A small note for those who are unfamiliar with boba/tapioca drinks (aka bubble tea): They're (usually) milk tea with sweet chewy balls about the size of a small marble. 10/10 would recommend trying some

"Alright class, as you may know, this week is the first day of our school's annual Assassin's Week," Ms. Bustier announced with a smile. "As most of you all know, this is a school tradition here, as a reward for the week of testing that we just had. Since we've had some transfer students this school year, I'll explain the rules from the beginning."

"The basics of this game is that every student in this school will receive two items, a piece of paper with your target's name and picture on it, and a boba straw. Your straw will be your weapon; do not lose it. For those of you who are unfamiliar with boba straws, they're commonly used in tapioca drinks and are larger than usual straws in order to suck up the tapioca balls."

"Once a target is poked with one of these straws, the target is 'dead' and is out of the game. When you kill your target, your target's target becomes your new target. A person can only receive a target of their own grade level, so you don't have to worry about hunting down someone from a different grade. Because of this grade separation, there will be four finalists from each grade level by the end of the week. They will have their own round to determine the school's winner for this year."

"However, there are rules to this game. You cannot kill anyone other than your current target. You cannot kill anyone during active class times, period. We've had a problem with that the first year so don't even think about it. Of course, normal school rules will still apply so any illegal methods will not only disqualify you but also you will also face consequences. A student from one year broke into their target's house once and explaining to the police that it was a game didn't really help them out in any way. Please use common sense. Are there any questions?"

Max raised his hand. "What are the prizes for this year?"

Ms. Bustier smiled. "This year's game is sponsored by Gabriel Agreste, the famous fashion designer as well as the father of Adrien here. Finalists will receive a cash prize and an opportunity to do an upcoming photoshoot with Adrien, and the final winner will have a choice between a large cash bonus or a date with Adrien."

Murmurs immediately broke out.

"A d-date?" Marinette squeaked, the same time she received an excited sharp nudge in the ribs from Alya.

"Although it is a date in name, there will be a photographer following the winner and Adrien, if the winner chooses this option. It'll be a casual photoshoot of sorts, you see. Now that I've explained all the rules, I'll be giving each of you your targets now," Ms. Bustier said, holding up a small black bag in one hand. In her other hand was a clear plastic bag, full of straws which she handed to Nino. "Meanwhile, take one straw and pass it on, there should be exactly enough for the class. Let me know if you happen to get yourself as a target."

"Ten bucks says I die on the first day again," Nino joked as he passed the bag of straws back. Alya laughed.

"'Again'? You died on the first day last year or something?" she asked, picking out a straw of her own before passing the bag to Marinette.

"This girl in another class was waiting for me as I exited class that day. Dude, I didn't even get a chance to see my target before she got me. She was ruthless, man," said Nino, shaking his head.

"Maybe you're just bad at the game," Alya teased. "Bet you'll die before me."

"You're on," Nino replied with a grin.

"This game doesn't sound too hard," Adrien commented. He turned his straw in his hand, studying it curiously. "You just touch someone with a straw and avoid being touched, right?"

"That's what I thought the first time, too," said Nino. "But man, can it get brutal. Friends turn on friends and all that. I survived until Wednesday the first week only for one of my closest friends at the time to stab me in the back. Literally."

Alya and Marinette glanced at each other. They grinned sheepishly. Alya was the first to hold out her hand to the other girl.

"We'll tell each other if we get each other as a target, deal?"

Marinette shook it. "Deal."

"Hey, I want in on this too," Nino said.

"Butt out, girls only."

"Boo."

"Marinette?" Ms. Bustier stood next to her, holding out a folded slip of paper. "Your target."

"Ah, thanks," Marinette said, taking the paper. She didn't open it yet; she knew from previous years that there was always someone waiting to catch a glimpse at your target.

"And Alya," Ms. Bustier said, handing the paper to the other girl, who took it with a smile.

"Who'd you get?" Nino asked as he took his own paper from the teacher. Like Marinette, he hadn't opened his own paper yet. Adrien and Alya, however, immediately unfolded their slips of paper behind the coverings of their hands before folding them once again.

Alya pulled a face. "Not someone in our class. How about you guys?"

"Uh…" Nino turned. Taking his paper to his lap, he gave a quick look. Then he did a double-take before turning once again. This time, however, his face was a careful poker face. "Not you."

"...I don't know if I can believe that. What about you, Adrien?"

"Someone?"

Alya sighed exasperatedly. "Really? I would never have guessed."

"It's not you or Marinette," Adrien clarified. Then, as an afterthought, "or Nino."

"Oh good, I don't have a worry about a friend backstabbing me this year."

"I might just stab you myself later on," Alya joked. "What about you, Marinette?"

"I got…" Marinette pulled her paper up close, lowering her head to partially shield it. Unfolding it just enough to see the name and picture, she only took a fleeting glimpse before folding it once again and straightening up.

"Oh," she said, in mild surprise.

"'Oh'?" Alya echoed, suddenly wary.

"It's not you," Marinette said quickly. Alya smiled in relief.

"Good. I don't want to die the same way Nino did."

"Dude, I made it to Wednesday that year. That's pretty good, you know," Nino protested.

Alya rolled her eyes.

"Did you get someone in our class?" Adrien asked curiously. Marinette fidgeted under his gaze.

"U-Um…maybe?"

"My god, Marinette's going to stab me in the back this year."

"Oh shush, the chances of her getting you is low. It's only the first day," said Alya.

"Did you get one of us?" Adrien asked.

"Uh…" She blushed. Looking down at her hands, she set her mouth in a thin line, determined not to say anything more. Alya laughed.

"Adrien, she can't answer if you're the one asking her."

"What? Why not?"

"Try not looking at her and ask again," Nino suggested. "Or wear a mask."

Adrien only looked more confused at this. "Why?"

"Because you're denser than a rock," Alya said bluntly, much to Marinette's chagrin, before scooting closer to the girl. Throwing her arm around her friend's shoulder, Alya leaned in close with a grin. "I'll show you mine if you show me yours."

"That sounds wrong," Nino deadpanned.

"Oh shush. Anyways, wanna do it?"

"That also sounds wrong."

"Nino, I swear I will introduce your head to your desk if you don't shush."

Nino held up his hands with a grin. "Shushing."

"So?"

"Sure…" Marinette fumbled with her paper a bit, only to be stopped by Alya.

"Hang on, I'll go first. It was my idea anyway. Here." Unfolding the slip of paper with one hand, she quickly flashed the contents to the girl. Like Alya said, it wasn't anyone from their class. He looked somewhat familiar to Marinette, probably shared a class at some point or something.

"Do you know him?" Alya asked. Marinette shook her head.

"Sorry, I don't," Marinette said apologetically. Alya shrugged.

"No reason to apologize. So how about you? Who'd you get?"

Wordlessly, she pulled out her own slip of paper. Partly shielding it with her hand, she unfolded it just halfway for a brief moment, but that moment was all Alya needed.

Author's Note:

THIS IS ON HOLD UNTIL I FINISH AT LEAST ONE OF MY OTHER MIRACULOUS FICS FIRST. Luckily, one is nearing completion. I also don't really know where I'm going with this story, I finally figured out that my writer's block started because I thought of this story idea and didn't write it so here's this lol

Thank you for reading!