Miraculous Ladybug: The Only Competent Villain

I stood in the small music shop, letting my fingertips trace lightly over the keys of the pearly white piano. The instrument was mesmerizing—its surface gleaming under the soft, warm glow of the shop's lights. I'd been saving up for months, or at least that's what I'm gonna tell her. ever since I first noticed the way Juleka's eyes would linger on it every time we passed by.

As I stood there, absorbing every detail of the instrument that I knew she'd love, I made my decision. "I'll take it," I told the shopkeeper, my voice steady with determination. I pulled out the envelope of cash I'd been carefully stashing away from Kagami's charitable donations to me—a significant chunk of her savings, no doubt. But I couldn't have chloe believe I was using her for her money to much yet, I'd need to save it for the future. and the thought of the smile on Juleka's face when she saw it made it all the more worthwhile.

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Marinette Pov..

Over the years, I've learned to notice the tiniest details—whether I'm perfecting a new design or making sure my friends are doing okay. Lately, though, my focus has been entirely on one person: Luka.

It wasn't just because I was making a guitar strap for him—though that definitely played a part. There's something about Luka that just—URgh! I mean, his calm and cool vibe, even in the toughest situations, is just, admirable to say the least.

For days now, I've been watching him, waiting for the perfect moment to finally hand over the gift I'd poured so much time into. Every time I thought I had a chance, fate intervened—he'd vanish after school, get swarmed by friends, or simply lose himself in playing his guitar, that faraway look in his eyes making it impossible to approach him.

Today, I decided, things had to change. This wasn't another Adriene situations.

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This morning found me by the window of my bedroom, gazing out at the street below. I had been up early, sketching a new dress design, but my thoughts kept drifting back to Luka. Over the past few days, I'd begun to notice a pattern in his routine.

Every morning, he'd walk to school with Nino who'd get to school at the same time as he did, his guitar casually slung over his shoulder. His day was a blur of classes, hangouts with Alya, Max or trio with Adriene and Kagami, followed with spontaneous music sessions in the courtyard. But once school ended, he'd just disappear. No one knew where he went, and I couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to the story.

I turned to Tikki, my kwami, who was lazily floating nearby while munching on a cookie. "Tikki, do you think it's weird that Luka always disappears after school?"

Tikki tilted her head, deep in thought. "Maybe he's just has a lot going on? I mean, he's in sports after all."

"Yeah, but…" I trailed off, tapping my pencil against my sketchpad. "It's almost like he's avoiding everyone. Or maybe he's hiding something."

He does just go out and help me and cat noir in somewhat secluded areas but its hard to know if it's intentional of course no one would be around when a monsters running rampant.

Floating closer, Tikki's eyes sparkled with curiosity. "Do you think he's in trouble?"

I sighed, uncertainty mingling with determination. "I don't this so, but I'm going to go find him maybe after schools the only chance I've got to give him this gift."

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After school, I lingered by the gate under the pretense of tying my shoe, all the while keeping an eye on Luka. There he was, walking towards the limo chatting with Kagami and flashing his usual calm smile. But as soon as Kagami walked away, he half glanced around furtively, as if ensuring no one was watching, and then took an unexpected turn—away from his usual path home.

My heart pounded as I trailed him at a discreet distance. I couldn't help but feel a twinge of guilt; spying on a friend wasn't exactly what Ladybug would advise. Yet my curiosity was too powerful to ignore.

Luka moved briskly, the sound of his guitar case bouncing lightly against his back. He turned down one side street after another clearly familiar with the route until he reached a part of the city that was somewhat familiar to me. The architecture here was taller, more modern, and the streets were noticeably quieter.

Finally, he stopped before a large, elegant townhouse. My eyes widened when I realized where I was—Chloé's house.

"What is he doing here?" I whispered to myself, ducking behind a parked car to avoid being seen.

Luka rang the doorbell, and moments later, the door opened. There stood Chloé, her usual haughty expression softened by something I couldn't quite decipher. She exchanged a few words with Luka, and then he smiled—a warm, genuine smile that twisted something in my stomach I wasn't prepared to feel.

To my utter shock, Chloé stepped aside and let him in.

I stood there, frozen, my mind racing with questions. Why was Luka visiting Chloé? They weren't friends—or at least, I hadn't known them to be. And Chloé wasn't the type to invite someone over unless she had a motive.

My thoughts spun wildly, trying to make sense of what I'd just witnessed. Was Luka working with Chloé? Homework, Butler? Or was there another explanation entirely?

All I could think about was the guitar strap tucked safely in my bag—the gift I'd crafted with so much care, intended as a token of my gratitude for everything Luka had done. Now, I wasn't sure if I even knew who he really was.

"Tikki…" I murmured softly, my voice trembling. "What should I do?"

Tikki floated closer, her expression sympathetic. "I think you should talk to him, Marinette. There might be a perfectly good explanation for all of this."

I nodded slowly, though my heart felt heavier than ever. I wasn't sure what to believe now. The perfect moment I'd been waiting for had just become infinitely more complicated.

Clutching my bag tighter, I turned to leave, a nagging feeling whispering that the cost of this present might be higher than I had ever imagined.