I Stick My Neck Out for Nobody
"This is no ordinary arrest," Kagami told Adrien as they walked upstairs to the club office. "The suspect is a theif and a murderer - allegedly."
Adrien paused on the stairs and looked involuntarily back towards the VIP lounge.
Kagami noticed his hesitation.
"Adrien, if you're thinking of warning him, don't waste your effort. He can't possibly escape," she asserted.
Adrien rolled his eyes as they approached the stairs leading up to his office.
"I stick my neck out for nobody," he assured her.
"A wise strategy."
Adrien began ascending the stairs to his private office, and Kagami followed close behind, continuing their conversation.
"You know," she continued, "we could have made this arrest earlier at your cousin's press conference, but out of high regard to you we're staging it here – it will amuse your customers."
Adrien scoffed as he unlocked the door at the top of the stairs.
"I think our entertainment is enough, Kagami."
Adrien entered his office and moved to the back wall where the safe was placed. Kagami stayed at the threshold, glancing back at the club floor and the patrons below.
"Is this going to be a regular thing for you now, making arrests?" Adrien asked.
"Don't be ridiculous," Kagami quipped, turning back to face Adrien. "I won't be making the arrest myself."
"Oh, my mistake," Adrien replied, putting on a sarcastic tone. "I just thought after the mayor made you an official police chief-"
Kagami cut in, speaking much more quickly, "I am not a police officer Adrien I am the Special Agent in Charge of a specific task force-"
Adrien tried to muffle his laughter as he counted out the 5.000 euros he needed to give Alix.
Kagami cut herself off and grimaced before taking a deep breath.
"It was a necessary move to be able to command legal executive authority over our law enforcement efforts," she said calmly.
"I understand," Adrien said genuinely as he clipped the cash together and closed the safe.
"It's not my lane anymore, I shouldn't have teased you," he apologized.
Kagami glanced back down the stairs.
"Who are you waiting for?" Adrien asked, noticing her preoccupation with the guests downstairs. He expected her to say Max.
"Adrien, we have an important guest coming tonight – Madame Tsurugi," Kagami told him.
Adrien raised his eyebrows in surprise. It was typical for Kagami to refer to her mother by her title when talking business, but he had thought Tomoe was still in Japan working on a project for his father.
"We want her to be here when we make the arrest," Kagami continued. "A demonstration of my efficiency–"
"Your mother came all the way back to Paris to see a demonstration of your efficiency?" Adrien asked.
"Perhaps not," Kagami admitted, showing a thin smile. She didn't say any more though, as Alix was now heading up the stairs toward them to retrieve the prize money.
Adrien handed her the stack of bills as she approached the office.
"Thanks Agreste," Alix said as she took the money. "Won't happen again!"
"That's alright!" Adrien called back to her as she hurried back to the VIP lounge.
Adrien turned back to Kagami.
"Well, you're obviously working on something you're actually excited about, so why don't you share," Adrien said to her, reaching past her to close the door so they wouldn't be overheard.
"First, I'd like to give you a word of advice," Kagami warned.
"Yes?" he asked. He may not have known Kagami for long, but he knew she was smart and she almost always gave him sound advice.
"We know there are resistance activities that take place in this club, but we know you have never participated in them, and that is why I have not reported you to your father," she said seriously.
Adrien was a bit startled by this, but deflected with humor.
"And here I was thinking it was because we let you win at Roulette," he teased.
Kagami was caught off guard and shifted uncomfortably.
"Uh, that too I suppose," she admitted.
Adrien smiled. Kagami might be able to beat him nine times out of ten in a fencing match, but she was a terrible gambler. In the interest of their friendship he had made arrangements with Alix to let the House lose every once in a while when it came to Kagami. She was smart enough to know what he was doing, but too proud to ever address it with him.
"Regardless," Kagami continued, "there is a man arriving at your club tonight who we know to be a leader in the resistance movement. We have a special interest in him, so you should do your best to not interfere."
"Really, what's his name?" Adrien asked.
"Luka Couffaine."
"Luka Couffaine?" Adrien confirmed, startled by the revelation. "Like the famous musician, Luka Couffaine?"
"Adrien, don't look so impressed," Kagami told him.
"Well, he's succeeded in impressing half of Europe," Adrien replied.
"Yes, with both his music and his extra-curriculars," Kagami complained.
"Extra curriculars?"
"Yes," Kagami confirmed. "Our sources suspect he has been leading the resistance effort in Brussels for some time now, and he's used his music tours as a cover for spreading pro-Ladybug propaganda across the continent."
Adrien was surprised. He had gone to collège with Luka's sister, and had met him a handful of times when they were younger, but he never would have pinned the soft-spoken boy as a resistance leader.
"What's he doing back in Paris?" Adrien asked.
"Tsurugi Corp invited him for a meeting," Kagami replied. "He is pursuing an application for entertainment visas in Japan, China, and Korea. My family's company has holdings in all three countries. In order to get him to Paris, we have offered to discuss sponsoring him for a visa - two in fact."
"Two?"
"Yes, he's been traveling with a woman."
Adrien scoffed. He may not have known Luka well personally, but he had seen his reputation in the tabloids. There were reports of him dating a different woman every month.
"I think he'd settle for one," Adrien said.
Kagami shook her head.
"I don't think so," she insisted. "I've seen the woman in question."
"Maybe he's not as romantic as you are," Adrien teased.
"It doesn't matter," Kagami said, "because he won't be getting either visa. He will not leave Paris until we have determined the extent of his activities related to the miraculous, and we have decided how to… handle him."
"Hmm, it will be interesting to see how he manages," said Adrien.
"Manages what?"
"His escape."
"He won't escape," Kagami said with determination.
"Five thousand euros says he will," Adrien bet.
"Is that a serious offer?"
"I just paid out five thousand, I'd like to earn it back."
"Make it two thousand, I'm not an unreasonable corrupt official," Kagami said with a confident look, holding out her hand to shake on it.
"Done," Adrien agreed as they shook on it.
"Kagami, what makes you think I would interfere with your business with Couffaine to begin with?" he asked.
"Because despite the poorly performed act you put on every night at this club, I know deep down you're a sentimentalist, beholden to your own emotions," Kagami replied immediately. She never was one to hold back her true opinion of someone.
"A sentimentalist?"
"Yes, I suspect you have a bit of a soft spot for the resistance, if only because you resent your father's business – both his business," she clarified.
"That's quite the analysis," Adrien replied, a little taken aback. "But you're wrong. I don't resent my father. I only do what I'm told, just like you."
Kagami seemed offended by this comment.
"I actually have quite a bit of autonomy in the business," Kagami defended. "In Paris, I'm the master of my own fate–"
She was interrupted by a loud knock on the office door. Before either of them could respond, Alya burst into the office.
"Sorry to interrupt, boss!" Alya apologized to Adrien. "But Kagami asked me earlier to keep an eye out–" she addressed Kagami, "Your mom's here."
"You were saying?" Adrien said to Kagami.
Now it was Kagami's turn to roll her eyes.
"You should come downstairs with me, Adrien, to meet such an important guest," Kagami told him.
"Don't worry, I will, but I need to check that Zoe's back at the bar first." Adrien assured her. "I'll meet up with you soon."
He ushered Kagami out of the office as Kagami discussed hurriedly her arrangements with Alya for her mother to have a good table - not too close to the speakers but also far enough away from the VIP lounge that her mother would not catch on to the unrespectable activities that took place there.
Alya assured her that everything was arranged and that her mother would be well taken care of. Adrien was very impressed by her professionalism, especially considering he knew Alya disliked Kagami for her blunt conversation style and dismissive attitude.
As Adrien parted ways with the two women, he noticed Kagami having a brief exchange with one of the club guests. The man she was speaking to nodded to her and turned away, and Adrien could just make out what looked like an earpiece in his ear.
"Good evening, ladies," Kagami greeted as she approached Tomoe's table. Tomoe was seated in a prime spot, just as Kagami had requested, and was joined by Nathalie Sancoer and Lila Rossi.
"Good evening, daughter," Tomoe addressed Kagami. "Please, join us."
"Thank you," Kagami replied as she took her seat. "It is a pleasure to have you here, mother."
"Hmm," Tomoe hummed indecisively. "It is an interesting place, this club."
"Especially this evening, mother," Kagami replied. She lowered her voice so only the four of them could hear. "In just a few moments will be the arrest of the man who murdered our operatives in Marseille."
Tomoe smiled satisfactorily. "I expected no less, Kagami."
As if on cue, at that moment there was a loud gunshot from the VIP lounge. Kagami looked toward the door to see Max Kante burst through brandishing a small pistol. He sprinted across the club at top speed as Kagami's agents followed closely behind in pursuit. One of them was holding his shoulder in pain, but none of them looked to have been fatally injured.
One agent almost caught Max, but only managed to knock the weapon out of his hand. Max continued on, jumping over tables and pushing aside scared patrons who were frantically trying to get out of the way. Kagami's breath hitched as she saw Max run straight into Adrien at the bar. Even over all the commotion, she could hear Max's frantic pleas.
"Adrien! Adrien, help me!"
"Don't be a fool, you can't get away," Adrien replied angrily.
"Hide me, do something!" Max tried again. "You have to help me!"
When Adrien did nothing to assist, Max desperately lunged for his chest, almost tearing his suit jacket off. Luckily, Adiren had stalled long enough for the agents to catch up, and they pulled Max off of Adrien and secured his hands behind his back with zip ties.
The agents quickly led Max out of the club as the partygoers began to gossip in low murmurs about what they had just witnessed.
"Excellent work," Tomoe told her daughter.
But Kagami was not listening to the praise. She was still closely focused on Adrien, who was now speaking to one of his regular guests.
"I hope when they come for me, you're more of a help, Adrien," the man said.
"I stick my neck out for nobody," Adrien repeated, brushing him off.
Adrien moved quickly to the center of the dancefloor, and spoke confidently so everyone in the club could hear.
"I know there was a bit of disturbance everyone, but it's all over now. Everything's all right. Just sit down and have a good time," he announced calmly.
He glanced over at Nino and gave a pointed look. Nino nodded and quickly switched on some music to encourage people to go back to mingling and dancing.
As the partygoers began to recover from the sudden interruption to their festivities, Adrien made his way over to where Kagami and her mother were sitting.
"Adrien," Kagami greeted him as he approached.
"Madame Tsurugi," Adrien greeted Tomoe first. "A pleasure to meet you again, as always."
"The same to you, Monsieur Adrien," Tomoe replied.
"Please, join us Adrien," Nathalie insisted, and Adrien took his seat between her and Kagami, across from Lila and Tomoe.
"It's an honor to host you at my establishment tonight, Madame Tsurugi," Adrien said.
"It is certainly not the type of venue I expected," Tomoe admitted. "But I suppose if this is what Gabriel wants you doing, then you are at least successful at it."
As if summoned by the mention of his name, at that moment Nathalie's phone began to ring. Adrien recognized the ringtone as the custom one she had set for his father so she would never miss a call from him. She glanced at the screen, then over at the DJ booth and frowned. Evidently she did not think the current song was appropriate background noise for a call with her employer, and so she excused herself from the table to take the call outside.
Once Nathalie was out of ear shot, Tomoe addressed Adrien again.
"Do you mind if I ask you a few questions?" she asked.
"If you'd like," Adrien replied.
"Do you think Hawkmoth will be successful in obtaining the Ladybug miraculous?" Tomoe's dark glasses reflected the strobing lights in the club, and even though Adrien knew she was completely blind, he still felt like she was looking straight through him.
"I haven't the slightest idea," he replied tactfully.
"Adrien is completely uninvolved with that side of the business, mother," Kagami cut in.
"You weren't always," Tomoe reminded him. "In fact, we have a complete dossier on you…"
She pulled a tablet out from her bag and activated the screen reader. An electronic voice began reading from the file she had pulled up on the screen.
"Adrien Genèse Matthias Thaddée Athanase Agreste. French Citizen. Age 22 years old. Formerly the holder of the black–"
Tomoe stopped the reader.
"The reason for the 'formerly' is a little vague," Tomoe admitted. "We know you lost it somehow, and we also know about another interesting pair of rings."
At this point Lila's curiosity had peaked, and she tried to lean over to see what was displayed on the tablet screen. Tomoe heard her shift her weight and tilted the tablet away so Lila could not read it. Lila frowned and leaned back into her seat.
"I have a suspicion about what they mean to you and your cousin," Tomoe continued. However, she did not seem willing to share that suspicion in front of Lila Rossi.
Instead she gestured for Adrien to take the tablet for himself. Adrien accepted it, and quietly perused over his own file. If he saw something that surprised him, he didn't show it.
"Don't worry, we're not going to broadcast it," Tomoe assured him.
"Are my eyes really green?" Adrien asked, finally looking up from the dossier. He did not seem threatened by the information Tomoe had compiled.
Unamused, Tomoe ignored his joke.
"Forgive my curiosity," she continued. "But an enemy of Hawkmoth – and therefore an enemy of mine – has arrived in Paris. I am only trying to understand who could help us ensure he does not escape."
"My interest in Luka Couffaine is only a sporting one," Adrien insisted, referencing his bet with Kagami.
"In this case you have no sympathy for him?" Tomoe asked.
"Not particularly," Adrien replied. "I support my father's interests in these types of matters."
"I'm sure you do," Tomoe said pointedly.
"Luka Couffaine has been publishing the foulest lies about Hawkmoth, Uwibami, even about Snowball," Lila interrupted. "You must help us stop him from continuing this horrible smear campaign."
Adrien covered his mouth in a fake cough to hide his reaction to Lila's ridiculous name she had chosen for herself as the new holder of the pig miraculous.
"Of course, one must admit he has great courage," Kagami said.
"I will admit he's very clever," Tomoe conceded. "Three times now he's slipped through our fingers, all without a single miraculous of his own. We won't let it happen again."
Kagami caught sight of Nathalie re-entering the club, apparently done with her phone call with Mr. Agrest. She tapped the table to signal to her mother to change topics. Adrien caught the signal as well, and looked over at the door to see his father's assistant approaching.
"If you'll excuse me ladies," Adrien said, getting up from his seat. "Your business is the miraculous, mine is running a nightclub."
"Good night then, monsieur Adrien," Tomoe replied as Adrien dismissed himself from the table. He walked directly over to Nathalie to have a brief exchange with her.
"You see, mother," Kagami addressed Tomoe in a low voice. "You have nothing to worry about with Adrien."
Tomoe gave a small nod but looked unconvinced.
"Perhaps," she replied.
The atmosphere in the club had finally recovered from the startling display earlier in the evening. Nino was queuing up tracks at the DJ booth so that he could go on break soon. He was trying his best to keep it together, but seeing Max arrested like that… it had freaked him out for sure.
Adrien came back over to Nino's work area to check on him.
"Hey, Nino, thanks for helping me out earlier with that… interruption," Adrien said to him.
"Oh, no worries bro, it was nothing. Just doing my job."
Nino tried to sound unbothered but he couldn't quite hide the wavering in his voice. Adrien picked up on it.
"Hey man, are you ok?" Adrien asked. "It's totally ok if you're not."
"Nah, I'm fine," Nino insisted, a little more confidently this time. "It's just so scary to think about… I mean, to think Max had a gun in here!"
Nino tried to make it sound like he was upset with Max in this situation, rather than sympathizing with his former classmate. He had heard talk among the guests that Max had likely been arrested by the federal task force that was searching for Ladybug's supporters.
Nino had never been able to pin down Adrien's exact opinions on the Hawkmoth vs. Ladybug conflict, so he thought it was safer to keep his own views to himself as well.
"Ok, well why don't you go on break still, just to make sure you're good," Adrien insisted.
"Don't have to tell me twice, boss!" Nino grinned and gave Adrien a thumbs up.
"I'll be in the back if you need me," Adrien told him.
As Adrien re-entered the VIP lounge, Nino finalized his playlist and transitions, and took a look around the still surprisingly crowded club. Everything looked like it had gone back to normal. Right before he was about to turn to grab his bag, something caught his eye at the entrance.
A couple had just come in through the front entrance. This in itself was not unusual, but the man and woman in question were the last people Nino expected to see in Paris.
Luka Couffaine, world-renowned singer and guitarist, was standing at the foyer speaking with Alya. And by his side was Marinette Dupain-Cheng.