Before Marinette could even utter her confused question, "What's going on?", Alix's message popped up in the group chat, [Jaden Conference Room], on both her and Alya's phone screens. It was concise and direct, delivered with her usual cool and sharp style.
[Alix]: Since you already know, what else is there to say? Anyway, the rules we agreed upon last week didn't forbid temporary substitutions, right?
Upon seeing this message, Marinette instinctively looked at Alya, her eyes saying, "See? She admitted it."
Alya's eyebrows arched even higher, and her fingers flew across the screen, immediately launching the second round of attack.
[Alya]: @Alix Even if the rules allow it, you should have notified all of us beforehand! This is called organizational discipline!
[Alix]: I told the people on "this side" in advance.
This message confused Juleka and Mylène, who had been lurking in the group.
Immediately after, Alix seemed to realize something and added another message.
[Alix]: Oh, I created a small side group and explained it to Mylène and Juleka. Rose came to me crying, saying she really wanted to... you know. I felt pretty... so I agreed. I just hadn't had time to tell you two yet.
Alix's explanation was honest. Mylène and Juleka immediately surfaced in the group chat to confirm her words.
[Mylène]: Yes, we knew.
[Juleka]:...Mhm.
Alya looked at her phone screen and let out a disdainful snort.
She certainly wouldn't let it go; this just gave her the perfect excuse to continue her "attack."
Her fingers danced once more.
[Alya]: Hmph, forming cliques, are we? Then I have to ask: if I hadn't 'just happened' to accompany Marinette to buy things today, and 'just happened' to run into them at the coffee shop, were you planning to keep this a secret?
Moreover, following this logic, when the drawing comes around to Rose next week, can she rightfully schedule another date?
This message was highly aggressive, implicitly asking, "Are you trying to exploit loopholes in the rules?"
Marinette watched from the side, completely bewildered.
Alya had dragged her down from the attic in a rush early this morning, and now she claimed she was "accompanying her to buy things." This made Marinette feel like Alya was planning something she didn't know about.
But at this moment, seeing Alya fight fiercely in the group like a righteous prosecutor, she chose to remain a patient bystander.
Meanwhile, An Rose remained an outsider from beginning to end.
Her entire attention was focused on the beautiful scene across the street, watching how the girl identical to herself was being teased by the gentle man until her eyes curved into smiles. She was completely oblivious to the silent war raging beside her.
Alya's message was like a bombshell, and the group fell silent for a moment.
Finally, Alix's reply popped up again. This time, Her tone carried a hint of exasperation from being wronged.
[Alix]: Of course not! What kind of people do you think we are? As soon as the date ends this afternoon, we will immediately! Right away! Redraw to decide next weekend's candidate! Is that acceptable?
Seeing this reply, the corner of Alya's mouth subtly curled upwards.
That was the commitment she wanted. But she wasn't satisfied yet.
[Alya]: Then how should today count? Rose took your opportunity, shouldn't both of you be disqualified to show fairness?
[Alix]: Why should we? Rose is the one who went, not me!
I merely "transferred" my opportunity to her; this is an agreement between the two of us.
And Rose agreed to trade her future opportunity for today's dating rights. That's fair!
Alix's counterattack was logically clear and impeccable.
Alya could almost picture the cool girl on the other end of the phone standing with her hands on her hips, wearing an expression that said, "What do you want?"
So Alya changed the subject, cleverly redirecting the focus toward herself and Marinette.
[Alya]: Oh? Is that so? Then, according to you, if it's my turn, I can also give my opportunity to Marinette, right? Personally, I have no objection. @Mylène @Juleka What about you?
This question was practically a guaranteed easy score.
[Mylène]: Of course, that's fine! Alya, you're so good to Marinette.
[Juleka]: I have no objection.
[Alix]: Whatever you want, as long as you're willing.
The three replies were almost instantaneous, filled with an atmosphere of "harmony and friendliness."
"Done."
Alya whispered contentedly, putting her phone away.
She had successfully paved the way for her upcoming plan.
"Alya,"
Marinette watched her series of smooth operations and finally couldn't help but pull her aside and whisper, "What... what exactly are you trying to do?"
Alya glanced back at the "sweet scene" across the street, then looked at the confused Marinette beside her, flashing a cunning and mysterious smile.
She leaned into Marinette's ear and quickly outlined her plan in a voice only they could hear.
As Alya spoke, Marinette's eyes grew wider and wider. In those blue eyes,
the original frustration and jealousy were being replaced at a visible speed by a light called "hope" and "excitement."
"...If they can pull a fast one, we can do one better! We don't need to 'transfer'; we can 'merge'!"
Alya's voice held a mischievous pride. "The rule only said 'drawing lots determines the person who dates Jaden,' but it didn't specify that the 'fixed number of people' for one date must be just one person!
We can figure out a way to get our drawing sequence placed last.
After Alix, Juleka, and Mylène have all had their separate dates, it will be our turn.
Then..." "We... can go together?" Marinette's voice had a slight, almost imperceptible tremor of excitement.
"Exactly!"
Alya snapped her fingers. "Think about it, with two people, I can cover for you when you get nervous, and I can even create opportunities for you!
Isn't that a hundred times better than you standing there awkwardly by yourself?"
"But... but wouldn't that be wrong?"
Marinette was still hesitant. "After all, it's supposed to be a solo date... if they find out..."
Alya looked at her with an expression that said, "You're such an idiot." "Did the rules state 'must be solo'?
No, right? Besides, who am I doing this for?
I'm doing this to assist you, the person who always messes up at the critical moment!"
Of course Alya had another unspoken calculation deep down: assisting was true, but when the time came, who would be the main character and who would be the wingman was up for debate.
With two people, I have much more room to maneuver... Marinette clearly wasn't thinking that deeply.
The beautiful blueprint of "sisters united, strength unbound" that Alya painted for her had re-mended her nearly shattered heart, even plating it with gold edges.
She felt her chances had greatly increased, and the "dog food factory" couple across the street no longer seemed so glaring.
"Then... what do we do now?" Marinette had completely fallen into Alya's rhythm.
"What do we do? Of course, we formulate a detailed battle plan!"
Alya grabbed her hand and turned to leave. "Do you really want to stay here and watch them feed us dog food until we're full?"
"Oh, oh!" Marinette quickly followed, not forgetting to wave goodbye to An Rose.
The two hurried away, leaving An Rose alone, still watching from the street corner.
After watching for a while, suddenly, the 'herself' in the coffee shop across the way—Rose—'seemed to spot her' and smiled, waving.
An Rose was startled and subconsciously wanted to hide, but then she thought, she hadn't done anything wrong.
She hesitated for a moment, then walked toward the coffee shop.
When she reached the table, Jaden had already risen with a smile and asked the waiter to add a seat, along with a dessert and hot cocoa identical to the ones in front of Rose.
"I'm sorry... I didn't mean to interrupt you..." An Rose sat down feeling a little awkward.
Rose took her hand, her face showing sincere apology: "I should be the one apologizing. I should have called you over sooner."
"It's alright,"
Jaden's gentle voice swept over them like a spring breeze, instantly dissolving all the awkwardness. "The more the merrier, isn't that right?"
Just like that, what should have been a sweet date for two naturally expanded into an afternoon outing for three.
Jaden displayed astonishing social skills. He didn't favor one over the other just because an extra person was present; instead, he equally distributed his gentleness and thoughtfulness to both girls beside him.
He remembered that Rose loved collecting cute little ornaments, and when they passed a unique bookstore, he recommended a newly published collection of fairy tales to An Rose, who also loved fantasy stories.
His praise was never vague. When complimenting Rose's new dress, he said the pale blue was exactly like the sky in her eyes;
when praising An Rose's insight, he said her imagination was as free and romantic as Parisian art.
They went to the amusement park, and under the colorful lights of the carousel, he held both of their hands, listening to them share childhood anecdotes.
Riding the Ferris wheel, as the cabin slowly ascended to the highest point, overlooking all of Paris bathed in the golden afterglow, he sat quietly in the middle, allowing both girls beside him to see that reassuring tranquility on his profile.
Time flowed gently amidst laughter and joy. When the last streak of twilight colored the sky, Jaden escorted the two girls back to their respective residences.
Downstairs at Rose's house, An Rose reluctantly said goodbye to her.
"That's wonderful..."
An Rose looked at Jaden's receding back and sighed sincerely, "The you in this world gets to meet such a wonderful him."
"You will too,"
Rose held her hand, encouraging her with a determined look. "When you return to your world, you will definitely meet someone like him."
The two girls smiled at each other, their eyes filled with anticipation for the future.
They prepared to go upstairs together to look through the photos An Rose had taken today, every single one filled with a sweet ambiance.
Just then, the doorbell rang.
A delivery man stood at the door, holding a rather large box: "Excuse me, is this Miss Rose's home?"
Rose stepped forward to answer curiously and signed for the package.
When she carried the hefty box back to the room and opened it with An Rose, both girls were stunned.
The box was packed full. There was the white lace dress they had seen at the clothing store, which Rose liked but felt too expensive to mention;
the pink little wing hairpin, several sets of fairy-tale style clothes that Rose loved but was too shy to ask for because they were pricey, and even a full set of cosmetics she had lingered in front of a shop window to admire.
All of these were things she had shown even a flicker of fondness for while shopping with Jaden today, but had kept silent about out of shyness or consideration.
A small card lay quietly on top, bearing Jaden's delicate yet strong handwriting:
"I hope these can make your smile today last a little longer."
Rose picked up the card, her fingertips trembling slightly. She pressed the card tightly against her chest, and an indescribable feeling of happiness enveloped her.
Her eyes were hot, but she fought hard not to let the tears fall, only whispering into the air with a slightly choked, chiding tone:
"You... you really didn't have to do this..."
An Rose watched from the side, her eyes filled with envy, but mostly genuine happiness for the version of herself in this world.
As night deepened, Jaden returned to his apartment.
The first thing he did was not turn on the lights, but cautiously check his surroundings.
Only after confirming there were no suspicious red dots or figures outside the window, and no signs of Ladybug or anyone else monitoring him, did he draw all the curtains.
"Duusu."
Following his soft call, Duusu flew off the sofa, circled in the air, then approached him and sniffed him with his tiny nose.
"Mmm... what a strong scent, the scent of happiness." Duusu's voice held a hint of teasing. "Looks like the date was a success."
Jaden smiled, ignoring the comment, and just looked at him: "Are you hungry?"
"Of course!"
Duusu unceremoniously landed on the dining table, where Jaden had specially packed some desserts from the coffee shop.
While Duusu indulged, Jaden walked into the kitchen to prepare dinner for himself and Duusu.
Meanwhile, the Parisian internet had exploded over a completely different matter.
An Marinette, playing Ladybug, and her world's Cat Noir had just teamed up to defeat the "Scrap Iron Titan" on the Champs-Élysées.
The battle was filmed by countless passersby and uploaded online.
One video, in particular, instantly set all social media ablaze.
In the video, to dodge a sweeping attack from the Scrap Iron Titan, Cat Noir urgently pulled Ladybug into his arms, pinning her against a wall in a 'kabedon' move.
The two were inches apart, practically feeling each other's breath.
Although it lasted only a few seconds, the tense, intimate moment born in danger caused all viewers in front of their screens to scream.
"AAAAH! Did you see that! The official ship sailed! If anyone says Ladybug and Cat Noir aren't a couple, I'll kill them!"
"Oh my god, that kabedon! That embrace in danger! It's too sweet!"
"Wuwuwu, I knew it, my ship is real!"
However, amidst this ocean of celebration, some discordant voices appeared, especially among another fan base of Ladybug.
"Wait... what does this mean? Has my beloved 'Ladybug and Knight Ship' just sunk?"
"Don't panic, upstairs! This Ladybug's style is different from usual, maybe she's fake!"
"Fake +1! Our real Ladybug looks at Knight with eyes full of love! And she's indifferent toward Cat Noir! Looking at how this one looks at Cat Noir, you can tell she's definitely fake!"
A fierce debate about the authenticity of Ladybug and the true status of the ships thus began under the Parisian night sky.