Post-reveal Pre-relationship Adrienette
Alya knows Ladybug and Chat Noir's identity

The annual showcase is upon 'The Akuma Class', but of course there has to be a bit of competitive spirit.

Which group will win?

~~~~~~~~~~~

"May the best performance win."

Four weeks earlier

"This year's theme is Broadway."

The classroom erupted with cheers at the theming for this year's showcase. Within minutes of Miss Busiter's announcement the girls and boys had separated into their desired groups and begun to discuss their ideas.

"Hairspray?"

"The Rocky Horror Picture Show?"

"The Greatest Showman?"

"Grease?"

Musical after musical was thrown out by both groups, debating over which Broadway show would win them the crown as this year's class heroes, and with this being their final year the win would be sweet.

Every year since 'The Akuma Class' had moved to lycée, the annual showcase became one of intense competition. So far, in their four years, the girls had
won twice, the boys once. This being their last head to head battle (Chloe and Sabina, not included), meant the stakes were higher than ever.

"Hey, Alix," Kim shouted across the room, "what's the wager?"

"Losers have to be the winners' slaves for the day."

The boys quickly huddled together discussing the pros and cons of the bet. If they won, the girls would be at their mercy, however with the theme chosen did they really think they had a chance? Kim suddenly started bouncing side to side on his feet, drawing the attention of the other lads.

"I've got it," he whispered, causing looks of curiosity from the group.

"Make it a week!" Kim announced.

Last year, the theme was 'Pop Idols', and unfortunately, having Adrien play the piano as the guys harmonised a phenomenal version of 'What makes you beautiful' by One Direction, was just unbeatable. Each of the girls found themselves swooning, Marinette more than most. But this year, Kim had an idea to top it, oh it was going to be good and a sure win for the guys.

The girls had a quick confer before they decided.

"Deal."

As they were in their final year they could push the boundaries a little bit more, being a little more risqué with their routines, and the girls had a killer idea.

"Leave us out of your little bet, that sort of thing is for losers only." Chloe and Sabrina walked out the room without a backwards glance, and to be honest nobody cared. They never got involved in the 'immature' classroom shenanigans. She couldn't understand why at eighteen years of age they still acted this way.

The rest of the class did though, it was all for the thrill of the win, and bragging rights of course. The wager had been set and the competition was on. The friendships and relationships in class were now on hold for the next four weeks, all that mattered was winning.

•••••

"This won't be seen as an issue will it?" Adrien asked, his father would kill him if he got suspended from school, especially with it being his final year.

"I can't see why not? The film and show are both rated fifteen so everyone's above the age in the school." Replied Nino.

"But what about their friends and family?" Ivan spoke out.

"They'll get over it. After all, Adrien Agreste dancing in a vest, or maybe less, will be all anyone talks about." Kim was currently doing weights in the gym as the other guys grouped around discussing their 'routine' for the talent show. Every Wednesday afternoon was guys time in the gym, no girls allowed, just lad talk and weights. Even Max could be found testing out the equipment.

They knew the girls were going to pull something impressive out the bag, so they needed to make sure they went bigger and better. Last year they dominated them, much to the girls' embarrassment. Something to do with Marinette stumbling through the whole performance; missing her cue and sounding more like a cockerel than a songbird. What they didn't know was that only a week prior to the showcase, she'd found out Adrien Agreste, her longtime crush, was actually her superhero partner Chat Noir. Alya told her to pull out of the performance, but Marinette being, well, Marinette decided she could cope. Adrien wanted to impress his Lady, while poor Marinette just freaked out.

"You're not actually going to strip, are you? No one wants to see Max topless." Markov was floating around trying to find the right music for their routine, and he wasn't going to lie, this wasn't their best idea.

Nathaniel entered the room stilling when he saw the guys grouped together. Quietly, he moved around the mirrors and towards the dance studio in the corner.

"Nathaniel, my man! Where have you been?" Nino walked over to Nathaniel and slung an arm around his shoulders. It was fair to say the guy looked petrified.

"I'm just ... um ..."

"You know we need your skills, so how about you come and help us choose the right song to beat the girls." As Nino began to lead Nathaniel to their 'group meeting' the door opened revealing six girls in workout gear giggling to themselves and walking towards the dance studio. What were they doing there? It was Wednesday which meant no girls allowed?

They stopped when they got nearby the guys and stared eye to eye. Unfortunately the guys found themselves disadvantaged, the girls were kitted out in their finest workout gear, crop tops and leggings as far as the eye could see. So much skin and tight material.

"Adrien, shut your mouth. Don't let them see any weakness." Kim elbowed Adrien in the ribs. It wasn't his fault Marinette looked like a three star Michelin meal. He couldn't help licking and biting his bottom lip. She was a beautiful present, all wrapped up in the finest Lycra.

"Sorry," he mumbled, taking his eyes off Marinette and looking down to the floor. He needed to get his head in the game. After taking a few (hundred) deep breaths, he looked back up, catching the smirk placed on Marinette's lips. The girl was in a much different position to last year.

"What are you doing with Nathaniel?" Alix asked.

"Getting ready to kick your butts," Kim replied, the guys all cheered and high-fived each other. They had a winning streak to protect. This was their last year of lycée and there was no way the girls were going to beat them. They had a plan and it was awesome.

"Actually guys," Nathaniel unravelled himself from Nino's arm and stepped towards the girls, "Marinette already asked me to join them."

"Of course she did," said Max, crossing his arms over his chest. Everyone wanted Nathaniel, he was the class's hidden gem when it came to the showcase. He could sing, act and dance. Last year's win was thanks to the ridiculous high note he hit. The judges were amazed that someone so introverted could be such a star.

Adrien looked to Marinette who just shrugged, he wouldn't admit it but he was jealous. Why couldn't he be with Marinette? Why did she ask Nathaniel and not him? That girl had a devilish streak.

"Dude, you're practically green. The girls are going to know they're at an advantage." Nino looked directly at Adrien. He couldn't help wanting to be with his Lady.

"What are you doing for your act?" Ivan asked.

Mylène stepped forward and placed a finger to his chest walking them up the chest, before grabbing his collar and pulling him down, his ear level to her lips.

"If I told you, I'd have to kill you." She said, as the girls all laughed and walked into the studio, Nathaniel in tow.

"They're planning something big." Exclaimed Max.

"We need to up our game, and Agreste, stop looking like a lost puppy. You want to be with us don't you, not the girls?" Kim put his weights down and headed to the pull up bars.

Adrien grunted and jumped up onto the bars himself, pulling himself manically up and dropping down. He needed to burn off some excess energy.

"Of course, I do," he said with ease. There's no way he would let the guys know that Marinette had got under his skin. After all, they both agreed their relationship wouldn't change even though they knew each other's identities, well, until they had defeated Shadowmoth that is.

"If you're that desperate for her, just ask her out." Nino said, moving towards the rowing machine.

The others began to scramble around to find their chosen machines, toning up their musics for what would be a 'Miraculous' performance.

"So we're doing this?" Ivan asked.

"We are." The guys all agreed. The girls had no idea what was about to hit them.

•••••

"So, Bugaboo, anything you want to share?" Chat Noir stood on top of the school twirling and twisting his baton.

Ladybug stood silently looking over Paris, checking for anything out of line. She was not going to speak to him. War was happening and he was not on her side.

"Come on, LB, speak to me."

"You're the enemy Chaton, I can't allow you to sway me into telling you anything." She kept her gaze out over Paris, refusing to look at her incredibly handsome partner. She knew if she looked at Adrien she'd cave and tell him everything, they may not be together but he still had the same effect on her.

Damn Hawkmoth and his akumas.

"So, what? You're just going to ignore me for the next month?" He asked.

She shrugged her shoulders and continued her surveillance of the area, it had been eerily quiet recently.

"You've gotta be kidding me?" He placed his baton behind his back and made his way over to Ladybug.

"No, if I was kidding you, I'd tell you a joke."

He guffawed at her.

"Like you could tell a decent joke, Little Miss Serious?"

"What? Do you want to place a bet, Kitty Cat?" She said, raising her eyebrows at her feline partner. "You may have won last year with your skilful fingers, and Nathaniel's Angel voice, but this year we've got it in the bag."

"Yeah, right. What makes you so confident?"

"Wouldn't you like to know? So, how sure of yourself are you?"

They stared at each other for mere seconds before she had to turn her head away, those eyes were too much for any mortal or God. She really needed to get a hold on herself.

"What's the bet?" He asked, moving to the other side of the roof and pulling out his baton again. He wouldn't tell her but his heart was racing. Could he bet that if the boys won she'd got on a date with him? No way, that was too much. He'd be too nervous. He had to remind himself that she only sees him as a friend, and they were getting on so well now he wouldn't want to complicate it.

"If the girls win, we swap Miraculous' for a week. You get to stress, and I get to pun."

Oh! So that was how she was playing it.

"Ok, and if the boys win you go for ice cream with me," she turned around to see him look smug.

"Ice cream? Is that all? We do that every week." She laughed at him. But he wasn't finished just yet.

"Sweetheart ice cream-"

"That's not a-"

"As civilians."

Ladybug gasped. He wasn't being serious, was he?

"Like a date?" She squealed. Woah, sometimes she definitely fitted the mouse Miraculous more than the Ladybug.

"Maybe, if you're lucky enough." He dropped her a wink and extended his baton, "now don't mind me, I have rehearsals to get to."

With a quick 'weeeee' he was off, and Ladybug stood there with her jaw slack. Did she still want to win? Or did she want a date with Adrien Agreste? A warm fuzz ran through her. Even after revealing he still wanted her, and she felt great, however there was no chance she was letting his big ego win. She, herself, was not a prize and he'd learn that the hardway.

Game on.

~~~~~~~~~~~

What do you think each group are performing? There's a hint to both.