?”
“Marinette,” Alya exclaimed. “What’s gotten into you?”
“I don’t know,” Lila retorted. “Why don’t you ask him? I didn’t ask for Chat Noir to speak to me, he talked to me himself. I can’t believe you. Are you calling me a liar?"
"Yes."
Lila bit her lip as tears filled her eyes. "How dare you? I never lie!" With a dramatic shove, Lila abandoned her lunch tray and stormed away, hair swinging as she left the cafeteria.
Marinette blanched as all her friends turned to glare at her.
“Marinette,” Rose scolded. “That was rude.”
“That was totally uncalled for,” Alix agreed.
Marinette blushed. “But she was lying,” she protested. “You were all just talking about how much he cares for no one but Ladybug. Why would Chat Noir talk to some random girl on patrol?”
“You don’t have proof that she’s lying,” Alya pointed out. “And besides, it has happened. You heard about that little girl who gave Chat Noir a flower, right? He talked to her.”
“Because she’s a little girl,” Marinette said snidely. “You’ll have to be a total asshole to ignore a little girl.”
“Why are you so incensed about this?” Juleka frowned. “First you insist that Chat Noir is not dating material, and then you say it’s impossible for him to have talked to Lila.”
A simultaneous lightbulb went off.
Alix incredulously snapped her fingers. “You have a crush on him.”
“Do not!”
“You do!” Alya said. “Aw, girl, don’t worry, it’s natural to be jealous.”
Marinette shrugged Alya’s hand off. “I’m not jealous!” But she was so flustered no one believed her. Marinette turned disbelievingly to Mylene and Rose. “Don’t tell me you actually believe that Chat Noir spoke to her.”
Mylene shrugged. “Benefit of the doubt. There’s no counterproof yet.”
“Ladybug!”
Ladybug gave a peace sign as she swung past, the citizens of Paris gasping as the heroine soared high about them. The akuma was a flight type, and he was nimble and tricky, even rivalling Ladybug’s agility and wit.
A dark shadow zipped overhead and Chat Noir, in a tactical mask and motorcycle boots, stood on the rooftops watching as Ladybug flew up to join the akuma, dark gossamer wings beating like a hummingbird’s heart.
Chat Noir was fretful, fingers tightening and retightening around his baton as he followed the movements of the airborne battle with slight head twitches and body shifts. They were too far up for even the tallest building or the most zoom-capable camera. Soon, becoming little dots in the expanding blue sky.
Chat Noir’s shoulder dropped as they vanished out of sight, and the crowd awwed as he sat down.
Chat Noir shot back up, and even with the mask on, the audience could tell he was glaring at the crowd with a look of incredulous surprise.
Someone giggled. “Don’t worry,” a boy called out. “I’m sure she’ll be back soon.”
Chat Noir didn’t move for a second, and then he departed in what was clear disgust.
A woman laughed. “Such a grumpy cat.”
“Why are you mad?”
“I hate this new attitude people have.”
The camera shook with Ladybug’s laughter and Chat Noir glared.
“Sorry.” Ladybug smothered her giggles. “There’s this stray cat near my house, you have the same expression he does when I forget feeding times.”
Chat Noir turned away with a groan. “Is this enough humanizing?” He complained. “People are getting way too comfortable.”
“It’s the last one.” Ladybug turned her camera around, the live feed full of complaining viewers. “Sorry guys, but my kitty’s right. This will be the last in the series, we’ll still be posting pictures.” She narrowed her eyes at the comments. “To everyone who’s saying that this is their only will to live, you need to find a better hobby.”
Ladybug read on and burst out in laughter. Chat Noir sounded off-screen. “What? What’s wrong?”
Ladybug snickered. “Okay, kitty. Would you be willing to give our followers one last gift before we clicked off forever?”
Chat Noir’s voice was full of suspicion. “What gift?”
“Come here.”
“Tell me what’s the gift.”
“Come over here first.”
There was some reluctant shuffling and Chat Noir yelped as Ladybug turned the camera around and patted him on the head, ruffling up his hair to reveal smooth skin where his ears should be. And then she flickered the fluffy cat alternatives on the top of his head and Chat Noir twitched as she rubbed her fingers into the base.
“See?” Ladybug said. “They’re real.”
“This feels vaguely fetishistic.”
Ladybug laughed as the comments were blasted with more requests.
“Sorry guys, that’s it. Bug Out! This has been Ladybug and…”
Sullen silence.
“And…..?”
“This is ridiculous.”
Ladybug pulled Chat Noir close, raising the yo-yo above them. “This has been Ladybug and...”
“Chat Noir,” Chat Noir said sulkily.
Ladybug winked. “Goodnight Paris from your Miraculous Duo!”
“And then on the third night, I was beginning to realise that his ‘usual path’ might just be an excuse,” Lila said.
The background was semi professional, the interviewee was sitting in a corner of a classroom but the crisp sounds of the microphone easily trumped over the calls of children.
“And Chat Noir comes to see you often now?”
“Not often,” Lila corrected. “But seeing how I was once an akuma victim, he just likes to make sure I’m okay.”
“He doesn’t check on any of the other victims.”
Lila shrugged. “I don’t know how his mind works.”
Alya’s voice was teasing. “Maybe he has a special place in his heart for you.”
Lila blushed prettily. “Don’t say that,” she protested. “He’s just doing his job.” But Lila raised her hands to pat her reddened cheeks and her green eyes raised up in a perfect display of coquettish timidity. “Do you really think so?”
“Probably,” Alya said honestly. “It’s a miracle to get Chat Noir to talk. If he comes to you willingly, he must have some feelings for you.”
#LilaRossiandChatNoir trended on Twitter. Ladybug was questioned by a passer-by on her next patrol but she denied comments.
Lila giggled as she arrived at class, about five minutes late.
“Sorry guys,” she apologised. “Sorry Madame Bustier, I had a little trouble getting in.”
The front of the school was crowded with reporters, Lila was escorted by taxi nowadays, even though she only lives fifteen minutes away.
“It’s fine.” Madame Bustier smiled kindly. “I understand your troubles. Take a seat, Lila.”
Chloe sneered as Lila walked up, and Marinette’s face was the picture of a dark scowl. Alya nudged her friend.
“If looks could kill,” Alya said. “Why can’t you just be happy for Lila?”
“Happy for a liar?” Marinette hissed.
“Are you still going on about that?”
“Yes,” Marinette said. “How could you not? She’s clearly lying, I can’t believe you actually posted the video.”
“You don’t have proof she’s lying,” Alya said.
“You don’t have proof that she’s telling the truth,” Marinette shot back. “Anyone could claim they talked with Chat Noir, I could do it.”
“If she was lying, wouldn’t Chat Noir or Ladybug had spoken by now?”
“Why is it their responsibility to speak up?” Marinette asked. “If some random person makes a claim, why do they have to stress themselves by acknowledging it? If you want to believe Lila, you should find the proof yourself!”
Alya frowned. Marinette paled.
“Are you jealous because you like Chat Noir?”
“I don’t like Chat Noir!”
“Girls.” Madame Bustier’s look was icy. “Please keep the mindless chit-chat outside of the classroom.”
Marinette looked up and blushed when she realised that most of the class was staring at them. Lila was looking over with a pondering expression but smiled when Marinette turned to her.
“Sorry, Madame Bustier,” Marinette muttered.
“Sorry.” Alya followed.
“Turn to page 185,” Madame Bustier turned away. “Our next segment of the French Union begins in Indochina…”
Marinette was angrily washing her hands, red hot anger heating up her collar and ears. Tikki peeked out of her bag worriedly, but before the kwami could say a word, the opening door had her darting back into Marinette’s bag.
Lila entered cautiously.
“Marinette?” She said. “Hey, do you mind if we talk?”
Marinette huffed and switched off the tap. “Yes, I do mind.”
“Oh.” Lila shuffled as Marinette dried her hands, practically ripping paper towels out of the canister. “Well, I noticed that you’ve been speaking-”
“I said I don’t want to talk,” Marinette snapped. “Are you hard of hearing too?”
Marinette made to push her way roughly out of the door, but she was surprised when Lila suddenly grabbed her wrist and pulled her back into the bathroom.
“Hey!” Marinette yelped, yanking her arm back. “Don’t grab me!”
“What’s your problem?” Lila asked angrily. “Why are you making such a big fuss?”
Marinette blinked. Gone was the sweet and sly person, Lila looked absolutely furious. “What?”
“Are you Ladybug?” Lila demanded.
Marinette flushed. “What?”
“How do you know I’m lying?” Lila took stalking steps and Marinette hastily backed away. “How do you know Chat Noir wasn’t really talking to me? Unless you’re Ladybug, there’s no reason for you to challenge my claims.”
“It doesn’t take a genius to figure out that you're lying!” Marinette retorted fiercely. “Oh so, Chat Noir just happens to rescue you on your first day in France? He just happens to be resting on your balcony? He just happens to strike up a conversation? What a whole lot of coincidences.”
“Are you saying it couldn’t have happened?”
“I’m saying it didn’t! I know it didn’t! There’s no way it did!”
Lila slammed her hand on the side of Marinette’s head. “Stop making trouble,” she snarled. “And stop this irritating little façade before I make you.”
Marinette gaped. “Are you threatening me? You are lying.”
“I’m not,” Lila spat and tears welled up. “But I’m sick of you always being at the corner of my eye, tearing down whatever I build up. Just let me enjoy myself, why do you have to be such a bully?” Lila abruptly wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. “Do you gain anything from this? Look, I'm sorry to say this, but someone has to. It’s impossible for Chat Noir to like you back, you know that, right? You’re harbouring a delusion.”
“Why does everyone think that?” Marinette demanded. “I don't have a crush on Chat Noir.”
“Then why are you so against me?”
Marinette crossed her arms. “I don’t like liars. And you’re ruining Alya’s career.”
Lila scowled. “Has anyone ever told you what a little nosy busy-body you are?”
“What?”
“Alya’s not a child,” Lila snapped. “She can take care of herself. You, running around and acting like moral authority, is irritating everyone. Do you think your classmates are children? They can make decisions for themselves, stop telling them that your way of thinking is the only way.”
Marinette was stunned.
“And FYI,” Lila continued. “Where’s your proof? You have zero proof that I’m lying. It’s my word against yours and if we’re going by ethical measures, I’m winning!” Lila turned away. “Keep your words to yourself,” she snapped behind her back. “I don’t need some bored meddler ruining my life.”
Marinette sank down slightly as the door slammed shut. Tikki zipped out.
“As much as I hate to say it,” Tikki said gently. “She is right. You’re being too forceful.”
“She’s lying to everyone!”
“Marinette doesn’t know that,” Tikki said. “Ladybug shouldn’t have to care. It’s not your issue.”
Marinette looked up incredulously. “So you think I should just let her run?”
“You already said your piece,” Tikki said. “You’re vehement that Lila was lying and now all of your classmates know it. It’s not your job to take further responsibility for their actions. If they still believe her, that’s their problem now. You don’t have to lose sleep over everyone else’s decision.”
Marinette silently contemplated the air. “I guess you're right,” she said reluctantly. “But it doesn’t feel good.”
“Sometimes you just have to step back,” Tikki said. “This is one of those times.”
Lila laid out a cute Prada gabardine dress with sling-back heels. She was so sick of waiting she couldn’t sleep. Alya’s blog was good and all, but it was a completely different matter to be requested by a real news channel. Lila will be paid a lot for her appearance, and she greatly relished the money and exposure.
What should she do with her hair? Maybe she should just go with her classic clipped bangs and let the news station style as they wish. But then again, there’s this really cute bow she was waiting for the right occasion to wear.
“Excited?”
Lila shrieked and jumped, stumbling blindly backwards until she tripped over a stack of stray books and collapsed with a thump.
There was a dark shadow at her window. Lila didn’t even see it at first, until she realised the pair of radiant green eyes watching her with faint amusement.
“Who are you?” she demanded, scrabbling for a weapon. “What are you doing in my house?” Her room was on the third floor, how was this possible? “Are you an akuma?”
The figure moved over the floor, as graceful as water, and Lila paled.
“How rude,” said the same low voice. “I only came to check up on a friend.”
Lila gaped. “Chat Noir?”
He snapped on a cord and Lila balked as harsh fluorescent light suddenly flared out. “You’re having fun,” he commented. “I like the outfit. Ditch the bow, Prada is a clothing statement, accessories would only ruin the aesthetic.”
Chat Noir was tall and slender, and the way he walked reminded Lila of strutting supermodels. Lila swallowed.
“What are you doing here?”
“Check up on a friend,” Chat Noir repeated, helping himself to her armchair. “How have you been doing? Excited for tomorrow?”
Lila shakingly stood up again. The door was only a few metres away.
“You’re intruding.” Her voice trembled.
“Am I?” He asked dryly. “Why? What are you going to do? Run to the Police?”
Lila was starting to feel less scared and more irritated.
“Get out.”
He raised an eyebrow. “No.”
There was a silence.
“Now what?” He asked. “You going to make me?”
“You can’t be here, it’s not allowed.”
“I don’t want to be here,” Chat Noir said. “Believe me, I could be doing literally anything else right now. But I couldn’t skip out on visiting a friend, could I?”
Lila scowled. “Fine,” she said. “I lied. You going to tell people?”
“Why would I do that?” Chat Noir asked. “I’m just visiting.”
Lila frowned. “What?”
But Chat Noir was already slinking back to the window, shimming out through the narrow exit. “Goodbye.” He disappeared.
Lila rushed to the windowsill and looked out. Then she twisted around and scanned above her. Nothing. She stared out at the silent park.
“What the hell was that?”
Ladybug was flabbergasted. “Excuse me?” She said. “Could you say that again? I don’t think I heard you clearly the first time.”
Chat Noir sighed. “I said she’s cute,” he repeated. “She’s prettier than I expected.”
“Are you insane?” Ladybug demanded.
“For having eyes?”
“For visiting Lila Rossi,” Ladybug said. “Dammit, kitty, I thought we were going to steer clear of her.”
“I got curious,” Chat Noir admitted. “And this has gone beyond amateur journalism, she’s big-tv news now. I mean, I gotta see what my best friend looks like at least, shouldn't I?”
Ladybug threw her hands up. “You were the one that persuaded me not to do anything.”
“And I still abide by that,” Chat Noir said.
“You really think letting her run is gonna work out?”
“Yeah,” Chat Noir said easily. “All the glamour and no gold. The fall is going to hit her hard.”
Ladybug sat down next to him, and out of instinct, he curled his head into her lap. Ladybug sighed. “You’re so infuriating sometimes,” she confessed. Ladybug prided herself on being the only one who could crack through her partner’s hard shell. But moments like these made her so frustrated, she felt like strangling him.
Chat Noir purred happily. “I like her.”
“You really have lost it.”
“She’s clever.”
“She’s a liar.”
“She knows what she wants,” Chat Noir said. “And she is doing what she can to get it. It’s admirable.”
Ladybug pursed her lips. “Lila Rossi is becoming the third person in our relationship. I’m a possessive person, Chat.” She tightened her hand in his hair. “No sharing, okay?”
He grinned up at her. “Okay,” he said softly. “I understand, no sharing.”
“You’re not going to go over there?” Alya teased. “Rampage your way through, flip a few tables, maybe accuse Lila of being a harlot?”
Marinette huffed. She just wanted some quiet time to eat lunch but watching fawning students dangle around Lila was making her appetite drop. “No,” she said shortly.
“Uh-huh.” Alya looks amused. “Why, again?”
Marinette stuck her nose slightly up in the air. “I said my piece. Lila is a liar, it’s not my problem anymore.”
Rose laughed. “You’re making this sound so serious,” she said. “Gosh.” Her eyes were wistful as she watched Lila sign autographs. “She got interviewed by Claire Gagnon, I would die to meet Claire Gagnon.”
“Claire Gagnon is cool,” Juleka agreed. “Lila’s kind of becoming a celebrity too, isn’t she?”
Alix gnawed absent-mindedly on an apple. “I guess, it is kinda cool.” She shrugged. “But I’m starting to see from Marinette’s point of view.”
Marinette whipped her head around as Alya frowned. “Really?” Marinette’s eyes were practically shining.
“Yeah,” Alix said. “Like, I’m not saying Lila is really a liar, but I was watching the interview last night, left for the bathroom and came back to realise how ridiculous this all looks. Lila is becoming famous for being Chat Noir’s friend, she’s getting interviewed by Claire Gagnon on France 24 and they’re giving her goddamn gift baskets for supporting the heroes of Paris. But I’m watching all this over-excessive reimbursements and I’m thinking, damn, all Lila did was talk to Chat Noir, and now she’s receiving five thousand euros for it. Our heroes are carrying on like everything is normal while in a TV studio, some random girl who claims to know them is getting awards. Kinda unfair, isn’t it?” Alix shrugged. “It’s just my opinion, but Marinette’s kinda right. Lila has no proof, all this insider details and personal secrets could be made up by anyone, and now she’s receiving far too much credit for it.”
Mylene's stare was astonished. “I never thought about it like that before.”
Marinette was incredulous. “That’s what I’ve been saying all this time,” she complained. “You’ll listen to Alix but not me?”
“I’m listening to the second opinion.”
“Unbelievable,” Marinette said.
“No offence,” Rose said. “But Alix does makes a lot more sense. Your explanation was mostly garbled rhetoric that involves repeating the words ‘Lila’ and ‘lie’ over and over again.”
“Rude!”
Alya was frowning. “So, we’re all on the ‘Lila is a liar’ train now?” She asked. “Now that she’s famous, we’re all hating her?”
“Whoa, whoa.” Alix looks shocked. “That went from 0 to a 100 real quick. That’s not what we're saying.”
“It’s just that seeing all the ridiculous benefits she’s getting, it’s far overriding the balance of her connections,”Juleka said. She paused. “Huh, I guess we are doubting her now that she’s famous.”
Marinette raised a hand. “I want it to be noted that I was doubting her from the start.”
“Let’s just eat lunch,” Mylene said as an awkward silence began to ascend. “We only have a half-hour left.”
“Chat Noir! Chat Noir, wait !”
Alya huffed as she pedalled after the hero. Like always, he ignored her, and quickly began to flicker out of her sight. Alya fanatically scanned nearby for anything she could use to capture his attention, anything to stop him.
But there was nothing. And truthfully there was really only one thing that Chat Noir would be interested in.
Alya sighed.
“Help!” She screamed as she tossed herself into the tentacles of the octopus akuma. She gasped as she was shoved underwater, and for several long seconds, Alya couldn’t breathe. She choked as the world came blaring back, and forgetting her mission, scrambled uselessly on the akuma’s slippery arms, trying to free herself.
There was a hard thud and a squeal, and suddenly Alya’s stomach was dropping as gravity made a sharp twist and she cried out helplessly, hearing nothing but the world screeching in her ear. And then as quickly as it came, it was gone.
Chat Noir looks unimpressed, his blonde hair plastered to his skull. Someone wrapped a warm blanket around her shoulders and Alya realised she was in the middle of a temporary medic camp.
Alya grabbed onto Chat Noir’s calf as he turned to walk away and he looked back on her, brow furrowed.
“Are you-” Alya coughed out some water, and wiped her mouth. “Sorry,” she said hoarsely. “Are you really friends with Lila Rossi?”
Chat Noir stared. And then he shook his leg free of her grasp and walked off.
“Is that why you jumped towards an akuma?” A paramedic asked. “That was extremely stupid. No amount of tabloid fame is worth your life, young lady.”
Alya flushed. “It’s not a tabloid,” she defended. “And the question was important.”
“Can you believe this?” Lila complained as she dropped down onto their group, chockful of designer clothes. The girls, huddled in a corner around Rose and Juleka’s desk, were exchanging notes on their history homework. “Just show you what people really are like. They’ll pray for your success until you actually become successful.”
Alix and Alya exchanged a glance, Marinette looked stormy. Rose and Mylene awkwardly continued scribbling.
Lila frowned. “Are you ignoring me?”
“Lila,” Alix said. “Maybe it’s better if you don’t sit with us.”
Lila blinked. “What?”
Alya cleared her throat. “I don’t think it’s a good idea for you to sit with us anymore,” she said. “Considering...you know. Recent developments.”
Lila’s jaw dropped. “You believe them too?” She demanded. “I can’t believe this, I trusted you guys.”
“I just want to say,” Marinette piped up. “I always knew you were lying.”
“Not the time,” Juleka said.
“I just don’t know if I can trust someone who lies,” Alya finished.
Lila flushed. “You believed me,” she accused. “You posted my stories on your blog, you encouraged me to accept the news offer. You were the one that was pushing the entire narrative.”
“Yeah, well, I realised my past actions may have been misguided,” Alya said.
“Yeah,” said Marinette. “Easily avoidable, should’ve-had-common-sense kind of misguided.”
“Marinette,” Juleka said.
“The point is,” Alya continued. “In the world of journalism, you learn a lot of lessons. And this time, I have learned that things aren’t always as exciting as it seems. If someone comes along with a story too good to be true, that’s because it is. And I have realised that you should never let those people take advantage of your naivety. That’s the lesson I learned and that’s the lesson I will be taking to heart.” Alya primly folded her hands.
Lila looks seconds away from lunging. “Advantage?” She said slowly. “I took advantage of you? You took advantage of me . You were the one pushing me to lie. You were saying, ‘it’s fine, everyone misdirects sometimes, these kinds of things are harmless’.” Lila pointed towards the directions of the school gates where angry murmurs could be heard.
“I had to fight my way into school today,” Lila said. “There are people out there for my blood, saying that I was purposely trying to bait Chat Noir, there’s people who think I’m some kind of Italian spy, trying to sabotage France’s only supernatural weapons. People are trying to get my mother fired, and I’m the one that took advantage of you?”
Alya looks uncomfortable and Rose blinked. Marinette straightened up, eyes wide with something like surprise. “People are trying to get your mother fired?”
Lila ignored her. “And maybe, yeah,” Lila said, her voice was getting thick. “Maybe I did lie a little. But Chat Noir did talk to me, and you’re all the ones who took it so far. How was I supposed to know about Paris’ superhero obsession? I thought I could rely on the ones who had a hand in tossing me into this mess but I guess people really do show their true colours once things go to hell. I learned a lesson too, you wanna know what that lesson is?” Lila looked around at all of them, eyes red. “I learned that you should never trust ‘friends’. And you should never believe them because once the glamour is over, they’ll chew you up and spit you out.”
Lila shoved herself up violently. Most of the class and Madame Bustier were present now, looking over at them. Chloe was smirking. “Thanks for the lesson, guys,” Lila said, eyes wet. And then she ran out of the classroom.
There were a few still seconds, and then Marinette pushed herself up and ran after Lila.
Everyone looked at Alya.
“What?” She said.
“Girl,” said Alix. “Go.”
“Go where- ow, ow!” Alya scowled and rubbed her shoulder where Rose hit her. “Okay, I’m going, I’m going.” She hobbled down the stairs and raced after Lila and Marinette.
Chloe laughed. “Bratty little liar,” she sniffed. “That’s what happens to dramatic little show-offs. I hope everyone learned this lesson today.”
“Chloe,” Nathaniel said. “Shut the fuck up.”
Chloe gaped. “How dare you-”
“I’m backing Nathaniel up,” said Nino. “Shut the fuck up, Chloe.”
“Children, children.” Madame Bustier held up her hands. “Please remember that this is a classroom.”
“And we’re the students,” Ivan said. “Shut the fuck up, Chloe.”
“Yeah.” Max grinned, looking uncharacteristically exuberant. “Shut the fuck-”
An explosion cut off his words.
“Hey guys.” Ladybug and Chat Noir whirled around, holding up their weapons and Volpina took a few quick steps back. “Whoa, whoa, whoa.” She laughed. “A little trigger-happy, aren’t we?”
Chat Noir frowned. “Who are you?” He angled his body just slightly ahead of Ladybug who moved behind him.
Volphina watched this with interest. “Volpina,” she said. “The Fox Hero. I’m here to help.”
“Help?” Ladybug said suspiciously. “I don’t remember there being a Fox Hero. What’s your Miraculous?”
Volpina held up her necklace. “The Fox Pendant.”
Chat Noir made to reach for it but Volpina swiped it out of range. “Nuh-uh, kitty,” she reprimanded. “No touching.”
Ladybug looks angrier than Chat Noir. “Don’t tell my partner what to do,” she snapped, moving forward. “And how are we supposed to trust some random stranger who just showed up?”
“The same way Paris trusted you, I suppose,” Volpina replied steadily. “It’s not like you provided credentials. And I did just divert a meteorite storm.”
“She has a point,” Chat Noir said.
Ladybug scowled. “Fine, but you’re under investigation for now.”
Volpina rolled her eyes. “And who made you the Queen of Parisian superheroes?”
“I did, I suppose,” Chat Noir said. “Being the only other superhero. I know it’s unfair, but I am backing Ladybug’s decision.”
Volpina's eyes darted down to his metal claws and forced a smile. “Now now, there’s no need to be so aggressive,” she said. “I’m just here to help, what’s happening now?”
“Well.” Ladybug turned back to the ruins of the school. “Unconnected miscellaneous objects have been attacking this place, even though it was cleared of civilians. There was a frog rain, icicle spikes, a fire blew in-”
“And you saw the meteorite storm,” Chat Noir finished.
“The strange thing is, the attacks vanish by themselves after a while.” With their back turned, neither of them noticed the quick purple flash over Volpina’s eyes. “And unless the akuma have a personal vendetta against the building, there’s no explanation for why it would attack an empty school. Plus, the akuma itself is nowhere to be seen.” Ladybug shrugged. “So we’re just waiting for now.”
“The school is empty?” Volpina feigned surprise. “Who’s that then?”
A small figure climbing over the rubble. Ladybug startled forward.
“No.” Chat Noir held out a hand. “We can’t both go, it might be a trap.”
Ladybug sighed. “Chat-”
But he had already bounded off the roof.
“That was brave of him to volunteer,” Volpina remarked.
“He’s not brave, he’s stupid,” Ladybug said. “He’s suicidal.”
“Oh?” Volpina tilted her head. “But everyone always thinks it’s so sweet how he protects you.”
“He ages me by the minute,” Ladybug complained. “It’s hard trying to care for someone who doesn’t care for himself.”
Volpina was taking careful steps around Ladybug, her flute humming gently. “Maybe he just cares more for you than he cares about himself.”
Ladybug flushed. “We’re on the job,” she reminded curtly. “Not the time to be talking about romance.”
Volpina smiled. “Who said anything about romance?” She swung the flute just as Ladybug whirled around.
Lila opened her eyes, and immediately wished she hadn't. She was lying at the bottom of a crater of some sort, surrounded on all edges by reporters and gawking civilians with flashing cameras. The police weren't even trying to restrain them.
Ladybug was frowning down at her, eyes hard but Chat Noir looks surprisingly amicable.
“...ises?” He said.
Lila shifted slightly. “What?”
“Do you feel strange aches or pains?” He repeated. “Any marks that shouldn’t be there, freckles or bruises?”
“Err…” Lila pushed herself up. She expected to be filled with throbbing sores but apart from a faint discomfort, she felt completely fine. Dandy, even. “No?”
“You’re all good then.”
From their last meeting, Lila had expected Chat Noir to be angry and demanding. But now, she finds herself practically hiding behind him as Ladybug growled.
“Satisfied?” She asked. “You got the attention you wanted."
Lila cowered as the camera flashed faster. Ladybug was making no effort to hide her volume.
“My Lady,” Chat Noir began.
“No.” Ladybug shook her head. “That’s enough, you’ve been riding on the mercy of my partner far too long, Lila Rossi. Do you know what you did?”
Lila felt her defiance spark. “I thought you were supposed to be an expert on akumas,” she snarked. “How am I supposed to remember?”
Ladybug’s eyes flashed. “You pretended to be a hero,” she snapped, jabbing a finger towards Lila’s face. “You tried to kill us both and you almost succeed, you little-”
“My Lady.” Chat Noir’s voice was firm. “That’s enough.”
She looks incredulous. “Are you still protecting her?”
“Yes,” Chat Noir said simply. “May I?”
Lila blinked. “What?” She squeaked as Chat Noir suddenly swept her into a bridal carry. Ladybug was visibly taken aback and there were gasps ringing out above, camera clicking furiously.
“This isn’t the time or the place,” Chat Noir said. “Let’s go to somewhere quieter.”
Lila sauntered past the class, her head held high in the air as she took the steps to her seat in the back.
“If it isn’t Miss Liar,” Chloe called.
Lila raised an eyebrow. “Not anymore, Chloe,” she said coolly. “You saw what happened, didn’t you?”
Alya awkwardly looked over. No one can remember Chat Noir even looking at a civilian voluntarily, yet he seemed so gentle with Lila, carrying her away from the crowd, disappearing into the darkness.
Even with the mask, Ladybug’s shock was written all over her face.
Madame Rossi was cleared of all suspicions, and the police issued an order for all paparazzi to cease harassment of one Lila Rossi.
“Maybe she really does know Chat Noir,” Rose whispered as they watched Lila strut by at lunch, sitting boldly at a table on her own. “He was being so...nice to her.”
Lila was still the centre of attention, but instead of being surrounded by a circle of admirers, students watched from afar now, too timid to approach.
“I understand why Alya is sulking,” Alix joked. Alya’s fingers have been twitching, making pointed glances between her phone and Lila. “But why are you mad, Marinette?”
Juleka grinned. “It’s because she has a crush on-”
“I do not have a crush on Chat Noir,” Marinette snapped.
Mylene blinked at her tone.
“Geez,” Alix laughed nervously. “Sorry to assume. What’s got you all riled up this morning?”
“Nothing,” Marinette spat. She glared at Lila before scoffing, walking off. “I need to use the bathroom,” she muttered. “Don’t follow me.”