The transparent cube shimmered, then dissolved into faint, sparkling light. Cat Noir stretched, a theatrical yawn escaping him.
"You really saved our fur back there, Kamen Rider," Cat Noir purred, offering a relieved grin. "Ladybug owes you one, for sure."
Marinette, now free, let out a soft sigh, her shoulders relaxing from their tense posture. A subtle flicker of guilt crossed her face as Cat Noir mentioned Ladybug. Gavv registered it, a quiet observation.
"Where is Ladybug?" Gavv asked, his voice low. "She was not here."
"Oh, My Lady had an important secret mission," Cat Noir replied, shrugging his shoulders with a casual ease. "She told me she couldn't join me."
Marinette looked away when Cat Noir mentioned Ladybug's secret mission, her expression unreadable.
Gavv turned to Marinette,
"Your plan was incredibly dangerous," he stated, his voice firm, leaving no room for argument. "You should not put yourself in such situations."
Marinette looked down at the boat's deck, her shoulders slumping slightly.
"I only wanted to help Nathaniel," she mumbled, her voice small. "He just needed someone to understand him."
"Besides," Marinette continued, looking up at Gavv with a small, defiant smile playing on her lips, "don't I have you, Cat Noir, and even Ladybug to look after me?" She winked, trying to diffuse the lingering tension.
Her optimism frustrated and endeared him. He couldn't stay angry.
"I can take you home," Gavv offered, the words a quiet promise of safety.
Marinette shook her head.
"I can walk back by myself," she said.
Marinette hopped off the boat, her pigtails swaying with her determined stride. Gavv watched her go, his golden visor tracking her until her figure disappeared into the Parisian night, ensuring her safe passage. He turned to Cat Noir, offering a final, silent nod of acknowledgment. Then, with a fluid movement, Gavv leaped from the boat. He landed softly on the riverbank and de-transformed in the deep shadows beneath the bridge. Jazik emerged, his indigo eyes fixed on the direction Marinette had taken, a lingering worry etched into his features.
Jazik reached into his Gavv organ, pulling out three small Gochizos. Each one was a soft blue gummy bear with stretchy arms, their tiny faces showing cheerful determination.
"Marinette," Jazik said, his voice quiet. "Follow her. Make sure she arrives home safely. Do not let her see you."
The three Poppingummy Gochizos bobbed their heads, their gummy bodies jiggling with enthusiasm.
( ๑ ˃̵ᴗ˂̵)و < GUMMY! GUMMY!
They zipped away into the night, their translucent forms nearly invisible against the city's glow. Jazik watched them go, a faint tension easing from his shoulders. He trusted them to watch over her, even when he could not be there himself.
…
The next day at school, the cafeteria buzzed with the usual lunchtime chatter and the clatter of trays. Alya cornered Marinette near the juice machine, her phone already recording, a keen glint in her eyes.
"Alright, girl, spill it," Alya urged, her voice low and excited. "You were right there, practically front row for the Evillustrator's takedown. What was it like being rescued by Cat Noir and Kamen Rider?"
Marinette shrugged, a little too casually.
"Oh, you know, just another Tuesday in Paris," Marinette said, trying to sound nonchalant, her gaze drifting around the room. "The usual. They showed up, did their hero thing, and everything was fine."
"I was worried," Jazik admitted softly, his voice barely above a murmur. "It seemed very dangerous."
"Don't worry so much," Marinette quickly replied, her smile tight around the edges. "I told you, I had the heroes. Everything was fine."
"You almost got erased yesterday, Marinette," Jazik pointed out, his tone even, but a subtle worry etched into his features. "You are quite clumsy. That is dangerous when Akumas are nearby."
"Hey, I am not clumsy!" Marinette protested, her hands going to her hips. "Just... spirited."
Suddenly, Adrien appeared beside them, his presence bright and unexpected. "Hi, Marinette! Hi, Jazik! What's up?"
"Wahhhh! A-A-Adrien!" Marinette shrieked, startled, spinning around with wide eyes. A flush instantly spread across her cheeks as she faced Adrien, her composure completely shattered.
Adrien's question hung in the air, a bright, innocent query Marinette was clearly unequipped to answer. Jazik watched, a faint sense of quiet dread settling in his chest. Marinette, usually so articulate with her friends, seemed to melt into a puddle of stammered syllables around Adrien. It was a phenomenon he had observed before.
"I heard about your adventures with Cat Noir yesterday. Were you scared?" Adrien asked, his green eyes gentle.
Marinette flailed her hands, her pigtails swinging wildly. Her words tumbled out, a chaotic string of sound.
"Me, scared? Pfft, it was a dream. I mean, you're a dream. I mean, in your dreams! Huh? Oh, this is a nightmare…"
The word vomit was truly something to witness, a pure, unfiltered expression of internal panic. Jazik had rarely seen anyone so thoroughly sabotage themselves with words alone.
"Okay…" Adrien paused, a polite smile on his face, though a hint of confusion touched his eyes. "So, what do you think about Cat Noir? Was he awesome?"
Marinette's face turned an even deeper shade of red.
"I mean, sure! Yeah, but not as awesome as you, of course. Because, who could be? You're the most awesome of awesome."
"Okay…" Adrien said, giving Marinette a polite, almost bewildered pat on the shoulder.
The school bell rang, its shrill tone slicing through the air and signaling the start of class.
"Good job on the presentation, Jazik," Adrien said, offering a small, appreciative nod.
"Do you want to hang out for lunch, Jazik?" Adrien asked, his tone friendly and open.
"I will," Jazik replied, a quiet acceptance in his voice.
"Great!" Adrien said, his smile bright. He then turned and headed toward his class.
Marinette froze, her hand flying to her chest, covering the spot where Adrien's hand had briefly rested. A soft, reverent whisper escaped her lips.
"I am never washing this jacket again."
Jazik simply looked at her, his expression unreadable.
"That is rather creepy," Jazik observed, his voice completely flat.
"It is not!" Marinette snapped, her face flushing again, a mix of embarrassment and indignation.
***
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