This Can't Be Right? Chapter 1.
~}I{~
"I can't believe how fast you were able to add the bike delivery option to the bakery's catering site and have it running so quickly!" Marinette stated in a mixture of shock, amazement, and delight when Max showed her the now added 'Bike Delivery' option to her parents business website.
Max was beaming when he added, "And we also implemented the appropriate program to keep track of the orders, create the best possible route between all delivery locations, keep the sizes of the orders to a manageable level, and keep your parents aware of the orders that you have completed."
Markov then happily added, "All while maximizing profits and keeping you from overworking yourself." He raised a claw when he stated, "Obviously, the Bike Delivery option will not be active during school hours, important dates, or during catering events."
Marinette looked over that part of the program when she mused, "Perfect! Not only will I get more pocket money, but you guys can too if you want. Especially over the summer."
Ever since Ladybug and Chat Noir defeated Hawkmoth and Mayura, everyone suddenly had a lot of free time… A little too much free time, minus school and social commitments, especially Adrien.
The blonde boy's father had been publically arrested for illegal dealings and child neglect. The Gabriel Brand was liquidated as soon as it was made sure that all the employees were able to find stable employment. The money from this was split into sections with 3/4th of the proceeds being donated to several charities while the remaining fourth was put in a trust for Adrien. The latter was a legal thing that the teens didn't want to think too hard on.
The Butterfly and Peacock Miraculous have been retrieved, of course. Duusu and Nooroo were happily reunited with the other Kwami, even if the bulk were with their chosen Holders most of the time. But still, it was great now that they didn't have to worry about Hawkmoth anymore.
Marinette happily scrolled through the new option for her parents' bakery. She couldn't help but say in delight, "Perfect! Maman and Papa will love this!"
Max nodded with a smile when he got out, "I hope so, and if you or your parents need the extra help… We're willing."
Marinette nodded as her classmates also volunteered for this. At least the ones who had bikes.
Outside the classroom, Lila stayed out of sight as she smirked at what she learned. Oh, did she have the perfect plan to not only ruin that goody-goody but also drive that stupid bakery to broke and make her the perfect target for Hawkmoth, who has been slacking as of late.
~}I{ Two Days Later, Monday }I{~
Ooooh boy…was the Miracuclass GLAD Hawkmoth was gone…
Rose and Juleka glanced at each other worriedly. Sabrina was hiding behind Chloe in fear. Nath stopped Alix from getting closer. Ivan placed a worried hand on a trembling Mylene. Alya was a mixture of worry and confusion. Markov peeked out of a concerned Max's bag while Kim actually tried to hide behind a rather scared Nino. Adrien decided to bite the bullet, so to speak, and approach the…
Rather aggravated-looking Marinette who was half-way asleep in her assigned seat…
Miss Bustier stopped Adrien from getting any closer. She motioned for him to rejoin the rest of the class as she went to the irritated bluette. Miss Bustier put on a small smile when She asked her student, "Marinette… Did something happen over the weekend?"
Marinette didn't seem to register the question as she somewhat struggled to stay awake.
Miss Bustier gently shook the bluette to get her attention. Once the teacher had it, she repeated her question.
Marinette pinched the bridge of her nose when she said in a tired and aggravated tone, "Sorry, Miss Bustier… But…" she took a deep breath before she got out, "I don't know what people are thinking regarding the new Bike Delivery option, but…"
Max was front and centre when he asked in worry, "Wait! Was there something wrong with the program? The GPS? Or are the orders getting mixed up?"
Marinette waved her free hand in a 'No way' manner when she got out, "No… All those are working great, It's the…" she let out a yawn before saying, "People placing their orders…" Marinette got visibly mad when she snapped in irritation, "Not only are they putting in the wrong addresses! But are also using the 'pay in cash' option!"
Adrien couldn't help but ask in confusion, "Maybe a few people made a mistake… When typing? It happens."
Marinette realised she didn't explain well enough before sighing and explaining, "Ah, I guess there might've been a few… But… Putting in addresses that are far from the bakery, with like 80% of them being nonexistent… And those are the ones marked as 'pay in cash'… Therefore, these orders haven't been paid for…" She let out another yawn before she grumbled in irritation, "And I had to bike all around Paris over the course of two days and the bulk of it for naught…"
Marinette slumped over her desk when she mumbled into the wood, "It still feels like I hadn't slept at all…"
Miss Bustier glanced at the rest of her students before she made her decision. "Kim, can you bring Marinette to the nurse's office?" the redheaded teacher asked the tallest teen in the class.
Kim nodded when he replied, "Yes, Miss Bustier." He hauled the now sleeping bluette onto his back, and left the classroom.
Miss Bustier then told the rest of the class to go to their assigned seats. They all did so without question.
Max couldn't help but check the 'Bike Delivery' option of the Dupain-Cheng Bakery website to see what was going on. Not that he didn't think Marinette was lying, but he couldn't help but wonder if there was something wrong with the coding for the program. Max narrowed his eyes at what he was seeing when he thought, 'Everything appears to be correct… Therefor…' He then checked the history of the 'Bike Delivery' orders. Max raised a brow at what he was seeing.
}{ 30 minutes Later, Miss B Chat Group }{
Maximum Overdrive: "Everyone, I just checked the Dupain-Chengs Bike Delivery program for their website."
Sunshine: "Were there any errors?"
AI Am I: "I can help fix them!"
Maximum Overdrive: "I'm sure you can Markov, but the only error I can find is on the 'Human Element'. And even then, I am highly doubtful that it's actually an 'error', especially at that scale."
Queen Bee: "Okay, I know that I'm a little slow on understanding this kind of subtext, but…"
Anything's Possible: "How many of the Bike Delivery orders haven't been paid for?"
Maximum Overdrive: "The Bike Delivery orders that have been either pre-paid in advance or paid with card aren't the issue… It's the orders that have been marked as 'pay in cash', which is the heart of Marinette's and the bakery's problem…"
Turntables: "So, those orders haven't been paid? Like Nette claimed?"
Maximum Overdrive: "That too, but…"
Ladyblogger: "But?"
Maximum Overdrive: "Markov, I sent you the addresses that those 'cash delivery orders' had, can you overlap them with the map of Paris? I'm sure you'll see one of the other issues that are there."
AI Am I: "On it!"
Rollersnake: "Wait? 'one of the other issues'? You mean there's more than not getting the money for the orders? And causing the Dupain-Chengs to lose revenue:"
Teenage Witch:" Hey, Max… How many orders were marked as 'Pay in Cash'? And how many actually paid?"
Maximum Overdrive: "Juleka can confirm this with Luka, but according to the program…"
Maximum Overdrive: "After launch and until closing yesterday… The Bike Delivery had a total of 264 orders…"
Tiny Actress: "Not bad for the first launch."
Gothic Girlfriend: "Luka did say the bakery did get a lot of orders, but… Can you remove the orders that were completed and paid for?"
Maximum Overdrive: "Just about to post that data, Juleka."
Poison Ivy: "I know Luka got a lot of tips for the ones that were paid for, but…"
Maximum Overdrive: "The number of the Bike Deliveries that had been paid with cards is a total of 55, Pre-paid is 59, and cash is the maximum number of 150."
Teddy Bear: "Wait? The option for cash got maxed out after launch?"
LB Artist: "Ah, right, the Dupain-Chengs only have Luka and Marinette as Bike Deliverers and have to limit the number of orders for that option."
Ladyblogger: "That's still a lot of orders… Even with two people…"
Gothic Girlfriend: "I had told the Dupain-Chengs that I can do some deliveries, now that I finally got that bike I saved up for."
Poison Ivy: "Ditto! So that should help spread the load while maximizing profit!"
Maximum Overdrive: "But out of these 150 'Pay in cash' orders, only 34 of these orders have been paid…"
LB Artist: "Wait a minute?"
Teddy Bear: "Only…"
Rollersnake: "Are you saying that 116 orders weren't paid for!?"
Sunshine: "What?!"
Queen Bee: "Who-?"
Queen Bee: "Pardon my English, but who the fuck would try to stiff the Dupain-Chengs like that?! That's ridiculous! Utterly ridiculous!"
Teenage Witch: "Chloe!"
Queen Bee: "What? It's true! It's fucking ridiculous!"
Turntables: "I think Sabrina is reacting to the foul language, rather than your 'outburst', Chloe."
Teenage Witch: "Exactly!"
Sunshine: "I'm surprised you used the F- word…"
Queen Bee: "Okay, that's fair, but it's totally warranted!"
Anything's Possible: "No argument there."
AI Am I: "Max… May I inquire if the 116 unpaid Bike Delivery orders were the 'wrong addresses that took her all over' that Marinette was griping about earlier?"
Maximum Overdrive: "They were."
AI Am I: "…"
AI Am I: "I believe that those were inputted on purpose for malicious intent."
Maximum Overdrive: "That was my conclusion as well."
}{ Miss Bustier's Class }{
There was a symphonic chorus of baffled, "WHAT?!" that surged up out of nowhere for Miss Bustier.
The redheaded teacher turned to see everyone staring at their phones with shocked expressions on their faces. She frowned when she stated seriously, "All right, everyone! Turn in your phones and explain to me what's so important that you aren't paying attention to the lesson?"
Oh…
}{ Roughly Ten Minutes Later }{
With her students' cellphones in the top left drawer of her desk, Miss Bustier now understood what happened. After thinking about it for a bit, the redheaded teacher did give Max his cell phone back and told him to inform the Dupain-Chengs about this data and then hand the phone back once he finishes.
Caline folded her arms when she told her students, "I can't blame you for worrying about Marinette and her family bakery, I am too, but you are in school…" That was when she noticed that one of her students was missing, and it wasn't Marinette. Miss Bustier checked the doorway when she asked in confusion, "Um… Where's Lila?"
Now that the teacher said it…
The Miracuclass looked around the room when they asked one another if they saw Lila today.
}{ Meanwhile }{
Lila was currently using her cellphone and her computer to place as many pricey orders from the Dupain-Chengs' bakery as she could, typing in addresses that would take that goody-goody all over Paris and far from the bakery as possible, and marked all of these orders as 'pay in cash'. She kept placing all these 'cash payment' orders until she got a notification from the website that the que for the bike delivery option was maxed out for the day and to wait until tomorrow to place their order.
Lila smirked as she exited the website on her phone and computer before she checked the time.
School started an hour ago. Mrs Rossi left for her job three hours prior, so she wouldn't know if Lila was late for school or bunked it off.
But considering that she wanted to see the results of her little ploy…
'I already have my story as to why I'm late anyway,' Lila thought as she left her room.
}{
Sabine checked her messages with a frown as she told her husband what Max found, which confirmed what Marinette and Luka told them.
Tom had to agree before he checked the online orders. Much to his confusion and dismay, the number for the Bike Deliveries was at the max for the day, again.
"What?" Sabine got out as she checked the orders. Her jaw dropped when she got out in anger, "If this is someone's idea of a joke, then it's not funny!" Sabine looked at all the 'Pay in Cash' Bike Delivery orders. Pricey orders. That would take their cyclists all over Paris… Which pushed the delivery fee up… Under normal circumstances, this would be a boon and give the cyclists quite a lot of pocket money, but…
Given what happened the prior two days… With the 116 unpaid orders… That took Marinette and Luka all over Paris… To addresses that didn't actually order those orders or couldn't have ordered them… Then add Max's theory…
Tom and Sabine looked at each other as they debated on this… Issue…
}{
Tikki carefully peeked around the nurse's office, to make sure no one was around, before she came out, and then snuggled into the crook of Marinette's neck. "Are you sure you're okay?" the little red Kwami asked in worry.
The bluette ran a hand over her face when she got out softly, " 'm fine… Just… Still tired from the nearly non-stop biking over the weekend… With hardly anything to show for it except sore legs…" She let out a soft breath as she opened her eyes slowly when she added, "If someone thought it was funny to give me and Luka the runaround… It was absolutely not! And they owe my parents for the orders and us the delivery fee!"
Tikki gently put the human on the neck when she said, "It's understandable as to why you're upset and tired… And it's okay to feel that…" She nuzzled her face into the bluette's shoulder when she added softly, "I hope that that stuff was a joke and they come clean to pay their due…"
Marinette let out a tired sigh as she agreed.
}{ Meanwhile }{
Miss Bustier almost left out of her skin when she heard almost all of the phones he had in her desk buzz at the same time. The sound also got everyone's attention.
Caline opened the drawer and picked up Alya's phone, since it was on top of the pile. She tapped on the screen to see what the message was, and raised a brow at what she was seeing. The redheaded teacher looked up at Alya when she asked her to unlock her phone so she could reply to this text.
Alya, of course, was confused by this when she asked, "Uh, sure… Um, why do you want to send a text on my phone?"
Miss Bustier motioned for the blogger to come here when she stated, "You'll see soon, and I'm sure I know all of your answers." She held out the phone to the teen.
Alya got up, walked over to the teacher's desk, and took her phone. She unlocked her phone and saw the group text from the Dupain-Chengs. which read, "We know this is all of a sudden, but would all of you help us with the bike deliveries? We already hit the max amount for that and there is no way Marinette and Luka can do all these orders and we're going to need more help. You will be paid the delivery fee and keep any tips you get."
Of course, Alya said that out loud, and, of course, the rest of the class agreed to it. The blogger handed her phone back to the teacher at this.
Miss Bustier figured as much as she texted the reply to the Dupain-Chengs. "This is Miss Bustier and I had to confiscate the phones. I asked all who are in this text group who are in my class and they all agree to that. They'll see you after school." She then locked the phone and put it back in her drawer.
Alya returned to her seat and class continued. At least until Lila came in and told everyone why she was late.
Miss Bustier plastered on a smile before She stated, "That's good that you helped, but you are pretty late…" She motioned for Lila to take a seat when she added, "Please ask for notes to copy during the free period."
Lila happily nodded as she made a beeline to her seat. But as she passed Marinette's seat, she couldn't help but dig in a (fake) concerned tone, "Oh! Is Marinette okay? She's even later than I am."
Miss Bustier raised a brow at this before she replied, "She actually arrived early today, but she's currently in the nurse's office to help with something." While she didn't like lying, per say, but something about how Lila brought up Marinette's chronic lateness… Caline couldn't put her finger on it, but it didn't seem like Lila brought it up out of worry…
Lila kept up that (fake) smile when she said, "Oh? That's good that she's trying to break that streak." Then went to her seat.
Miss Bustier narrowed her eyes at Lila at those words. The redheaded teacher might've been lenient and saw the best in people, but she could tell when someone was making a backhanded comment.
Caline continued the class as she wondered if she should look into that.
}I{ After School }I{
The Miracuclass waited until they saw Lila leave the school before Nath crossed his arms and stated in a suspicious tone, "Anyone else think that Lila has been trying to piss off Marinette the whole day? Despite us telling her that she would be… You know."
Marinette let out a small growl when She got out bitterly, "Oh, has she? And here I was thinking that the uptake of her shit was my exhaustion causing me to hallucinate…"
Everyone gave the fashion designer a worried look.
Adrien placed a hand on the Ladybug Holder when he got out worriedly, "M'Lady… Maybe you should… Take another nap when you get home…" Marinette realised what she said and agreed to it.
Juleka was texting her brother when she stated, "I'll let Luka know that I'm going to take his deliveries and that he should rest too." She looked at the bluette when she added, "If you're this tired… I guess it's a good thing he didn't have classes today."
Marinette gave a tired nod.
Soon enough, they left the school. Each went home for a few certain things before they went to the Dupain-Chengs' Bakery. Well, other than Marinette, who just went home to sleep.
}{ Roughly 30 Minutes Later }{
Nino rode his trusty sea foam green Huffy Net Lusto Cruiser Bike that his grandpa got him for his birthday three years ago. He slowed down as he braked when he came to a red light crosswalk. This gave Nino a chance to take a drink from his water bottle that he had tucked in the beverage holder, right between the handlebars on the cyclist's side. There was a matching wire basket on the other side.
When the light turned green, Nino peddled off towards his destination. It didn't take long before he came to Tom and Sabine's bakery, and he wasn't alone.
Kim had a plain but sleek red Outroad Folding Mountain Bike. He had a metal basket in front of the handle bars. Kim smiled as he gave Nino a wave.
Alix, of course, wore her sheek neon green on black Nattork Adjustable Inline Skates but she had a decently-sized wagon that was painted black and was spray painted with graffiti art all over it. The handle of the wagon was attached to a metal chain that would get stiff if it curled, which was perfect for the skater so she didn't have to worry about the wagon colliding with her when she has to stop.
Mylene had a hand-me-down VIRIBUS City Bicycle with a woven basket on the front that had been touched up to her taste. Lots of cute, handmade pastel flowers decorating a periwinkle purple frame of the bike. She managed to attach a wagon to the back of her bike, decorating it with a lot of foliage.
Ivan's Mongoose Argus ST & Trail Flat Tire Mountain Bike was bulky with a black and gray gradient colours on the frame with thick and wide tires. He managed to hitch a wagon to the back of his bike that had the same colour palette.
Nath's Lightweight Racer Electric Bike was a mellow cyan coloured that looked worn. There was a large sturdy, metal basket-wagon hitched to the back of this bike.
Alya's Outroad Beach Cruiser bike had a Migestia custom paint job with a Nightowl-themed basket attached to the front of the handle bars, and a Ladybug-themed wagon hitched to the back.
Juleka's Zeda Brigand Motorised Bicycle with a Chopper frame was royal purple with a black bat-shaped basket on the front of the handlebars.
Rose's Firmstrong Urban Lady Cruiser Bike was, of course, a super peppy pink colour with a Unicorn-themed basket on the front of the handlebars. There were colourful streamers attached to the grips of the handlebars, which, of course, would make a trail of colours flying beside her when she rode her bike.
Sabrina had a rather bland-looking teal Huffy Woman's Southwind Cruiser that looked like it needed a new coat of paint. She had a large basket attached to the back of the bike.
Chloe had a rather loud, sparkly, yellow, and bejewelled Glerc Beach Cruiser bike with a wicker basket that actually looked well-used. The spokes were decorated with these cute little bumblebee beads that strangely went well with the design of the bike.
Max had a gray MOD Easy SideCar scooter with a decent-size sidecar that matched the scooter and would be good for groceries. Markov was hovering just above the sidecar.
The bike Adrien had was a black EVRYjourney tricycle with a matching metal cargo basket that was comfortably stationed between the two back wheels.
Of course, everyone was wearing helmets, elbow pads, wrist guards, and knee pads. All of which matched their respective wheels.
Sabine came out and ushered the teens to the back for the deliveries and an extra request.
The group of teens were more than willing to take on the request as everyone took the PDA devices and attached them to the handlebars of their bikes. Around the left arm for Alix while Markov held his and Max's. The ones who didn't have room in their respective carrying sections, hitched the ones the Dupain-Chengs had.
Everyone activated the PDA devices, which created the most efficient routes for their respective orders.
Sabine waved them off when the told them, "Make sure all of you stay hydrated and take snack breaks if you need to."
They all nodded as they told her that they will also follow through on the request she and Tom wanted them to do. And with that, they headed off!
They all split to follow their routes for their deliveries.
It was nice travelling around the city without having to worry about Akuma attacks or looking for safe areas. This was worth taking down Hawkmoth.
Their first orders on their routes were paid with cards, so the people were happy to get those deliveries and gave the teens between five and ten Euros in cash as a tip.
The teens' respective Kwami couldn't help but tell them once they were out of hearing range of the customers that this was a great start to the routes. The Miracuclass members agreed before they headed off to fulfill the next delivery.
Then they all got to their first 'Cash Payment' order…
Each member of the Miracuclass looked at the location on the GPS, then the actual location, then checked the address of the location, and lastly, checked the address on the order. That was when they all got out at the same time and in the same confused tone, "This can't be right?"
~}I{~
To be continued.
~}I{~
Gale-Dragon: Did I look up different types of bicycles for the Miracuclass just for this story ? Kinda, even if I didn't intend for it to be (the bike research was for different project). But in all honesty, given how many different kinds of bikes and designs they come in, this was more me wanting to be a combination of creative yet realistic with those.
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