CHAPTER 14: THE ACTOR AND THE CHARACTER
Notes:
Trigger Warnings, there's like, one mention of blood. And a small case of traumatic flashbacks. And of course, more mentions of stabbing.
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Blair
Ego Split pulled out her blade, letting Blake fall like a mannequin without a stand. I caught him before he could hit the ground and pulled him close. No! This can't be happening! Blake can't – I shook my head. Now's not the time to panic. He's breathing.
Glowing red cracks were spreading all over Blake's body starting from where he was stabbed, making him look all the more like a broken mannequin. It was a struggle to run while dragging him. With every step, he's getting heavier and heavier. If only I were Chat Noire… But I can't transform. Not in front of an akuma… I need to get away! I summoned all my strength to carry Blake away from the akuma.
A sword blocked my path.
"Blair Crawford," Ego Split said, her pretty face all scrunched up with malice.
Guess she remembered I didn't take her side less than an hour ago.
"You've got quite a reputation. A playful flirt who's charmed many men. You've gone out on many dates and parties but never caused a scandal. As Blake's sister, you share a tragic past… Essentially, you're a more light-hearted, friendlier girl version of him. Together, you form a mischievous pair of heartbreaker twins."
I took a step back, careful with Blake's glowing form draped over my side. The akuma took a step forward, the tip of her blade uncomfortably close to my face.
"It's funny when we finally met, you're actually quite different. Rather than a social butterfly, you're more of a stone-cold vixen. Sure, you've got the wit and the confidence, but I wouldn't call you friendly. From what I observed, you seem indifferent to men – or women for that matter. You look down on people like you're somehow better than them. With the exception of Blake, I don't think you really care about anyone."
The red blade started to glow, humming with an energy that felt like static.
"Yet the way your brother talks about you, he makes you sound like you're actually a good person. Such a shame that circumstances forced you to be like this."
Ego Split's face softened with pity, which made me glare at her.
"Perhaps you need to be freed more than anyone."
She pulled back her sword, ready to thrust.
Ladybug! Where the heck are you?!
The sound of an obnoxious horn blared from behind Ego Split and next thing I knew, a familiar midnight purple colored car slammed the akuma and sent her flying across the street. The car door opened to reveal Vincent, face pale as chalk and shaking like a Chihuahua on the driver seat.
"Get in the car, NOW!!!"
Not the loud dark haired boy I was expecting, but I'll take it.
I shoved Blake into the car. While Vincent is busy strapping Blake into the front seat, I ran off, ignoring his cries for me to come back. Ducking into the nearest empty booth, I transformed.
Ladybug should show up soon.
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Ladybug
This is taking longer than it should.
"Ladybug! Can I have an interview with you?"
"Leave him alone, Kaji! We need to find Shizuke!"
"I'm sure Shizuke's fine! Have a little faith in him!"
While I've been jumping from rooftop to rooftop looking for the akuma who calls herself Ego Split apparently, my two best friends are running after me on the ground below. Maybe I should take the time to trap them somewhere but the akuma is on a rampage and I still haven't found her!
Worst is this akuma uses a sword. That by itself wouldn't be too bad, but Alicia is one of Octavia's most dedicated trainees. Kaji says she's a strong fencer. Even Leo thinks highly of her. Coming from a family of fencers, the Aurelios have high standards. If she's as good as they say she is… I better get to Chat Noire before she stabs her!
"Ugh! Shouldn't they be evacuated by now?!" Fuyu complained, narrowly dodging a pair of screaming identical twins running the opposite direction as us. "Why are there still so many people?!"
Even on its best days, Aurelio Land was never this crowded. It made it hard for me to keep track of the akuma, even with her striking looks. The only good thing about this crowd is how it slowed down Kaji and Fuyu. It wasn't long before I lost them.
Further ahead, I can hear the sounds of metal clashing. The closer I get to the sounds, the thinner the crowds got. Flashes of red blitzed around emptied street until one fiery red haired figure went flying. I swung down and caught her, preventing her from crashing into the costume shop.
"Nice catch, Bugsy," said Chat Noire. She tapped me on the shoulder before jumping out of my arms and brandishing her staff, just in time to deflect Ego Split's thrusting sword. "Don't be fooled by the jester outfit. Her swordsmanship's no joke."
I shook my head fondly. Worrying about this cat is pointless. Chat Noire isn't the sort to let anything get her down. No matter how strong the opponent, she'll never let them push her around. She'll be fine.
"I'll keep that in mind," I said, swinging my yoyo into a shield, ready to defend.
"Ladybug!" Ego Split noted my presence before charging at me.
As Ego Split sent a frenzy of thrusts at me, I managed to block every thrust with my yoyo. This girl has definitely earned the Aurelios' praise. If I weren't so used to watching Kaji spar with his sister (seeing Octavia use this exact same move, but faster) and knew where her thrusts were meant to hit (torso area, as per rules when using a foil), I would've been hit by now. It's only after Ego Split eased up on the attack that I felt my hand tingle from blocking.
"You actually managed to block all my attacks without losing ground," Ego Split said, getting into another stance before thrusting again. "Color me impressed."
This time, I sidestepped her attack. "Uh, thanks?"
Before she can attack me again, Chat Noire intercepted her, giving me room to breathe. Seeing as she's about to do her frenzy of thrusts again, Chat Noire ducked out of range and swept her staff low to trip up Ego Split. Break her roots - wish I'd thought of that sooner. But Ego Split didn't stay down for long and was quick to flip herself back up.
"You're not as skilled as Ladybug, aren't you?" Ego Split said, looking considerably less pleased with how Chat Noire dealt with her quick attacks.
"I do what works," Chat Noire twirled her staff to deflect another thrust. "Don't think you can send me flying with the same move."
This time, I lunged at Ego Split. As a fencer, her reflexes were as sharp as ours and she was ready to meet my attack with her own. Once again, I had to block all her thrusts.
"You shouldn't look down on people less skilled than you!"
"You know Ladybug, I've always liked you. You're always so honest with your opinions even if you come off as a nag."
As soon as Ego Split was done with her attack, I glared at her.
"HEY!"
"No really, I appreciate it. You're no fake, unlike some people I know," Ego Split parries a swing from Chat Noire's staff, putting them into a lock. "Makes me wonder what'll happen if I free you from your mask."
I stepped around Chat Noire and lassoed the akuma's legs to send her sprawling down. The red blade slipped from her grip and clattered to the cobblestone ground.
"Guess you'll just have to keep wondering," Chat Noire picked up the sword and passed it to me.
After a quick inspection, I threw away the sword to the other side of the empty street so she stays unarmed. This can't be the possessed item. I saw her before she transformed; she wasn't holding a sword. The only other thing on her that stands out are her earrings. I bet that's where the akuma is.
Chat Noire's smug smirk curled into a suspicious frown. "… You're awfully calm for someone who just got disarmed."
As soon as Chat Noire said that, I looked at the akuma's face. She's smirking. Next thing I know, I was shoved to the side.
Oh no…
I glanced to my side and saw Chat Noire, stabbed through the chest with that glowing red blade. Her body hung limp with the blade pinning her upright into thin air… Like she's…
"Cat…?"
This is almost like that day we faced Hawkmoth in the cathedral… Back when Chat Noire got stabbed… I still remember the way her body went limp from blood loss…
It happened again.
Chat Noire got hurt protecting me again.
By the time my legs carried me to her, she floated past me and up to the roof of the costume store. There stood the akuma, giddy as she pulled her sword out of Chat Noire. My partner fell limp into the akuma's arms. Where Chat Noire was stabbed, a glowing red crack remained.
"Silly kitty," the akuma cooed, adjusting her hold on Chat Noire to carry her bridal style while her glowing red sword floated behind her. "I planned on freeing you both. Doesn't matter to me which one goes first."
My hands were shaking, knuckles turning white with how hard I was holding onto my yoyo. Ego Split sent a mockingly sweet glance my way.
"Still sweet of you to take a hit for your partner."
"YOU'LL PAY FOR THIS!!!" I threw my yoyo at the akuma.
The akuma's eyes widen as she dodged my yoyo, letting it take a chunk out of the costume store's roof instead. Not giving her a chance to retreat, I swung after her and attacked again.
"What the-?!" the akuma screeched as she dodged another attack from my yoyo - which destroyed more of the roof on impact. "Can't you see I'm holding your partner?!"
At the mention of my partner, I took a deep breath to calm down, if only for a second. Now's not the time to get reckless! It's not the akuma's fault! Chat Noire's life is at stake!
Her sword zipped towards me. I threw my yoyo, willing it to move in such a way around the buildings surrounding us. Just a few centimeters before the sword can stab me in the chest, I got it tangled up in a web of my yoyo's string. With the yoyo string pulled taut and the sword suspended in the air, we find ourselves in a stand off. A loud crack broke the silence.
My eyes focused on Chat Noire, lying unconscious in the akuma's clutches. That glowing red crack is spreading by the second.
"WHAT DID YOU DO TO HER?!"
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Chat Noire
Getting stabbed is never a pleasant experience, but at least I can find comfort in knowing this akuma's blade isn't lethal. Of all the things I speculated the blade to do, I never would've expect it to send me somewhere… weird. I get the feeling this isn't the afterlife. It's almost like Poppyrazzi's pocket dimension. Stark white as far as the eye can see, except right in front of me is a glowing red crack and everything beyond that is pitch black. Even weirder, I can't cross this clear divide, even if it's only one step away from me. This is starting to creep me out.
"Cataclysm!"
I called out to my power and aimed it at the glowing red crack, but nothing happened. There was no surge of power charging to my claws. Not even that feeling of power that comes with being transformed.
"It's no use."
On the black side of the landscape stood a familiar dark figure with emerald green eyes. I don't like where this is going.
"Please don't be an evil clone!"
Wait, what am I doing? I shouldn't let whoever it is know I'm freaking out! I need every advantage I can get and visibly panicking is not gonna help. Yet it's like I have no control…
"Uh, rude much?"
It's like that statement shined a spotlight on my company – or should I say my doppleganger? She's basically me, but untransformed for some reason. The me on the other side simply placed a hand on her hip and made confidence look effortless.
"And FYI, this is more like that one episode in Teen Titans with Raven's emotions. Except instead of six, there's only two of us."
I let out a sigh of relief. Right. Nevermore. I remember that episode.
"That means there's no creepy angry version of me locked away somewhere…. Right?" my voice squeaked at the last word. I coughed to get that under control.
Other-me rolled her eyes. "What do you think?"
Getting the hint, I decided to change topics a little.
"So this is our mindscape? I was expecting something more…"
"Colorful? I know."
I crossed my arms in an effort to hide my shivering. "Why are we here?"
"Uh, weren't you paying attention when Ego Split stabbed us?"
"You know what I mean," I said through gritted teeth.
"I think this is what Ego Split meant about 'freeing' us," other-me put her knuckles under her chin in a thinking pose. "Ego Split's power is sorting through our mind and is in the process of dividing us into two. Surely, you notice something different about yourself, right?"
"W-w-what?"
"Looks like I'm the half with all the brain cells," other-me crossed her arms, giving off strong unimpressed vibes.
I think I can guess what she meant. I'm starting to miss my ability to stay calm under pressure. Maybe then I'd be able to think straight.
"This is our mindscape. But as you can see, it's split in half by this big red crack. You can't cross over to my side, and I can't cross over to yours," other-me explained, then looked at me with sharp eyes. "Can you guess why?"
My eyes widen as I remember the Ego Split's words from earlier.
"Everyone would love the real you more than the fake!"
The words sent a chill over me like a bucket of cold water. I ran my claws through my fiery red mane.
"Guess you still have some brain cells left over," other-me smirked.
"This is bad! We have to stop it!"
"We can't."
"There's got to be a way-"
"It's too late. The fact that you and I can talk like this means we're already split mentally," she pointed at the red crack. "And looky here."
There was a loud cracking noise and…
"Did it just get thicker?!"
"This means it's only a matter of time before we're split in the physical world as well."
"Wait!" I tried to grab other-me, but it's like she's intangible. She's standing still, getting farther and farther… unreachable… "We have to stay together-"
"We'll wake up soon. Best of luck. You're gonna need it."
Then my mindscape faded into black.
I hear voices, crackling sounds, wind blowing… but I can't move.
It's all up to Ladybug.
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Ladybug
A glowing butterfly mask outline lit up over Ego Split's mask and she nodded at Hawkmoth's commands with a serious frown. She ran away carrying Chat Noire. The sword she left behind continued to push menacingly towards me. Timing it right, I loosened my yoyo and let the sword zoom past me while I chase its wielder from one rooftop to another, nearing the rides.
In the midst of dodging the flying sword and chasing Ego Split, I overheard her muttering "just a little more" repeatedly. That can't be good. I have to do something fast. I can't lose now!
"Lucky Charm!"
Seeing what it is, I threw it at the akuma. Smoke burst out of the Lucky Charm on impact, making Ego Split stop in her tracks to reorient herself. I kept in mind what Chat Noire said about akuma's behavioral patterns. As expected, the flying sword darted back towards its wielder to arm herself for when I come for her. I grabbed the sword by the hilt and let it guide me to where its wielder is in the smoke.
Ego Split's eyes widen when I threw her down flat on her back and pinned her down by the collar with her own sword on the slab roof of a ticket booth.
The ticket seller and the people waiting in line scrambled away but I paid them no mind. It's not like I'm about to let this akuma go. It's almost over. I just need to cleanse this akuma and look for my Lucky Charm so I can cast Miraculous Ladybug. Everything will be alright - Chat Noire will be alright. I leaned down to take Ego Split's earrings when I heard a loud cracking noise from the side - from Chat Noire. Beneath me, Ego Split smirked.
"You may have defeated me, but I already fulfilled Hawkmoth's orders."
The red cracks have spread all over Chat Noire. Ego Split's words from earlier echoed in my head.
"Makes me wonder what'll happen if I free you from your mask."
Whatever Ego Split's power is, Chat Noire's identity is in danger! With my Lucky Charm thrown away, there's only one thing I can do. I tore the ticket booth's banner and wrapped Chat Noire in it. It only covered most of her upper body… Then she started glowing.
"Aren't you curious to see the girl behind Chat Noire's mask?" asked Ego Split, struggling to free herself from her own sword.
I picked up Chat Noire, who's form is expanding, and glared back at Ego Split.
"Her safety is more important to me."
Taking advantage of the lingering smoke, I zipped away. Hopefully, the smoke will be enough to cover for us as I look for a place to hide Chat Noire. I can't go too far.
Now that it feels like I'm carrying two bodies instead of one, I had to stop swinging. Carefully, I readjusted my hold on her (them?) and jumped into one of those dressing room trailers those models used. It's the only place I could think of that doesn't have security cameras.
The whole time, I resisted the urge to look down. Last time something like this happened, Chat Noire protected my secret identity without taking a peek for herself. It's the least I can do for her…
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Chat Noire
Waking up to the sight of my own face staring down at me is far from the strangest thing I've ever seen. But it's still one of the most disconcerting.
"Look who's finally awake," other-me said, with her arms crossed. I get the feeling she doesn't like me very much.
I sat up from the chaise and to my surprise, I'm in my trailer. I would've panicked if my doppleganger didn't pass me a note that says, 'CHILL. Ladybug doesn't know this is ours. He picked it randomly. Our secret identity is safe.'. That's one less thing to worry about.
"Is Ladybug here?"
Other-me smirked then leaned on the door.
"Hey, Bugsy. You still there?~" other-me said in a tone that can only be described as flirty.
"H-hi, Cat."
I should've expected Ladybug to stick around to check on me. He's one fussy bug… Then I remembered what he just did and why am I still split like this. All warm and fuzzy feelings for my partner dissipated.
"Oh, you don't get to 'hi Cat' either of us!" I scolded, which surprised other-me but she managed to stay composed. I glared daggers through the door. Knowing Ladybug, he can probably feel that. "You should've purified Ego Split when you had the chance!"
"... I'm sorry."
"'Sorry' doesn't solve anything! You need to get your priorities in order! Stopping the akuma should've come first!"
"Could you just chill?!" yelled other-me, looking especially reprimanding at me. "I get that you think Ladybug could've purified the akuma then and there. But you're hardly any better. There are better ways to save Ladybug than taking a sword through the heart for him."
My claws went over my chest, right where I was stabbed. It was as painful as it looked, but not in the normal stabby way. There was a shock, then I was unconscious. When I shoved Ladybug away from the akuma's line of attack, I wasn't really thinking. But the urge to justify myself anyway was as strong as ever.
"T-trying to deflect the sword with my staff or rolling away with Ladybug might not have worked if Ego Split could just control the sword to follow us!"
Other-me didn't seem fazed by my argument.
"Regardless, what's done is done. Telling him off now doesn't solve anything."
The way she threw my words back at me felt like a slap to the face. The worst thing about it is I can't talk back. I know she's right… Was I always this merciless with my words?
Back with other-me, she's listening to Ladybug talking through the door.
"No, she's right," Ladybug said, sounding defeated. "Check out the Ladyblog."
Me and other-me used our staff and phone respectively - relieved to see those still work - and logged on to Keagan's blog. Sure enough, Ego Split is out there merrily splitting more people in two.
"I should've stopped the akuma first! Or at least made sure she was properly pinned so we can go back to her later! I-"
"Ladybug, stop being so hard on yourself," other-me said sternly. "It would've been risky anyway. There were security cameras everywhere and you couldn't cast Miraculous Ladybug before I split. This akuma was specifically aiming to expose my identity and you stopped it. I'd say, that counts as a win."
There was silence from Ladybug's side of the door. I can imagine him finally calming down. Sometimes, it feels like he's the only one who ever takes my logical approach at comforting very well…
"So what if Ego Split is free to stab more people?" other-me continued.
"... Stab people…?" Ladybug squeaked.
"Not like anyone will die from getting stabbed by her," other-me said with a shrug.
"Yeah. They'll just get emotionally scarred from splitting in two," I grumbled.
"... Emotionally scarred…?" Ladybug's voice got even smaller.
Sigh… Never mind. I'm no good at comforting. Period.
"Hey, he's doing his best. I'm sure he'll get the akuma next time. Right, Ladybug?~" other-me cooed.
"R-right," Ladybug sounded flustered this time.
"Ugh… Please stop flirting and focus on the akuma," I said with a facepalm.
There was a crash-like sound from beyond the door. Probably Ladybug tripping over himself. Other-me snickered at his reaction. Is this how it's always been between me and Ladybug? I never noticed… LadyNoire was my fault all along!
"What should we do?" Ladybug asked.
"No, more like what you guys are gonna do. I'm a civilian remember?~"
"You're me too!" I said.
"I'm not the one with the indestructible catsuit."
Looking at other-me, an idea came to me. I don't like it, but maybe it's for the best.
"... How about we trade?"
I'm sure other-me would make better use of Chat Noire's powers than I would. I've noticed it. She's the one with the level-head. I wrapped my fingers around the Black Cat Miraculous and pulled.
And pulled.
And pulled some more.
"It won't budge! What gives?!"
Other-me simply looked on with a deadpan gaze.
"Don't you think I would've taken that Miraculous for myself if I could?"
Ladybug decided now would be a good time to cut in.
"What exactly did the akuma do to you?"
"Well, as you can hear, there's now two of me," other-me began. "One looks like a beautiful girl with gorgeous red hair and eyes that shine like emeralds… The other is an emotional mess wrapped in leather."
I slumped down at her barbed words. "… She's not wrong."
"Cat, go easy on yourself," Ladybug said. "I'm sure both parts of you are equally amazing."
I felt my heart leap at Ladybug's words. He's the earnest straightforward type. One compliment from him has more sincerity than a thousand love confessions from anonymous fanboys. He always did saw me as a hero…
But once he sees who I really am, he'll change his tune. He never did liked 'Blair the confident model' after all. I'm sure he wouldn't like the girl beneath the mask.
There was a beeping sound of the Miraculous' timer.
"Looks like you're out of time there, Ladybug," other-me said.
"But what about you?"
"We'll catch up. Go get Ego Split," other-me said.
"Don't let her stab you," I said.
"Okay..."
Ladybug lingered another moment before I heard his footsteps running away. Now it's just me and other-me in my trailer. Other-me sat down at my vanity and brushed her hair like we have all the time in the world. I stood behind her, arms crossed with my emerald green gaze on other-me's visage reflected on the mirror.
There's a sight you wouldn't see everyday. Blair and Chat Noire: the model and the heroine, side by side in the same room.
"... So what's the plan?" I asked.
Getting stabbed is not an experience I care to repeat even if it's not lethal. I'd feel better knowing other-me has a plan.
Other-me sighed and through our reflection, she stared at me with stone cold emerald eyes.
"The Black Cat Miraculous is stuck with you and Ladybug needs to recharge. You've got a job to do. Don't screw this up."
My lips curled into a frown at her prickly words.
"... What do you have against me?"
Despite the strong wording, my voice sounded small and pitiful…
"You should know. After all, we're two sides of the same coin."
Other-me stood up and approached me until we're face to face. It felt like looking through a mirror. Except even if we're exactly the same, even if I'm the one in the indestructible catsuit, somehow other-me seemed bigger. Better. Braver. Her next words came out like a quiet confession.
"And you're the side I didn't want anyone to see."
Once again, I had nothing to say to her. My ears twitched at the sounds of approaching footsteps.
"We've got company," I said.
"Way ahead of you," other-me opened the closet and shoved me in, just in time before the door slammed open. Through the slits, I was able to see what's going on.
"Well, what do you know. Ladybug really did carried her here.~"
In came Blake… and Blake?! One Blake stood by the door, all smirky. The other Blake barged in and hugged other-me, crying his eyes out.
"We were so worried about you!"
"C'mon twins! Let's get out of here!" Vincent yelled from outside the trailer.
The two Blakes nodded and carried other-me out of the door like a mannequin. Other-me looked back at me with disappointed eyes one last time before she disappeared with my twin(s?). Now I'm all alone in the trailer with my composure literally walking out on me. I ran my claws through my fiery red mane.
"What should I do?!"
0-0-0-0-0
Shizuke
"What should I do?!"
In an empty corner near the ferriswheel, I was freaking out. Looking up the Ladyblog, I've just learned Kaji lost track of Ego Split. Which is normally a good thing. At least he's nowhere near the akuma. But I needed to find Ego Split so I can purify her once and for all!
"This is bad!"
"Calm down, Shizuke. I'm sure you and Chat Noire will find her."
"She could be anywhere! Sneak up behind me, then STAB! There goes my secret identity!"
"Remember, there's a delay between getting stabbed and getting split. I'm sure Chat Noire will come up with something to save you if that happens, just like how you saved her earlier."
"... Right," my heart rate calming down, I was able to breath easier. Think clearer. Just like Chat Noire would. "For now, all we need is to find a way to lure Ego Split out."
"But how?"
As Tikki and I went back and forth with plans to defeat Ego Split, we heard yelling. Not the same kind of panicked yelling that comes with an akuma attack, more like yelling from people arguing. Having finished off the cookie I brought for her, Tikki hid in my jacket when I turned the corner to see what the commotion was about.
There by the empty fountain stood Kaji and Fuyu with a pair of identical-looking men, both had wavy brown hair and a camera strapped on them. The men were probably victims of Ego Split. One was yelling at Fuyu in Spanish while his double was standing by the side affirming whatever he's saying. Fuyu was yelling back at him while Kaji was trying to hold her back to no avail. Enough was enough!
With my best class president voice, I yelled, "What's going on?!"
Everyone stopped yelling at each other when they heard me. Fuyu was the first to stomp forward.
"You!" Fuyu pointed at me. "Where the hell have you been?"
Shocked by the sudden turn, I told her the first excuse I could think of.
"Uh… Bathroom?"
Fuyu gave me a look that practically screamed, 'I don't believe you one bit'.
"Don't ignore us, young lady! You still have to face the consequences of your actions!"
"What did she do?" I asked the English-speaking man.
The other man yelled a long spiel in Spanish, waving angrily at Fuyu. The other man was considerate enough to translate for me.
"Your friend over here kicked one of my models in the crotch."
"It was Leo!" Fuyu said, like that's reason enough to justify inflicting bodily harm onto others… I feel bad for agreeing with her.
"He's not done with his contract! We still need him for tonight's photo shoot!"
To the side, Kaji looks like he wants to be anywhere but here.
"Harias un terrible sustituto de Ladybug!" said the Spanish-speaking photographer, pointing furiously at Fuyu. Ladybug? What do I have to do with this?
Fuyu slapped away the Spanish-speaking photographer's hand. "Shut up. I. Am. Awesome."
"You can understand him?" the English-speaking photographer asked, looking mildly impressed.
"No," Fuyu jerks a thumb at Kaji. "But I've been around this guy's dad long enough to know when someone's talking crap about me in Spanish."
A nervous laugh is all Kaji could say about that. The two photographers looked at Kaji as if it's the first time they're seeing him. Then they simultaneously grabbed Kaji by both hands like they're begging him for a favor (something about 'Ladybug' and the word 'sustituto' stands out), both speaking in rapid Spanish until Kaji held his hands up to stop them.
"I'm sorry! I don't speak Spanish!"
The exclusively Spanish-speaking photographer yelled angrily at him while the more considerate English-speaking photographer held his clone back. But even the English-speaking photographer didn't approve of Kaji neglecting to learn his father's native language.
"You're a disgrace to our mother land!"
"I'm also half-English! Can't I honor that side of the family too?" Kaji tried to reason.
"Your cousin is also half-English but he can also speak fluent Spanish!"
Kaji flinched at the mention of his cousin which caused Fuyu to angrily stomped over to the photographer, fists ready to punch.
"Oh put a sock in it will you?!"
Before this argument can escalate any further, I cut in between them, separating my friends from the angry photographers.
"ENOUGH!!!" I glared at the photographers. "WHILE FUYU DOES OWE YOU AN APOLOGY FOR INJURING YOUR MODEL-"
"Hey!" Fuyu indignantly yelled.
"-YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO BE THE ADULT HERE!!! STOP PICKING FIGHTS WITH CHILDREN!!!"
The photographers, even the mean Spanish-speaking one, had the decency to be ashamed of their actions. The English-speaking one began to cry. Oh no, did I go too far?! I was about to apologize for being disrespectful - he's still an adult, after all - when the photographers apologized.
"Y-you're right," the English-speaking photographer said in between sniffles. "I'm an adult now. I'm supposed to be more patient, especially around kids your age."
The Spanish-speaking one also said something. From his tone, we can discern he's just as apologetic as his English counterpart. The Spanish-speaking photographer had more to say, this time addressed to his clone. The English-speaking photographer nodded along to what he said.
"If I was more patient with Seniorita Alicia, she wouldn't have turned into an akuma."
"So this is all your fault!" Fuyu stated accusingly.
Both photographers nodded, eyes averted from Fuyu's ice-cold glare.
"Can you tell us what happened?" Kaji asked, his phone out.
The two photographers looked warily at his phone. Understanding what they're wary about, I covered the lens with my hand.
"I promise you, this won't be posted on the blog. We just want to know for research purposes."
And it might help me figure out what I need to lure out Ego Split.
Kaji soon understood too and put away his phone.
"Yeah, I promise."
Reassured that Kaji won't 'air his dirty laundry', the photographers told us what happened this morning. He really should've been gentler with rejecting Alicia's ideas.
"You owe her an apology," I said.
"Yes. I shall apologize as soon as I see her."
At least he can admit when he's wrong. That's the first step to smoothing things over. The photographer continued to tell us what happened after his outburst… How Blair coldly snubbed her and let her take the fall alone. It may not be directly her fault things came to be, but she certainly didn't help.
Before, I could've easily dismissed her as someone who doesn't care about anyone but herself. Then I remembered how she was at the arcade a few days ago. She genuinely wanted to cheer up Blake. She seemed happy just because he's happy.
Now, I think I know her a little better. I can confidently say she has a heart… But it's closed off to everyone outside of Blake. Not surprising for Hawkmoth-suspect number one…
"As she stabbed me, she said she'll free all the other models I've forced into faking who they are."
"Now we know who her targets are! We have to warn them!" Kaji said.
"A little late for that now, don't you think?" Fuyu said.
"Of the models on the shoot, who has she not split yet?" I asked.
Kaji whipped out his phone to check his social media and asked the photographer for names. Kaji's eyes widened, then his lips curled into a grin - the one Blair calls his 'shipping grin'. I have a bad feeling about this.
"There's Blair."
On his phone was a picture of Blair sat between two Blakes in a car. The caption read 'thank you everyone for helping us find our little sister'. This is probably a post by her foster brother Vincent.
"Didn't you say she made things worse by not backing her up?" Fuyu asked the photographer.
"Blair did nothing wrong!" the photographer fiercely defended. I don't need a translator to know his Spanish-speaking counterpart agreed with him on that.
"Doesn't matter. Alicia hates her for it," Fuyu said.
"That's even more reason for her to be a target," Kaji said with a grin.
Fuyu finally noticed Kaji's grin and directed her glare at him. "Kaji, no."
"We have to go with her! Then get Ladybug and Chat Noire!"
Kaji ran to where he believes Blair is, contacting her on the way. I was going to run the other way to transform when Fuyu grabbed me by the arm and dragged me to wherever Kaji's going.
"Let me go!"
I struggled to break free of Fuyu's grip, but she's too strong. There was no escape.
"Oh no you won't! If we're gonna play bodyguard for Blair, I'm gonna need back up! You're coming with us!"
Absolutely nothing is going right today.
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