The day had arrived I was going to public school, another wish of my mother that father at last decided to fill. Collège Françoise Dupont.

I honestly think he'd grown tired of me keeping such a close eye on him and decided to get me out of the house so he could begin his master villain plot.

The day before school started I talked with Marinette on our video chat.

"I have a surprise for you."

"What is it?" She sounded wary but curious. She had learned I could be quite mischievous at times. Like the time I bought her a whole new wardrobe, telling her that it was important to familiarize oneself with other brands even if she decides to create her own.

"I'll be seeing you for the first time in person tomorrow."

"Really?" She nearly hopped up and down in her seat. "Wait! Are you going to be going to Collège Françoise Dupont?"

"Oui." I smiled.

A squeal issued into my headphones and I winced.

"Have you made up your schedule for the new school year?"

"I'm nearly finished." She turned her camera to a large wall covered in a calendar and notes. "I still don't understand why you wanted me to take self-defense classes."

"It will help with your balance, give you a brake from your job and help protect yourself in the future. The world is a dangerous place, even in Paris there is a dark underbelly."

I reflected for a moment on my friend Marinette as she rambled about all the plans she had put in place. Marinette wasn't a bad person she just had lots of obsessive energy that needed to be redirected in healthier pursuits. I had helped her redirect a lot of it during the time I'd known her. She could still be a bit manic, but with clear goals set in front of her she was able to channel all that energy in a positive direction.

As I got off the video call with Marinette I couldn't help but wonder what tomorrow would bring. Would I be given the black cat miraculous like 'canon'? Or would Wang Fu decide another suited me better? Would I even be a partner to Ladybug?

--

The next day bright and early I woke then did my morning stretches before getting ready. Checking my weather app I saw it would average 14C (58F), looking through my wardrobe I picked out an outfit that I knew would be Chloe approved do the the use of color. A white blouse topped with a red sweater vest, a red checkered skirt, black tights and mary janes topped with a red beret. A pearl bracelet that my father gifted me for my first corporate meeting and my smart watch on my other wrist. (I'd made a program that would alert me as soon as there was a big disturbance in the city, aka an akuma attack. Once they started I'd be able to refine the program even more.) I took a picture in my ornate floor-to-ceiling mirror and sent it to Chloe. "I approve!" Came back shortly afterwards. A quick text to Marinette and I told her I'd be in red, unneeded due to the fact of me being a new student but I found it fun to include her.

After a quick kiss on my mother's cheek, noticing my father was not there to see me off but instead Natalie, his assistant. When I arrived at Collège Françoise Dupont I immediately noticed the old man who had fallen near the sidewalk. He was rather timely, Mr Fu. One of my bodyguard's nearly caught my arm before I could go to him but I shook my head and helped him up (knowing this wasn't an assassination attempt).

I helped him up and gave him his cane. "Where are you heading off to monsieur, may I help you there?"

He looked at me with wise old eyes, "Just to the bus stop over there." He leaned on his cane and nodded across the street. I helped him there. "Will you be alright?"

He nodded with sage smile.

Little did I know he'd long since made the decision, this was just my last test.

When I got back to the school, I barely had a couple minutes to spare. I made it into my new homeroom and who should I see towering over Marinette but Chloe.

"Chloe Éloïse Bourgeios! What do you think you are doing?"

Chloe froze and looked at me like a deer caught in the headlights.

She'd long agreed to stop harassing Marinette, when I told her she was under my protection, but I suppose it didn't stick as much as I liked.

Marinette looked up at me with her wide blue eyes, her mouth slightly agape. I winked at her and the tiniest blush lit up her cheeks.

"She was sitting in the only available row behind the front row. The front row is always where new students sit." Chloe looked at me, "You are my best friend, you should sit with me." What a way to make Sabrina who stood next to her feel out of the loop, I watched as the red-headed girl shrunk back, a frown upon her lips.

"I'm sure we can figure something out that will make everyone happy." I looked at Chloe, "Why don't you sit in the front row and I'll sit next to Marinette. I'll be right behind you, so we can still talk but Sabrina will get to sit with you."

Chloe folded her arms and looked imperiously at me. "I suppose I could live with that."

"Perfect!" I clapped my hands before looking at Marinette, "Is that ok with you, Marinette?"

"Yeah, yep, sure." She stumbled over her words before she looked like she wanted to slam her forehead on her desk.

I walked up to her and she scooted over so I could sit in the aisle seat. I leaned toward her, "I love your outfit, are you glad you tried something a little out of your comfort zone?"

She rubbed her hands against her soft blush pink pants, while I admired her white rosette shirt. It was one of her designs that she thought only someone else could wear, but not herself, I'd convinced her to wear it today. Marinette looked at me, "Lady..."

I put a finger to my lips and shook my head, before holding out my hand. "At last we meet. Adrianne Agreste."

She giggled, shaking my hand, "Marinette Dupain-Cheng."

--

After homeroom ended, it was time for study hall for most of the class and gym for a couple of others.

I joined Marinette, with Chloe chatting with Sabrina on my other side, only to hear a crash at the back of the classroom.

"Kim!"

'Canon' had begun.