Welcome back to „A tale of superheroes and animation"! I'll be giving some information about the story at the start of each chapter like here.

First of all: You just may have realized that already, but I'll be going rather directly with the canonical story, just with Manuel living along with it and just maybe influencing it bit by bit. Episodes will go in the order I THINK they happened, and I'm open for constructive criticism concerning the timeline. (Honestly, it's mostly the order they are on Netflix, because I can't be bothered to theorize myself...)

In between canonical episodes just may be some extra-chapters like this one from time to time, for the sake of world-building and realistic progression.

Now, enough from me, you're here for Chapter 02, so let's get on with it! :D

-s-s-s- (s for start) (Manuel's POV)

"Aaaalrighty then…", I thought to myself, "Looks like I'll be spending my time in school for most of the time until I get home."

I could think of worse things, to be honest. Like, being homeless, which was still a good possibility. Or being under investigation due to my odd nature, which was still a good possibility as well anytime I do as much as slip up a bit. That odd nature being, that I was obviously extremely knowledgeable about this world's lore. Thank god I was such a good actor, especially at playing clueless.

Now I was standing in front of the Francois Dupont Highschool's entrance, mentally preparing myself for yet another new school-start. Why that specific school? Well, it was literally the only one I could find…

The other students already swarmed in en-mass, barely acknowledging my presence, though some did turn around, seemingly noticing they had never seen me before.

I took a deep breath, and stepped in. "Alright. Just don't forget. Your name is Manuel Gilson, and you just transferred to this school. Apart from that, you'll just have to find out, what past and origins this world has given you, if any."

In my head, I spoke to myself fairly confident that this would work out. This world's people were both really gullible and very VERY oblivious after all. However, deep down, I was basically sure that SOMETHING would go wrong in all this. If it wasn't the way too late school transference, it would most likely be my complete lack of knowledge about my own past that would screw me over.

Then again, Lila basically transferred what I could only assume to be months after school had started. And then was absent for what I had to assume were at least weeks again. People just don't seem to give a shit about their kids here. Looking at you, Gabriel Agreste and Audrey Bourgeois…

Still, this was the only option available to me, since the police-officers of Paris were clearly not willing to believe, that I didn't attend any school whatsoever, and also seemed perfectly ready to throw me into the building themselves if they had to. "Can't seem to get anything important done but are perfectly capable of being a nuisance to me, huh?", I groaned annoyed, as I thought back to Officer Raincomprix's scolding.

-o-o-o-
(the day before; Monday; 9:27 am)

Here I was, minding my own business, wandering the streets of Paris, looking for anything that might be related to my presence here and could help me get the hell home, when I accidentally bumped into a police-officer.

"Oh! Apologies, I wasn't looking.", I apologized immediately, as I looked up. And the second I noticed who it was exactly, I knew that something was about to go down. Officer Raincomprix, the father of Sabrina, and only a relevant character when he had a role to play.

He looked down at me, and I could practically see the gears in his head turning. "Nothing broken, young man. But shouldn't you be in school right now?"

I tensed up. I hadn't even thought about that. "Oh- I- Ah- I don't attend school."

"No school, at your age." His tone clearly indicating that he didn't buy it. Only problem was: I wasn't even lying about this! I literally didn't attend any school in this world!

He looked at me sceptically, making me shrink a bit into myself. This huge dude could be really intimidating. Then again, that's probably just because of his authority as police officer. Still he clearly didn't believe me, „So what are you doing then? You're clearly too young to work."

I- uhh… I-"

Where do your parents live?", he asked, clearly suspicious of me.

I looked down. The dude really knew how to ask questions I couldn't answer truthfully. „Abroad. In Austria.", I finally answered. Well, I wasn't exactly lying. Just leaving out the insignificant detail, that they were in another world.

I see… So where do you live here?" He just kept going! He wouldn't stop! How am I supposed to answer this?!

„…I… don't know…?", I suggested carefully, „There isn't a lot I can remember."

Amnesia. That's gonna sound like a huge cliche straight out of a movie, but it's the best I could think of. I still had the wound at the back of my head from Stormy Weather! Wait, why didn't that get fixed

Unfortunately for me though, Raincomprix was clearly not interested in listening to what he had to assume were excuses anymore, „I'm done with this. Back to school, you lying brat! Before I take action myself!"

I'm not lying! I just can't tell the truth, dammit!", I threw back at him, as I left in quite a hurry.

-o-o-o-
(present day; Tuesday; 7:48 / 7:48 am)

I still find it hard to believe that this dude is Sabrina's father. You would think an authority figure like him would raise his daughter to have a little more backbone.

Instead Sabrina couldn't care less about being a stepping stool for Chloe and is straight up crying whenever she gets rejected from her in any kind.

"Maybe she's adopted?", I thought for a moment, but the similarities in appearance told me otherwise. Same hair colour, same eye colour, similar colours in their clothes. Something that only works as a reference in a goddamn cartoon, where everyone has the same outfit everyday except for special occasions.

Which reminded me: Do these people not sweat? These clothes must smell awful after a few days at least. Or do they have the same set of clothes multiple times and cycle through them? Or maybe they wash their clothes each and every day? Sounds annoying as hell.

Well, by the looks of it, I'll find out for myself soon enough.", I just shrugged that train of thought of for now, Not like I'm going anywhere for the next time."

-x-x-x-

Now then… If I remember this school correctly, this should be principle Damocles' office…", I thought to myself, as I stood in front of the door. „Don't mess this up. Until you get back home, you have to keep a positive image alive. Pfft, who am I kidding, SOMETHING is gonna go wrong anyway, so might as well just jump into it."

I was reaching out for the door handle, but then I remembered: Damocles was the sort of guy that really hated it when people just waltzed into his office without any sort of announcement whatsoever. Couldn't blame the guy. I hated that too. So, I knocked on the door, and waited for his "Come in" before I opened the door.

"Monsieur Damocles?", I asked politely, as I stepped into his office.

"That's me, indeed.", he confirmed, as he looked up from his desk, "How can I help you?"

"Umm, I-I'm Manuel Gilson, and I- umm- I am, uhh…" I stumbled over my words. Looking back, it would have been better, if I had prepared a text for this situation. Why DIDN'T I prepare a text? That's usually the first step I take when I know I'll have to talk to someone.

"Ah yes, you are the new transfer-student from Austria, right?", he helped me out. I was startled for a moment. "Was this generated for me?Did this show seriously build a whole life for me in this world?"

I caught myself the very next second, and just went with it, "Y-Yes, that's right! A-And I- umm… I just… You know… Ugh, this is embarrassing." Highly effective improvisation-technique: Admit embarrassment when you don't know how to proceed. Your conversation-partner will think you know what you want to say, but just don't know how to say it.

Worked out now as well, as he helped me out again, "You don't know what to do, I guess?"

"Exactly…", I took his support, and he tried to comfort me right away, "That's understandable. Welcome to Francois Dupont either way! I'll have someone show you around right after I have asked you a few questions! I'm kind of obligated to do so, if you understand."

Ah shit, here we go again.", I sighed in my head, but, of course, had to accept, „Not a problem."

„Great!", the principle answered, and got a few sheets which, I assumed, held some data about me, „Then let's get started right away!"

He looked at the sheet, and asked me straight away, „Your full name is Manuel Daniel Gilson, and you were born on the 11th of February in 2006, making you 14 years old. Are all these things correct?"

A chill ran down my spine. Except for my age, which was actually 18 and not 14, that was really detailed information this world got right about me, and I was getting kind of anxious what else it revealed about me. „Y-Yes, indeed.", I confirmed anyway.

„Alright, good.", he accepted, and went on, „It says right here that your only education up until now was homeschooling. So basically, this is your first public school ever, right?"

„That's correct." Not really, but hey, I gotta play along here. I have actually two years of education in programming and coding, and two more in event-management. Beat that, you high-school-students!

„Then I hope your first experiences will be some pleasant ones.", he spoke by the way, „But I'm sure you'll fit in just fine. Mr. Adrien Agreste has his first public school year right now as well, and it worked out fine for him."

„I have heard as much.", I answered, „Was quite the uproar to the media." „At least that's what I'm assuming."

„Indeed it was.", he confirmed for me, „You, however, are just as much of a special case as him. Your data says, you are an orphan, and yet both your mother, Sylvia Gilson, and your father, Leonard Gilson, are listed here with both address and phone-number. Am I right to assume, you just have very little contact with the both of them?"

„Yes.", I just took that explanation, „I can't even remember the last time I saw either of them in person."

„Sounds like a difficult childhood. I'm sorry to hear it.", he apologized right away, and chose to proceed instead of digging deeper, „To get our minds off that topic: I think that's all the data we need for now. I hereby welcome you as an official student at Francois Dupont Highschool! I'll have someone show you around right away!"

"That's too kind of you, Sir.", I accepted, bowing lightly out of habit, making him out his approval of my manners, "Those are kind of exceptional manners, Manuel. I didn't know Austrians bowed like this."

"Oh- umm- T-They don't Monsieur Damoclese!", I explained right away, "I just… always really looked up to the manners of chivalry, and kind of… adopted some of those behaviours before I knew it."

"Good on you, young one. Such manners are always appreciated here.", the principal assured me. Well, that was one less thing I had to worry about.

In return, I just got a million other things to worry about. This world's version of my parents seemed to be super-distant to me, to the point that I'm listed as an orphan! How many shit-parents did this world have?

-x-x-x-

Of course this bastard would call HER to show me around. The show put so much emphasis on her being the protagonist, I should have been surprised if it WASN'T her! But goddamn, did this feel awkward right now! The only thing I wanted to avoid, was getting involved in the story of this show directly! And this damn bastard makes one of the protagonists show me around!

Now that I thought of it, I was kind of surprised that she was actually here this early. Didn't she usually sleep til forever? Getting to school late is one of her big things. As a civilian anyway.

"You okay? You seem kind of on edge.", Marinette pointed out to me, as we stopped in front of the library.

I quickly recomposed myself, and made up a quick excuse, "Oh no, I'm fine! It's just-!"

The bluenette cut me off for a moment, "Don't worry. I won't judge you. Just tell me what's wrong, please. I don't want you to beat yourself up about it."

"Dammit, make up something already!" "I'm just… not really sure what to do…", I excused my on-edge-behaviour, as I subconsciously looked down at my animated hand, "It's just… I'm miles away from home, separated from everything I ever knew, and am currently entering the school I'll be attending from now on. It just… makes me nervous."

I mean, it wasn't a complete lie. I was just not telling the WHOLE truth. And now that I was actually paying attention to it, I noticed how my hand was shaking and how low my voice had gotten. God, this ALWAYS happens to me when I'm nervous and/or down. Did she even hear me right now?

She looked at me in sympathy, then gave me a smile and tried to ease my worries, "Hey, don't worry. We have every possible kind of people here, with their roots spread across the whole world. No matter who you are and where you're from, there's no way you won't fit in here."

Somehow, she managed to give me a smile on my face. She really knew how to cheer people up. Even worked on Mr. Super-gloomy, that being me.

I thought a bit about what she said. "She's right, actually.", I realized, as I remembered that guidebook to the show I test-read a while ago, "The students of Marinette's class alone have all kinds of origins. Japan, Germany, England, China, later on Italy, the list goes on and on and on. Guess my Austrian roots won't make anyone as much as bat an eye."

-x-x-x-

7:58 am. Two minutes until class starts.

The girl had proceeded to show me the rest of the school, allowing me to confirm that I literally knew the whole building by hard just from watching the show. That was also the point where I first started questioning my life-choices. "Maybe I have a liiiittle bit too much Miraculous in my life, if I know the entire layout of the school building just from watching it."

Anyway, now we were standing in front of the classroom's door, where we were greeted by Miss Bustier. „Good morning Marinette! Who did you bring along here?"

„M-Miss Bustier, this is Manuel Gilson! He's a transfer-student who just moved here from Austria!", Marinette explained excitedly, seemingly ringing a bell with the teacher, „Ah yes! I heard about you! Marinette, would you go on ahead, please?"

„Of course.", she accepted and moved right into the class while I remained outside with my new teacher. "Good luck!"

„Now then…", she began, giving me a warm smile, „I can imagine you must be quite nervous, right?"

Whatever tipped her off. Not like my hands were literally shaking. "You… could say that, yes."

I could tell she was just trying to reassure me, but goddamn did she do the exact opposite, "Then let's go in together, shall we? If it helps you, I can announce your arrival beforehand."

"Actually, I would have preferred to just mix myself among the rest and just… be there all of a sudden, without anyone really noticing.", I thought to myself, not realizing I said that out loud.

"Oh… so you don't really like attention, I assume? I apologize, but I fear for that, it's… a bit too late. Everyone has already taken his seat.", she voiced her concerns.

"Yeah, I noticed that too.", I sighed, "So let's just get this over with, I guess…"

She looked at me, clear concern written all over her face, "Are you sure you're okay with this? We don't have to if you aren't feeling well about this. If it's better for you, I assume you could wait for my class to finish and just tag along with the rest when they go to Miss Mendeleiv's."

"No, don't worry.", I tried to assure her of my certainty which I really didn't have. "This is normal. It happens every time I join any group of sorts. Be it a class, a club or a team. No need for me to start school here by falling behind."

Honestly, I would have loved nothing more than just stay the hell away from all the plot of this show and search for a way home. But clearly, this world wanted me to follow its story, so I might as well just stop fighting the inevitable. In this case, at least. No way in hell am I going to allow myself to become another protagonist of the show.

"Well in that case then, let's go on in!", the teacher cheered, and took the lead, me following behind.

-x-x-x-

"Good morning, class!", she greeted her students happily, and received a collective greeting from them back, "Good morning, Miss Bustier!"

"Some of you may have heard already, but we are greeting a new student today!", she announced, and gestured at me, "This is Manuel Gilson. He is a transfer-student from Austria who arrived mere days ago."

I noticed a fair share of chatter, more than definitely about me. "Just hope they ain't gossiping."

"Now, I want you all to make sure to welcome him appropriately.", Miss Bustier reminded her class again, "Be sure to be as considerate of him as you are of each other."

"Thank you, Miss Bustier.", I thanked her for her warm introduction, "If that's alright with everyone, I'll take a seat now."

I, true to form, walked all the way to the back and sat down. Thanks to the way the desks were going further up as they were further in the back, I had an excellent view over the entire class here. Unless I became even more unobservant than the entire cast of the show, I should be able to notice instantly if and when an akuma creeped in here. Not that I could do anything about it then, but at least it wouldn't hit me by surprise. Maybe I could start evacuating everyone before shit went down.

„Now then! As always, let's start todays class by saying something nice to each other!", Miss Bustier announced. Ah yeah, I remember that! That was first mentioned in "Zombiezou", but apparently, she had started every class like that! Honestly, quite the nice way to start the day with a lot of positivity. I liked that.

The compliments that got exchanged were all kind of generic and more phrases than actual expressive statements. But the positive energy was real, no doubt.

Either way, when it was mine and Kim's turn, things got kind of awkward. I had been in this class for literally two minutes. Whatever sort of compliment I was gonna get, it was bound to be based on appearances. But right now, we were both just standing there, neither of us sure how to proceed.

„Sooo… I'm just gonna take the lead…", I took word after, I kid you not, ten seconds of awkward staring, „You have one hell of an impressive physique."

What? He WAS super-buff. At least that's what he looked like. Who knows how strong he really was? Actually, now that I thought about it, I was kind of curious. Who was stronger anyway? Kim or Ivan? Kim definitely looked trained as hell, but Ivan was a freaking giant. And could Adrien compete with them? How strong was HE when he wasn't Chat Noir?

„Oh- uhh- thanks!", Kim replied, seemingly surprised at my comment. And there went my train of thought. „You have really cool style, as well!"

I looked down at me. For the first time ever, as I had just realized. What did my Miraculous self even look like? I hadn't even thought of that!

„Th-Thanks! Nice to hear it!", I thanked him anyway.

If we skip the rest of the comments, class started soon enough. Guess what this was about? That's right, it was about good ol' History! Not gonna lie, fairly interesting to see if this world's history had any differences to ours. Spoiler warning: It did not, unless it was lore relevant.

-o-o-o- (12:00 am)

Okay, I'll be honest: I really like this school's system. I have a lunch break until 14:00 pm, leaving me plenty of time to get me some food and look for answers.

Okay, let's think about this rationally…", I reminded myself, „The person that has most likely the most answers, or at least a hunch of what's going on, would be Master Fu."

I paced towards the exit of the school, not realizing that someone was trying to get my attention. „What do I know about his location? Exactly four things:

First, it's a physiotherapy-studio,

second, he lives somewhere near the Seine,

third, I have until „Feast" before his location changes again,

and fourth, after the end of Season three it's too late.

So, in short, the only indicator of the place I was looking for was a huge damn river, and I had a time-limit. But, for real, that time-limit was really freaking long, given that Feast wasn't going to be even referenced until the end of Season 1, and wouldn't actually appear until sometime in Season 3. Then there was Season 3 itself, which was quite long in itself, with what seemed to be quite long timespans between its episodes.

„Yo, what'cha thinkin' about?", asked me the voice of Alya out of nowhere, startling me a bit, „Wou! Alya, don't sneak up on me like that!"

„I wasn't sneaking, I was literally calling out to you three times, but you were so lost in thoughts you didn't even notice.", she explained bluntly.

I stopped for a moment. Was I really this deep into my thinking? „…Sorry… That just… happens sometimes."

„Don't even worry about it, no biggie.", Alya tried to comfort me, „So, what WERE you thinking about?"

„Uhhh… Stress. To say the least.", I dodged the best I could. It wasn't a lie. This whole thing was incredibly stressful for me.

And thank god Alya bought it, „Well, makes sense, I guess. Transferring to a new school is always stressful. I should know."

Right, Alya just got here at the beginning of this school year! Damn, that's so easy to forget! She's such a well integrated part of the class, you wouldn't even know unless you knew beforehand.

„But then letting loose a bit would be just the right thing for you anyway! Marinette and I were going to head to the movies after school, and we thought, maybe you'd want to tag along as well! You know, to get to know one another better!", Alya suggested.

I looked behind her. Marinette was currently very busy drooling at the sight of Mr. Sunshine, which let me laugh a little, "Heh, you sure she wouldn't rather go with Adrien? 'Cause she's kind of distracted right now."

„Oh don't worry about that. Happens all the time.", Alya assured me, „Besides, there's always room in our group if you wanna tag along."

„I- I mean- uhhh… I-I'm not entirely sure…"

"Popcorn and drinks are on me as well.", the girl added, and all I could hear was "Free food".

"…Well, no time like the present to get acquainted. I don't have anything else to do anyway." That was a huge lie. There were a million things I could do instead. Like… pacing around, looking for clues. Or… sit down in a park thinking my thoughts. Or maybeeee…

Okay, I'm out of excuses, so off we go to free Popcorn! Well, in the afternoon, that is.

"Nice! I'm gonna go tell Marinette right away!", Alya concluded, and just like that she was gone. This girl, man.

Oh shit, I didn't even think about the tickets!", I remembered all of a sudden. I didn't have anything to call my own, other than the clothes this world was polite enough to give me!

„W-W-Wait, Alya!", I called out after her, making her stop dead in her tracks, „I'm don't think I can afford going to the movies! I'm literally broke!"

„Wou, really?", Alya asked curiously, „That's odd. You certainly don't look the part. Nice clothes, no smell, neat hair, good manners and everything. Nothing like someone broke at all."

„Well, stereotypes apart, I still am. Literally got no money on me whatsoever!"

„How come? Your parents should be earning lots of money from what I'm hearing.", Alya thought again, and I switched to improv again, „Well, they do, but the allowance I get per week equals 0."

„Okay… Just wait for a moment! I have a plan!", she beamed suddenly, and bolted off to Adrien.

Oh shit… Oh no, that's not what I had in mind! She is talking to Adrien because of the finances!", I noticed, a cold sweat running down my back. This wasn't the plan! I didn't want to get involved with the plot itself!

And she was coming back already, "Okay, so, Adrien won't be able to come to the movies with us, but he will cover the expense for the ticket for you. As a sort of welcoming favour, he says."

I couldn't see it for myself, but I was pretty sure I was turning red with embarrassment right now, "Thanks a lot, girl. You put me in debt on my very first day of school."

"Hey, don't sweat it!", Alya rejected, "You won't have to pay him back, money's no object for him! He even says so himself!"

"Still… This feels rather awkward…"

"You'll see, it's no problem.", Alya assured me, and suddenly changed the topic, "So anyway, you wanna hang out with us for lunch as well?

"Wou, where'd that come from all of a sudden?", I asked, taken aback. Not, that I wasn't interested in hanging out with Alya Cesaire and Marinette Dupain-Cheng. It's just, that I wasn't sure how much influence on the story I would have then.

"Well, you see, I was just kind of… interested. In you, that is. Given, that you're new and all.", Alya explained, „And, I mean, why not, right? As you said, it's not like you have anything else to do."

I thought deeply. "I should really try to keep my contact to Marinette at a minimum, as to not interfere with anything. Else she might get the idea to give the Turtle-Miraculous to me instead or something.
Then again, she is without a doubt my best lead to Master Fu. Though she doesn't even know him yet."

My train of thought was promptly interrupted by my stomach growling, and then by Alya adding with a smirk, "You know, Marinette is the daughter of the two greatest bakers in Paris. Coming with us just might fetch you a little discount of -100%!"

I blinked at her. My stomach gave his opinion to this offer overly obvious. My anxiety on the other hand had a different one. "You really want to push me into crippling debt, don't you?"

"Oh come on. I eat the baked goods of Marinette's parents all the time, and I'VE never been charged before.", she kept pushing.

"Come on, obviously he's so reluctant, because even a peasant like HIM has higher standards than a pathetic, nerdy reporter." That was the snobby voice of Chloe that mixed itself in our conversation. She was just walking by, followed by a meek Sabrina, but couldn't seem to supress to urge to spew trash from her mouth.

I just sighed. "The view must be great from that gigantic ego of yours…"

Turns out, I had apparently said that out loud instead of in my head, judging by the impressed face Alya gave me, and the angry look of Chloe, who attacked back right away, "Well, at least I have something to trash you all over. YOU don't even have any money for your own food."

„You're right, you know?", I agreed with her, „So, you're always welcome to donate."

„Oh please.", she ranted, „As if it's MY fault that YOU are too incompetent to make your own money."

„Then maybe I should complain to your father about the lacking support for the poor.", I suggested instead, not even noticing my voice getting lower again, „Or maybe I should let YOU tell him that, given that you're his little girl. Or, perhaps, just have you take action yourself. I'm pretty sure your father didn't become mayor of Paris so that his daughter can set a horrible example of companionship."

With that, I just left her to herself. I turned back to Alya, signalling Chloe that she wouldn't be paid any attention from here on out. She didn't seem to care anymore either, since she just gave out an annoyed "Hmpf" and left, Sabrina hurrying after her.

"So, umm… Where were we?", I asked, now no longer in my low voice, but Alya seemed more fixated on what JUST happened, "No way, dude. You did NOT just trash Chloe right back, did you?"

"I wouldn't say I trashed her.", I denied, "More so I just… put her in place. So she doesn't hurt anyone, you know? Is that bad?"

Of course I knew it wasn't. That was long overdue anyway. But I couldn't say that… yet. According to all I could let them know, I haven't known Chloe up until now, so I had to let Alya say it for me. "Of course not! That was amazing! Shutting Chloe down is an impossible task as is, and you did it on day one!"

"Really now…? And here I thought I was just arguing with facts…"

"You did, and you didn't let her counter which is why you won. I seriously owe you one!", Alya claimed, but I REALLY didn't need any favours right now, "Hell no you don't! I'm not about to get a favour for being a decent human being!"

"Even if that favour includes eating awesome treats for free?"

I stopped. My stomach growled, but I really didn't want to get paid back for something any decent person would have done.

"My morality says no, but my stomach says hell yeah…", I reluctantly agreed, "But seriously, I have literally no means to pay anything. So… You know… Kind of awkward."

Alya sighed deeply. By now I must be really exhausting her patience. "Okay, listen. IF you get charged literally ANYTHING, it's on me, okay?"

"Great. More debt to pay back…", I sighed, apparently bringing Alya to her limit, „Stop worrying about debt already! After all, it's not like I can just leave a broke colleague to fend for themselves, right?"

I blinked at her. „Colleagues. I guess that's what we are now." „I… guess. Thank you, Alya."

-o-o-o- (12:25 am)

„Oh, try one of those! Strawberry flavoured!", Marinette recommended to me, while we were sitting on a parkbench, enjoying the Macaroons of her parents happily.

„Oh hell yeah!", I exclaimed happily, picking the pink one out of the bunch neatly, before devouring it in two bites, „Love it!"

„See, told ya you wouldn't regret it.", Alya spoke up with a smirk, „Friends of Marinette always taste these yummy treats for free."

I reacted by holding in my chewing, staring at her surprised.

She soon noticed and asked confused, „What? Do I have something on my face?"

„No, it's just…" I thought for a moment about my words, until I continued, „I've never been called a friend this soon after meeting someone. It's… unusual. But nice nonetheless."

„Sounds like you had a hard life so far.", Marinette spoke up in sympathy, „That you got so nervous in the morning is probably connected to that as well, right?"

„Right…", I played along, „To that, and to my social anxiety."

„Social anxiety?", Alya asked again, but I really had no nerve to explain that in detail right now, „It basically means I worry about everything way too much and have little control over my thoughts." Yep, that about sums it up.

„Sounds difficult to deal with…", Marinette added.

„It is.", I confirmed.

Some fairly awkward silence hit the conversation, which I decided to lift myself, „So, what is it that you guys do on a daily basis?" „Though I'm pretty sure I know that already."

Alya, obviously thankful for this change of topics, answered immediately, „Usually I write on the school-blog and run the Ladyblog. Or I meet up with friends for various reasons."

Knew it!"

„I, on the other hand, aren't all that interesting.", Marinette claimed, but I wasn't having any of that, „I, though I barely know you, highly doubt that. Everyone is in his own way interesting." "Also, how the hell are YOU not interesting?"

As forme trying to cheer up Marinette: That wasn't my sympathy for her specifically. I always got supportive to whoever was thinking bad of himself. Mostly because I was used to thinking bad of myself.

"W-Well, I enjoy designing and making clothes. Also, baking and drawing.", Marinette told me, seemingly a little shy.

"Baking, really?", I asked in an attempt to sound surprised, "I would never have guessed!"

Marinette gave me a confused look, "What do you mean?"

"Ah- Not to sound rude or anything, but… You just look so… clean, if you get what I mean. No powder or baking material anywhere on you.", I explained myself, and excused myself right after, "Then again, I have no clue about baking whatsoever, so I apologize for my prejudice."

"Oh no! You're perfectly right!", the girl confirmed a little too hasty, "I-If I had baked these myself, I WOULD be messy all over, believe me!"

"…Because baking tends to get messy?", I asked carefully, but Marinette replied, "No, because I'm a huge clutz…"

"You know, being clutzy is just being skilled differently, or so I heard some time ago.", I tried to cheer her up, making Alya get her notepad out, "Uuuh, I'll have to remember that one."

"So, anyway, what are you doing usually?", Marinette tried to change the topic, seemingly embarrassed by this feel-good session.

"Oh, um… Well, I really enjoy both sports and videogames.", I answered shortly and vaguely. But, of course, Alya kept digging, "Cool! Sports of what kind?"

"Uhh, all sorts of sports, really. I've done running, biking, skating, figure-skating, sword-fighting-", I counted, before stopping myself, "Oh shit, should I even say all that?"

"Whoa, Kim and Alix seem to have a new rival.", Alya jested, "Quite the variety you've got there."

"I'm really not trying to compete with anyone.", I denied modestly, though only partially truthfully, "I just enjoy letting out pent up energy and working out in the process."

"What about martial arts? Or weightlifting? You done some of those yet?", the reporter kept digging, which I denied, "Not yet. Not quite there yet in the strength department."

"Okay… Didn't quite expect that.", Alya spoke surprised, "Judging by your… body-build, I mean."

„Alya!", Marinette interrupted her while blushing.

"What are you talking about?", I asked in confusion, which made the blogger reply, „What, you never seen yourself in the mirror? Your arms are incredibly ripped."

„They are?!" Now THAT was new! Usually my legs were the only thing on my body trained to an acceptable amount, and my arms were always thin like a twig and just as fragile.

„Jeez, you sound like you haven't seen a mirror in ages.", Alya pointed out, making me realize how much I was slipping up. „Oh shit, gotta wing it somehow!" „N-No, that's not it, I just… Uhh… thought that was normal, honestly."

That was anything BUT honest, but it was the best I had right now. „I desperately need to find a mirror somewhere. I don't even know my own looks."

-o-o-o- (14:00 / 2:00 pm)

For the rest of school, nothing really important happened. The science-class of Ms. Mendeleiev was all about chemistry, and turned out to be fairly similar to my usual one: Long, incredibly complicated, and plagued with terms that sound like someone's cat walked over the keyboard.

A difference was, however, how many practical tests were taken. I was paired with Juleka to try and mix up some chemicals, and the social interactions between us, thankfully, were held to the absolute minimum, due to… obvious reasons.

Our experiment seemed quite successful. At least we were praised by Ms. Mendeleiev, but, in all honesty, I really didn't know what could possibly have gone wrong. All we had to do, was mix some stuff together correctly, and that under clear and detailed instructions. How could you mess up something that simple?

Apparently, in multiple ways, judging by all the shit that happened in the classroom. Before the end of the lesson:

· a small part of Ninos glasses were melted off (wanna see if THAT'S fixed by the time the next episode starts / by tomorrow),

· a strain of Mylenes hair was burned,

· Alix somehow froze the substances and broke the science-glasses as a result,

· Ivans mixture boiled over and burned a hole in the table,

· Rose managed to get a stray perfume-particle to set her mixture ablaze,

· and I think the glass that exploded and flew across the room belonged to Marinette and Kim… don't even ask, I don't know either…

Like I said, judging by everything that happened, there were multiple things that could have gone wrong. I don't even know, how they got all these different results with the same substances. Or how they got them at all! Unlike the lesson beforehand, our task wasn't all that complicated!

-o-o-o- (17:00 / 5:00 pm)

Let's just say, I'm glad school doesn't take so long here. It drains less energy and allows you to focus on more different things on the same day.

Like, on going to the movies with some animated Cartoon characters you somehow befriended within one day.

-w- (I'll use this to signature a switch in perspective!)

"My life has gotten really weird in those three days I've been here…", Manuel thought to himself again.

"Manuel…" Alya tried to get Manuel's attention, as he was pacing around, trapped in his thoughts again. However, he didn't notice right away, "Here I am, about to go to the movies with two people who were merely characters of a children's show three days ago."

"Maaaanuel…!", Alya called out to him again, and once more he didn't hear her, "I mean, logically it would be more realistic if my PC blew up and I'm in a coma right now. Or it straight up killed me and I'm in purgatory until I ascend to the heavens."

"MANUEL!", Alya shouted this time, making him jump again, "AHH, ALYA!"

"You have a really bad habit of zoning out all the time.", the girl stated with a grin, "It always takes like three tries to get your attention."

"Yeah, I… tend to do that.", Manuel acknowledged, "Happens all the time, and I never notice it."

"Don't sweat it, it can happen to everyone.", Alya reassured him, "Anyway, you coming? Movie starts in half an hour!"

"What movie are we going for anyway?", he asked by the way, as the two of them went on their way, "'Cause I'd love to sleep soundly tonight."

"It should be fine.", the girl replied, as Marinette tagged along, "I didn't hear of too much horror in "Shark Coast"."

"Shark Coast?", he asked again, "I don't think I've heard of that one before."

The two girls stared at him surprised, until Alya spoke again, "You're really sheltered, aren't you?"

"More like lacking social interaction and experience due to… circumstances.", the boy corrected.

"I'm sure it'll all go upwards from now on.", Marinette stated, the optimism in her voice clear, "We can try to help you with your problems, if you want!"

"Yeah, I'd appreciate that.", Manuel accepted.

"Marinette is great at talking to people.", Kim, who suddenly walked next to them, added, "You'll be really glad to have her help."

"…I didn't know you'd come along.", Manuel noticed, which Kim explained, "Of course I am! No way am I gonna miss Shark Coast of all things!"

"Anyone else wanna tag along?", the boy sighed exasperated, to which Alix next to Alya took word, "Well, if that's okay with you."

"…Well, who am I to forbid you from?", he simply accepted.

-o-o-o- (approximately 90 minutes later)

Well, that was an experience, let me tell you. If not for the free popcorn and Soda, it was definitely this world's remade version of Jaws that was totally worth the trip to the movies.

As it turned out, Marinette, when she wasn't battling a supervillain, was just as jumpy with semi-scary movies as she was with Adrien. There were many, MANY times I flinched not from some weirdly animated shark-jump-scare, but from the completely over-the-top reaction from the girl right next to me!

That's also the reason I had a slight hiccup for a short time throughout the movie… which got resolved by the very next jump-scared-girl-jump-scare. Rinse n' repeat for like five times over that 90-minute movie-runtime, and you have exactly my movie-experience.

"Seriously Marinette, you gotta stop freaking out over jump-scares like that!", I told her, as we walked out of the theatre.

„I'm sorry…", she apologized, „It's just… these things just… jump out at you without warning!"

„Gotcha!", Kim yelled suddenly as he grabbed Marinette from behind, causing Marinette to scream at the top of her lungs and straight up give him a roundhouse kick, knocking him backwards on the ground.

„Ahh, I'm sorry! So so sorry, Kim! I just got scared!", the girl apologized immediately, as she helped Kim to his feet.

He rubbed his sore jaw, and spoke up, „Jeez Marinette! You been working out?"

„Wha- N-No, of course not! Why would you say that?! What reason would I have?! Hahaha!", Marinette panicked for a second there, causing me to hold her shoulder and speak calmly to her, „Calm down, Marinette. Breathe in and out."

She did as I told her, and calmed down in the process. „Phew, thanks Manuel."

„Anytime, M'lady." „Shit, did I just say that out loud?! To her of all people?! Goddammit, I'm such an idiot!", I cursed in my mind, as I got weird looks from all around, „Make something up! Anything, dammit!"

„Uh- You see, I really enjoy writing stories, and in extension to that, I studied a lot of chivalry.", I lied more or less, „Hence my slight bowing every now and then, as well as my vocabulary and occasionally weird usage of it."

Not for a moment did I believe anyone would buy that, least of all Alya. But, to my extreme luck, something else caught the focus of the conversation. „You're a writer?", Marinette asked fascinated. Thank god that stood out more right now.

„Y-Yes. Or at least, hobby-writer.", I confirmed, „Can't say I'm that amazing at it, though… Really, it's just a compilation of cringey dialogue and cliches…"

„Joke's on you, that's exactly what I'm looking for in my literature.", Alix added with a grin. God, that shit eating grin… I saw it for the first time and I almost KNEW I'd see that a bunch of times while I was here.

„Well… Maybe I can recreate some of my work from time to time.", I sighed. Didn't seem like there was a way out of this one.

-e-e-e- (e for end)

Okay, I'm sorry I made you wait for this long, but I can't help myself. When I want to write with a certain quality, chapters tend to both get and take longer and longer. So, you most likely noticed, chapter-lengths vary with me, but that also means, you can look forward to a long chapter when it takes quite some time!

Also: Yes, this will be a complete story instead of a One-Shot. I just prefer actual stories, what can I say?

Next time: Manuel FINALLY sees himself in the mirror, and when the PE-class rolls around, he finds out that his looks aren't the only thing that has changed about him.