CHAPTER 3: LADYBLAIR

Blair

"Come on Blair! Stop resisting my manly charms and date me already!" the akuma yelled while chasing me.

The akuma is a huge hulking giant wearing the tackiest gold chain necklace I've ever seen. He's wearing a pair of pants and steel toed boots and nothing on top to cover his disgusting chest hair and oversized muscles. He's one of the plainer akuma (akumas?) I've ever had to deal with.

This is the third time an akuma went after me and I'm unlucky enough to be in the middle of a photo shoot at the city founder's statue at City Square with no places to hide. I've been running for around twenty minutes now in heels! Fashionable torture devices. My feet are definitely going to feel this tomorrow… Oh wait, Miraculous Ladybug can fix this. Such a wonderfully useful power.

"STOP HARASSING A MINOR!" Ladybug yelled from the top of an apartment building. Finally!

He swooped in, grabbed me by the waist, and swung me away to safety.

"How dare you steal my date! Hang in there dollface, for I, Stud Muffin, will get you!"

I rolled my eyes.

The akuma calls himself Stud Muffin. Really Hawkmoth?

He thinks of himself as the epitome of manliness in Helios and that no woman can resist his charms. Then he saw me taking a quick break by the café and tried to get me on a date. Ew. No. That guy's like, ten years older than me and definitely not my type. Worst of all…

"If you reject me, I might turn into an akuma out of sheer disappointment."

I glared back at him, on behalf of anyone who's ever been akumatized. Seeing him flinch gave me a bit of satisfaction, but it's not enough to lessen my anger.

"I'll take my chances."

So I promptly rejected him. Predictably, he got akumatized. What I didn't predict was that he got akumatized only five minutes later. Wow. Hawkmoth sure didn't waste time there. It's like she has nothing else to look forward to on her Sundays. I still regret nothing.

The akuma's still chasing us. He's fairly fast, so Ladybug can't just drop me off and risk letting me get captured.

"You scrawny fiend! You think you can just come here and sweep her off her feet?! I was here first! Be a real man and fight me!"

Oh come on! I get shipped enough with him as Chat Noire! Don't start the LadyBlair bandwagon!

Ladybug had a deadpan look on his face. I'm glad to see he shares my sentiments.

"Just WHAT did you do this time?" Ladybug asked with that accusing tone reserved specially for me.

"Nothing."

Ladybug shot me a deadpan look.

The akuma made a wild grab for us, nearly grabbing my leg had Ladybug not swung his body up higher to keep away from the akuma's reach. "You don't have to be shy, Blair! Jump into my arms and stop rejecting me!"

"Nothing I regret anyway," I amended my former statement.

"Is it really too much to ask for you to learn to reject people GENTLY?"

"Is it really too much to ask for guys to take my rejection AT ALL?" I mockingly echoed.

"Resist urge to throw her at akuma... Resist urge to throw her at akuma…" Ladybug muttered like a mantra under his breath, as if I couldn't hear him from where I am right now. I chose to be the bigger person and ignore it.

"Could you just put me down and fight him? I'm sure I'll be safe if you leave me on a roof."

As if the akuma is actively trying to foil my plans, he threw a car at us. Ladybug dodged and the car crashed on top of a hopefully empty building. I repeat; Miraculous Ladybug is such a wonderfully useful power.

"I don't think that would be a good idea, citizen," he scolded, his lips set in a firm line accepting no further arguments.

I frowned. Ladybug readjusted his hold on me and swung his yoyo again to make a sharp turn. I clung to him tighter, feeling very vulnerable without my magical cat suit. I hate playing the damsel in distress. I should be fighting by his side, not be protected by him!

"I can't leave you and risk your safety. Not until Chat Noire gets here and gets the akuma off of us."

How in the world is Chat Noire supposed to distract the akuma if you won't leave her alone to transform?!

Ladybug, while I think it's sweet of you to be concerned about my safety, I'm no damsel in distress! The citizens need you more than I do!

0-0-0-0-0

Ladybug

Chat Noire is taking an awfully long time to get here.

The akuma this time is targeting my classmate. This is the third time this has happened.

Her name is Blair Crawford; one of Helios' most in demand teen models, the girl of most hormonal teenaged boys' dreams, and one of the two new transfer students in our class. She is seated right in front of me on the first row, second column from the right.

She has waist-length deep red hair, and bright emerald green eyes. She has flawless tanned skin and a… rather… uh… curvy figure… which are further emphasized with her billowy blouses, shorts and thigh highs. Okay, I'll admit, she's very attractive and I tend to look at her a lot, which is very difficult not to do when she's sitting right in front of me in class. But that doesn't stop me from finding her suspicious!

From what I've heard from her equally photogenic twin and reputed bad boy Blake, they transferred to our school because of their sponsor deal or something like that. They live with their foster mother, Erin Liung, who also happens to be their manager, and her son, Vincent Liung, after the twins' parents died years ago. Beyond that, there aren't much relevant details I can find in the magazines. I did not need to know how many guys she used to date or her three sizes, thank you very much.

Unlike most people who have been targeted by an akuma, Blair doesn't even seem fazed.

The first time, she did a very sarcastic parody of a damsel in distress, before throwing her lunch at the akuma and running away.

The second time, she was much less merciful. She kicked the poor akuma in every man's weakness and grumpily walked away.

Since the akuma this time is ridiculously strong, she can't just do either. She's helpless. And yet she's rolling her eyes as if the akuma is just another unworthy suitor she can step on. I find that suspicious.

I am tempted to just leave her be and let her test her luck with the akuma. If my suspicions are correct, then that shouldn't be a problem for her.

But I can't do that. What if I'm wrong about her?

"OWWWCH!" Stud Muffin –ugh, Hawkmoth, why?- screamed in pain.

"Chat Noire?" I looked back, hoping to see a glimpse of my partner. But the black cat was nowhere in sight.

The akuma stopped running and had his hands on his face. What just happened?

"This is your chance, Ladybug! Go get him!" Blair urged.

Huh? Wait, why is she barefoot?

I looked back at where the akuma is still wailing and spotted a pair of very expensive looking heels scattered on the sidewalk.

Did she just throw her heels at the akuma?!

I put her down on the nearest roof and ordered her to stay hidden until it's safe.

With or without Chat Noire, I'm a hero. I can't fail to do my job just because she isn't here. I don't want to let her and everyone else down.

0-0-0-0-0

Blair

Ladybug quickly dropped me off a nearby building's roof before swinging back to the akuma.

Finally! He left me alone!

"You know, the fight's practically over. Why bother?" said Plagg.

I frowned. "He needs us. Besides, I don't think a little heel to the eye is going to keep the akuma distracted for long."

A few meters away, Stud Muffin's already recovered and is trying to crush Ladybug. The ringing of sirens and the ever familiar sound of property damage were dead giveaways.

"Plagg! Claws out!"

Plagg grumbled something about overeager chosens as he got sucked into my ring and transformed me.

0-0-0-0-0

After taking care of Stud Muffin and fixing the city, we congratulated each other with a fist bump until Ladybug suddenly seemed to remember something.

He walked past me and picked up a pair of heels.

My heels.

"Oh right, I left the civilian at that rooftop! I have to get her down from there. Better return these while I'm at it," before I can tell him an excuse to 'leave Blair alone', he had his yoyo out. "Please, take care of the akuma victim for me! Thaaaanks!" he said as he swung away.

"ARGH! STUPID! CARING! SAFETY OBSESSED! BUG!" I yelled to no one in particular before going after Ladybug to beat him to where Blair is supposed to be, completely ignoring the pedo and left him to the care of the EMT guys.

0-0-0-0-0

When I got there, Ladybug was already worriedly swinging around the building frantically searching for me. When he was at the other side, I jumped in through the fire exit and de-transformed. I made my way back to the rooftop and waved over Ladybug.

"Where were you?!" he reprimanded as soon as he landed.

"I was hiding, just like you said," I coolly replied, already used to having the superhero scolding me.

"Oh. Okay. Uh," he awkwardly fuddled about before regaining his composure and coldly handed over my heels. "And these are yours."

"Thanks," I grabbed his upper arm for balance as I hastily slipped them back on.

Ladybug flinched on contact but kept quiet and made no move other than folding his arms close to his chest. Then I heard his Miraculous beep as a reminder of his impending transformation.

"Are you gonna bring me down now or should I just take the stairs?"

0-0-0-0-0

Being the gentleman that he is, he even swung me to the nearest bus stop before running off to hide his identity.

When I was finally alone, I dropped the polite model smile.

"Still upset that Ladybug's giving you the cold shoulder?" Plagg teased from my purse.

I rolled my eyes and pushed his head back in before anyone can see. We may be alone for now, but it wouldn't hurt to be careful in public places such as these.

"He'll come around," I said, more for myself than for Plagg to hear.

"Why do you care so much about his opinions on you anyway? Don't you hate being shipped with him?" Plagg asked, tearing open the camembert's wrapper.

"I may not like him that way, but he's still my partner. I want us to be the best heroes we could be, and our relationship should not get in the way of that."

My phone rang.

Seeing it as a signal to stop talking, Plagg popped his head back into my purse to gobble up what's left of today's camembert.

I fished my phone out of my pocket and checked the caller ID. It was a call from my manager-slash-legal guardian, Mrs Liung.

"Hel-"

"{Oh thank God you finally picked up! Are you alright?}" Mrs Liung said in a sharp tone that demands answers.

"I'm fine. Just a little tired, but fine," I looked down at my feet. The blisters I got from running are gone now. "And even if I wasn't, Miraculous Ladybug heals everything."

"{Don't say things like that,}" now she's in 'Dragon Lady' mode. It's that mode that allows her to get contracts under her terms and forces others to agree to anything she says. I both admire and fear that about her. "{That won't stop us from worrying-}"

She turned her phone away from her to focus on whoever is with her. There were mutters on her end. I could still pick out most of her words.

"{Yes, son, she said she's okay. Huh? You want to- If you insist.}"

There was some slight shuffling on the other end, before Mrs Liung was replaced with Vincent.

"{Little sister!}"

I cringed at his term of endearment for me, but I didn't correct him. It'll only lead to a crying session… Rather, an even bigger crying session than he's already having right now.

"{I was so worried about you! Why didn't you get into the car when I told you to?!}"

'Because you'll make it impossible for me to find a nice little hiding place to transform into Chat Noire' is what I wanted to say. "Because he'll go after you too," is what I said instead.

It's not a lie. He's the son of the woman who took me and my brother in when we had nowhere to go. We owe them big time, and I'd rather they stay safe during akuma attacks.

"{Blair, I'm touched and all, but I'd rather you not put yourself in danger for me, especially when it's not necessary. We could've both been safe if you just went in the car.}"

I didn't reply to that. It's getting harder and harder to make excuses around the Liungs. They even bought a car after the Poppyrazzi incident so my twin and I can have an escape vehicle (not that I plan to ever make use of it).

"{Can you tell me where you are? I'll give you a ride home. We can even stop by that ice cream shop on the way.}"

It's not even a question of whether or not I want a ride. But that wouldn't stop me from treating it like one.

"No need. I can get back on my own. Thanks anyway."

I hung up before the Liungs could insist. As touching as their concern is, they have a tendency to overdo things and be annoyingly pushy about it. It's best to decline as early as possible before Mrs Liung's Dragon Lady mode makes me cave in.

My phone rang again. I growled at their persistence.

"I said I'm FINE!"

"{… Liungs got to you first?}"

Hearing my twin on the phone rather than the Liungs, I instantly calmed down.

"Yep."

Blake let out an exasperated sigh.

Once again, he's trying to hide how worried he really is, but now he's got more incentive thanks to my already annoyed mood.

"{I know they can be overbearing, but they mean well,}" Blake said, knowing me well enough to know what I was thinking.

"I know. It's just that… We're already imposing on them when they let us live with them, and I don't want to-"

"{-owe them any more than we already do?}" Blake finished my sentence.

A smile made its way to my face. It's nice to know someone understands.

"Yep."

I can imagine him shaking his head thinking 'What are we gonna do about the overbearing Liungs?'.

"… So, today, we're at a draw," I said, changing the topic to something a lot less serious. "Wanna bet on which one of us will get chased by an akuma next?"

"{Blair, don't jinx us.}"

I snickered to myself. If only he knew…

"It can't be helped bro."

A bus stopped by, cutting our conversation short.

"I better go, talk to you later."

With a click, the call ended and I hopped onto the bus. I took the nearest window seat and watched the city as the bus drove by. With no one else calling me, I finally got a good look at my phone. My eyes bulged when I saw the notifications.

37 Missed Calls.

24 Messages.

All within the span of around thirty minutes.

All from the same three culprits.

The akuma today really made them worry, huh? I made a mental note to stop by the convenience store and get them something for desert. They need the comfort food more than I do.

0-0-0-0-0

Shizuke

I detransformed behind a doughnut shop next to city square. Tikki quickly hid in my bag and we started to make our way back home.

"This was the third time Blair has been targeted," I worriedly told Tikki while taking out my phone.

"Yes it is," Tikki said, just loud enough for only me to hear. "But don't you think you're jumping to conclusions about this?"

"Tikki, have you seen the way she acts whenever there's an akuma? Usually, the minute one comes up, she's nowhere to be found. During the times when her brother was targeted, she didn't show up even though, according to Kaji, she's supposed to be the 'overprotective twin'. And whenever she's targeted, she acts like she's in control," I told Tikki my sound reasoning for my theory as I updated my chart on the latest akuma attack.

Stud Muffin

Real Name: xxxxx xxxxxxxx

Duration: Approx. 35 minutes

Date: January xx, xxxx, Sunday

Akuma Item: Golden chain necklace

Goal: To get Blair Crawford to go on a date with him

"Maybe she's just smart enough to avoid akuma attacks when she can. Maybe she just trusts that you and Chat Noire can handle the situation so she doesn't panic when an akuma goes after her. Besides, didn't she help with distracting the akuma a few minutes ago?" Tikki reasoned.

"It could be a ploy to get me to lower my guard around her. I find it unnerving that she seems too confident in the face of danger. Like she's not worried about her safety at all," I argued.

Tikki gave up arguing with me and went back to munching on her stash of cookies in my bag. But I know she'll be right back at it sooner or later. I continued typing away on my phone. While I find it a bit trickier to type the intel and align the lines just right on my phone than on my desktop, it's always handy to have my chart on hand.

Location Notes:

Announced his presence at xxx, 3:28pm.

Defeated and purified at xxxx, 4:04pm.

I labelled the areas on my chart's map and traced the lines between the two areas.

Then I marked a third area.

Blair Crawford had a photo shoot at the City Square, 1pm-3:30pm.

It was right next to where the akuma appeared.

"This couldn't be a coincidence," I muttered to myself.

"I still think you're jumping to conclusions, Shizuke. Why don't you try to get to know her better instead of theorizing things about her behind her back?" Tikki suggested. She never gives up trying to see the good in people, which is why she never stops arguing with me about this.

"But what if I'm right about her?"

"What if you're wrong?"

"Tikki, I can't take my chances with this..." I looked around to make sure no one was listening in on me, before I continued in a more hushed tone. "She might be Hawkmoth."

For some reason, Tikki went back to her cookies and furiously stuffed her face with them like an angry chipmunk.

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