Chat was acting very, very strangely
"What's up?" Carapace asked. "You okay?"

"I'm good. Fine."

"If you're sure."

"I'm very sure."

"Okay."

"Right."

The pair sat in awkward silence. "Where are Ladybug and Rena Rouge?" Carapace asked.

Chat shrugged. "I saw Ladybug near the Musée d'Orsay, but I don't know where Rena is."

"Okay."

Chat seemed distracted. He was tracing circles on his knees, thinking. "Carapace, would you want to know who each other was?"

Carapace recoiled. "Not really. That's risky. If we knew who each other was, we might trip up and say each other's names. What if Hawk Moth or an akuma heard?"

"Right." Chat said. "Carapace... I know who you are."

***

Carapace had no idea how to react. "But-I-how?"

"You said you were visiting your girlfriend." Chat said guiltily. "And I know you went to Alya Cèsaire's house."

Carapace buried his face in his hands. How could this be happening to him, the most cautious of the superheroes? The one who was always careful?

"I'm sorry, man." Chat said. "It wasn't on purpose. I knew you didn't want anyone to know."

"How do you know who's dating Alya? Are you in my class?"

Chat hesitated. "You really want to know?"

"Yes." Carapace admitted. "I need to."

"I had two best friends." Chat stated. "Then I found out they're the same person."

Bold, loud Chat Noir and quiet, kind Adrien Agreste could not be the same person.

Or could they?

"You- you aren't."

Chat nodded, understanding Carapace in a way only good friends could. "I am. Are we cool?"

"Better than cool."

***

"So, I'm going to try to get an interview with Chat Noir for the Ladyblog." Alya said. "Do you think he'll say yes?"

"I'm sure he will." Nino said. Knowing Adrien's secret identity made him feel like he carried a very big secret, even bigger than his own.

"I think I'm close to figuring out who he is!"

Nino panicked. "You can't! I mean, well, people can't know who the superheroes are! It isn't safe!"

She chuckled. "Don't worry, I wouldn't post it. It's just curiosity."

"Curiosity killed the chat."

Alya poked him. "Lighten up! I bet I can beat you at skee-ball!

"No way!"

"Yes way!" Hauling Nino after her, Alya skated across the rink towards the arcade. A year ago, he would have fallen flat on his face, but his superhero reflexes were much improved. He still wasn't as good as Alya was at roller skating, but he at least was better than Adrien.

Then again, he hadn't skated with his clumsy best friend in a long time. In fact, Adrien didn't seem very clumsy anymore.

One of the skee-balls was already taken- by Max and Kim. Internally groaning, since he knew how competitive Kim was, Nino said hi.

"Hello Nino, Alya." Max said. "I've created a formula to ensure that the sore ball earns 100 points every time. Want to see?"

"Definitely!" Alya said. Like Kim, Alya was very competitive. 

"Kim will throw the ball at a 38 degree angle, along the right side. He'll aim just to the left of the hole... et voilà!"

Kim sunk the ball in the hole; Alya and Nino clapped appreciatively. "That's amazing!"

Max shrugged modestly. "Thank you, but it requires some tuning. There are always flaws."

"Want to have a competition?" Kim asked.

"No, thanks," Alya said politely, "I already promised Nino."

"Oh, are you guys on a date?" Kim asked teasingly.

"Yes." Nino said. "We are."

Alya nudged him and he grinned sheepishly at her. "See you dudes later?"

"Sounds good." Max said, before Kim could reply. "Have fun."

"Oh, we will," said Alya. To Nino, she declared "You're going down!"

***

Alya was right. Despite valiant effort, Nino lost terribly. Grinning, Alya skipped around the table with her arms in the air. "Ha ha! You owe me a soda!"

"Fine," Nino grumbled, pretending to be upset. Alya was amazing at everything. He still didn't know why she had agreed to go out with him. With her hair in a ponytail, she looked even prettier. "Lemon or lime?"

"Lime. What did the lemon say to the lime?"

"I dunno, what?"

"Sour you doing?"

Nino chuckled gamely. "That reminds me of something-"

He cut himself off. That reminds me of something Chat would say. He couldn't say that to Alya. Nino Lahiffe didn't know Chat Noir.

Alya was still staring. "That reminds me of something my cousin would say." He finished lamely. "I'll go buy that soda."

He walked over to the snack bar, cursing himself. "A lime soda, please."

The bored looking cashier glanced up. "2 euros." Nino fished out a bill, and the cashier reached under the counter for the soda. "Say, do you know that pretty girl over there?" He pointed to Alya.

Nino glared. The cashier put his hands in the air. "Sorry, man. Didn't know."

Alya was waving at Nino. "Not a problem, dude." Nino replied grudgingly, picking up the soda. Alya was pretty.

Besides, he knew now to always be careful not to offend people. You never knew who could become the next akuma.

"Hey," Alya said, grinning up him apologetically, "I'm going to have to take that soda to go. Walk me to my street corner?"

"Sure." Awkwardly, Nino fumbled with the laces of his skates. He looked up to find that Alya already had her skates off and was putting on her shoes. Groaning, he attacked the laces with vigor.

"Step back, idiot, I got it." Alya said. She squinted in concentration, using her long nails to separate the laces.

"Thanks." Nino told her sheepishly. He pulled his shoes on and they walked out of the roller rink; Alya held the door for Nino.

The late evening darkened the sky, but not the street; the store windows cast golden light on the sidewalk. Alya and Nino walked side by side, happily glancing into the shops. Alya exclaimed over the bakeries full of delicate pastries; Nino peered eagerly into the music store. "Maybe I should try the accordion!" He joked.

Alya laughed at the thought. Before he could work up the courage to grab her hand, she took his. Nino's cheeks went pink, but he managed to smile down at her. "I had a great time." He said awkwardly.

"Really? Why were you glaring at the cashier?"

Nino scowled slightly. "He said you were pretty."

"Were you ready to fight and defend me?"

"No way. You could beat him up faster than I could, if you wanted."

"And that's why you're the best." Alya said, stopping. They had reached the corner. "You never treat me as less than I am."

"Why would I? You're one of the most amazing people I've ever met."

Alya kissed him on the cheek. "I'll see you tomorrow."

He stood there awkwardly even after she was gone. "Right. See... see you."