He stared her down, hurt and betrayal clearly written in his eyes. "I should have known," he murmured. "I should have known… but I didn't." He shook his head, slowly. "I trusted you."
She brushed her hair aside. "Funny, I never took you for an idiot," she leveled a cold glare at him, "looks like we were both wrong." She lowered the pistol, pointing it at his chest.
He raised his hands, dropping his empty gun to the floor. "Just do me a favor?"
"Like what?" She asked, her eyebrow raised.
He closed his eyes. "Make it quick."
The slightest hint of regret crossed her face before it settled into determination. "For what it's worth…"
He opened his eyes.
"I really did consider you a friend."
A quiet understanding passed between them, and for a moment, both were at peace. As the moment ended, tears brimmed her eyes.
"I'm sorry." She whispered then she pulled the trigger.
As his body hit the ground, a black backdrop filled the screen along with the word "Victory."
"I can't believe you were an impostor the whole time!" Adrien said.
"Yeah, that was kind of the point!" Marinette retorted, an eyebrow raised.
"Dudette's got a great long game." Nino said. His icon popped up on the corner of Marinette's screen, indicating he was talking. "Who knew our class rep would have it in her."
Alya's icon appeared; a ladybug background with a set of black glasses frames. "My girl is no pushover in videogames, that's for sure."
"Hey, I have to give props to my partner in crime, too." Marinette smiled. "I couldn't have played such a good con if it wasn't for you, Rose."
"Aww, it was nothing!" Rose cooed. "I'm so glad we all decided to do this! Long-distance classes have been really hard on me."
"Ugh, same." Alya agreed. "This is just what the doctor ordered."
Nino laughed. "Yeah, nothing like killing your friends on a virtual platform to help you reconnect."
Marinette smiled as she looked at the list of her friends all playing and joking. Not everyone in class was available that night, but there were enough for a few rounds. COVID-19 had put an end to more than a few things in Marinette's life, but luckily, video games was not one of them. Getting to share those games with her friends was an unexpected upside to quarantine.
It was also an easier way to interact with Adrien. Over video chat or group phone calls, she didn't stutter as much and often didn't have to worry about her raging blush. As a result, she'd gotten more comfortable with him than she'd ever hoped to be. Enough so that she felt safe messing with him in-game.
"So, are we all good for a few more rounds?" Marinette asked, hoping it would be a resounding yes.
"I have a virtual Chinese lesson in an hour and a half, but until then I'm good!" Adrien said.
Marinette couldn't help the giddy feeling she got from his response but tried to listen as the others answered. It seemed like a general consensus for another round, and the game began.
The happy atmosphere continued and Marinette felt closer to her friends than she had in weeks. With a smile on her face, she set out to murder more of her dear friends' characters under the title of Impostor.