Chapter Text
"In order to obtain the rabbit miraculous, you'll need to lure the bunny out of it's burrow"
Tomoe and Lila sit across from each other on the tatami mat, centred perfectly atop of the pristinely polished wooden floor.
"What do you suggest?"
"Ladybug has a way of contacting all of the holders under her guardianship. Find out how she does this and report back to me, as I suspect she has some sort of device."
"If that is true then we may need to take advantage of every asset we have in order to obtain it" Lila looks over at a portrait of Kagami on the wall.
"Are you suggesting that I use my own daughter as bait?" Tomoe seems to take offense to the idea, her words a bit more biting.
"From what I know of Ladybugs civilian identity, she trusts Kagami on a personal level, so I'm simply saying she would be our best call. However since Ladybug is so predictable, I have a hunch that Kagami isn’t the only friend of hers entrusted with a miraculous.”
”Then we should broaden our surveillance.”
”Precisely! And-“
”Before you go any further with your demands, why haven’t you told me Ladybugs identity yet? It’s concerning me that not only will I have to use my daughter in this plan, but now also strain her friendships devastatingly.”
Ah, there it is. Lila had been waiting for this question the whole conversation.
“You’re right. I know I’m asking a lot, but please hear me out. We’re closer to obtaining Ladybug and Cat Noirs miraculouses than ever before, and unlike Gabriel I can actually guarantee you’ll see them. He had luck but I have tactic. As for who Ladybug is, I didn’t name her because I doubt you’ve heard of her, but it’s a girl called Iris in Kagamis fencing class! I’m sorry if it seemed like I was being secretive, but you know how dedicated I am to this plan, so I didn’t want the fact that she’s Kagami’s friend to hold you back!”
Lila had made sure to go to a few of those practices in her “Iris” persona, just in case, but apparently it payed off.
“Then you were wrong about Marinette Dupain-Cheng?”
Of course she wasn’t, she had Marinette’s every move completely dissected to the point of insanity.
”Yes, I let personal grievances cloud my judgement about her. But coincidentally enough she’s how I found out Iris was ladybug! As I was spectating her throughout the day, she went to see Kagami at practice, so I stayed in the washroom to keep an eye out. Two of the other fencers got into a menial dispute but as it escalated I was able to akumatise one. From there I saw Iris enter the washroom to transform, and so the story goes.”
“I see..” Tomoe contemplates her words. “Don’t hesitate to tell me next time, I assure you I am just as dedicated.”
For a minute Lila was worried Tomoe would actually prioritize Kagami’s emotions, but as suspected she was eager to prove her logical and goal-oriented mindset, just as Lila wanted her to.
”I won’t, I’m so lucky to have such a wise partner. I’ll be back soon with information!”
Lila kisses Tomoe on the cheek and leaves the Tsurugi household. She has much work to get done before she reports back..