Chapter Text
Adrien loved Saturdays. Or rather he was regaining his love for Saturdays. Since becoming Chat Noir nearly two months prior, Adrien never took any amount of free time for granted and with his Father cutting back on filling his schedule to the brim with just about everything he wanted to savor the moments of just doing nothing now that he could afford too.
Unfortunately this particular Saturday was not one of those times.
Dressed in an all-white suit and tie and standing next to Kagami, wearing a knee-length red dress with flower attachments on her left shoulder, the two teens both were thinking the same thing.
Please let me be anywhere but here.
Tomoe Tsurugi stood not too far from them, speaking with investors and the like about the latest Tsurugi Industries was offering, namely the reason for the whole event. Tatsu was an intricate piece of software and hardware making up the self-driving aspect of the Tsurugi self-driving car. For over a decade the technology had been developed and tested, eventually reaching the point where the prototype was Mme. Tsurugi’s personal transport.
“So…” Adrien tried to make small talk. “Your dress looks nice.”
“Thank you.” Kagami’s response was curt and to the point. Adrien looked around the room awkwardly in the following silence. “Your suit is cleanly made.” He realized Kagami was no better at small talk than he was. “I did not interact with many others my age back home. I apologize if my conversation skills are lacking.”
“I mean, I haven’t talked to anyone my age besides Chloé since I was five until this year.” He let a strained laugh out, the revelation of why this was still haunting him a bit.
“She is the one from the fashion show, with the horse tail? Her mother is unkind.” Adrien frowned.
“I don’t think either of us understood how awful she was. I can’t even blame her for wanting approval.” Kagami looked to her own Mother as Adrien said this, a brief crack in her stoic mask showing itself before sealing back up. “Also the word you were looking for was ponytail.” She raised a brow in confusion at the statement.
“Is that not what I said?”
“Tsurugi.” The two kids were pulled from their conversation as the name was called out, accompanied by the murmurs and shifting of the crowd. A man with sharp cheeks, piercing blue eyes, and sheer white hair flanked by two bodyguards were approaching Tomoe. He wore a clean white suit with an off-white vest, white dress pants and white dress shoes. It was almost blinding to look directly at him.
“Richard-san.” Tomoe nodded in the direction of the voice.
“I must say, I am impressed how far this little investment has come.” Richard looked over the marvel of engineering. “And all it took was a little push. ” There was something about the way he had said that which caused Adrien to feel unease. Tomoe, additionally, seemed to stiffen a little in an almost imperceptible manner. The same reaction and composure could be seen in Kagami.
“Yes…I suppose it did.” Mme. Tsurugi’s response was terse. She knew what he was doing, none too pleased with the game he had rigged. “Excuse me, Sphinx, I have some last minute things to check up on for Tatsu’s demonstration.” She could almost feel the smirk on his lips in that moment.
“By all means, don’t let me keep you.” As he turned to leave, something dropped from his person. With the ambient noise, no one really noticed save for one.
“Kagami, I appear to have dropped something. Please hand it to me.” Complying, the Tsurugi heir picked up a small black USB that lay not too far from where her mother stood. A reasonable distance for something to have gone if her Mother dropped it. Taking her place back at Adrien’s side, Kagami tried to keep the earlier energy going, but the arrival of Richard Sphinx had soured her mood too much.
“Mme. Tsurugi?” The matron turned to where Adrien’s voice had spoken up. “Would it be alright if I took Kagami to get some air, maybe lunch too?” Tomoe had this odd look of regret and guilt on her face, but schooled it quickly.
“This is acceptable.” She paused. “Kagami, if you do not feel up to it, you do not have to come back when you are finished.” Surprise was clear as day on Kagami.
“Thank you, Mother.” She gave a polite bow and was ushered out with Adrien by the Gorilla, a small smile on her face. As the two left the hall, Kagami looked to Adrien. “Where shall we go? Or did you not expect to get this far?” The boy let out a snort, shaking his head.
“Have you been to Tom & Sabine’s? It’s not exactly lunch but they make the best baked goods in Paris.” The name tickled with familiarity in Kagami’s mind, but she was unsure as to why. When they arrive it becomes apparent. She had passed this place before, the first time being the day she became Riposte. Stepping inside was itself an experience. The smells of fresh bread, the warmth of the atmosphere. A woman came out from the back with a tray of goodies.
“I’ll be with you in a mo- Oh, Adrien. How are you doing dear?” Adrien waved to Sabine as the group shuffled to the counter.
“Hey Sabine. We just needed some air, and some delicious treats.” He smiled. “This is my friend, Kagami.” The girl bowed slightly.
“Adrien has spoken highly of this establishment, Madam.” Sabine shook her head.
“None of that Madam stuff, you may call me Sabine. My husband, Tom, and I like to have familiarity with our customers.” Kagami nodded, the sound of footsteps catching her attention from the back.
“Maman, I’m going out-” Marinette appeared and froze in place seeing the trio before her. Adrien gives a wave to her, oblivious to the way her face becomes flushed, while Kagami finds herself somewhat envious of the reaction.
“Hiiiii, welcome to Bakery, I live here!” While Marinette was rebooting, Sabine offered up some recommendations to Kagami who, in fairness, did not actually know what half the menu even was and trusted the woman’s suggestions while Adrien asked for a couple croissants and a variety pack of Macarons. Maurice indicated he wanted some of the freshly made treats that were just brought out before paying. Marinette, feeling extremely embarrassed, tried to slink out the door unnoticed.
“Marinette,” Kagami’s voice momentarily startled the girl. “It was lovely to see you.” Marinette just shook her head dumbly, Kagami pleased to see that it was not just Adrien who could turn Marinette pink.
“Yep, me too!” Hastily exiting in a bi-panic, Marinette began to power walk out the door and down the street.
Blueprints flashed on the screen. Though the recipient could not view the images, the database downloading them could. A mix of audio and specially designed tactile feedback informed the human element to what exactly she had been given. Mme. Tsurugi was many things. A business woman, a fencer, a mother. Terrorist was not something she considered herself, but that’s what would happen if she brought these creations to life. There was hardly a choice on her part; She was in far too deep to back out and doing so would risk everything she’d worked for. It would also risk her daughter. She knew she was strict, perhaps more than she should be, but she refused to let the world tear down Kagami the way it tried to tear down her.
Her entire life she pushed herself to prove she was not just good, but the best. Growing up as a woman in a country that viewed her existence as fit for more ‘traditional roles’ made the task herculean. She became a world champion fencer despite mockery that no one would want to marry a sword wielding harpy. Tomoe was fine with this as she wasn’t interested in anyone who was so fragile as to be emasculated by her martial prowess. She pursued a career in business and met her husband because of it. He took her seriously rather than simply humor her, creating one of the most successful tech industries in the world. She gave birth to a healthy daughter, having so much of her father in those eyes of hers.
Then she met Sphinx. He had shares in the company, enough to be on the board. He was also a supplier of the majority of materials for Tsurugi Industries. This made it very difficult to shoot down any ideas he had. Except for one. In no uncertain terms, he was shot down by Mme. Tsurugi, unwilling to agree to the terms. Sphinx told her to think about it.
“Just don’t take too long, who knows what could happen.”
To this day she still has no idea how he’d orchestrated it all; With her husband on life support and her vision gone, Tomoe could not afford to give him a reason to do it again.
Richard Sphinx. Business Mogul and Crime Lord. He fiddled with the brooch, fingers gliding over the smoothness of the gemstone. It was unlike anything he’d ever seen before. It matched no known type of jewel, the metal holding it matching no known element. When he’d found the trinket many years ago he’d almost foolishly passed it up. A soft, lavender form floated nearby; A pitiable creature not of this world or any other silently watched their ‘master’.
“Nooroo,” The being flinched at its name. “It’s been nearly three months now since the heroes showed up. Untrained, unprepared, and yet…” The anger in his voice swelled. “I am no closer to my goal than I was when I started!” Nooroo simply stayed quiet, trying to preserve themselves from being lashed out at.
“I need an edge, something to put the pressure on them until Tsurugi finishes the plans I left for her. I am lucky that the Peacock hasn’t summoned any beasts yet, though Agreste’s involvement continues to be a thorn in my side for taking my true prize. Perhaps I should look at some of my…other assets.” He looked at the Lavender Kwami expectantly, awaiting a response.
“I-I would advise against it, Master. The Miraculous aren’t meant to be used in such a way. It could cause irreparable harm to-” The godling flinched as Sphinx barked out a laugh.
“What is reward without a little risk? If I intend to make my wish, I need the power to take it. Besides, don’t you want to see your little friends again?” Nooroo looked away, wishing silently that the man who found their Miraculous fifteen years ago had not done so. A pawn shop in Shanghai, the owner just as terrible as their master. They shuddered to think what would have happened if he’d bother to remove the Miraculous from the box. Then again, they couldn’t imagine anyone as terrible as Richard Sphinx. Business Mogul, Crime Lord, Hawk Moth.