I woke up with a giant long yawn, limbs stretching like a cat uncurling from slumber, my arms extending toward the ceiling until I could feel my spine align with the universe.
Completely shirtless, I let the early Paris sun soak into every molecule of me, golden warmth cascading across my chest, highlighting every clean line I'd carved from discipline and diet.
My lips curled upward with an ever-growing quirk I couldn't stop since yesterday.
God, I looked good in sunlight.
The room shimmered in soft amber hues. Dust motes danced like they had their own gravity, orbiting me. I deserved this light. It understood me. Knew I was born just for this.
My eyes shifted toward my dark wood desk, where it waited. The Snake Miraculous. Elegant. Coiled. Gleaming brighter than myself with the approval of Helios himself.
As if it knew what we were about to become together.
Still glowing, still basking, I padded barefoot across the hardwood floor to my closet. I pulled the door open and scanned my neatly spaced garments, all arranged by tone, utility, and emotional effect. I selected a black graphic tee, a minimalist design with a subtle green flourish that matched the Miraculous's tones and my only navy-blue button down. Smooth colors but sharp edges.
I could just buy anything, Chloe would hand me her father's credit card if I smiled the right way. Kagami would forge a sword from solid gold if I told her it suited me. Adrien? He'd lend me the keys to the mansion if I asked just once with a bit of sincerity. But none of that mattered. Money wasn't the point. Our money had a purpose. A mission.
And the mission was a date with Paris.
Dressed, centered, and undeniable, I walked to the desk and picked up the Miraculous. The weight of potential slid cool into my palm. I held out one wrist and slowly cuffed it on. Loose but snug. Like it was made just for me. Of course, it was.
With my other hand, I opened the drawer. My "flute attachment", now fully upgraded. Sleek. Custom. Precision welded by Max, tested under pressure, and blessed by my own taste. An instrument on I can wield.
I looked up, and through the wide open window, the Eiffel Tower sliced the sky like it always had. Paris, my trophy, stared back. My teal eyes caught in the glass's reflection alive with the future that awaited me.
—
I stepped through the front doors of François Dupont like I owned the building. Because, in a way, I did. Not legally, Nor financially. But spiritually? Socially? Emotionally? The halls knew my name. The walls bent slightly as I passed, like they knew the new protagonist had arrived.
I strolled through with a loose pep in my step. I was the most laid back Id ever been. It felt right.
Hand in pocket I saw my classmates.
"Yo, Nino," I called with a two-finger salute.
Nino stood talking near Alya. Kagami who was nearby thanks to there close lockers turned her head, expression sharp but eyes dialated by recognition. A flicker of something in her eye. Respect? Greatful? Probably both after all I was her first friend.
"Morning," Kagami said in that clipped way of hers.
"Looking graceful as always," I said, not even slowing my walk.
Alya caught up to me next. "Luka," she cough and began to whisper "I updated the Ladyblog! You're technically in the top ten most viewed tag searches this week. Right under Chat Noir."
"I mean, what can I say? Some of us have a brand." I shot her a wink that probably hit harder than I intended.
"Call me if you ever want a more proffessionally exclusive video!" she added still chipper.
"Only if you want your site to crash from too much traffic," I replied without missing a beat.
Then Chloe.
Oh, Chloe.
She stood alone but tried not to. Her posture defensive, eyes flicking my way. When our gazes met, she smiled, more timidly than usual. Shy was rare on her.
"Luka," she said like she was trying not to say it at all.
"Chloe," I replied, deliberately slower. A beat. Then a micro-nod, like a king acknowledging loyalty.
Her cheeks brightened.
Whats up with her she wasnt acting like that just yesterday?
Max passed me by, deep in conversation with Markov. The robot beeped something algorithmic. Max smiled at me nervously.
"Morning, Doctor Genius," I said with a nod.
He gave a tiny fist pump.
I climbed the stairs to the back of the class where the throne—I mean, desk—awaited. I dropped my black bookbag on the table and sank into the chair like it remembered my shape.
Utterly relaxed.
Today was the day I was completely free.
No anxiety. No battle plan. No inner war. Every piece had fallen exactly where I wanted it. I was untouchable. No longer hustling for respect. I had it. And then some.
Most of the important characters were already in place. Kagami trusted me. Chloe crumbled before me. Max wanted to along side me. Alya boosted my image without realizing it. Nino owed me at least three miracles for not already taking his girl.
Only Lila and maybe Marinette were unpredictable.
Lila... I couldn't get a read on. I was suspicious of her sudden shift in attitude, but that's what made it exciting. Like fencing with a mirror. Marinette, though?
She was the real riddle. I could feel her watching sometimes. Like a hypothesis that hadn't quite formed. A script still being written. It both annoyed and fascinated me.
My eyes were shut. Just feeling it. The light.
The success. The security.
And then the light dimmed.
Someone was blocking it.
I didn't flinch. I just opened my eyes and looked up lazily.
It was Lila.
Of course it was.
Speak of the devil, and she shows up with lip gloss and motives.
"Hey, partner," I said, voice smooth like caramel over ice. "Need something?"
"Hhey!" she said sweetly.. Her body angled subtly toward me, the kind of posture you adopt when you're trying not to look too interested but want to be very noticed.
Hugging her waist with her palm. Casual.
"I heard about your video game. The one you created with Max. Sounds... intriguing."
I blinked.
So that was it. She wanted connections with Max? Power by association?
Didn't matter.
"You wanna talk to him about it, I'm sure he'll want to hear your thoughts." I gave a lazy wink, and finger gunning her like a charming devil. "He's all ears for clever girls."
Her smile widened. Genuine? Or calculated? No mystery there, it was obvious.
"No, silly," she said cheekily, twirling a lock of hair. "I'm here to talk to you."
Hmm..Alright, plot twist.
"Oh? You interested in game mechanics or just the main character?" I leaned back, letting my smirk spread slowly.
She pulled up the chair beside mine, crossing her legs. No hesitation. Her eyes scanned me in that way people do when they think they're subtle.
"I like people who build things. Systems. Networks."
So, she was fishing. But for what? Partnership? Leverage? Or something more... theatrical?
Maybe another allyship with a certain butterfly apart of it.
"Funny," I said, leaning my chin into my hand. "I like people who play games. But only when they know how to lose."
She tilted her head, unreadable. A beat passed.
Then she smiled again. Softer this time. Almost genuine.
"You're not what I expected."
"Seems I never am," I said.
Her gaze dropped to my sleeve-covered arm.
"Watcha wearing? A bracelet?"
"Yup," I said without hesitation.
"Why? Thats new for you. And home your hinding such a handsome bracelet?"
"No real reason, why do you ask?"
"Just wondering how many secrets you keep in plain sight."
And then the bell rang.
She stood, smooth and fluid. "See you later, Luka."
She walked off with a dancer's grace, her silence louder than most people's shouting.
And I watched her go.
Still calm and relaxed. But something in my chest turned over like a coin in a fountain.
What did she want?
Why now?
Well... I did enjoy our little flirt though.
—
Authors Note- another chapter should be coming tomorrow as well. Press me if it doesn't xd.