LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 27: "Rising Despair"
The warm scent of fresh bread and pastries wafted through the classroom. Marinette's father, Tom Dupain, stood at the front of the room with an enormous grin, his chef's hat towering as high as his enthusiasm.
"Today, class, we're going to learn how to bake something delicious!" Tom announced, holding up a tray of perfectly golden croissants as though presenting a work of art.
The class murmured with varying degrees of interest. Most seemed eager to trade a typical lecture for something more hands-on, but one face in particular was scrunched with visible disdain. Chloé Bourgeois, arms crossed and nose wrinkled, leaned back in her chair as though the mere act of being present offended her.
I couldn't help but smile in my head as I watched her exaggerated performance. She looked at the provided aprons like they were biohazard suits, and when Tom began talking about the importance of hygiene—tying back hair, washing hands—she groaned loudly enough to draw a few amused glances. Luka noted her annoyance with an entertained curiosity; she really was an open book.
Then came the fire alarm.
The shrill sound filled the room, and Marinette's head snapped up. "It was Chloé!" she whispered loudly to Alya, who nodded but reminded her they had no evidence.
I glanced toward the blonde, who was idly inspecting her nails with an innocent expression so exaggerated it could've been painted on.
The principal stormed into the room moments later. "Who pulled the fire alarm?" he demanded, arms crossed. Silence followed. No one stepped forward, though all eyes flicked toward Chloé at least once.
"Fine. If no one wants to confess, the entire class will stay after school to clean."Chloe stood up in protest crossing her arms "I'm sure my daddy wouldn't appreciate you making false accusations." He paused for a second, "Except you, Chloé." Chloé smiled smugly, a satisfied glint in her eye as her classmates groaned and muttered complaints under their breath. I slightly leaned forward in his chair, watching her with calm. She was digging herself into a hole, but for now, I decided to let her.
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Later, with a mop in hand, Luka observed Chloé carefully. She was sitting on a bench, idly scrolling on her phone while the rest of them worked. Her attitude grated on everyone, and Luka could feel the tension building like a storm waiting to break.
His gaze shifted as he heard a small commotion nearby. Rose had accidentally knocked over a bucket of soapy water, splashing it everywhere. Before Rose could apologize, Chloé let out a loud laugh. "Wow, Rose, how predictable. Maybe next time try not to be so clumsy?"
Adrien, who had been quietly mopping nearby, straightened and turned to Chloé with a rare expression of anger. "That's enough, Chloé," he said firmly.
She blinked at him, clearly caught off guard. "What? It's true."
"Was it also true that you pulled the fire alarm?" Adrien's voice was sharp, and the entire room fell silent.
Chloé's eyes widened, but she recovered quickly, tossing her hair. "Oh, please. Everyone was getting dirty baking. How is mopping any different?"
Adrien sighed, his shoulders slumping slightly. "Chloé, how long have we been friends?"
She looked at him suspiciously. "Since we were tots, obviously. Why does it matter?"
"It matters because I'm telling you right now that if you don't start treating people better, I don't think I can be your friend anymore."
The words hung in the air, and for the second time now, Luka saw a crack in Chloé's armor. Her confidence faltered, and she looked away, fiddling with the hem of her designer jacket. Luka filed the moment away, already thinking about how he could use it.
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An invitation arrived the next day, slipped neatly into my locker. The cardstock was embossed with gold, the handwriting as delicate as it was formal. Chloé Bourgeois cordially invites you… The party was clearly a grand gesture, a last-ditch effort to prove to Adrien she could change. Luka knew how this story ended in the original timeline—in failure. But Chloé wasn't just another classmate to him. She was a piece in his game, and he wasn't about to let her fail.
Chloé's party was as over-the-top as expected, complete with ice sculptures, gourmet catering, and live music. She floated through the crowd, trying—and failing—to come across as genuinely kind. Luka watched her carefully greet and check up on everyone at the party, staying just close enough to step in if needed.
Although it was slightly obvious to some she wasn't actually attempting to be a better person most fell for it as if Chloe was never a bad person to begin with. But her stunt was a big opportunity for me.
The moment came when Kim noticed the small, plush bear Chloé's butler was clutching tightly and speaking to her with. "Hey, is that yours?" he asked with a laugh.
Chloé's cheeks turned bright red snatching the bear from the hands of the butler who'd been holding it up for all to see. But before anyone else could react, I stepped forward, a calm smile on my face. "Actually, it's mine," he said, taking the bear from Chloé's hands with practiced ease. "She was holding it for me. Thanks, Chloé."
The tension dissolved as quickly as it had appeared, the smarter people here thinking Chloe was just being unusually kind again.
Chloé shot him a look that was equal parts gratitude and suspicion. Luka gave her a small nod. This was her moment to prove herself, and he wasn't about to let it slip away-------------------------
The party had come to a close everyone began exiting collectively and calmly, still somewhat enamored by how enjoyable the party was.
I sat near the exit of the building saying my goodbyes to Marinette and Alya who'd came up to me.
Chloe and her butler, A-Arm, something I hadn't bother to know his name. Had disappeared for quiet a while now. After the scene with her favorite stuffed toy she hadn't been seen by anyone.
I decided not to go look for her but something that had been looming in my head for a while now.
Luka looked throughout the entire Le Grand Paris luxury hotel searching every inch of the floor plan. In one room he found Chloe's dog Sabrina doing her homework, In another miraculous merch scattered in the corner of the place, and finally he saw it.
Flying away out of the window was a purple akuma flapping wildly looking for it's next target. Before It fully got away I closed my eyes and focused. Not being able to achieve my goals, and potential unbeatable threats filled my mind with negative emotion.
Quickly opening my eyes I saw the akuma directly in front of my face, my reaction began kicking in and I dodged with a falling crouch reaching in my hand up towards the insect.
Successfully grabbing the Akuma in my palm I wondered and contemplated on what to do with it. It theory the butterfly should stay an akuma forever even when Gabriel isn't in his Hawkmoth state but I wasn't fully sure and if he is in his Hawkmoth form he'd have the full capability to disarm this temporary powerup.
Regardless it's still useful to me. Without my miraculous in possession, and with the majoirty of my allies still weak I'd need this edge to sustain my control just incase something unpredictable happened
With this I took my leave from the hotel with Chloe now inching into my mind.