The bench was nestled in a tranquil corner of the schoolyard, shielded from the energetic hustle of the school day by the expansive branches of an ancient oak tree. The bench itself was weathered, its wood smooth from years of use but slightly splintered in places.
Adrien sat down gently on the bench—then suddenly froze. "Oh! My phone!" he exclaimed with a sheepish laugh. "I left it over there."
He gave her an apologetic smile and took a few jogging steps back toward the area near the gate. "I'll be right back!" he called over his shoulder with an easy grin. "Can't go too long without that thing."
With the device in hand, he returned to the bench and sat down beside Lila, who winced as she shifted to find a more comfortable position. Her ankle throbbed with a dull, persistent ache, and she gingerly adjusted her weight, trying to avoid exacerbating the pain.
The breeze, though gentle, did little to cool the flush of embarrassment that colored her cheeks. She forced a smile, trying to mask her discomfort and project an air of calm. " I'm sorry for causing such a scene."
Adrien, seated beside her with an easy grace, let out a soft chuckle that seemed to dissolve the tension in the air. His laughter was warm and genuine, a sound that softened the edges of the moment. He leaned slightly toward her, his posture open and attentive.
" It's no trouble at all. It's not every day I get to help someone in need. How are you feeling?" His eyes, a bright green that caught the sunlight with a gentle glint, conveyed sincere concern.
Lila took a deep breath and glanced around at the serene area, appreciating the brief escape from the bustle of school. The leaves of the oak rustled softly, adding a calming backdrop to their conversation. "A bit embarrassed, but it's not too painful. I think I might have twisted it more than I thought."
Adrien's gaze softened further, the warmth of his concern evident in the crinkle at the corners of his eyes. He looked at her ankle, which was propped up on the edge of the bench, and then back at her face. His expression was a blend of empathy and encouragement, making her feel that her discomfort was acknowledged and understood. "It's perfectly fine. We'll get you sorted out soon. It's important to take care of these things."
Lila nodded, feeling comforted by his sincerity. Her thoughts drifted back to their earlier exchange. "You mentioned your last name is Agreste?"
When Adrien confirmed, Lila put on a look of innocent curiosity, her smile broadening as she tilted her head slightly. "Oh, Agreste," she said with a playful inflection, as though the name was unfamiliar to her. "I don't believe I've come across it before."
Adrien's smile wavered, and his eyes grew sharp with a hint of concern. His brow furrowed slightly as he searched her face for any sign of recognition. "You don't know who I am?" he asked, his voice quieter now—still polite, but tinged with uncertainty.
Lila hesitated.
With a faint pulse to the wrist, a small holographic interface appeared.
[System Notification]
Subject: Adrien Agreste
Status: Mild Suspicion Detected.
Reminder: Subject is sensitive about his public identity. Continue to treat him as a normal student.
User Fatigue Level: Elevated. Maintain simplicity in future dialogue to preserve energy.
Lila's breath caught—not from panic, but from sheer mental exhaustion. She was too drained to improvise anything elaborate.
She smiled gently instead, injecting the right amount of casual charm. "No, I don't," she said with a tired chuckle. "I just moved here. Haven't really caught up on who's who yet."
Adrien's gaze lingered on her a moment longer., his expression still carrying a trace of skepticism. He seemed to weigh her words, his brow furrowing slightly as he assessed whether she was being genuine or evasive. Still, he offered a small smile, letting it go—for now.
With a sudden, thoughtful shift, Adrien suggested, "You know, if you're comfortable with it, I could give you a piggyback ride to the nurse's office. It might be easier on your ankle and a bit more comfortable than walking."
Lila's eyes widened, caught off guard. Her pulse quickened with anticipation, but she tempered it quickly, her voice light with playful curiosity. "That sounds... like a great idea, actually."
Adrien's face brightened with a grin as he crouched slightly in front of her. "Alright, hop on," he said warmly.
Carefully, Lila climbed onto his back, her arms wrapping gently around his shoulders. Adrien's grip was secure, his movements smooth and confident. The warmth of his body, the scent of his cologne, the steady rhythm of his steps—all of it created a giddy rush she concealed behind calm composure.
As they moved through the hallways, whispers trailed behind them, students turning to watch with curious eyes. Lila tilted her head just slightly, taking in their reactions with quiet satisfaction.
Everything was unfolding exactly as planned.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alya and Nino were standing a little apart from the crowd, chatting quietly as students milled around them, waiting for homeroom to start. Their conversation drifted lazily from weekend plans to the latest school gossip, the hum of voices and footsteps blending into the background.
Then, out of the corner of her eye, Alya caught a sudden movement in the schoolyard. She paused mid-sentence, her eyes narrowing as she turned to look.
"Wait... what's going on over there?" Alya whispered, her voice dropping to a hush.
Nino followed her gaze and blinked in surprise.
Across the courtyard, a girl neither of them recognized suddenly barreled into Adrien Agreste. Her shoulder collided with his chest, causing her to stumble backward and fall to the ground. She winced, clutching her ankle as Adrien quickly moved to help her.
Their eyes widened further as they watched Adrien lift the girl into his arms in a princess carry, as if it was the most natural thing in the world. The girl's face flushed a delicate pink, but Adrien seemed completely at ease, walking with her like he'd done it countless times before.
Nino's lips stretched into a grin. "Dude's got some moves. Look at that — going full rom-com."
Alya didn't respond right away, her eyes fixed on the scene. Adrien carried the girl like she weighed nothing, his steps fluid and confident, his expression soft and focused.
Adrien gently set her down on a nearby bench beneath the sprawling branches of an ancient oak. He crouched beside her, concern clear in his bright green eyes.
Suddenly, Adrien straightened and laughed softly. "Oh! I left my phone over there," he said as he jogged back to grab it.
Nino chuckled quietly. "Flustered and awkward. Classic Adrien."
Alya's brow furrowed as she whispered, "Who even is she? I don't recognize her."
Nino shrugged. "No clue. Total mystery."
Their eyes widened again as Adrien crouched down once more and held out his hands.
"Hop on," he said lightly.
The girl climbed onto his back, wrapping her arms around his neck.
"No way," Alya breathed.
Nino grinned. "Yep, piggyback ride activated. He's a total dork, but it's kind of cute."
As Adrien stood and carried her through the hallways, whispers followed them, curiosity rippling through the students.
Alya's voice was low but sharp. "She just trusts him like that?"
Nino shrugged. "Looks like it. He's smiling like a goof. Let him have his moment."
The bell rang, cutting through the buzz.
"Come on," Nino said with a grin. "Let's get to class before we get caught."
Alya glanced back toward the hallway where the pair disappeared. "Marinette's going to hear about this," she said quietly.
Nino laughed softly. "Yeah, yeah. Admit it — it's kinda sweet."
Alya bit her lip, her eyes narrowing slightly. "I hope Marinette doesn't get upset," she murmured, uncertainty creeping into her tone.
Nino placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder, sensing her unease. "Don't stress. If this girl's legit, maybe she'll be a good friend. Marinette's strong—she can handle it."
Alya didn't answer right away. Her eyes remained fixed on the pair even as the hall began to fill with students. The shrill sound of the bell cut through the moment, jolting her from her thoughts.
"Come on," Nino said, nudging her gently. "We've got homeroom."
Alya nodded, slowly turning to follow him. But even as her footsteps moved forward, her thoughts lingered behind. "Yeah," she said, her voice distant. "I guess we'll find out more later."