"Pound it!" Ladybug and Cat Noir chanted, sharing their same fistbump as usual. This time, the akuma had been from an angry student who felt like it was the teachers fault he was getting bad grades. Marinette thought she vaguely recognized him from something, but she didn't really care- she saw a lot of people, after all. Thankfully, it wasn't the hardest akuma fight, so they still had a few minutes before they had to run away.
"That was a wonderful show, my Lady," Cat laughed, referring to when Ladybug was distracting Cat Noir so he could get a chance to properly use Cataclysm where he needed. Ladybug wasn't the best at distracting, but when she really wanted to, she could put up a good show. After all, being bright red and covered in spots was distracting in-and-of itself.
"It was interesting, to say the least," Ladybug chuckled, "I just hope you aren't that childish, Cat; blaming a teacher for your own grades."
"Me, childish?" Cat smirked, "My Lady, you insult me. And for your information, I happen to be a neighborhood genius!"
"Really?" Ladybug asked suspiciously, "Are you lying to me, Cat?"
"I've never lied to you, remember?" Cat shook his head, crossing his arms, "Exaggerate, maybe. But never lie!"
Ladybug nodded with a laugh, patting his shoulder.
"You're right. Well, I'll have to look out during the next science fair for my neighborhood genius." Ladybug joked, poking his nose.
"I happen to be your certified Brainiac!" Cat huffed with joke-pride, tapping his head.
"What's the highest grade you've ever even gotten, kitty?" Ladybug quizzed, crossing her arms in a 'got-you-now' kind of way, but Cat retaliated quickly.
"I've had my fair share of hundreds, I'll have you know!" He shot back, "And you, Ladybug? I assume you're the highest in your class, too?"
"Ready for a surprise?" She chuckled, and continued after Cat nodded, "I'm a high B average."
"Really?" Cat asked with fake incredulous. Well, semi-fake. He actually was expecting her to be an all A student.
"Really. As shocking as it may sound, being a superhero takes out a lot of my energy away from studying," Ladybug laughed, sighing.
"Well, if my Lady ever needs a tutor…" Cat smirked, holding out his hand in a joking welcome.
"I'll figure it out on my own, but thanks," Ladybug giggled, shaking her head.
Just then, she heard the all too familiar beep from her earrings, and the duo waved their goodbyes.
Marinette laughed to herself as she slid into her room. It was funny, the very same day she talked with her friends about the superhero's grades, she actually had an akuma related to it. And as much as she'd love to prove Alya wrong, she might get a little suspicious if Marinette knew Cat Noir's grades. Plus, it was pretty ridiculous to imagine Cat crouched over a pile of books, reading glasses and all. But hey, he was full of surprises. Who knew, maybe he was a doctor, too.
"Funny and smart, he's a keeper," Tikki giggled as she flew up to Marinette.
"He's something, all right," Marinette laughed, "But it is cool to know he's not failing his classes, at least. Can't be a hero when you're in detention."
"He seems pretty smart," Tikki nodded, sitting at Marinette's table as she rolled up in the computer chair. It had become a bit of a ritual to check the Ladyblog after an attack- not for her own vanity, but to make sure that Alya didn't get hurt in the crossfire. She but herself way too close during those things. Thankfully, she was safe and sound, and even got a few good pictures, too.
"I wonder what school he goes to…" Marinette thought aloud, scrolling through the pictures and videos.
"Why not ask?" Tikki offered, even though she already knew the answer.
"Because I can't just ask him all about his life if I'm not going to talk about mine, too. It would be unfair!" Marinette answered with a sigh. Part of her really did want to know about Cat, and have Cat know about her, but the greater part of her resisted.
It's for our safety, she kept telling herself.
"Wouldn't it be funny if he went to your school?" Tikki laughed, dropping the personal questions.
"Yeah, that would be pretty bizarre." Marinette laughed vaguely, not putting much thought into it.
"It would make sense…" Tikki said, a little quieter, thinking.
"How so?"
"Well, remember the Horrificator?" Tikki asked, floating up a little to be closer to Marinette.
"Yeah, I do… He showed up after a few of the students disappeared," Marinette nodded. Tikki waved her hands in a 'go on' motion, and Marinette started to think.
"Let's see… If I remember right, he's the one who found out that we were trapped in the school, since he couldn't break through the gunk. And I remember him making fun of my great plan," Marinette dropped her face into a pout at that last bit. So what if singing was a little lame, it worked!
"But how would he have gotten into the school if it was trapped?" Tikki asked, edging Marinette on.
"Well, I just thought he slipped in before the pink goo covered the whole thing." Marinette explained logically.
"That's possible… But it's also possible he was in the school before the goo even started!"
"Well," Marinette giggled, "Let's just agree that it's a possibility. Maybe Cat Noir does go to my school. Next time we have some science fair or spelling bee, I'll look out for a 'neighborhood genius'."