Chapter 23: Different point of view

(A/N: It's about time I did this!)

(Bridgette's pov)

As I lay in bed, looking into my black phone screen, I could help but cry. It wasn't sad crying... it was happy crying. I was so relieved Marinette was alive. More than that, Mari looked genuinely well. She looked and sounded like she loved life again, something I had feared she lost. Her friends seem excellent. And that guy she was with, Akira, I think, stood by her side and supported her. She definitely has a crush on him, and who wouldn't? He looked like a snack... if I do say so myself~ But, I won't steal my cousin's guy.

I'm glad she got over Adrien... he was a spineless coward when it came to that Lila b****. Admittedly, I'm also losing interest in Felix. The guy is an a**hole, and I don't know what I saw in him, to begin with. I need to find a way to go to Japan to visit Mari... but how? It'll look suspicious if I suddenly leave for Japan for no reason. Wait... Maybe Luka and Kagami can help me! They were the ones who helped Mari get to Japan... I'm sure they would help me! I spent the rest of the early hours of the morning lying in bed, planning what to do.

When my alarm rang for 6:30, I was awake and ready to go to Paris. I pulled out my phone and bought a ticket to the next Star Train ride to Paris. My parents will be gone for a while, so I have time (I also have my own bank account, with all the money I gained from commissions in it). The next train is to leave at noon, I have time! I remember having a conversation with Kagami and Luka after Mari's funeral... I think they gave me their phone numbers... Let's see... I scrolled through my phone's contacts, and there was Kagami's name! I pressed the call button and waited.

"Hello?" A familiar voice asked through my phone speakers.

"Hi, is this Kagami Tsurugi? It's Bridgette Cheng." I said into the phone.

"Yes, this is Kagami. Do you need something, Bridgette?" Kagami asked.

"Well... umm... are you alone?" I asked.

"The only person with me is Luka, and yes, we are alone," Kagami confirmed.

"Good... because..." I took a deep breath.

"I know Mari is alive..." I said.

"... She called you recently, hasn't she?" Kagami asked.

"How did you know?" I asked.

"I gave her your phone number..." Kagami said simply.

"I don't recall giving you my phone number..." I started.

"I got it off of Adrien's phone," Kagami said nonchalantly.

"How... you know what, never mind," I said.

"I booked a train ride to Paris later today... I want your help," I said.

"You want to find a way to visit Marinette, don't you?" Kagami asked.

"Of course~" I responded.

"Very well, Luka and I will be waiting at the train station later today. When will you arrive?" Kagami asked.

"Around 2:30 to 3:00, I'll see you there," I told her.

"Good, see you then," Kagami said, hanging up.

I put the phone down and grabbed a backpack. I packed some clothes, snacks, and a few other things I need. I looked over to my bedside table... a picture frame sat between my lamp and alarm clock. It was a picture of Marinette and me a few years ago. We were standing in front of the Eiffel tower, smiling and posing mirror-image of each other. I was thirteen, and Mari was twelve. It was my birthday that day... Mari's was in a few days too. My family almost always visited during our birthdays... it was like a tradition. Except for one a year or two back, mum got really sick, and we couldn't go to Paris.

Also, apparently uncle Tom's mom got 'Akumatized' during that day. I'm told that it was a mess... enough reminiscing! I need to head to the train station! I got changed into some jeans, combat boots, a pink t-shirt, and a black jacket. I styled my long, blueish hair into my signature low pigtails and picked up the backpack. As I left the room, I looked back at the picture on my bedside table. I softly smiled and turned off the lights. I can't wait to see that smile in person again...

(Third-person pov)

Let's take a step back, shall we? Let's take a look at Paris, France, after we last left it...

After Mari's funeral, there was an investigation at Collège Françoise Dupont. Caline Bustier and Mr. Damocles were fired for gaslighting and favoritism, a new principal and teacher swiftly took their place. Lila returned to Italy a few days after Bridgette had her meltdown at the school. The students at the school were never the same... they were shells of their former selves. They still functioned... but the light in their eyes was faded and dull, if there at all. They were grieving over what they had lost.

Only a select few knew the truth... and to those very few, it was a burden. Namely, Marinette's parents... they called Mari every Sunday to check up on her. But, they must act sad so that no suspension is raised. Sometimes, it wasn't that difficult. Knowing that they will never greet their daughter good morning again is more than enough to put those frowns on their faces. The two parents only do their jobs and wait for the weekend so that they can see their daughter's smiling face again.

Life in Paris is not the same anymore...

(A/N: Okay! Back to Japan!)

(Marinette's pov)

June 5th, Sunday, daytime. I switched off the T.V showing Madarame's crying face. He finally confessed... about time... I then got a text. Time to go to the secret hideout!

(Time skip! Brought to you by Trixx helping Yusuke with his art!)

I listened to my friends as they talked about what was on the news.

"I have to say... this is getting quite big..." I said.

"Right?! With this power, we can do more than change society! It'll be a big deal!" Ryuji said excitedly.

"This'll be fun..." Akira said.

"Let's keep pushing on then!" Ryuji said. We continued to chat about Phantom Thief stuff until Yusuke spotted a couple of police officers. The officers walked up to us.

"Hello, may I speak with you for a moment?" The officer with the sunglasses asked.

"Ah, yes! How can we help you?" Ann asked in a strained voice.

We need to work on your acting skills Ann... I thought.

"What are you all doing here? Are you friends?" The officer asked.

"Yes, we are. Is there something wrong with a group of friends hanging out together?" I asked innocently.

"There is nothing wrong with that, miss. Just disperse before it gets late, okay?" The officer said.

"There have been some odd happenings lately..." He continued.

"We'll be careful, officer," I said. The two officers walked off.

"Way to handle that..." Ryuji said.

"I try~," I said.

"Moving on from Mari's performance, we need to be more careful from now on," Morgana said.

We continued to talk... I was content with my friends... but... why is there always a looming sense of foreboding when we came to talk about the person in the black mask?

(A/N: Done! Hope you enjoyed it! I'm tired...)