Just then, a familiar figure hurried down the steps.
It was Marinette, Her deep blue pigtails bouncing lightly as she ran, a faint blush of apology on Her face, and a giant scroll clutched in Her arms.
"I'm here! Sorry, I almost overslept!"
Marinette ran to the center of the crowd, scratching Her head a bit sheepishly, Her cheeks flushed with a healthy glow from the run.
"Marinette, you always show up at the last minute."
Alya went up to Her, half-joking and half-affectionately putting Her arm around Her shoulder, "What treasure do you have there?"
"Ta-da!"
Marinette, as if presenting a treasure, unrolled the scroll in Her hand with a "swish."
It was a long, handmade banner with colorful fabric cutouts of Kim and Alix's cartoon figures, and next to it, a line of crooked but vibrant text: "Kim & Alix, Go! Friendship First!"
"Wow—!" A chorus of genuine admiration erupted from the crowd.
"That's so cool, Marinette!"
Nino gave a thumbs up, "This design, it's definitely you!"
Juleka and Rose also came over, their eyes sparkling as they looked at the cute patterns on the banner, especially Alix's cool and edgy rollerblading pose, which Marinette had outlined vividly with a few simple pieces of fabric.
Even the usually picky Chloé just pouted, not saying anything harsh.
Jaden, standing beside Her, looked at Marinette with a gentle smile, his black eyes holding a faint approval that made Marinette's heart skip a beat and Her cheeks grow even hotter.
"Alright, we have the banner, now all we need is the protagonist, Alix."
Alya looked around and said loudly.
"Speaking of Alix!"
Kim, hearing the name of his eagerly anticipated opponent, immediately rushed over excitedly. He patted Max, who was looking at the small robot Marc beside him, "Hey, Max, how much longer?"
Max adjusted his black-rimmed glasses, glanced at the countdown displayed on the Marc screen hovering in the air, and calmly replied, "According to the agreed time, there is one minute and three seconds left. Given Alix's punctuality record, the probability of Her being late is only 7.4 percent."
As soon as he finished speaking, a crisp and rhythmic "swish swish" sound came from far to near.
Everyone's eyes turned in unison to the source of the sound.
An orange-red figure was seen gliding swiftly across the smooth ground of the square like an arrow shot from a bow, skillfully weaving around scattered tourists and stirring up a gentle breeze.
It was Alix, dressed in a black and green tight-fitting tracksuit, Her rollerblades gleaming in the sun, Her short hair flying freely in the wind, and a confident and flamboyant smile on Her face.
She executed a beautiful emergency stop and tail whip, stopping steadily in front of Kim, Her rollerblades drawing a graceful arc on the ground.
"Perfect timing," Max calmly announced, as if everything was under control.
"I thought you wouldn't dare to come. Are you afraid of losing to me?" Kim crossed his arms and provocatively lifted his chin.
Alix's lips curled into a disdainful sneer.
"Afraid? Kim, have you forgotten how many times you've lost to me? I wish your memory was as developed as your muscles."
"Hmph, this time it's different!" Kim confidently patted his chest, "I've been training specially for today!"
"You always say that, and what's the result?"
Alix rolled Her eyes, "It's the same every time. So, to end this boring cycle, we need to clarify the stakes."
"Alright, alright," Max stood between the two, acting as a referee, "Before the race begins, let's reconfirm the rules and stakes."
He cleared his throat and looked at Kim, "Kim, what's your stake?"
"If I win, Alix's new limited edition rollerblades are mine!"
Kim stared at the avant-garde shoes on Alix's feet.
"And Alix?" Max turned to Her.
Alix's expression became serious, and she said word by word, "If I win, I demand that Kim not challenge me for any reason during this semester and the next school year."
Hearing this wager, Kim was stunned for a moment, then burst into exaggerated laughter: "Haha, what's wrong? Are you afraid I'll surpass you in the future?"
"No,"
Alix shook Her head, Her gaze sweeping over every classmate present, "I just don't want to continue these meaningless competitions anymore. I think... everyone else thinks so too, right?"
Her gaze finally rested on everyone's faces.
Except for Kagami, who remained expressionless, and Lila, who showed a thoughtful smile, everyone else, including Marinette Alya, Rose, and Juleka, nodded in agreement.
These endless competitions indeed took up too much of everyone's energy.
Kim saw that he had "lost popular support," and a hint of displeasure flashed across his face.
He looked at Lila, as if grasping a life raft, and quickly walked up to Lila, asking with a hint of anticipation, "Lila! Didn't you say last time... you know a world-class football coach who could..." Lila's smile froze for a moment, and a wave of disdain surged deep inside Her—this simple-minded guy actually took Her lies seriously.
Then Lila's face first showed a hint of surprise, and then, Her olive-green eyes quickly became misty, like a fragile flower about to wither.
She shook Her head in disappointment, Her voice carrying a subtle tremor, as if deeply pained by Her past mistakes,
"Kim... I'm sorry..." She slowly spoke under everyone's gaze, Her tone so sincere that it was impossible to doubt,
"I... I lied before.
I don't know any football coach, nor was I rescued by Ladybug... I said that,
It was just... just because I had just transferred and wanted to make friends so badly, but didn't know how,
So I... I used those unnecessary, even foolish, methods..."
She lowered Her head, Her shoulders slightly shaking, like a small animal that had made a mistake but longed to be forgiven.
"I am very sorry for this."
She looked up, Her gaze sincerely meeting Alya's, "Alya, thank you for being willing to be my friend. Your enthusiasm and kindness made me feel warm."
Then, she turned to Alix and Juleka, "And Alix, Juleka, thank you for not ostracizing me because of my lies. I promise, it won't happen again."
This emotionally charged "confession" had an immediate effect.
"Oh, Lila, don't be like that..." As one of the most righteous and compassionate people in the class Alya immediately softened.
She stepped forward and gently patted Lila's shoulder, "It's okay, we all understand. Who doesn't want to make friends quickly?"
The surrounding classmates also echoed, expressing understanding and forgiveness.
In their opinion, a beautiful girl who told some harmless little lies to fit in, and now apologized so sincerely, should not be harshly criticized.
Only Chloé whispered disdainfully into Sabrina's ear, "Hmph, she's acting again, so fake."
And Jaden just watched quietly. He knew better than anyone every expression of Lila, every "crocodile tear."
Kim stood rooted to the spot, completely dumbfounded.
Not only did he fail to get the coach's introduction, but he also became the villain who exposed someone else's "sad story." Disappointment and embarrassment surged into His heart for a moment.
He opened his mouth, but ultimately said nothing, only turning away sullenly, deciding to finish the race first.
Alix also adjusted Her state and followed. The two stood side by side at the starting line of the track next to the fountain, ready to go.
"Marc will monitor the entire process to prevent any cheating in the middle," Max announced the rules solemnly, "The track circles the fountain square, four hundred and fifty meters per lap, for a total of two laps. The first to finish is the winner! Now... Ready—"
He raised his hand high.
"Go!"
With the command, Alix shot out like a flash of lightning, Her rollerblades making a pleasant friction sound on the ground, instantly leaving Kim several body lengths behind.
Her movements were fluid and powerful, Her body leaning forward, Her arms swinging vigorously, as if she and the wind were one.
And Kim, on the other hand, spread his legs and ran with all his might.
He was, after all, one of the most athletic boys in the school, and his speed was quite astonishing.
But trying to catch up with rollerblades on foot was, after all, a pipe dream.
"He's trying to outrun Alix, who's on rollerblades, with just his two legs. It's speechless."
Chloé muttered to Sabrina beside Her, Her tone full of disdain.
Sabrina nodded in agreement: "Yeah, how many times has he failed? But, it's good, this is the last time, and we won't have to watch these boring competitions anymore."
Chloé's lips curled into a satisfied smile: "This is the only good news today."
Meanwhile, as Marinette and Her friends cheered for the race, in another parallel world, an almost identical scene was unfolding.
The same square, the same crowd, even the dialogue was strikingly similar.
However, in this world, Jaden was not present, and Kagami and Lila had not yet transferred.
In this world, before the race began, Alix solemnly took out an antique and exquisite pocket watch from Her pocket and handed it to Alya beside Her.
"Alya, this is my birthday present today, it's our family heirloom.
Please keep it safe for me during the competition, make sure you watch it carefully."
"Me?" Alya quickly waved Her hand upon hearing this, "No, no, I wouldn't dare to hold something so important. Besides, I need to record with my phone!"
"I trust you," Alix said, stuffing the pocket watch into Her hand without explanation, "Just pretend you're guarding it with your life."
After speaking, she glided towards the starting line.
Alya held the heavy pocket watch, torn.
She looked at Marinette, who was holding a banner with Nino, and had a sudden idea.
"Marinette, can you hold this for me first? I need to record!"
She thrust the pocket watch into Marinette's free right hand without explanation.
Marinette's left hand was pulling one end of the banner with Nino, and Her right hand was suddenly stuffed with a cold metal object. She looked down to see a pocket watch that looked quite valuable.
"But… Alix asked you to keep it, and I also have to hold the banner…"
Before she could finish, Nino beside Her became a little excited, and unconsciously tightened his grip on the banner.
This tug caused Marinette, who was already a bit flustered, to sway, losing Her balance.
She cried out "Ah!", Her left hand loosened, and the pocket watch immediately slipped from Her grasp, drawing a silver parabola in the air as it fell towards the ground!
Marinette's pupils suddenly contracted, and Her heart almost stopped.
Time seemed to slow down infinitely at this moment. She watched helplessly as the pocket watch, representing Alix's family legacy, was about to shatter into pieces.
Just at this critical moment, a hand reached out from nowhere and steadily caught the falling pocket watch.
"Do you need help?" A gentle and magnetic voice sounded in Marinette's ear.
Marinette, still shaken, looked up, and what met Her eyes was Adrien's handsome face, his emerald eyes holding a hint of concerned smile.
Her face flushed instantly to Her ears, and Her heart pounded uncontrollably, as if it would leap out of Her throat.
"No… no problem!"
She stammered in reply, Her mind blank, "Tha… thank you, Adrien. You… you're truly outstanding!"
Adrien was a bit puzzled by this inexplicable compliment.
Marinette realized Her slip of the tongue and quickly added, "I… I mean, I… I feel very reassured with you holding it!"
While they were talking, the competition on the track had already entered a fierce stage.
Kim and Alix had already completed one lap and were making their final sprint towards the finish line.
Max loudly announced from the side, "Last lap!"
"'I feel very reassured with you holding it' oh~"
Alya, who had put down Her phone, nudged Marinette with Her elbow, winking and teasing Her as if she had discovered a new continent.
Marinette was so embarrassed she wished she could find a hole to crawl into. She covered Her burning face with Her free hand, letting out a silent wail.
"Adrien, what are you holding?"
Chloé's sweet voice rang out. She had somehow moved closer to Adrien and, without waiting for his answer, took the pocket watch from his hand.
She turned the pocket watch over and over, then pouted, "Hmm… it looks like something old, but the style is too outdated."
"It's Alix's family heirloom," Adrien quickly explained, trying to take the pocket watch back from Her hand.
"Alix's?" Chloé, who had initially shown some interest, immediately displayed a disdainful expression upon hearing that name.
She tossed the pocket watch casually, "If it's from Alix's family, it probably isn't worth much at all."
Adrien's face showed clear displeasure upon hearing this.
"Chloé, quickly give it back to Adrien!" Marinette said from the side.
Chloé, hearing Marinette dare to order Her, felt a surge of rebellion. She clutched the pocket watch tightly to Her chest and made a face at Marinette.
Like playing with a new toy, she lightly tapped the lid of the pocket watch with Her fingernail.
Suddenly, the pocket watch emitted a "buzz" and burst forth with a dazzling light!
"Ah!" Chloé was startled by this sudden change, Her hand trembled, and the pocket watch slipped directly from Her grasp.
The pocket watch fell onto the smooth flagstone ground with a crisp sound, then spun and rolled away like a top, landing precisely in the middle of the track.
At this moment, Alix was making Her final sprint.
Her full attention was on the finish line ahead, Her speed pushed to the limit, and she didn't notice the obstacle that suddenly appeared under Her feet.
"Crack—!"
A heartbreaking crunch.
Alix's roller skate mercilessly rolled over the antique pocket watch.
"I won!"
Alix crossed the finish line, raising Her arms in excitement.
But she quickly realized something was wrong; there was no cheering behind Her.
She turned around in confusion, followed everyone's gaze, and then slowly glided over.
"You false-started! This doesn't count!"
Kim protested indignantly from the side, but when he saw Alix glide past him expressionlessly, he also turned his head curiously, then froze in place.
In the center of the track, the once exquisite pocket watch had now turned into a pile of scattered parts.
Gears, springs, and hands lay strewn across the ground, and the shattered dial reflected dazzling light in the sun.
Alix slowly knelt to the ground, extending a slightly trembling hand to pick up the largest fragment.
It was the back cover of the pocket watch, and Her eyes instantly reddened.
She suddenly looked up, Her angry and sad gaze fixed on Alya: "Did you do this?"
Alya recoiled in fright, hastily explaining, "No… it wasn't me! I… I was recording, so I handed the watch to Marinette!"
Everyone's gaze turned to Marinette. Marinette's face turned pale with fright, Her voice trembling: "I… I had to hold the banner, so… so Adrien was holding it for me…"
The gaze finally converged on Adrien.
"Adrien was holding it, but Chloé snatched it away!" Marinette urgently added.
Chloé immediately shrieked, deflecting blame: "This has nothing to do with me! It glowed on its own, which is why I dropped it! Besides, Alix herself wasn't watching where she was going and skated right over it!"
Alix stared blankly at Chloé, then at the cold fragment in Her hand, and tears finally broke free, silently streaming down Her cheeks.
She sadly stood up and turned to glide away.
"Alix! This was a complete accident!" Marinette anxiously called out, trying to catch up, but how could she possibly match the speed of roller skates.
"We didn't mean any harm!" Adrien also shouted from behind.
But Alix's figure quickly disappeared at the end of the square.
At the same time, in his lair, Hawk Moth felt that intense emotion.
A cruel smile curled his lips.
"Ah, the joy of a birthday instantly replaced by the pain of betrayal and loss.
Frustration, negativity, anger… what a wonderful feast of despair, this truly excites me beyond measure!"
He extended his hand, and a white butterfly lightly landed on his palm.
He covered it with his other hand, and dark energy instantly surged in, dyeing the white butterfly an ominous Akuma.
"Fly away, my lovely little Akuma Butterfly,"
He released his hand, and the Akuma Butterfly flew out of the round window to find that heartbroken soul, "
Marinette was still anxiously searching for Alix's whereabouts in the square.
She finally caught up with Her in a secluded corner. "Alix, listen to me, there must be a way!"
"What way?"
Alix turned around, Her eyes tear-filled, and shouted at Her, "Can you turn back time and fix the pocket watch?"
Marinette was speechless. Yes, what could she do?
Alix gave Her a disappointed look and turned to glide away again.
Just then, Marinette's phone rang. It was Her mother Sabine calling.
"Marinette, your dad and I are out celebrating our wedding anniversary.
But just now, a customer called saying they wanted to pick up a pre-ordered cake from the shop, only to find the door locked and no one answering the phone. Weren't you home today? What happened?"
Marinette's head buzzed; she had completely forgotten about it!
And, she remembered the cake pickup time; why was it earlier?
She was burning with anxiety and apologized to Her mother.
An Akuma Butterfly flew silently past Her figure; she didn't notice it at all.
The Akuma Butterfly caught up with Alix. It circled once, then suddenly plunged into Her right roller skate.
Alix's body stiffened, and a Akuma Butterfly appeared on Her face.
"Hello, Time Traveler, I am Hawk Moth. Your friends betrayed your trust, destroyed your most precious treasure, and broke your heart.
I grant you the power to travel through time. You can return to the past and save your treasure.
But in return, I need a small favor from you…"
Alix looked up, a cold, vengeful smile appearing on Her tear-stained face.