Hawk Moth took a deep breath, and a cold flame reignited in his blue eyes.
"No matter what the me from another world thinks, Nathalie,"
His voice was calm, yet filled with an undeniable resolve, "I will never give up. For Emilie, I don't care about the cost."
"Sir, I understand." Nathalie nodded slightly, a hint of imperceptible worry surfacing on her perpetually calm and professional face,
"But perhaps, the you from another world truly found another way.
After all... your love for Emilie won't change just because of different times and spaces."
Hawk Moth was about to reply when a familiar wave of negative emotions, transcending the barrier of time and space, clearly manifested in his mind.
A cold smile played on his lips: "It seems it's time for action again."
He turned and walked towards the lair.
Before he acted, Nathalie reminded him: "Hawk Moth, this time, after establishing a mental link with the Akumatized Person, take a little more time to observe and feel.
The differences between that world and ours... perhaps the answers to those words you heard before are hidden within."
"I understand." Hawk Moth's figure disappeared into the elevator leading to the lair.
Soon, in that vast, circular space filled with white butterflies, a pure white butterfly landed in his palm.
Dark energy corrupted it, transforming it into an Akuma Butterfly with ominous purple markings.
"Go, my little darling,"
Hawk Moth's voice echoed in the empty lair, "Fly and find that despairing heart, and grant her power!"
The Akuma Butterfly flapped its wings, piercing through the circular window in the dome.
Above Paris, its figure began to blur and distort, then plunged directly into a spatial rift invisible to the naked eye, arriving in another world—the world where Jaden resided.
And the source of this strong negative emotion was in the classroom at François Dupont High School, which had been temporarily converted into a film set, just over ten minutes ago.
As the opening day of the Paris Student Film Festival drew near, the entire school was immersed in a tense yet excited creative atmosphere.
The filming of Nino's short film, "Paris Monster: The Last Line of Defense," had entered its most intense phase.
Sunlight streamed through the huge windows of the tiered classroom, illuminating the dust motes in the air.
The desks in the center of the classroom were stacked, forming a makeshift barricade.
The male lead, "Officer Jonsen" played by Jaden, and the female lead, "Agent Smith" played by Mylène, were huddled behind this barricade.
At the other end of the classroom, Marc and Nathan, one on each side, strenuously held up homemade reflectors and fill lights, sweat dripping down their cheeks.
Director Nino, meanwhile, held up his phone with a serious expression, acting as the cameraman.
The other students were gathered around, three layers deep, acting as enthusiastic "onlookers."
"Action!" Nino commanded.
The camera began recording.
"It's too dangerous here, Agent Smith!"
Jaden half-squatted, his back pressed against the desk leg, his voice low but steady, his eyes filled with the vigilance and solemnity an officer should possess, "We should retreat temporarily and wait for backup!"
"Retreat?"
Agent Smith, played by Mylène, turned her head, her usually timid face now trying to force out an expression of determination, "Officer Jonsen, are you scared?"
Her lines were a bit shaky, but she continued as per the script: "That monster... it took my friends, my family, it even... it didn't even spare my beloved dog, 'Lucky'! I fear it, so I must overcome it, face it head-on!"
After speaking, she took a deep breath, suddenly stood up from behind the barricade, raised the toy gun in her hand,
And put on what she thought was her most determined expression, aiming at the "villain monster" played by Kim, at the other end of the classroom.
Kim was wearing a huge, fuzzy, three-eyed green hood on his head, draped in rags found from who knows where, and was, according to the script, lunging towards them menacingly.
However, the moment Mylène's gaze met that fuzzy hood—
"Ah—!"
A scream, completely unfitting for a secret agent and filled with genuine terror, echoed throughout the classroom.
Mylène seemed to have seen the most terrifying thing in the world; she threw away the toy gun in her hand, covered her head with both hands, and with lightning speed, shrank back behind the podium, trembling uncontrollably, refusing to come out again.
"Cut—!"
Nino finally couldn't take it anymore and yelled. He put down his phone and irritably ran his hand through his fluffy short hair.
This scene, under everyone's gaze, once again came to an end.
"Am I that scary?"
Kim helplessly took off the monster hood, revealing a face full of sweat and confusion.
He looked at the hood in his hand, which he found somewhat silly and cute, and truly couldn't understand why Mylène was so scared.
"Alright, alright, it's okay now."
Behind the barricade, Jaden's gentle voice sounded.
He showed no impatience, only patiently and gently comforting the small, huddled figure, "Mylène, it's over, come out."
He reached out his hand to the frightened girl.
His palm was broad and warm, and his voice carried a soothing magic.
Mylène looked up and saw his dark, calm eyes, devoid of any blame, only concern and tenderness.
She hesitated for a moment, then finally extended her cold little hand and placed it in his palm.
Jaden gently pulled her out of the cramped space.
"Mylène!"
Nino walked over, His tone full of exasperation, "You're playing a battle-hardened agent hero! Heroes aren't afraid of fluffy toys like this!"
"I... I'm sorry..."
Mylène lowered her head, her voice as faint as a mosquito's buzz, "I'm sorry, Nino, I... I definitely won't be like this next time..."
"Next time? This is already the fourteenth take!" Alya leaned against the back wall, arms crossed, lazily quipping and twisting the knife.
"Alright, alright, everyone take a break first."
Rose, seeing the atmosphere was a bit stiff, quickly stepped forward to mediate. She took out several bottles of drinks from her bag,
"Who wants something to drink? Take a break, and you'll be in better spirits."
At this moment, Juleka, who was in charge of makeup, also quietly walked over. She held a powder puff and blotting paper, and carefully said to Jaden and Mylène: "Um... do you need a touch-up?"
She didn't dare speak loudly, fearing she might upset Mylène, who had just lost control of her emotions.
"Thank you, Juleka." Jaden smiled at her.
Lila, standing nearby, also spoke up at the opportune moment. She said in a sweet voice full of understanding and sympathy: "Everyone really needs to be more considerate of Mylène.
It's already a very difficult thing for a girl to suddenly face something she fears in front of so many people.
We shouldn't be too harsh on her."
Adrien also agreed: "Yes, there are always many firsts in life. Especially for Mylène, just take your time, we're not in a hurry."
"I wish I wasn't in a hurry, but time waits for no one!"
Nino walked over quickly, looking at Jaden, then at Mylène, his face filled with struggle and helplessness,
"Although I really want to understand, but... but I really can't understand!
We've adjusted the set multiple times, dimmed the lights, and even changed Kim's hood to this cutest one, but it's still not working!
If this continues, our movie is really going to be ruined!"
He turned to Mylène, trying to make His tone sound less like blame: "Mylène, can you adjust your state again, okay? Let's try one more time.
Kim, put on your hood, stand further away, don't move, just be a wooden stake!"
Kim innocently said "Oh," and resignedly put the fuzzy hood back on.
Juleka also hurried to touch up Mylène's light makeup, which had been smudged by tears.
Mylène, after reapplying her makeup, took several deep breaths, gave herself countless pep talks, and then returned to stand in front of the camera.
"Action!"
The result... was still the same.
Accompanied by a familiar scream, Nino was completely speechless.
He stared at his phone expressionlessly, feeling that his directing career might just end in this small classroom.
Marinette tugged at Alya's sleeve and whispered in her ear, "Alya, do you think... Mylène is doing this on purpose?"
"Hmm?" Alya's eyes narrowed, a glint of gossip flashing within them.
"Think about it, isn't Mylène the one who drew the short straw for this week's date?"
Marinette analyzed, "If she keeps failing like this, even though filming progress is stalled, as the female lead, wouldn't her time with Jaden get longer?"
The more Marinette thought about it, the more plausible it seemed. Failing a few times at first was understandable, but getting stuck in the same place over a dozen times was highly suspicious.
"Hmm... it's possible."
Alya stroked her chin, looking thoughtfully at Jaden, who was comforting Mylène.
"But, it's harmless. Look at how timid she is, she probably can't pull off any tricks. We'll just wait and see."
They watched as Jaden patiently helped the flustered Mylène up again, his hand gently resting on her shoulder as he whispered something. His gentle and considerate demeanor made the eyes of all the surrounding girls fixate on him.
Seeing this scene, Chloé, who sat on the other side of the classroom and always considered herself a "queen," looked quite displeased.
Sabrina, who was beside her, leaned in and whispered something. Chloé's face, which had been full of "unhappiness," instantly changed expression.
She cleared her throat, suddenly stood up, and said in a serious tone, "Classmates, I believe we should be considerate of Mylène."
Everyone in the classroom looked at her in surprise, their faces filled with expressions of "Are you feeling alright today?"
No one could understand why Chloé, who was always self-centered, would suddenly say something like that.
Chloé was very pleased that she had successfully attracted everyone's attention.
She continued in her modulated tone, "I personally really want to be understanding of Mylène's nervousness, but—"
She changed Her tone, her voice becoming serious, "There isn't much time left until the final submission deadline for the Paris Student Film Festival.
If we can't finish filming the classroom scene soon, I'm afraid we won't have enough time for the subsequent dubbing, editing, and special effects work.
In that case, all our efforts over the past few days will be wasted.
This year's Paris Student Short Film Competition will end in 'failure' for us."
On the surface, her words sounded like an analysis of pros and cons, full of collective honor, but everyone present understood the underlying meaning—hurry up and change the person!
Don't waste everyone's time anymore!
"How can you say that!"
Marinette immediately stood up, displeased, and interrupted her, "Since we chose Mylène as the female lead, we should believe in her and help her overcome difficulties!"
"Oh?"
Chloé haughtily raised her chin, looking down at Marinette with a condescending gaze, and slowly retorted, "That sounds very nice.
Then, may I ask, who will bear the cost of all the time wasted due to failure and the consequence of ultimately being unable to participate? You, Marinette?"
"I..." Marinette was instantly choked and speechless. Of course, she couldn't bear it.
Nino also looked at Max, the class's "technical expert," with a worried expression.
Max pushed up his black-rimmed glasses, glanced at his tablet, and reported a precise number: "According to my calculations, there are 26 hours and 48 minutes left until the final submission deadline.
And we only have half an hour left to use this classroom as a filming location."
This number was like a bucket of cold water poured over everyone's heads.
Nino took a deep breath and made his final decision: "Alright, Mylène, Jaden, let's do it one last time!
If it still doesn't work this time, for everyone's sake, we'll have to... change the person."
Everyone's eyes were fixed on Mylène. She stood there, her small figure seeming even more fragile under everyone's gaze.
She saw the disappointed expression on Director Nino's face, the sympathetic or impatient looks on her classmates' faces, and finally, her gaze fell on Jaden.
She saw that his eyes still held warmth and encouragement, without a trace of blame.
However, it was this gentleness that made her guilt reach its peak.
She felt utterly useless, having failed everyone's expectations, and especially letting down the person who had believed in and encouraged her all along.
He was also the one who gave her the courage to face her fears.
But now, she couldn't even act.
A strong sense of shame and self-reproach surged in her heart.
"I'm sorry... I... I probably... really can't do it anymore..."
Mylène left these words and could no longer bear the immense pressure.
She covered her face and ran out of the classroom.
Watching Mylène's retreating back, an irrepressible excitement flashed in Chloé's eyes.
She immediately stood up, straightened her expensive skirt, and declared with an air of "who else but me?" "Alright, so as not to delay everyone's precious filming time, I can personally step in and save this crisis!"
She held her head high, walked with elegant steps, and went straight to Jaden, who was still frozen in place.
"Chloé, are you doing this on purpose?" Marinette finally couldn't help but question, looking at the dramatic scene before her.
Chloé didn't even spare her a glance, her gaze focused solely on Jaden.
She was about to say some of her usual taunts to Marinette, but the words caught in her throat. Seeing Jaden looking at her, she abruptly changed her words, putting on an innocent and matter-of-fact expression: "What does this have to do with me? Mylène herself felt she couldn't do it.
And we're in a hurry to film; we can't possibly delay everyone's future because of one person, can we?"
Marinette was furious but couldn't find a reason to refute. She could only attack from another angle: "What about you? Have you read the script? Do you know what you're supposed to act next?"
"The script?"
Chloé seemed completely unconcerned. She tossed her meticulously styled golden curly hair and said in a boastful tone, "Of course I've read it.
At least, I've read the script for several scenes. Especially..."
She deliberately drew out her words, her gaze becoming ambiguous as she meaningfully looked at Jaden, "Especially this part.
I remember the script says that 'Agent Smith' and 'Officer Johnson' will have a... very intimate gesture, right?"
"Intimate gesture?"
As soon as these words came out, the female radar of all the girls in the classroom, except Lila and Kagami, went off.
Marinette felt a 'buzz' in her head Alya's expression also turned unfriendly, and even the usually gentle Rose and Juleka showed nervous looks.
All the girls' gazes, like searchlights, simultaneously shot towards Director Nino.
Stared at by so many "death glares," Nino felt the hairs on his back stand up.
He awkwardly scratched his head and stammered an explanation: "Th-that was also for artistic effect!
To express the emotional outburst of the characters at a life-or-death moment... And, and didn't you all agree when the script was shown to you...?"
The atmosphere in the classroom became unusually strange and tense because of Chloé's words.