Marin gasped for breath as he stepped into the library, glancing at the crowd of his peers who all had their eyes glued to the screen.
"What did I miss?" Marin asked Rose who was standing nearby Juleka.
"Adrien and Max are duking it out for a spot on the two-man team, and Adrien's in the lead!" Rose explained as Marin glanced at the board, looking interested as Adrien was surprising good at the game.
"Get ready Marin, this is the year Max totally schools you!" Kim said with a competitive smile on his face, not noticing Adrien slightly turn his head towards their conversation as he heard Marin's name. "He's been grinding all year to level up, there's no way you can beat him."
Marin smirked in amusement, placing a hand on his hip. "Didn't you say the same thing last year?"
Kim took some damage with that remarked, "Y-yeah, but this year it's gonna happen-" He remarked as everyone then cheered. Kim's game face turned into a frown of concern for his friend as Adrien won the game. The two shook hands as Max spoke up.
"Awesome job. We're gonna make a killer combo-" But Max's mediocre victory turned into a competitive fire as he spotted Marin. Instinctively he adjusted his glasses. "I thought you weren't going to show up."
"Come on Maxie, when have I ever let you down?" Marin remarked with immense confidence as the two walked towards each other, intensifying the tense atmosphere as everyone looked onward with excitement.
Adrien stepped next to Nino. "What is happening?" He asked as he saw Nino's face glow with excitement.
"Marin and Max are the two best gamers in class, well two of the three best." He said jabbing Adrien's side playfully. "It's a total clash, they argued once about what the best gameplay style was and that culminated into a rivalry that lasted for years," Nino explained.
"Years?" Adrien asked in disbelief. Marin hardly came out of his shell whenever he was around. Yet he apparently had such a bright personality around everyone else?
"Adrien?"
The boy turned his head towards Main who held out his hand. "Would you mind?"
"Huh? Oh, right." Adrien handed over his controller, stunned for a moment as he watched Marin sit on the seat before the monitor, crossing his legs right next to Max.
"Dude, is Marin popular?" Adrien had to ask seeing everyone cheer for him.
Nino nodded, "Oh yeah. But it's not like he even realizes how much everyone actually likes him."
"Come on, Max, you can do it!" Kim called out in support from the back of the room before getting a glare from the principal.
"Care to continue our yearly wagers?" Max remarked as his shoulders tensed up.
"I assume it's the same as always," Marin said with a sly smile, to which Max mirrored. Alya and Adrien exchanged a confused glance, as the rest of the class cheered. The two probably kept the same wager every time they gamed together, so the two new students would have no idea at what was at stake.
However, the 3 rounds were finished swiftly with Marin losing no health, utterly dominating Max.
"He beat him..." Kim said stunned.
"Beat him? He pulverized him!" Alya cheered as she recorded the entire event.
"The Prince keeps his crown!" Rose cheered, shaking Juleka in excitement.
"Prince?" Adrien questioned.
"Just a silly title Rose came up with," Alix explained from the back.
"You keep thinking about combos and don't account for the delay from your actions towards the screen, that's a serious exploitable weakness," Marin critiqued as he held out his hand towards Max.
Max then sighed, "I accept this defeat. I relinquish my position at the tournament. Congratulations, Marin. And Adrien."
Marin's eyes widened in surprise as Max walked away without even shaking his hand. "Wait, Max-" Just as he and Kim were about to run after him Max turned back.
"I'm fine, I lost fair and square. But if you don't mind, I'd like a little solitude." Closing the door behind him.
Kim and Marin exchanged a worried glance, as the principal then spoke up. "So, Marin Dupain-Cheng and Adrien Agreste will represent Françoise Dupont High School at the Paris Ultimate Mecha Strike III Tournament. Good luck to both of you."
Marin sighed heavily as he was just about to chase after Max, despite what he said, but Adrien caught his attention.
"Well, I guess I'll be coming over to practice. See you later?" He asked as Marin looked conflicted.
"Yeah, sure, afterward..." He said he then received hugs from almost the entire class.
Marin laid on his bed looking up at the ceiling with his hands folded on his chest.
"If all you wanted to do is spend time with Adrien, there are other ways to do that." Tikki remarked hovering nearby chewing on some carrot cake balls.
Marin's eyes darted towards his Kwami. "What are you getting at?"
"You know how much Max wanted to be in that tournament, he's been training for it all year."
"So was I! Ugh, damn Max and his feelings making me feel bad! Ughhh-" Marin groaned in frustration, screaming into a pillow.
"Marin! Someone's here to see you!" His father called from downstairs, making Marin lift his head in a panic. Of course, the nicest guy was going to walk up into his lame room. He thought being overly aware of the amount of pink that he unconsciously surrounded himself with.
"Uh... Coming!" He called out. "Tikki! Stay on the bed!" He ordered, then harshly whispered, "and clean up those crumbs!"
"Marin and I are finalists in the Paris Ultimate Mecha Strike III Tournament." Adrien explained as he folded his hands behind his back.
"No way!" Tom cheered happily, his face lighting up. "Well, my boy did learn from the best Tom style!"
Sabine smiled warmly. "Marin's been looking forward to it all year. How long have you two been practicing for?"
"We were just paired today. I'm very lucky to have him as a teammate."
"You two are a pair, huh? I'm not surprised. Marin speaks highly of you-"
"Mama!" Marin called out halfway down the stairs, then waved lamely at his classmate. "Come up, Adrien, everything already set up."
Adrien nodded his head respectfully, "Uh, very nice to meet you."
As the two walked up together Tom and Sabine smiled fondly at them.
Adrien looked around Marin's room, never having been in another person's home before, let alone in a classmate's room.
"Your room is so cool." He complimented turning towards Marin already sitting in front of his desktop.
Marin's face reddened at his comment. "Thanks." He laid out two controllers out, one pastel pink with white polka dots and one light blue. "You can have the first color choice."
Adrien shook his head, "No, no you can choose."
They both reached for the pink but both immediately recoiled, exchanging nervous laughter as Marin took the blue and Adrien the pink.
"Your parents seem nice," Adrien remarked as they played a warm-up match.
Marin nodded, "Oh yeah, they are, they're the best. But you know, they're sometimes, well you know."
Adrien glanced towards Marin curiously. "Sometimes what?"
"Everything going good?" The heard Marin's father ask as Marin paused the game. "I thought just in case you wanted something to eat, they're fresh from the oven." He offered.
Marin glanced at Adrien who smiled sheepishly, recalling his model diet. "Uh... no thanks, Papa. We're training."
"Well then, uh, maybe I could show you kids, some tips, show you the ultimate gameplay style. Dad Style!"
Marin chuckled under his breath. "Thanks, but no thanks, Papa. We have to focus."
Tom smiled brightly, "Whatever you say, my wonderful son." He said retreating back downstairs.
"Sometimes, a little smothering." He remarked. "Ready for online PvP?" He asked as Adrien nodded.
"Yeah, let's do it!"
Adrien sighed, tired after a few hours of online competition, "Wow! We won again, thanks to you!"
"Thanks to our teamwork you mean." Marin corrected his face reddening.
"We?" Adrien scoffed, "That was practically all you. I guess you wouldn't even need me. I'm so lame compared to someone as amazing as you...
Marin immediately shook his head, "It's just practice." He insisted. "I'm not exactly the luckiest person, so I have to make up for it with skill."
"Even so, I don't think I could ever catch up," Adrien admitted resting his head on his hand.
"Anyone want cookies? They're hot from the oven!" Marin's mother asked holding up a plate of Marin's favorite, chocolate chip.
He could see Adrien's eyes light up so he stood up taking the cookies from his mother. "Thank you, mama. Adrien, do you want milk with these?" He asked.
"Yeah, sure!" He nodded now excited as Marin closed the hatch behind him.
Plagg then popped out, "You should ask for some of that camembert bread!" He requested as Adrien rolled his eyes. "I can't just ask, it would be rude."
"How!?" The Kwami demanded. "You're the guest aren't you?"
"I don't want Marin or his parents to go out of their way, it would be ru-"
"We're in luck there was some of that leftover bread you liked," Marin said bringing up a tray, he then glanced at Adrien curiously. "Were you talking to someone?"
"Me? Uh- no, nope. No one. Just...me?" He said sheepishly. While Marin's back was turned Plagg quickly snatched the bread into Adrien's bag, chomping down as his partner then regained his composure. "So the bread you say?"
Marin nodded placing the tray nearby. "Yeah, my dad liked it a lot so they started selling it sometimes in the shop. It's getting pretty popular."
"Cool. So," Adrien asked breaking a cookie in half. "Is pink your favorite color?" He asked sheepishly, trying to veer the conversation away from his Kwami's interests as Marin then shrugged his shoulders.
"Kind of. My room's always been this color and everything else was chosen to match the decor." Marin explained. "Have you always been a fan of video games?" he then asked.
"Yeah, it first started out fun, but then my father said that I have to be the best at any hobby I pursue, so I can't let him down," Adrien said, but then his mood dropped at the mention of his father. It was something he seemingly wanted to get off his chest for a little while. "Sorry, I'm being kind of a downer aren't I?"
Marin looked away for a moment, "Hey, my dad makes the best tarts. How about we take an actual break instead of being in this stuffy room?" He offered to which Adrien accepted with a smile.
They left the snacks in his room. While Adrien went ahead towards the front of the bakery, Marin took two slices of the pie and met with his classmate outside. The two found a bench to sit on as Adrien began consuming the tart, utterly famished.
"You're not relaxed enough," Marin said as Adrien turned towards him in surprise. "You're too tense, and when you're tense it impairs your technique."
"So, how do you not get tense under all that pressure?" Adrien asked curiously as he finished off the tart.
"I do sometimes, but other times it's a breeze." Marin rubbed this back of his beck. "It's because I've got a secret." He stood up, untying something from the hook of his pants, taking out something that was sitting in his back pocket. Holding out a bracelet with a green charm towards him.
Adrien looked at the taller boy dumbfounded, "Are you messing with me?" He asked.
Marin shook his head, "Just try playing a match with it. It's a charm of courage, it'll help you out, I promise." He said with a warm smile.
Adrien took the charm from his hand, admiring Marin's smiling face for a moment as they both felt the ground shake. Both of them turned to see a giant black robot standing over them as the other people in the park began to panic.
"Please tell me this isn't some kind of publicity stunt for the tournament-"
"Well, well, let's see who's victorious this time! The Prince or the Gamer!" The robot's voice boomed as Marin's eyes widened with realization.
Adrien immediately grew defensive as he pocketed Marin's charm. "Doesn't look like a publicity stunt to me." His eyes then widened as he shoved Marin out of the way of an attack. The two landing on top of each other as Adrien smiled nervously at their closeness while Marin's face was entirely red. "Uh, we better get outta here!" He remarked quickly grabbing Marin's hand out of the park.
He was prepared to defend his classmate again as he heard the robot charge another attack but fell to the ground as Marin shoved him away. The two then evading another attack.
"What are you doing?!" Adrien demanded as Marin started running towards the robot.
"It's after me! Just get to safety!" He called out sprinting towards the roads.
"That guy's crazy!" Plagg remarked popping out of Adrien's shirt.
"Crazy or not we have to save him. Plagg, claws out!" Adrien called out.
Marin ran out of cover, no spotting any other cars in the area, he just narrowly evaded another blast as he then tripped over a curb. Picking himself up he realized that Gamer's robot shadowed over him.
"Game over, Marin!" Gamer called out in amusement about to crush him as suddenly he was attacked by a baton.
"Mind if I join this server?!" Chat Noir asked jumping onto the street before Marin who was surprised to see him. "Heya Macaroon." He winked playfully as he then wrapped his arms around his classmate. He evaded Gamer's lasers as he ran across rooftops. Safely placing Marin on the roof of a hotel with a satisfied grin.
"Fancy running into you like this." He said with a smile as Marin still a worried look on his face.
"Chat Noir! My classmate Adrien is still at the park! He might be in danger, we have to go back!"
Chat Noir looked away nervously searching for an excuse. "Uh... don't worry. Adrien's not in danger. He'll be fine. You'll be safe here. Just stay put." The hero ordered.
"But-" Marin tried to talk back but Chat Noir shushed him.
"No worries Macaroon, Chat Noir will take care of everything." He said reassuringly then did a barrel roll off the hotel
Marin sighed as he looked at the robot making its way towards the Stadium as Tikki flew out. "Ready?" Marin asked as his Kwami nodded with a determined expression.
"If ever there was a game to win, this is it!"
"Tikki, spots on!"
Chat Noir tried to disperse the crowd from the parked bus. "Get away from here! As far as you can! Hurry!" He called out as he glared at the robot shooting the vaporized bus. "Hey, tin can! Over here!" Chat Noir tried to grab its attention but the robot ignored him. Instead, favoring to vaporized almost every vehicle in sight. Gamer's robot increased in size, growing arms.
"My calculations indicate that your system's about to crash Chat Noir-" Gamer proclaimed, but then his robot fell over after its legs got tied up. "Hey!"
Chat Noir then watched Ladybug land on the top of the robot with his lucky charm in hand, seemingly a spray paint can. The window opened, and Gamer popped out, which enabled Ladybug to take off his glasses, throwing them towards Chat Noir who quickly broke it, releasing the Akuma.
"No more mischief from you little Akuma. Time to purify!" Ladybug said as he swung his yo-yo towards the possessed Akuma, capturing it in one motion. Then opening it once more, watching the newly purified Akuma fly away. "Bye-bye, little butterfly." He then threw up the spray can into the air. "Miraculous Ladybug!" He said and everything turned back to normal.
Chat Noir stared at him for a moment as Gamer turned back to normal.
"Did that seem a little too easy?" Chat Noir commented as Ladybug helped Max to his feet.
Ladybug shrugged his shoulders as he and Chat Noir pounded their fists together.
Marin stood outside the stadium, his arms folded behind him as people walked into the stadium, he saw the entire class pass by then saw his target.
"Max." Marin called out as he and Kim turned towards him in surprise. "You mind giving us a moment?" Marin requested as Kim nodded, heading inside.
"What're you doing out here you should already be inside," Max said.
"I'm not going inside," Marin said. "You're going to compete in my place."
"What? Why?!" Max shouted in shock, but then a wave of realization rushed over him. "It's not because of me is it?"
Marin looked away for a moment.
"Don't do this you've been working just as hard as I have for this competition. I was wrong to get upset before." Max insisted.
But Marin shook his head, "You've worked extra hard for this Max. All you need to do is just relax and have fun with it. Stop overthinking every combination." He said placing a hand on his shoulder. "I know what you're capable of, you're my gamer rival after all."
"Wait a second- You can't do this!" Max argued.
"I can actually," Marin remarked with a mischevious smile. "Loser has to obey one command of the winner. That one command is to compete, and still walk out with your head high." He said handing off his pink controller to him. Max's eyes widened as he recognized the personalized one that Marin always used for good luck.
"You're not staying?" Max asked, feeling jubilant, but still wanting his friend there to cheer him on.
"Nah, Adrien's kinda in the same boat as you. If you wouldn't mind apologizing for me?" Marin asked, pressing his hands together apologetically. But received and an answer as Max immediately hugged him.
Nodding his head in thanks as he walked back into the stadium. Marin sighed under the cool night air. Feeling sad that he wouldn't be able to compete, but even so, he was glad he could do this one thing for his friend. He then stretched his arms above his head as Tikki flew in front of him.
"Are you sure you did the right thing?" She asked curiously, but Marin shrugged his shoulders.
"I did the best thing for Max. Now then," Marin said clapping his hands together. "Why don't we do what's best for us and go get some ice cream."
"Yes please!" Tikki cheered as she hugged Marin's face cutely.
"So remember, the High Score to beat is 24500, so gamers, hit those consoles. Game on!"
Adrien looked up towards the announcement, crossing his arms in worry.
"Don't worry dude, there's no way Marin misses out on this. He's been waiting all year." Nino said trying to ease his friend's nerves, but he himself was nervous for his longtime friend.
"Yeah, unless there was a really good reason or he overslept, or he-" Alya began listing off reasons but suddenly stopped as Nino glared at her.
"Hey, Adrien," Max said walking up towards them.
"Hey Max what up..." Adrien greeted then noticed the pink controller in his hand, recognizing it from earlier. "Isn't that Marins?" He asked as Max nodded.
"So it's good reason," Alya remarked. "That boy needs to get his feelings in order." Alya muttered as Nino nodded in understanding.
"I may not be the best, but between the two of us I'm sure we'll walk out with the first prize," Max said with determination as Adrien nodded in agreement.
As their school's name was called both of them walked towards the field. Adrien squeezed the good luck charm Marin gave him earlier, walking forward with his head held high.
The next morning Marin walked out of the bakery with a bag of chocolate chip cookies and croissants as he was suddenly surprised by Adrien waiting for him outside.
"Good morning." Adrien greeted politely.
Marin was about to turn the other way, his face reddening as he realized the implication of ditching Adrien just before the competition. But was stopped as his crush grabbed his hand.
"I want to talk, please," Adrien asked politely as Marin had no choice but to comply.
"I'm sorry about leaving you hanging yesterday. It wasn't a great look on my part but I thought it was the best option for you two." Marin explained.
"I can't say I didn't appreciate it," Adrien admitted. "When my father heard the good news, he said he could let me keep my games."
"Good news?" Marin asked as then Adrien smiled brightly.
"Didn't you hear? We won first prize for the school." He said as Marin smiled brightly at the news.
"I knew you two would do well together!" The taller boy said. But suddenly was aware he was still holding onto Adrien's hand, quickly pulling it back as he blushed sheepishly.
"Hey- we make a good team as well. Even if you are a little better than me. " Adrien teased as the two then walked together towards the school. "Oh, here's your good luck charm back by the way." He said holding it out. "I think it really saved us during the competition."
"Keep it." Marin remarked, munching on a cookie.
"Huh? Are you sure?" Adrien asked to which Marin nodded.
"It seems like you could get more use out of it than I can," Marin said offering Adrien a cookie to while he accepted.
Adrien then stopped walking for a moment as they stood outside the school.
"Something wrong?" Marin asked.
Adrien hesitated for a moment, then squeezing the charm in hand. "Marin, I want to say that I-" He began to say that he wanted to be friends with him, but Nino cut in between them as he snatched the cookie from Adrien's hand.
"MY best friend? Stealing MY cookies? From MY Marin?" Nino stated with an offended expression on his face. "Sacrilegious." He said taking a bite out of the cookie.
"Hey," Alya greeted taking her bag of croissants. "What's the surprise in them today cutie?" Alya asked as she walked with him towards the school.
"You'll have to taste them to find out," Marin responded with a smile as Alya grasped her best friend's arm.
Adrien was left standing with his best friend, now glaring at Nino who was shoving cookies into his mouth. Who in turn noticed the animosity, and looked at his friend in confusion.
"What?"
Notes:
- Adrien getting Nino-blocked tho.
- Marin is more of a pragmatic thinker, so letting Max and Adrien win was what he thought was most beneficial for all parties.
- Gabriel is a jerk, and I want everyone to know that he gives his son anxiety
-They are still not friends...yet