The Summer Festival // A Lukanette/Adrinette Story

Chapter 16: The Decision

Kagami's POV:

When I was younger, my mom spent an entire night screaming at the walls in my house.

Cursing the world, crying out in rage...as if somehow all her shameful words could bring him back.

It was an unusual, eery sight I have to admit.

After all, Tomoe Tsurugi was a woman of power.

The type that was revered by everyone around her, who once had all the men wrapped around her fingers, who despite her disability had conquered the world around her.

A fencing legend at 16. A distinguished scholar at 21. One of the most famous entrepreneurs in Tokyo at 25.

She expected nothing less from her only daughter.

Yet there she was that Wednesday night, sobbing on the steps of the now seemingly empty mansion.

My Grandfather's speech to my mom that night echoed in my ears now.

The way I had agreed in silence back then, shocked by the weakness displayed by the woman I was supposed to become one day, threatening to unnerve me.

Had never been able to wrap my head around how such a display of emotions could occur nor why my mom always kept me away from other people her age after that incident, even after we packed our bags and left for Paris that fateful week.

"Falling in love will destroy you Kagami. Never forget it."

Now it was as if all the pieces of the puzzle had somehow clicked, my body trembling as I entered hastily into my hotel room. I could feel the tears leaving a trail on my still burning cheeks, both the embarrassment and shock coursing through my body.

"Hello, Kagami" Someone says and I shiver turning to see my mother sitting next to the man who I now recognized as Adrien's father.

"I am so sorry, hahaue. I wasn't aware you were in a business meeting. I will leave immediately." I respond quietly, bowing as deeply as humanly possible and praying my long-perfected politeness will mask both my tears and the slight stutter I developed when I usually drank too much.

"That won't be necessary Miss Tsurugi. In fact, I was wishing to speak to you directly." Gabriel Agreste drawls and I rise up quickly, blinking away the remaining tears as the room spins around me, ready to come up with any possible excuse to escape this situation.

"I apologize, but I had agreed to practice my fencing technique at the ballroom downstairs if there is any chance..." I start, but the man raises his hand I keep quite his eyes on mine.

"It is alright. I know what has happened between you and my son earlier today. I am just here to make an offer." This comment immediately sobers me up my eyes darting to my mother who had stiffened considerably at the mention of Adrien. Just thinking about him brought a new wave of emotions to me, the previous grief rapidly turning into a burning sensation in my gut, a desire to take action. It was as if someone had struck a match and somehow my mind was on fire preparing for the upcoming explosion.

However, the explosion didn't arrive just then.

Instead, Gabriel Agreste takes out a brooch from his suit pocket and offers it to me, both my mother and him waiting silently as I gingerly take it between my hands.

It was shaped like a peacock's feathers and if it wasn't because of the conflicting emotions currently invading my body, I would've found it beautiful.

"I need a favor from you Kagami. You are the strongest fighter in Paris, a prodigy waiting to happen. However, your power is limited to your normal abilities, limited to just the simplicity of everyday life...Alone, unwanted, it must be difficult being the only heiress to such a fortune, to such a legacy even." He pauses then, his words reluctantly striking a chord within me.

"Nonetheless, if you work with me to stop Ladybug and Chat Noir, I assure you that won't be the case. You will be seen as a hero in the public eye. Once the world gets to see the true powers of the miraculous those two teenagers will be forgotten and will instead be despised for withholding such treasures from us all. You will be the savior, not only for me but for them as well." My eyes widen at this revelation, my body going on autopilot as I take a step back realizing I was in front of Hawkmoth himself. There was a certain allure to his words, but it wasn't enough to convince me, the proposal catching me off guard.

How did he know about what had happened with Adrien? 

Did Adrien know his dad was Hawkmoth himself? 

"I see you're hesitant and I understand. It must be quite a shock after the events of today. Well, let me let you in on a secret. I know my son like I know the palm of my hand. The way he worships Ladybug is even surprising to me. Are you sure you don't wish to collaborate and take Ladybug's place? Don't you want to be the star of the show for once in your life? To not live in your mother's shadow?" 

The wave of anger rise up again at this question, the comment regarding my mother hitting me harder than anything regarding Adrien. There was that memory again, with my Grandfather and my mother, but this time it was like an epiphany. His words and her own response taking on a life of their own, somehow carving a path for me. 

My mother stands up then ready to retort and stop the conversation, but I start speaking before she does my words final as I wrap my fingers around the brooch.

"I've made my choice." 

((Celsin's Note - 3 am:

50 thousand words

50 freaking thousand

Wow. Even I am surprised at how far down this rabbit hole I've fallen. I've been writing fanfictions since I was 11 and I never thought they'd get so far, much less that I'd still be writing at 17 years old since The Spring Ball was written as satire to piss off a friend. But here we are and I am honestly so grateful for every single reader who takes their time to read my stories, vote, and comment. In fact, the only reason I'm still here is because of the occasional "please update" comment that reminds me there are in fact humans still on wattpad. But anyways hope you guys enjoyed this chapter, clearly some of you are going to throw me in a fire pit or throw a party cause I did the thing, but well those are the perks of being a wattpad author. Have a nice night?? and see you soon :))