"WHAT!?" Alya gestured to the sheet Ms. Bustier passed out. "Since when was this a thing!?"

The class, equally shocked, but less vocal, looked to their teacher for an explanation.

"In order to encourage healthy youth, schools are organizing various sports events. Francois Dupont decided on a 5k run," explained their teacher, though looking equally enthused as the rest of the class.

"Chloe, can't you do something," whined Nino, everyone looking to the president.

"I tried suggesting a sports festival like the club competition, but the school board wanted to ensure everyone participated. Plus then there's team organizing which no one wanted to figure out because even though homeroom would be the obvious choice, some homerooms are mixed grades. So in short, the school board made it way too complicated to do anything else but some sort of running thing. The only bright side is we'll be running through the city instead of the football field."

"You tried your best Chloe," offered Marinette, a couple other people agreeing.

"Wait, so if we're running, does that mean it's a competition," asked Kim.

"Yes! First to the finish line wins… something," said Alix, looking down at Chloe.

"Gets to make one request on behalf of their club to the student government, within reason."

"What's considered reasonable," asked Kim, probably planning something elaborate.

"New equipment, uniforms, more money to the budget, something within the student government power."

"Private Afterschool Tea Time Concert," piped Rose from the back.

"Sure… actually…" Chloe stood up, motioning to the class.

"Loser and their club gets to serve the winning club for a day."

"What about people who don't participate in clubs?"

"Then they're the gopher for a club, or a club is a person's gopher."

Everyone was suddenly excited, chatting about the run, Kim and Alix making their own personal bets. Chloe sat down, quite proud of herself.

"This should be fun," said Adrien, looking at everyone in the group. Alya, Nino, and Marinette faces were filled with dread.

"We're so going to lose," groaned Nino.


"Welcome to Adrien's Running Training Camp," Adrien wrote on the white board in their clubroom, even Ivan joining the meeting, a spare desk and chair provided for the part-time member.

"I'm honestly surprised you didn't join the theater club," said Juleka.

"It got a bit crazy with the competition so now all the student directors have their own factions. Mylene is with the actors and the other people doing tech were arguing too much to figure out a battle plan.

"Our school is way too competitive," groaned Alya.

"First things first, we need to gauge our skill levels. When was the last time you worked out or did any form of exercise." Adrien pointed his whiteboard marker to Nino.

"At the summer rock fest, running to different bands."

Adrien huffed, "When was the last time you dedicated time to exercise? And don't say moving the drums either."

Nino sighed, "Sophomore year gym class."

"Same," said Alya.

"Last year's girls gym class," said Marinette.

"They have a girls one," asked Alya?

"Yeah, but it was mostly yoga and aerobics."

"Gym class last year," said Ivan.

"I'm in the gym this year, and they started running training for the event," said Juleka.

"Great, so you can help me with everyone."

"Wait dude, last time you were in gym class was sophomore year with us. When did you last exercise?"

"Last night, my family has a home gym. Gabriel's main office also has vouchers for gym memberships if you wanted to try Marinette."

Marinette grimaced, not committing a yes or no.

"So first things first. We need to start being healthy. No more sweets after today. Everything we eat needs to be full of nutrition. So vegetables, nuts, and fruit would be best. Tea will be fine for rehydrating after we run. So enjoy your last sweets today."

The group stared at the empty box of desserts, Nino gulping as Alya was sure he ate more than anyone.

Adrien shook his head, picking up the paper from his desk, "Alright, starting tomorrow, instead of music practice, we'll be doing running practice, so bring your gym clothes like the guidelines say. Everyone still has good running shoes?"

Everyone nodded.

"Good, now," Adrien set down the marker before taking a seat, "we don't exactly have enough time to train in order to win, plus we are well behind the sports teams who will most likely win. Our next best solution is to make sure we don't lose. So even if some of us run faster than others, we will run as a group to make sure no one falls to last place. And for a long distance run, we will need to pace ourselves, so we'll be training for running long distances."

"Let's see if Chloe has a map of the course so we can train along the actual route," said Marinette, pulling out her phone.

"Good idea. It won't be a consistent run while we train since we'll have stop lights, but it will help to know the terrain. Anyone have any questions?"

Everyone shook their head no.

"Great, then tomorrow, we'll meet in front of the Dupain-Cheng Bakery. ANd Marinette, make sure your parents don't give any of us sweets. Actually, I think I'll ask." Adrien pulled out his phone to call the Dupain-Chengs when Nino hit his head on the desk, his cap sliding up on his head.

"Why must you tempt me bro?"

"Because everyone else who is serious about the race will start training tomorrow to. At least in front of the Dupain Chengs the area won't be crowded. Hi Sabine, it Adrien! I wanted to talk to you…" Adrien stood up as he talked with Marinette's parents, Marinette jumping when she received a text from her phone with a rough sketch of the course. Nino continued to pout, Ivan hesitantly patting his mentor on the back.


Alya was certain this was punishment for not working out for two years. Of course she shouldn't have expected her school P.E. outfit to fit anymore, but she wished she had gone with that instead of Nora's old high school wrestling unitard that had been kept for sentimental reasons while all other workout clothes had been taken to college or thrown away during their move. And why did it have to be bright pink?

Marinette whacked Nino as he tried to hide his chuckles, while offering to make her gym clothes. Like Nino had a right to laugh since Adrien had to loan him work out clothes.

"Honestly, any old shirt and flexible shorts would do," said Adrien, his head pulled back in a sweatband. Alya grimaced as all flexible shorts were pajamas.

"I have a second P.E. uniform if you want to try it tomorrow," offered Juleka. Alya looked at her younger classmate, trying to evaluate if Juleka's height would make up for the other areas Alya had grown since sophomore year.

"It's worth a shot."

"Well, let's at least start with warm ups first," announce Adrien, leading the group away from the door of the bakery. Nino had to be practically pulled by the ear when the door opened, wafting the smell of baked goods.

Adrien led them in some basic stretches, other clubs in front of the school either doing the same or already jogging.

"Everyone's really into this," commented Ivan.

"Weren't you in the theater group for the club competition," asked Alya, looking back at Ivan.

"Yeah, but our group was too big for really everyone to get involved."

Alya nodded as she turned around to see Adrien stopped stretching and was looking at his phone.

"Alright, so I have the rote here on my phone, so we are just going to follow it as best as we can. When we reach stoplights, either run in place or take a breather if you must."

Everyone nodded, getting ready to run after Adrien.

"And let's go!"


"Tea! Give me all the tea!" Nino groaned as he crawled into his seat in the clubroom.

Between him and Alya, they were definitely the most out of shape for this endeavor. Marinette did marginally better because she was on her feet all day from her internship. Ivan landed somewhere between Marinette and Alya, but compensated by bringing his own gallon of water to drink. Juleka was around the same pace as Marinette, which she attributed to youthful energy and P.E. had already been challenging her earlier in the day. Adrien was the only one marginally sweating and drinking healthy gulps of water mixed with a sports drink.

"I say that was a good start for our first practice. We made it halfway before half of us had to walk the course. So if we can hopefully make it 75% in two weeks, optimally higher would be better, I would say we might not be last place," announced Adrien as he poured his trainees tea.

"That's a lot of mights and maybes," criticized Alya before downing her cup then asking for more.

Adrien awkwardly chuckled, "Just trying to be positive. So long as we all keep committed to not losing, we'll be fine."

Everyone just groaned in response, Nino's hand searching the tables for snacks only to be severely disappointed.

"Please, I need snacks," moaned Nino.

"Nope, no Dupain-Cheng sweets for a week, only healthy snacks," said Adrien.

Marinette offered Nino a carrot stick, the boy taking it, looking up at Adrien before biting it. The loud crunch made Adrien slightly jump, hiding behind Marinette who offered him a carrot stick.

"Don't mind Nino, he's just a spoiled pig," chided Marinette

"And this pig needs sugar? How am I supposed to run without sugar?"

"By having a balanced and nutritional diet," answered Marinette, passing the bag of carrots to the group.

"And plenty of sleep. So we'll call it a day so we can finish our homework and have a good night's rest," declared Adrien, the rest of the group agreeing. Nino just grumbled as he continued chewing his carrot stick as obnoxiously as possible.


The entire school gathered in the courtyard on the day of the 5k run. Most students stood with their clubs in the same uniform from the club competition. Students without clubs ran with friends.

"And, what do you think," Marinette asked as she presented Ivan with his own sweatband, similar to Adrien's. He snapped it on his head, letting it settle before giving a thumbs up.

Adrien and Juleka were stretching while Alya paced in Juleka's second P.E. uniform. Nino kept trying to lay on the ground but Marinette pulled his arm so it definitely wasn't a comfortable rest.

"Alright students! Listen up!"

Their principal on a megaphone drew the student's attention. None of the teachers seemed to be present.

"The route has been on display in every classroom for the past week. If you don't know the course, follow the orange arrows that will be on display in store windows along with the words FDC. Local stores in the vicinity have also been notified of the race, so if you find yourself lost, ask a local store. Teachers will also be along the route for safety."

"Considering the streets will be vacant, kind of hard to get lost," mumbled Alya to Marinette, who giggled.

"That's why we stick together as a group anyway," whispered Adrien.

"If you need water, we will have stations run by teachers every kilometer, so four stations then one here at the finish line.

As mentioned by your student council president, the first place person will be able to make any reasonable demand from the last place person. This right extends to the clubs of either party. There will be no acts of violence or indecency allowed as reward or punishment. That includes underwear on flagpoles."

Alya could hear someone, probably Alix, groan.

"Lastly, when I blow this horn, you will start the run. No fighting each other to get out the doors. And especially no physical violence to get ahead in the race. If you do, you will be disqualified. And lastly, have fun!"

"Yes sir," the students groaned, Principal Damocles, looking less pleased by the enthusiasm. He turned on the horn, the students starting the run.

Adrien had placed their group in the middle, the Light Music Club starting at an even pace with the majority of the pack.

"So long as we can keep this pace, we should be fine," warned Adrien, the club nodding as they followed their leader and the rest of the school into Paris.


"You know, after two weeks of training, this isn't half bad," said Alya as she took steady breaths between sips of water. The club had made it to the first checkpoint, along with most of the school. According to the sophomore history teacher watching over the water station, only the sports clubs were ahead, skipping the first rounds of water for the second station.

"Juleka!"

The group looked over to see Nathanael and Marc running up, taking water bottles before joining.

"Hey, you guys were pretty fast," complimented Marc.

"Thanks, Adrien's been training us," said Marinette, gesturing to the boy with a mouth full of water.

"We should have joined, the art club didn't really do any training, just…" Nathanael trailed off, showing their decorated sashes. "Everyone else is still behind, but we have P.E. this year."

"That's good, hopefully the rest of the art club won't come in last," said Alya, finishing off her water bottle.

The boys both shrugged.

"How many clubs are behind," asked Adrien?
"Not too sure, mostly clubs who didn't bother to run together. I saw Mylene with a few other theater kids. I don't know many other people," answered Marc.

"You think we should head out then," Juleka looked to Adrien as he collected their groups empty waters.

"Yeah, do you guys want to run with us?"

"Maybe at the next stop. We still need to finish our waters."

The club nodded before joining the other students continuing the run.


The group met up with Marc and Nathanael during the second checkpoint, the art club members joining the pack run.

At the third checkpoint, Nino started complaining.

"Not even snacks, just water," the boy groaned as he downed the small bottle in one gulp before tossing it in the vague direction of a trash can. Ivan caught the stray piece of trash before tossing it in the trash can with his own.

"Once this thing is done, we celebrate with cake," offered Marinette.

"I need more than cake. I need a dessert buffet. Or at least some sugar to keep up the pace."

Adrien sighed, finishing his water bottle.

"Did you guys not have any snacks leading up to today," asked Nathanael, looking at Marinette?

"Just the healthy stuff, like veggie sticks, nut mixes, fruit and granola."

The art boys looked down to Nino, who was trying to lay on the ground, only for Alya and Marinette to hold up one of his arms.

"Sounds rough," commented Marc, sipping his water.

"Whatever it takes to not be last place," said Alya, everyone nodding solemnly.


"Chloe, you were ahead of us?" The group ran up towards the fourth stop, Alya, Marinette, and Ivan collapsing on a bench while Adrien and Juleka got them water. Marc and Nathanael were going to push ahead since art club members had passed them a little while ago.

"Yeah, we skipped the first stop with the sports clubs, but they also skipped the third stop. So they left here a few minutes ago. So at least our clubs won't lose then."

Adrien nodded before returning to the group, Marinette standing back up and looking back down the way they came.

"Everything ok," asked Juleka?

"Where's Nino, he was running with us not too long ago?"

The group looked around, no Nino in sight.

"Could he have keep running," asked Alya, drinking her water as she sat up.

"Unless he was so dazed his body was on auto-pilot."

"Chloe?"

The group turned around as Adrien called her name, the student president looking back at them as the rest of her club prepared to run again.

"Did you see Nino with us when we came up?"

Chloe her eyebrows, shaking her head no.

"We'll keep a lookout in case he runs ahead."

"What's going on," asked Mr. Harperle, walking up to the Light Music Club.

"One of our members is missing. He was with us for the third stop for certain, but now he isn't here," explained Alya.

"We'll go back and look for him, maybe he stopped at one of the stores along the route for a snack."

"All the stores were told not to sell anything to students during the race, but you can see if he went inside one to try and buy something. I'll let other teachers on the route know to keep an eye for him."

Mr. Harperle pulled out his phone to text the other teachers.

"Talk to Marc and Nathanael, Chloe, they might know," offered Marinette as Chloe was about to leave.

"Who?"

Marinette sighed, "Red haired boy and black haired boy, should be running together."

"Uh, sure."

The student government club took off towards the finish line as the light music club ran back towards the third stop.


"I thought I saw Nino leave with you," explained their former science teacher, Ms. Mendeleiev.

The students looked at each other.

"At least we know he didn't back track, he must have visited one of the shops," guessed Adrien, placing a hand to his chin in a thoughtful pose.

"But we checked every shop along the route, and no one has seen him come in," groaned Alya.

They had walked up both sides of the street, checking every food shop, still no sign of Nino.

"Maybe he went into one of the other stores or one of the stores down an off street," guessed Juleka.

"Hey guys!"

The group turned around, mildly disappointed to see Mylene jogging up. Ivan though perked up and hugged his girlfriend before she grabbed a water bottle.

"Everything alright," she looked around the group.

"We lost Nino," grumbled Alya.

"Did you see him," asked Marinette?
"No, I'm one of the last of the theater club. There's a couple clubs behind me, but not many."

"Darnit, we don't have time," groaned Alya, running her fingers through her hair as she fixed her ponytail.

"But if Nino's last, then our club automatically loses," explained Marinette.

"We don't know he's last, he could have ran ahead," said Alya.

"Actually," Ms. Mendeleiev held up her phone, "Just confirmed with both the fourth and final station. No sign of Nino. Chloe said no one saw him on the final route."

"How could you lose a person," asked Mylene, "the course is really obvious, so he must have left on purpose."

"He's been complaining about wanting snacks," said Juleka.

"But the stores here aren't allowed to sell to the students during the race," said Ms. Mendeleiev.

"And to be honest, there weren't many food places here. This is a more older community part of Paris," added Adrien.

Marinette smacked her forehead, drawing the group's attention.

"That idiot. I may know where he went. Juleka and Adrien you come with me. Ivan, Alya, and Mylene, you keep heading towards the finish line and keep an eye out for park benches in case he just decided to take a nap, but I doubt it."

"Wait, why Adrien and Juleka," asked Mylene, looking around the group.

"In case Nino puts up a fight, we need our better runners to drag him back. And Adrien and Juleka don't know the place I'm thinking of," explained Marinette.

The group nodded. Marinette led them down until they were away from the eyes of their teacher before leading Juleka and Adrien down a side street.

"Do you know where they're going," asked Mylene as the remaining trio started jogging?
"No idea, Marinette' never mentioned anyone who lives in this part of Paris."


Nino sighed in absolute bliss before taking another bite of bread. Tears were forming in the corners of his eyes.

"I've missed this so much!"

Rolland Dupain grunted, ignoring the boy who had appeared on his doorstep, beginning for bread because Marinette was starving him.

They had met a couple times at Dupain-Cheng's family gatherings, and the boy had been one time to his shop after Marinette had a trying day at school and didn't want to see her parents quiet yet. Instead of consoling his grandchild, Rolland had helped her make bread that may have come out a little too kneaded and a touch too salty. But by the end of it, the children left his bakery smiling, and that's all that mattered.

"Grandpa!"

Speak of the devil, they will come. Marinette slammed open the door in a righteous fury, startling Nino and Rolland.

"Marinette, get your boyfriend out of here, he's eating all my bread!"

"He's not my boyfriend Grandpa, he's my best friend," Marinette grumbled as she marched over.

"Pah, back in my day boys weren't friends with girls unless they were dating or trying to."

"Well, I'm not dating Nino because Nino's a whiney pig. I'm dating Adrien."

Marinette pulled Nino off the stool by the ear before pushing another boy towards Rolland.

"Grandpa, this is Adrien Agreste, my boyfriend, and she," she gestured to a girl still standing in the doorway, "is my friend Juleka Couffaine. Everyone, this is my grandpa, Rolland Dupain."

"Nice to meet you sir," Adrien held out his hand. The older man stared at the hand, wiping his own hand on his apron before shaking it.

"Good handshake," the Rolland nodded before washing his hands again before going back to work.

"Now, don't you kids have to get back to school. I don't think your snack break is this long," Rolland criticized.

"Snack break?" Marinette exchanged Nino's ear for his arm, dragging the boy out of the bakery.

"Thanks for the bread Mr. Dupain!"

"Um, thanks for looking out for Nino," said Adrien, nodding his head before following after Marinette. The girl just slightly waved before shutting the door.

"Finally peace and quiet."

Only for the door to slam open again.

"Thank you! Love you Grandpa!"

Marinette slammed the door shut, the bakery swallowed in peace again.


Alya guzzled the water given out at the finish line, most of the students already back on campus. Ivan, Mylene, Chloe, Marc, and Nathanael waited with her as they watched the finish line.

"I'm surprised Kim and Alix weren't first," commented Nathanael, looking around the room for the competitive seniors.

"They were, but apparently they tied, so they are running the lap again to see who would come last," Said Chloe, blotching her face for any remaining sweat so as not to ruin her makeup.

"Is that even allowed," asked Alya.

Chloe shrugged.

"Makes it easier for me. Unless we want to default to second place, which was Rose Lavillant."

The group all looked over at the Adrienette club president, her entire outfit in pink, including an Adrienette picture on her shirt.

Alya pursed her lips and said nothing as she looked back at the front.

Four students were approaching the finish line, Nino sprinting in the lead screaming something about "Sugar Rush!" Marinette, Juleka and Adrien were all trying to keep up with the hyper child.

"He got a snack, didn't he," groaned Alya, no one wanting to confirm as Nino sprinted across the finish line, then fell down face first in a nap.

"Make way! Losers coming through!"

Just beyond Marinette and Adrien came Alix and Kim speeding around the corner.

The trio looked back before bursting out the last sprint. Until Marinette tripped over her feet going up the stairs. Adrien turned to catch her, only her momentum pulling them back down. Juleka barely managed to dodge as Adrien and Marinette collapsed in a pile at the foot of the stairs.

"Come on! You're almost there," Alya yelled! Other kids started cheering as Marinette and Adrien untangled themselves. Only to be pushed down by Alix and Kim as they sprinted up the steps, crossing the finish line.

"Whoohoo! Not last," Kim cheered!

Adrien helped Marinette back up as they both jogged across the finish line, the basketball and football club praising their team captains.

"You did your best," offered Juleka, patting Marinette's shoulder.

Marinette weakly smiled back while Adrien checked her up and down for bodily injuries, only finding a scraped elbow. Adrien immediately searched for a nurse to help tend to Marinette's elbow. It was cute to see him fawn over her so.

Ivan went to retrieve the sleeping Nino, dragging the boy away from the center of commotion.

"That just means we serve the Adrienette club for a day," said Alya, gesturing to Rose and the rest of the Adrienette club. "Or do we serve the basketball or football club?"

"Actually," coughed the principal as he approached the students. Everyone turned their attention to the principal.

"As stated at the beginning of the race, no physical violence will be tolerated to get an edge in the race."

He gestured to Marinette and Adrien, elbow bandaged as Adrien draped himself over Marinette like a security blanket. Their principal looked back to Alix and Kim, who tried to look guilty for pushing their classmates over.

"For this, both of you are disqualified and the official, ehem, losers of the race."

"Which means Adrienette club wins the services of basketball and football club for a day," yelled Chloe, several other students coming out of the crowd to reveal to be part of the club as they celebrated. Even a few basketball and football club members joined in the group hug.

Alix and Kim looked absolutely gobsmacked, Ondine attempting to console her boyfriend.

The Light Music Club breathed a collective sigh of relief.

"And with that, everyone is dismissed for lunch," the principal announced before retreating to his office. Students began to disburse, the Adrienette club still celebrating all the way to the cafeteria.

"Maman promised sandwiches for anyone who wants some," offered Marinette, the Light Music Club, Mylene, Marc, and Nathanael agreeing. Chloe waved them off saying something about paperwork, joining back up with the student government. Alya helped Ivan pick up Nino for a piggy back ride as the group walked over to Marinette's house.

Nino didn't manage to wake up with enough time for lunch.


Sorry if Rolland seemed OCC, I haven't seen his episode.