Arya flies out of my bag once we get back home. "Was that really the smartest idea?" She asks me. "Why not?" I shrug. "Like anyone will know what I meant by 'say hi to Sass for me' except for him. The only other people who know are Ladybug and Chat Noir. For all anyone else would know, Sass could be a nickname, it could be a euphemism, it could be a pet, nobody's even gonna care."

"That's not what I meant," Arya shook her head. "Is it a good idea to let Viperion know you know who he is?" "Why not? He's chill," I shrug. "Besides, I can use it as blackmail if he decides to say anything to Rena Rouge about that poem."

"You're actually gonna blackmail him with his identity?!"

"Kidding, kidding!" I assure her honestly. "Okay, I might threaten to do it, but I never would. Promise. I know how important their identities are." "Good," Arya sighs in relief. "So what other identities do you know?"

"Just Ryuko left now," I reply. "I'm not in any rush to find out, though." "Good," Arya nods. "Right, let's do something else now. What do you wanna do?"

"I should probably study, to be honest," I sigh. "I've got that test coming up and I suck at trigonometry." "You don't suck at it, you just need help!" Arya assures me. "I'll help as best as I can!"

"Thanks, Arya," I smile, gently hugging her. "No problem, Esme!" She replies happily. "Now come on, the sooner we start the sooner it's over!"

~•~

I'm starting to get burnt out on my homework - so, like, five minutes in - when I hear a familiar melody coming from upstairs. I guess Viperion's back again.

"My eyes can't help but linger when you walk into the room~"

I immediately shoot up when I realise what he's singing. "Oh, son on a-!" I run upstairs, hoping to be able to stop him in time. Who knows who might tell Rena Rouge?!

"Kiss me, hold me, at the midnight hour~"

"Esme, wait up!" Arya flies after me. "What's wrong?" "If Rena Rouge hears this song, Alya will know!" I point out, hurrying up the stairs.

"You're playing with my heartstrings without any care~"

I rush up the stairs, unable to help but freeze in panic when I see Chat Noir, Carapace, Ladybug and even Rena Rouge herself. She's smiling, like the rest of them, enjoying the song. Viperion has a genuinely innocent look on his face, like he hasn't a clue what he's about to do. I'm too late to stop him.

"If you would say you loved me, Little Miss Césaire~"

"AAAAAHHHHSCREAMING!!!"

My attempt to sacrifice my dignity and just drown out the noise in whatever way possible was a few seconds too late. Everyone gasps, causing Viperion to stop abruptly. "What? Is something wrong?" Viperion asks, frowning. There's a moment of silence and stillness, nobody daring to break it until Rena Rouge slowly gets up. "I can't... I can't deal with this any more..." she heads out to the balcony, looking tearful and confused.

My heart shatters. Was it really that bad? Or is it just coming from Viperion? Either way, my lyrics made her cry and I can't just leave it at that.

"What happened with Rena Rouge?" I ask, pretending to have only just shown up. Viperion looks very guilty. "I... I don't know. I was just sharing the song and she left when I mentioned-... oh..."

Shoot, he worked it out.

"Not one word," I sigh, hurrying out to the balcony. Rena Rouge is just leaving. I missed her! "She's gone..." I sigh, looking down. "But we can go after her, if you'd like!" Arya suggested. "I wanna make sure she's okay, too!"

"Sounds good to me," I nod eagerly, not looking away from where Rena disappeared from my sight. "Arya, spread my wings!" In a flash, I've become Cygnet and I start flying. It seems Rena Rouge has decided to detransform, judging by the flash in an alley. But where's Alya?

I land on a rooftop, glancing down for the dustrose-haired girl with the red checkered shirt. "Hm..."

Someone taps my shoulder. I glance up in surprise, only to see Viperion. "Jeez, you scared the hell out of me! What's up?"

"I just wanted to apologise for sharing that song with the others. I didn't realise that it was Rena Rouge." "Just... don't tell anyone, okay?" I sigh. "Nobody can know who she is."

He sits down and gestures for me to do the same. "I would never, I promise. Her secrets are safe with me. And yours, as far as I can keep them now."

I don't reply, just look down at the crowds below us. "... so, Rena, huh?" He comments, trying to make conversation to break the awkward silence between us. "Yeah," I sigh, unable to look him in the eye. "She's a good choice," Viperion nods. "And I think she likes you too, if that helps at all."

"I wish," I sigh. "She's perfect! Absolutely amazing! She's freaking Rena Rouge! How am I supposed to compete with that?"

"By being Cygnet," Viperion replies simply. "You're an amazing person too, Esme. Don't think you need to compare yourself to her. You're both great in your own ways, don't let it get you down." I nod slowly, not really seeing it that way, but feeling it'd be rude to be honest about that. He's just trying to make me feel better. "Mm... thanks, Viperion." "Any time," he smiles.

I'm startled when my phone rings. I take it out, glancing at it with a frown. "It's Marinette..."

Hey, Alya wanted some help babysitting her little sisters but I can't make it. Think you can handle it?

Are you sure she'll want me over there rn?

She could use a friend rn

A good friend?

Exactly

Adrien?

You, you idiot! Go to her, lol

Fine, text me her address. But I blame you if this goes wrong

I'm willing to take that risk lol

"What is it?" Viperion asks. "Looks like I now have to go help my friend Alya babysit..." I murmur. "Crazy timing, right?" "Yeah," Viperion frowned. "Marinette told you?"

"Yeah, she and Alya are best friends, so..." "Right, you'd better get going, then," Viperion nods, then heads off. "Later," I smile, then double check the address Marinette texted me before I fly off to Alya's.