Chapter Text
Miss Bustier's class was having a break. The teacher left the room and allowed the students to talk. Lila had the spotlight, with most of the class's attention on her. Nathaniel was sketching. Cholè and Sabrina were talking between themselves. Marinette and Adrien were ignoring Alya and Nino. The two had been ignoring them all of today.
Marinette refuses to acknowledge Nino and Alya. When Marinette arrived at school, she went straight to Aurore and Mireille. The two girls protected Marinette from Alya. Aurore handed Alya her umbrella and made Alya open it. Aurore took it back and gave it to Marinette so she could block Alya. When asked why Aurore had Alya open the umbrella, she said she wanted Alya to get bad luck. Since Alya won't leave Marinette alone, faith would force her to. Mireille threatened to call Mao.
When Adrien arrived at school, he said high to Nino and walked past him. Adrien went to Marinette and helped Aurore and Mireille drive Alya away. When Alya returns with Nino to try to talk with Marinette and Adrien, they get Cholè to distract Nino and Alya. Marinette suggested that Alya interviews Cholè about her experience as Queen Bee. Adrien encouraged the idea because the Ladyblog didn't have an interview with Queen Bee. To further pressure Alya into interviewing Cholè, they mentioned that maybe Nightmare saw her interview with Cholè. He could gain respect for Alya and agree to an interview. Alya and Nino's remaining time before class was occupied by scheduling an interview with Cholè.
During class, Marinette and Adrien focused on the lesson. Now that they were on a break, Marinette and Adrien talked to each other. Adrien was helping Marinette learn Chinese. Marinette said she wanted to understand more Chinese before the newest episode of Cooking with Chang'E aired. Adrien and Marinette were sitting next to each other for the lesson. Marinette wasn't freaking out and was acting normal. Alya and Nino watched the two interact from behind.
Nino: "How long do you think they'll keep ignoring us? They can't do this forever."
Alya: "Adrien, give him a few more hours. Marinette, maybe by tomorrow?"
Lila: "Alya, aren't you going to ask if Ladybug got your letter? Which she did, by the way."
Alya and Nino turned to look up at Lila.
Alya: "Why would I?"
Lila: "Um, because you wanted an interview with Nightmare for your blog?"
Alya: "Oh yeah, you're right. That was before I finally figured out that you're a liar."
Lila: "Huh?"
Marinette and Adrien continued talking. Alya stood up and went to Lila's desk. Nino followed to support his girlfriend. Nathaniel left his seat and ran to join Marinette and Adrien. They welcomed him to join the conversation.
Alya: "Nino and I know you lied about seeing Ladybug yesterday. We know that the heirloom necklace you claimed to be the fox miraculous is a fake."
Alya went up to Lila and ripped the necklace off of Lila's neck. Their classmates gasped in horror. Alya held up the jewelry. Lila glared at Alya.
Alya: "This is a cheap replica you bought from the store."
Lila forcefully took the necklace back and wore it again. The chain broke, and Lila had to catch it.
Lila: "Of course, the necklace I'm wearing isn't the fox."
Alya: "So you finally admitted to the truth!"
Lila: "Alya, why would I have the real miraculous with me if I gave it to Ladybug?"
Alya: "You never gave Ladybug a miraculous because you never met up with her yesterday."
Lila: "What proof do you have?"
Nino: "Ladybug told us the truth herself when we asked if she got our letters."
The students around Lila started murmuring. Lila gave a harsher glare before putting on a confused expression.
Lila: "Wait, you saw Ladybug yesterday? When?"
Alya: "After the Akuma."
Nino: "We caught up to her before she left the scene."
Lila: "That's strange. Ladybug saw me right after the Akuma was defeated. Are you sure it was Ladybug?"
Alya: "Of course we did!"
Lila: "Are you sure it wasn't an illusion?"
Everyone around her became silent.
Nino: "Of course not! Why would an already de-Akumatized villain make an illusion?"
Lila: "A Sentimonster?"
Alya: "There were no Sentimonsters during that Akuma. Isn't that right, Cholè?"
Cholè stopped talking to Sabrina. Both turned their attention to the large group.
Nino: "You fought that Akuma as Queen Bee, so know whether or not there was a Sentimonster."
Cholè: "Yeah, of course, I would. I was there. And there wasn't a Sentimonster. Do you want an interview with me now? While this isn't the best time, I'm happy to share my heroism earlier than intended."
Alya: "Let's reschedule your interview for this afternoon."
Cholè: "I'm sorry, I can't. I have something important I need to take care of."
Sabrina: "Why are you asking if there was a Sentimonster?"
Sabrina leaned towards Cholè and whispered to her.
Sabrina: "Did I have a Sentimonster with me?"
Cholè: "No, but Mayura showed up."
Those unaware were shocked and started freaking out.
Lila: "Alya, Nino, I don't think that was Ladybug! It might have been a Sentimonster that Mayura created! One that pretended to be Ladybug!"
Nathaniel started a private conversation with Adrien and Marinette as everyone else kept talking.
Nathaniel: "I know Lila has constantly been lying to us. But do you think she might be telling the truth for once about Alya and Nino not meeting Ladybug? Not because she met Ladybug. Actually, how would Lila know the truth about it? At least she might be right about it, but we don't have much to go on."
Adrien: "I don't think it was a Sentimonster. I don't have any way to prove it. But Ladybug has told me directly about Lila lying. She could have done the same to Alya and Nino."
Nathaniel: "Why would Mayura be there?"
Marinette: "Probably to get Cholé to join them. Ladybug wouldn't let Cholè remain, Queen Bee since Hawkmoth and Mayura knew her identity. Ladybug won't let me be Huli Jing again because our class knows my identity."
Nathaniel: "What about the Ladybug that Alya and Nino met being an illusion?"
Marinette: "I don't know. The best way to know is to ask her."
Adrien: "Wait, before you do, don't try to expose Lila. Or trick her into contradicting herself."
Marinette: "That is not my goal. Lila, I'm sorry, but why do you think Alya and Nino encountered an illusion? I'm not accusing you of anything, Lila, or saying that you didn't meet Ladybug. And Alya, Nino, I'm not saying you didn't see Ladybug yesterday. I'm not calling anyone a liar."
Lila smiled. Marinette didn't try to stop her. And if this was a trap, it was one that Lila could easily dodge.
Lila: "I can't think of how else they could find another Ladybug unless it were a trick."
Alya: "A trick? Who would trick us if there was not Akuma or Sentimonster?"
Lila: "... Someone with the fox miraculous."
Everyone's jaw dropped.
Adrien: "Don't accuse, Marinette!"
Lila: "I'm not!"
Cholè: "Do not blame Marinette for deceiving those two! If it really wasn't Ladybug. Marinette wasn't there, Rena Rouge was."
Alya: "Are you saying that Rena Rouge did this?!"
Nino: "It wasn't Rena Rouge!"
Lila: "We only have two foxes, Rena Rouge and Marinette. I didn't have the fox during the Akuma. Ladybug grabbed it off me during the attack."
Alya: "It's not Rena Rouge!"
Lila: "The only person we have left is Marinette. Alya... Do you think Marinette did it?"
Cholè slammed her desk as she stood up. She stormed to Alya and got to her face.
Cholè: "Listen here, I may not like Marinette. I despise her. But Marinette would not have the fox miraculous because, like me. People know her secret identity. The only reason I got my miraculous for this Akuma is because Ladybug needed me. Ladybug had another fox she could call on. There was no other bee before Ladybug finally decided to bench me."
Alya: "It was not Rena Rouge."
Cholè: "So you are saying it is Marinette."
Alya: "NO!"
Cholè: "Then who?"
Alya: "No one, as it was Ladybug!"
Lila: "How are you sure?"
Adrien: "How about we take Alya and Nino's word?!"
Marinette: "Yeah!"
Cholè: "What proof do they have that it's not you, Marinette, or Rena Rouge?"
Alya: "I just know!"
Nino: "Same!"
Marinette: "Cholè, thank you for standing up for me, but please stop."
Cholè: "Don't mention it. But unless they can explain why and give us some evidence, I will keep thinking it might be Rena Rouge."
Alya: "You want to know why I know it's not Rena Rouge?"
Cholè: "Of course, we're waiting."
Nino: "Alya, don't."
Marinette and Adrien felt sudden dread. They kept their voices low.
Marinette: "Please, tell me Alya isn't going to do what I think she will do."
Adrien: "I can't. Alya is going to tell everyone she is Rena Rouge."
Marinette: "Oh no..."
Nathaniel joined in and spoke quietly.
Nathaniel: "What?! We have to stop her."
Marinette: "We can't!"
Adrien: "Alya won't listen to us. Why would she stop if we told her to? She isn't listening to Nino, either."
Nathaniel took a deep breath and gathered all the courage he could. He stood and slowly walked up to Alya. Nathaniel took a large inhale and grabbed Alya.
Nathaniel: "Leave!"
He dragged Alya out of the room. Nino paused for a moment before following them.
Alya: "Nat-"
Nathaniel: "Alya, no! I am not going to witness the fallout that you are going to make worse! I am not dealing with it, especially Marinette and Adrien! So shut up and calm down before we get another Akuma!"