Days passed like quicksand through fingers, so fast that one couldn't grasp a trace, yet leaving vague and sticky imprints deep within the consciousness.
When Jaden woke up on Valentines Day morning, he felt as if he had just struggled ashore from a deep and chaotic sea of dreams, carrying an lingering exhaustion and bewilderment.
"A dream... that dream again."
The details of the dream were always so elusive, like mist dispelled by the morning light.
He only remembered the boundless, oppressive black and red.
A girl, her figure so familiar, much like the Guardian of Paris, Ladybug, but her demeanor was entirely different—more mature, decisive, and even carrying a hint of... dangerous charm.
And by her side, there should have been a place for Cat Noir.
But whenever he tried to clearly see Cat Noir in his dream, or tried to recall the dream's details, a violent, tidal wave of dizziness would strike, washing everything clean.
"Is it a side effect of Cataclysm? Why doesn't Adrien have this?" Jaden sat on the bed, holding his forehead, muttering to himself.
He attributed all of this to his use of power a few days ago.
He thought he had simply "destroyed" Rose's leukemia, like erasing a smudge from paper with an eraser.
But what he didn't know was that he hadn't erased the "smudge," so the backlash was eroding the memory fragments that should have been sealed in the abyss of his memory in a way he couldn't understand.
During the morning class, sunlight streamed through the tall glass windows of François Dupont High School, casting warm and lazy patches of light.
The air seemed to float with a faint, sweet scent of Valentines Day, mixed with the smell of chalk dust and old books.
Teacher Caline stood at the podium, telling an ancient fairy tale in her unique, gentle yet captivating voice: "...And so, after sleeping for a hundred years, the brave prince finally braved thorns and brambles to reach the princess's bedside.
He leaned down and gently kissed her. At that moment, a miracle occurred, the evil curse was broken, and the princess slowly opened her eyes..."
"Wow, that's the magic of love!" Rose, in the third row, clasped her hands under her chin, her eyes sparkling with dreamy light, completely immersed in the story.
On the other side, Max habitually pushed up his black-rimmed glasses and, with a rigorous scientific attitude, retorted: "From a probabilistic standpoint, the success rate of breaking an unknown magic curse through the contact of unsterilized lips approaches zero.
The reason such a plot device is popular is more because it satisfies humanity's collective subconscious projection of romanticism..."
Adrien, sitting in the first row by the door, wasn't in the mood to participate in this debate of romance versus science.
His peripheral vision uncontrollably drifted to the back row of the classroom, to the figure sprawled on the desk, seemingly indifferent to everything around him—Jaden.
Adrien's mood was complicated. Last night, when Plagg finally woke up, he almost immediately asked the question that had troubled him for days: "Jaden... what exactly did he do to you?
Why were you so weak?"
However, Plagg just tilted her small head, licking the cheese residue off her paws with a confused expression: "I don't know, I just remember that after he put me on, I felt like the power in my body was sucked away by a super-powered pump, and then I... was very sleepy, very much wanted to sleep.
As for what he did with my power, how would I know?
I can't see outside from inside the ring."
The simple answer only deepened the mystery in Adrien's heart.
What kind of person was Jaden, after all?
In the corner of the classroom, Jaden wasn't listening to the lecture. His attention was completely focused on the drawing paper in front of him. The pencil slid gently between his fingers, making a soft, subtle "shushing" sound.
On the paper, a heroic figure had already come to life. It was the black and red Ladybug from his dream, her red hair curling upwards like a ladybug's antennae, confident and flamboyant.
A black high collar connected, covering her neck, and because of the eye mask, only a pair of fiery, bright red eyes were visible on her face.
He drew with extreme fluidity, as if this image had been sketched in his mind thousands of times.
However, when he tried to draw the Cat Noir standing beside her, his pen hesitated.
"No..."
He couldn't draw it at all.
He could feel that there should be a person there, a being closely related to him, but no matter how hard he tried to recall, the outline of that figure, the details of his battle suit, or even his posture, were all shrouded in a thick fog that could never be lifted.
"I forgot..." he murmured, a strange feeling of annoyance and loss welling up in his heart like a tide.
"Ding-a-ling—"
The crisp sound of the class bell rang, startling everyone from their thoughts.
"Alright, students," Teacher Caline closed her book, a gentle smile on her face, "Today is Valentines Day. I wish you all a happy day."
The classroom instantly became lively.
"Jaden!" a sweet voice sounded beside him.
Jaden looked up and saw Rose and Juleka standing by his desk.
Rose's face was beaming with a bright smile, her short golden hair sparkling in the sunlight.
And Juleka, as always, shyly hid behind Rose, only quickly and quietly glancing at him with her deep eyes, then immediately lowering her gaze.
"Hi, Rose, Juleka." Jaden smiled at them, the frustration of not being able to draw instantly dispelled by the friendly greeting.
Rose leaned in quietly, cupping her hand to her mouth as if sharing a little secret, and whispered: "Hey, don't forget our weekend date, okay?"
"No problem." Jaden's eyes held a smile, and he winked at her, "I have a good memory, I won't forget."
"That's good!" Having received an affirmative reply, Rose, satisfied, pulled the still somewhat shy Juleka and ran off like a cheerful fawn, "Then we're off, bye!"
Aly and Mylène also said goodbye to each other, each having their own things to do.
On the other side, the atmosphere among the boys' small group was noticeably tense.
"I'm telling you, Kim, you really need to think twice about this!" Adrien pressed Kim's shoulder, his face filled with the sincerity of "I'm doing this for your own good."
He had known Chloé since childhood and knew her personality better than anyone. She was definitely not someone who could be moved by a Valentines Day gift.
"I know, I know." Kim, however, seemed unusually excited. He thumped his chest, his voice booming, "But I'm not Ivan!
I've already made full psychological preparations!
Even if she rejects me, even if she laughs at me, I will absolutely not undergo a Akumatization! I just want her to know my feelings!"
"Dude, this isn't as simple as you think." Nino also shook his head, expressing his disapproval.
Max calmly analyzed: "Based on Chloé's past behavioral patterns, the probability of positive feedback for your 'gift giving' and 'emotional expression' at this moment is less than three percent.
The probability of triggering 'verbal abuse' and 'social exclusion' is as high as ninety-four percent."
"Can't you guys have a little faith in me!" Kim grumbled indignantly.
Jaden looked at the lively scene on their side, smiling helplessly.
He turned to greet Nathan and Marc beside him, carefully tucked the drawing paper back into the depths of his desk, then slung on his bag, ready to leave.
However, just as he reached the classroom door, a proud and familiar figure, like a magnificent wall, blocked his path.
It was Chloé.
Behind her, her loyal "sidekick" Sabrina followed. Sabrina was quietly holding up her phone, the camera pointed at them.
"Jaden."
Chloé lifted her chin, speaking in her characteristic, commanding tone, but listening closely, there seemed to be a subtle, almost imperceptible hint of grievance hidden in her voice.
"It's me, my Queen." Jaden stopped, looking at her gently, "How may I be of service?"
Hearing this address, Chloé's expression softened slightly.
She pouted and complained, "Why haven't you paid attention to me these past few days? Do you know how sad I've been?"
As she spoke, she dramatically touched her forehead with the back of her hand, feigning a tearful expression, "You're so caring and concerned about other girls, why do you only ignore me?"
Jaden watched her clumsy acting, finding it somewhat amusing, but maintained a gentle smile on his face: "Then I, as your Knight, have been derelict in my duty."
He bowed slightly, apologizing sincerely.
Chloé seemed very satisfied with his attitude. Her eyes darted, and she immediately stated her request. She took a rolled-up poster from Sabrina's hand and unfurled it with a "whoosh" in front of Jaden.
On the poster, strikingly, were his two Akumatization forms—on the left, the cold and aloof "Winter Knight," and on the right, the elegant and noble "Prince of flowers."
The two images were meticulously designed and juxtaposed, full of dramatic tension.
"To punish your dereliction of duty," Chloé said in a condescending tone, "I've decided to give you a chance to make amends. Sign your name here.
Of course, also add a phrase that demonstrates your loyalty."
Sabrina immediately moved the phone camera closer, aiming it at the poster and Jaden's face.
So this was what she was waiting for. Jaden glanced at the phone camera's blinking red dot, understanding.
Without hesitation, he took the marker from Chloé's hand and, in the blank space between the two figures, signed his name with a flourish.
Immediately after, below his name, he wrote in an elegant script, stroke by stroke: "—Dedicated to my eternal, one-of-a-kind Queen."
"Done."
He capped the marker and handed the poster and pen back to Chloé, his face still bearing that unperturbed, gentle smile.
"Smart move."
Chloé took the poster and carefully examined the inscription, a triumphant, satisfied smile appearing on her face.
She and Sabrina exchanged glances, both seeing the joy and smugness in each other's eyes. With this signature and video, let's see which of those girls in school and online who coveted Jaden would dare to compete with her!
Chloé, satisfied, rolled up the poster and was about to strut off like a victorious queen when her gaze inadvertently swept over the last two people remaining in the classroom—Marinette and Alya.
They stood at the other end of the classroom, watching with complex expressions.
Chloé's lips curled into a scornful, malicious sneer.
She deliberately raised her voice, letting out a "Hmph" at the two beings who, in her eyes, were like dust on the roadside.
Then, she and Sabrina walked away laughing.
"Don't mind them, Marinette." Alya patted her friend's shoulder, a hint of indignation in her voice.
"I... I'm fine." Marinette shook her head, but her tightly clutched purse strap still betrayed her inner grievance.
She lowered her head and carefully took out another piece of paper from her purse.
It was the half-finished drawing of the black and red Ladybug that she had quietly "borrowed" from Jaden's desk after he left.
"Alya, look at this..." She handed the drawing to Alya, her voice filled with confusion and a subtle hint of anticipation, "This is... Jaden's drawing.
Why do you think he drew this?
Is he... also a fan of Ladybug, like us?"
Alya took the drawing, and as her gaze fell upon the familiar yet unfamiliar figure, her heart skipped a beat uncontrollably.
The person in the drawing was undoubtedly a variation of Ladybug. But the unique, powerful beauty depicted by Jaden's pencil, like a feather, gently yet precisely plucked the deepest chord in her heart.
A bittersweet, complex emotion quietly spread within her.
She... liked Jaden.
But she couldn't say it.
It wasn't because her best friend, Marinette, had fallen into this sweet vortex named "Jaden" earlier and deeper than her.
It was that she also didn't know how to truly voice this feeling, only...
"Wow! That's a great drawing!" Alya forcefully suppressed the turmoil in her heart, a big, vibrant smile on her face, and began to play her best role as a 'wingman'. "He definitely is!"
And look at this version he drew, it's even cooler than Ladybug herself! What does this show?
It shows that in his heart, Ladybug is such a powerful and beautiful image!"
She handed the drawing back to Marinette, then vigorously pushed her shoulder, cheering her on: "Marinette, this is your chance!
Think about it, you have a common idol! Isn't that the best topic of conversation?
Next time you see him, you can take this drawing and ask him about it, discuss Ladybug's battle suit design with him!
Oh my god, this is simply the perfect opening line tailor-made for you!"
Alya spoke with great enthusiasm, as if she had already seen Marinette and Jaden chatting happily. However, Marinette shook her head with a bitter expression, like a deflated piece of wood.
"But... Alya, I... I can't do it..." Her voice was full of frustration, "The moment I see him, my brain freezes, and my tongue gets tied... I simply... can't speak..."
She looked at the drawing in her hand, another version of herself, drawn by the hand of her crush, her heart filled with endless worries and sweet agony.
Alya looked at Marinette's appearance, the feeling of 'hating that iron can't be made into steel' almost overflowing from her chest.
She reached out and gently pinched her friend's soft cheek, her tone carrying a hint of helpless indulgence: "Alright, alright, don't look like the sky is falling.
It's just a drawing and a sentence, is it? Is it enough to make you like this?"
She knew her best friend too well. When faced with a sewing machine and design drafts, Marinette could be full of inspiration and confident like a queen;
But once things involved Jaden, her brain would immediately turn into a mess, unable to even form the simplest sentences.
"What can I do..." Marinette's voice was muffled, with a heavy nasal tone, "The moment I see him, I... I don't know what to say."
"That's why I told you to try my plan!" Alya put her arm around her shoulder, pushing her out of the school while coaxing her, "Think about it, if you were really sick, Jaden would definitely be very concerned about you.
Then you just need to lie in bed, pretending to be very weak, and when he comes to see you, you won't even need to initiate a topic, he himself will ask you a bunch of questions!
Isn't this the best chance to be alone?"
"But..." Marinette's steps were a bit hesitant, "I'm afraid I won't be able to pretend well.
Especially in front of him, what if I say the wrong thing, or... or laugh, wouldn't everything be exposed?"
Alya stopped, rolled her eyes exaggeratedly, and poked Marinette's forehead with her finger: "That's true! You, Marinette, once you see Jaden, your eyes light up so much you look like you want to weld them to him. How could you look sick at all?
At that point, let alone pretending to be sick, you'd probably do a carp jump right out of bed and ask him if he wants to eat the cookies you just baked."
This vivid teasing instantly made Marinette's cheeks flush red. She pushed Alya in annoyance: "I-it's not that exaggerated!"
The two of them chatted, laughed, and playfully walked out of the school gate.
The afternoon sun was warm and gentle, casting dappled light and shadows on the plane trees along the streets of Paris.
A faint, sweet scent, unique to Valentines Day, wafted in the air, lifting people's spirits.
Just as they reached a street corner, they happened upon a rather peculiar 'farewell ceremony'.
Max was standing there, his black-framed glasses framing a face filled with the rigor and helplessness of a scientist.
In front of him was Kim, as excited as a bull ready to charge.
"Kim, I must remind you one last time," Max pushed up his glasses, his small robot Marc hovering at his shoulder.
A series of complex data and probability charts scrolled rapidly across the screen. "According to Marc's latest emotional model analysis, combining her recent emotional fluctuations, your past failures, and the socio-psychological pressure of this special day, the probability of your confession succeeding is..."
Marc emitted a cute electronic sound, clearly reporting: "Zero point zero three percent.
Error rate plus or minus zero point zero one percent."
"See?"
Max spread his hands, "This is basically equivalent to an impossible event.
From a rational and logical perspective, I strongly advise you to terminate this operation."
"Rationality? Logic?"
Kim held the gift box, carefully wrapped in red paper, to his chest, as if holding all the courage in the world. "How can love be measured by science!
Max, don't try to dissuade me.
At worst, I'll just get scolded by her again. Anyway, I've prepared for the worst! I won't undergo a Akumatization like Ivan, I promise you!"
His gaze was firm, filled with a resolute determination to not give up until he hit a wall.
Nino and Adrien had already tried to persuade him, but seeing his stubbornness, they had no choice but to leave first.
Now, only Max remained, making this final, futile effort.
"Gossip!" Alya's reporter radar instantly activated, her eyes gleaming with curiosity.
She pulled Marinette over, asking in a tone that showed she loved to watch a good show: "Oh, who is this?
Who is the lucky girl he's going to confess to?"
As she said this, she deliberately nudged Marinette with her elbow, hoping to distract her friend with someone else's gossip.
Max was about to say "It's Chloé," but Kim, like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, quickly covered his mouth.
"Mmm mmm mmm—"
Max made meaningless protest sounds.
"It's a secret!" Kim said nervously to Alya and Marinette. Even his simple mind clearly knew that
these two girls in front of him were Chloé's "arch-rivals." If they knew his target was Chloé,
if they went to warn her or made sarcastic remarks, crushing the courage he had painstakingly mustered, then it would all be over.
"You'll... you'll know after I succeed!"
He spoke vaguely.
"Alright," Alya shrugged. Although she was a bit disappointed not to get the full scoop, she generously offered her blessings. "Good luck, go for it!"
Kim felt a surge of confidence upon hearing Alya's encouragement.
But he glanced at Max, and the courage that had just ignited was like being doused with cold water. He asked uncertainly in a low voice: "Um... Max, what if... she still rejects me?"
Max was almost driven to laughter by his friend.
He looked at Kim speechlessly: "So many people tried to persuade you just now, and you were so firm, but now that someone encourages you, you're starting to back down?
Your emotional fluctuation curve is too illogical."
Just as Kim was once again falling into a whirlpool of self-doubt, a gentle yet firm voice spoke up from the side.
"Walk forward bravely, don't be afraid of difficulties."
Everyone looked at the speaker in unison—it was Marinette.
She looked at Kim, her large blue eyes, usually tinged with shyness, now filled with sincere encouragement: "Just tell her your truest feelings, that's all.
Go for it!"
Alya listened dumbfounded.
She could hardly believe her ears.
The Marinette who had just been timid and wished to crawl into a hole when it came to speaking a single word to Jaden, was now righteously spouting 'love advice' to someone else?
She was telling others to charge bravely, yet she herself lacked the courage to even find a common topic?
This... this was simply the best irony of the year.
However, those involved were blind to the situation.
Kim didn't know these inside stories; he only felt that Marinette's words were a warm force that instantly dispelled all the unease in his heart.
"Yes! You're right!"
He nodded heavily, his eyes once again becoming incredibly firm, "I just need to tell her how I feel!"
He finally confirmed the meeting place and time with Max, then took a deep breath, and like a true warrior, ran with big strides towards The Bridge of Arts, which symbolized Parisian romance.
Watching Kim's hopeful back, Alya finally came to her senses. She leaned towards Max, curiously asking: "So, who is he going to confess to after all?"
This time, with no Kim to cover his mouth, Max blurted it out: "Chloé."
"...What?!"
Alya and Marinette's exclamations rang out simultaneously at the street corner.
The two exchanged glances, both seeing the same thought in each other's eyes: Something bad is happening, it seems we... messed up... On the other side, Chloé and Sabrina were immersed in immense joy of victory.
Jaden's video segment, "You will always be my only queen," combined with his flamboyant signature on the poster, had already caused a huge stir on Chloé's social media.
"Oh my god! Jaden said it himself! Chloé is too lucky!"
"Are Winter Knight and Prince of flowers both there for her? I'm going crazy with jealousy!"
"This is a real Valentines Day gift, okay! Those who send chocolates and roses are so weak!"
Looking at the string of envy, jealousy, and hatred in the comment section, Chloé felt all the resentment she had accumulated over the past few days vanish.
She held her chin high, as if she had returned to her queen's throne, surrounded by adoration.
"Let's go, Sabrina." She said contentedly to her follower, "Home.
I'm in a good mood today, so I'll allow you to come to my suite and watch the latest season of the fashion show together."
"Thank you, Chloé!" Sabrina said, flattered. She carried the huge poster and followed closely behind Chloé, like a loyal guard.
The two chatted and laughed as they walked towards the hotel, and their destination happened to require passing over The Bridge of Arts.
At this moment, The Bridge of Arts was bathed in the gentle golden afterglow of Valentine's evening.
The Seine River shimmered, reflecting the beautiful sunset in the sky.
The bridge railings were covered with love locks, symbolizing eternal love, making soft, pleasant clinking sounds in the breeze.
Couples in twos and threes nestled together, whispering sweet nothings, and the whole world seemed to be enveloped in a pink romantic filter.
Kim stood amidst this romantic scene, looking somewhat out of place.
He stood nervously in the middle of the bridge, clutching the gift box tightly to his chest.
His palms were already covered in a thin layer of sweat from nervousness. He occasionally adjusted his hair, tugged at the hem of his clothes, and took several deep breaths, trying to calm his heart which felt like it was about to jump out of his throat.
Just then, he saw her.
Chloé, like a true princess, was gracefully walking from the other end of the bridge. She wore a bright yellow dress, her golden curly hair flying in the evening breeze, and her whole being seemed to glow.
Kim felt his breath stop. He mustered all his courage, and just as Chloé was about to pass him, he suddenly stepped forward, spread his arms, and blocked her path.
"Chloé!"
Chloé was discussing with Sabrina which show to watch that evening when she was unexpectedly blocked by a figure.
She impatiently looked up, and when she saw that it was Kim, the pleasant expression on her face instantly vanished without a trace, replaced by undisguised disgust and contempt.
"What do you want?"
She frowned, her voice filled with cold, condescending meaning,
"Haven't you heard that a good dog doesn't block the way? Get out of my way."