[Adrien's POV]

Ladybug sways dizzily and grips her head. "Chat...what happened?"

Images flash through my mind. Ladybug making out with me as Adrien, then hitting on me as Cat Noir. My face grows hotter.

"N-Not much." I answer. I look away and hold out her yoyo. "Here you go."

Ladybug looks down at her yoyo in confusion as she takes it from my hands. "Did you capture the akuma all by yourself?"

"Yeah! What, are you surprised?" I reply cockily. I make the mistake of looking back at Ladybug, only to flare up with embarrassment and turn away again. "I-I mean, duty called. It was a tough villain to beat so, you know, don't mind anything that you did today. We took down the akuma and that's all that matters."

[Marinette's POV]

Cat Noir looks flustered and uncomfortable. I wonder what's up.

And then it dawns on me.

"Duty called...don't mind anything that you did today. We took down the akuma and that's all that matters."

Could Cat Noir have seen me kissing Adrien?

"Uh, Chat, listen. That—That kiss with—with that boy...I hope you don't think it was anything unprofessional. It was necessary at that point in time, like how I had to kiss you during the battle against Dark Cupid. It didn't mean anything." I say awkwardly. "I-I don't want you to think I was slacking off on the job or ditching my partner for...to do...yeah...that..."

Just thinking about kissing Adrien has me stumbling on my words. My face is probably redder than my suit right now. I hope I got my message across to Cat Noir, I don't want him to be bitter or think that I don't take Ladybug seriously.

[Adrien's POV]

My heart sinks. Plagg's voice plays in the back of my mind,

"She didn't even mean it!"

"Yeah, of course." I reply with a casual chuckle. "I know it didn't mean anything."

Ladybug sighs in relief. "Okay, we should get going. Good work today Chat, I'm proud of you."

She waves goodbye before running off. I walk away sulkily and hide myself away in the bathrooms.

"Plagg, claws off."

Plagg flies out of my ring and immediately begins his search for camembert.

"I don't know what I was expecting. It would be nice if Ladybug at least knew my name instead of referring to me as 'that boy'." I say glumly. "Don't get me wrong, I'm overwhelmed with happiness. It's just frustrating that I can't share it with Ladybug. She doesn't even know it was me that kissed her so amazingly."

"There is no need to get all lovesick over a stupid kiss." Plagg replies. "She even patted you on the shoulder afterwards. That is the epiphany of friend zoned."

"I don't care, I still kissed Ladybug. I know that she probably didn't think anything by it because it was necessary at the time but that was the best moment of my entire life. Even if it meant nothing to Ladybug, it means everything to me and I will treasure this memory forever." I say dreamily.

"Yeah, meanwhile Ladybug has probably already forgotten about it." Plagg retorts.

[Marinette's POV]

I kissed Adrien. I kissed Adrien! I KISSED ADRIEN!

I'm so embarrassed! My face is as hot as lava.

"I can't believe you just grabbed Adrien and kissed him like that. I know it saved you at the time but that was still pretty bold." Tiki says.

"What was I thinking? Nothing! That's what the problem is— I didn't think, I just did it. It was the first thing that came to mind. Was it unprofessional of me to kiss someone as Ladybug? What if Adrien tells everyone? What do I do?! I can't believe I just had my first kiss with Adrien and I can't even enjoy it. I can't tell Alya, Adrien doesn't even know it was me and now he might think Ladybug is a tramp!" I panic. "I thought if I acted casual afterwards it wouldn't be a big deal. Hopefully he would just think nothing of it, you know? But what if that kiss was too good? What if he falls for Ladybug?"

"Marinette calm down!" Tiki says. "It may not be the best idea for Ladybug to go round kissing civilians but you didn't do anything wrong. I'm sure Adrien doesn't think anything by it. Instead of stressing, how about you just enjoy it a little? You finally kissed Adrien!"

I breathe in deeply to relax myself. "You're right Tiki. I need to calm down, relax myself and just finish this stupid carnival."

Right on cue, the speakers come to life with the voices of Nino and Alya.

"S-Sorry for that...brief interruption...everyone." Alya says, a certain breathlessness in her voice.

Nino chuckles giddily. "That was the best akumatized villain ever."

Alya speaks up over the top of Nino. "Don't worry everyone, Ladybug and Cat Noir saved us as usual...though I couldn't record it for my Ladyblog."

"She was preoccupied with something else." Nino adds in slyly.

"Nino!" Hisses Alya. She clears her throat before continuing. "Anyway, the obstacle course will continue on as planned. Contestants, please make your way to the starting line."

I collect myself and head over to the obstacle course. The entire school is crowding the event but only a small group is actually participating. Alex, Kim and Adrien are among them, stretching and warming up. When Adrien spots me, he smiles and approaches me. My heart beats faster.

Okay, okay. Adrien doesn't know it was you who kissed him, which means there is no reason to be awkward. Just came down, Marinette, and don't freak out.

"Hey Marinette, you here to watch?" Asks Adrien. "I'll be glad to have your support on the sideline."

"No...I'm competing." I answer, though part of me wishes nothing more than to be Adrien's personal cheerleader.

Adrien looks a little surprised but clearly he doesn't want to be rude.

"That's awesome!" He says.

"Another little girl?" Kim steps in. "It's one thing for that poor excuse of a female Alex. I think this marathon may be a little tough for a lady like you, Marinette."

Alex pushes Kim aside aggressively. "Marinette can do whatever she wants. How about you boys stop flocking her like flies on a slab of meat."

"You could've said something nicer like bees to honey." I try.

Kim and Alex glare at each other. I guess they don't remember making out under the effects of Jimmy's gas. After all, I'm pretty sure I got gassed too and I don't remember anything.

"Feist your eyes on the sportiest bunch in the entire school." Alya says through the speakers.

"The three possible champions of today's carnival are all participating in the obstacle course. The supreme athletes Kim Lê Chiến and Alex Kubdol, of course, as well as my very own bro Adrien Agreste. I'm rootin' for ya Adrien!" Nino announces. "They each have four wins, which means this final race is the decider. Who will win the kiss of the lovely Marinette Dupain-Cheng?"

"Aren't you forgetting someone Nino?" Questions Alya. "Only one other person has been able to compete with our three champions. She's been making her way through the ranks all day, coming out on top with four wins as well, and competing in this final decider as a surprise contestant."

The crowd murmurs with gossip.

"You're right Alya, how could I forget our school's very own carnival queen? Marinette Dupain-Cheng!" Nino says enthusiastically.

"What?" Kim exclaims, finally viewing me as a rival. "She can't do that!"

"I have the right to fight for myself!" I reply proudly. "What's the matter? Scared of a little lady?"

"Yeah, you rock Marinette!" Encourages Alex.

"Well, there was never any specified rule against the queen winning her own kiss." Nino reasons.

"Let's not get ahead of ourselves folks, she has to win this marathon first." Alya says. "We've got all kinds of intense obstacles and need I remind you that no one has been able to finish this course since 2008, which was won by a boy who went on to be an Olympic gymnast!"

"But we're not here to just talk about the hype," Nino says. "We're here to live it!"

"So on you mark, racers." Alya joins in.

The small bunch of teenagers competing make their way to the starting line.

"Get set!" Nino says.

I look down the line of competitors as they ready their stances. There is only twelve of us, surely I can win this.

"GO!" Alya and Nino shout together.

[Narrator's POV]

The first kilometre of the race was mainly just running with a few simple obstacles here and there such as stepping through tyres and jumping hurdles but most of the group was still left behind due to lack of fitness. Adrien, Marinette, Alex and Kim all sprint ahead strongly, easily making their way to their first challenging obstacle. They have to climb up a net of ropes to a long, thin ledge. The teenagers have to shimmy across the ledge while students below throw things at them like water balloons, soft balls and rotten fruit. More than half of the competitors fell off and got disqualified. Kim and Alex were tough enough not to lose balance, but Marinette and Adrien didn't even get hit at all. They move much faster than the others, dodging everything that is thrown at them. Eventually the students stopped throwing things at Alex and Kim just to target Marinette and Adrien.

"Look at those ninja-like reflexes!" Nino commentates. "Adrien might actually have a shot at winning."

"Looks like everyone really underestimated my girl Marinette." Alya adds. "I know I'm impressed."

Marinette, Adrien, Alex and Kim have made it through along with three other kids. There is another short period of running along with agility courses and wire to army crawl under. Kim almost falls behind, although he is strong he is not agile. Up ahead is a giant ditch dug into the ground. Adrien and Marinette jump it with ease and keep on sprinting as if they're on a morning jog. Kim and Alex, on the other hand, barely make the jump and the other contestants don't cross it at all. Kim and Alex pull themselves up and breathlessly follow after Marinette and Adrien. It's just the four left now.

"Our classmates don't skip leg day." Nino says.

"You thought it was hard jumping that width? Try jumping the height of the next obstacle." Alya replies.

Next is a high, flat wall. Marinette and Adrien sprint straight for it, completely unfazed.

"What are they doing?" Questions Alya.

Marinette and Adrien push off the ground, run up the wall and leap over it with no problem.

"What? These guys are insane!" Nino shouts excitedly.

Alex and Kim skid to a stop before the high wall. Kim jumps up and desperately scrapes at the wall but he can't climb up it no matter what he tries. Alex is more crafty with her methods. She jogs away from the wall to get a good run up distance and then sprints straight for it.

"Alex running in for the jump! Will she make it?" Commentates Nino.

Alex leaps off the ground, steps on Kim and pushes off of him.

Alya bursts with laughter. "We've never seen a contestant do that before!"

Kim gets shoved down by Alex's foot. She just reaches the top of the wall, grabs it and pulls herself up and over.

"Alex! You can't do that!" Kim shouts angrily. "Come back here! That is so cheating!"

Alex laughs as she jogs onwards, although Marinette and Adrien have already gained some distance. The next obstacle is a long rope stretching above a field of mud.

"This next challenge is a tough one. It requires a lot of upper body strength to climb your way across the rope." Alya says.

Adrien and Marinette reach the obstacle first.

"Lady's first." Adrien steps aside and gestures for Marinette to go first.

Marinette hesitates. She wonders if Adrien actually wants to win this and if not, why is he competing? Marinette pulls herself back to the task at hand. Instead of climbing with her hands, she steps up onto the rope.

"She's walking it like a tightrope!" Alya says.

"Walking? She's running!" Nino replies. "How is that possible?"

Marinette sprints across the rope as if it were just another pathway. The crowd goes wild. Adrien welcomes the challenge. He follows Marinette onto the rope tightrope style and runs his way across also, trying to wow the audience.

"Amazing!" Gasps Alya.

"Are those two even human?" Adds Nino.

Alex does not have the coordination or skill to run across the rope. She grips it with her hands, hangs from it and begins monkey-swinging her way across. But Alya was right, it takes a lot of upper body strength. Alex's arms begin to tremble and before she can make it even halfway across, she falls into the mud puddles below.

"Alex is out!" Says Alya. "It's a one on one battle from here on out between the school's prince Adrien Agreste and our carnival queen Marinette Dupain-Cheng."

The obstacles only get harder and harder, but Marinette and Adrien continue to beat them in ways that amaze the audience. They stay running strongly side by side. They are evenly matched. Adrien and Marinette have now passed all the obstacles. They are running a straight line to the finish. The final race.

Marinette begins to doubt herself. She wants to shove her win in all of the boys faces but at the same time, she really wants a chance to kiss Adrien. Although she knows it's not right, Marinette has a strong desire to let him win.

Adrien also begins to wonder...

[Adrien's POV]

I can't believe Marinette has made it this far, she really proved everyone wrong. She deserves to win. I know she does. So then, why won't my legs stop? Why am I still trying so hard to win? I only did this to save Marinette from kissing a gross stranger, so why not drop out now? Maybe they won't let Marinette win. That's it. What if Marinette works so hard to win and then everyone hates her for taking the fun away? I can't let that happen. I'll just have to win and then turn down the prize myself. I don't care if people think I'm the party-killer. I'm still doing this for Marinette.

I hear a short squeal from behind me, followed by a hard thud and a sickening scrape. I dig my feet into the ground and skid to a stop. Marinette has taken a rough fall.

"Marinette!" I say as I rush to her side.

I am flooded with concern. Marinette has a large, bloody graze across her knee and shin.

"It's fine. I'm fine." Marinette insists. "Keep going."

The crowd is yelling at me. Screaming for me to run. But I don't want to. I want to stay here beside Marinette.

Marinette motions to get up and I instantly grip her arm to support her. I know she probably doesn't need it, Marinette is a strong girl. But I want to support her. After I help lift her up, I put her arm around my shoulder and wrap mine around her waist.

"A-Adrien...really, I'm not hurt." Marinette says. "Y-You should finish—"

"We should finish." I cut in. "Together."

I walk side by side with Marinette. The crowd dies down, realising how serious I am.

"What a good sport. I'm proud of you, man." Says Nino

"Now this is what the sports carnival is truly about—students uniting together to have fun." Alya says. "It was never about winning."

A lot of people in the audience groan and roll their eyes but most of the students looks happy. When we reach the finish line, I stop walking and give Marinette a light push over the finish line. She stumbles, and looks back at me in surprise.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you the carnival champion—Marinette Dupain-Cheng!" Alya hollers excitedly.

The crowd erupts in cheers and applause. I smile at Marinette and begin gently clapping as well. A crowd of people rush over to speak to Marinette but I ward them off.

"I'm taking Marinette to the first aid tent." I say shortly before leading Marinette away.

"I thought we were going to cross the line together." Says Marinette.

"You deserved to win." I reply with a smile.

Marinette is so strong and determined. I really admire her. I'm sure she inspired a lot of other people today as well. I'm so proud of her. I want to let her know but at the same time, it might sound weird and a bit random.

We pass the bathroom block. My eyes glue to the spot where Ladybug and I had shared a passionate kiss. Ladybug is constantly on my mind, every minute of every day. I know that she doesn't know who I am, I know that it won't mean as much to her as it does to me, but it would be nice if she would at least remember our kiss because I'm sure I will still be thinking about it years from now. Was it really that meaningless to completely forget about? Well, that doesn't matter right now. I need to take care of Marinette. If it doesn't mean anything to Ladybug then why should I be dwelling on it?

I tear my eyes away as Marinette and I reach the first aid tent.

"Why don't you sit down," I say. "I'll clean up your leg for you."

"You don't need to do that." Marinette replies kindly.

"It's okay, I want to." I tell her.

I begin gently wiping away the blood with a damp cloth.

"Thanks Adrien..." Marinette says. "F-For always looking out for me."

"It's no problem. I know you would do the same for me." I reply.

"But...But you worked so hard to win all those events." Marinette continues. "And then you gave it all up for me."

For some reason I feel a bit flustered. I busy myself with disinfecting Marinette's wound. "I—I wasn't particularly trying to win or anything..." I keep my head down as I bandage up Marinette's leg. "I just thought...you know, maybe you would rather one of your friends winning than some stranger. I was never going to accept the prize though."

Once her leg is as good as new, Marinette and I both stand up.

"Thanks." She says again.

"I really admire the way you fought for yourself. You're so strong and determined, you probably inspired a lot of people today." I say. "You deserved to win."

"But you deserve the prize." Marinette replies.

She smiles and plants a soft kiss on my cheek. I look down at her in surprise but she quickly turns away shyly.

"See you tomorrow!" Marinette says before jogging off.

"S-See...you..." I reply absently.

I reach up and touch my cheek. Warmth rises in my chest. I smile as I watch Marinette head off. At least in the end I got one meaningful kiss...