How did Marinette get dragged into competing in a dating show, she had no idea. She blamed Alya, but honestly, she had felt a bit curious as well.

Apparently, it was about time she left the house , got over her old crush on Adrien and stopped comparing every potential date with him. She couldn't help it that she didn't want anyone else, but Adrien had unfortunately been too engaged in his modelling work since they left school.

The introduction only said that if she got picked to the show, she would have been one of the three options for the unknown mystery guy to choose from. He wouldn't see her, only hear her voice, and vice versa. The one he liked best, based on shared interests and random questions, he would pick as his date. The reversed and same sex alternatives of the show were just as popular.

Of course the format was overused, but Alya insisted and even if she didn't want to admit it, just maybe it was time to give someone else a chance. Even if it was through a dumb media channel, a show aired to the thousands of viewers.

The bachelor might not even pick her, so it wouldn't hurt to try. Hopefully, she wasn't going to make a fool of herself.

He was supposedly in the early or mid twenties, involved in fashion business and hated cheese, especially Camembert - this was all the information she was provided with.

Marinette really didn't know what to think of that. Well, if she somehow won, they would at least have something to talk about, as she was currently designing and interning under various smaller fashion houses. He was around her age, which was a plus.

The backstage was filled with people, but she was yet to meet her fellow competitors. As she stepped in the room, she was ushered to sit on one of the three stools set in a line in front of a wall.

The showrunners hadn't revealed the guy's name, of course. The bachelorettes had their own nicknames to make the show as interesting and anonymous as possible.

Her name was Kitty Cat, from all the possibilities. When she had first been addressed, her cheeks flushed in embarrassment, she hoped that Chat Noir wouldn't find out about it or she would never hear the end of it.

The other two women were named Honey Bee and Fluffy Fox. Who the heck had come up with those ridiculous names, she had no idea.

"Marinette Dupain-Cheng," Marinette's back straightened as she heard the cringeworthy familiar voice. What was Chloé doing on a dating show? She rolled her eyes at the blonde, who sat on the stool farthest from her. The middle one was empty.

Surprisingly, Chloé, or Honey Bee, didn't utter anything else to her and sat in silence. Three minutes until the start and the woman entering the room, long hair flowing behind, sat on the remaining seat. Lila Rossi. What was that? High school reunion?

For the next few minutes they were introduced to the basic rules and restrictions while answering the questions with additional details about the camera angles. Nothing ground-breaking.

"Showtime. Three, two, one," a voice echoed in the studio.

"Good evening! Welcome to The Dating Game, today we have a young handsome bachelor joining us to find his dream date from our three ladies: Honey Bee, Fluffy Fox and Kitty Cat. Each one of them gets one question asked by our bachelor and based on the answers and extremely short introductions, he has to choose the one, who would accompany him to the date. Let's begin!"

Marinette tried to keep her smile gentle and not burst from the nervousness as the cameras were already rolling, although she had to answer last. Each of them was given a headset, so she didn't hear the guy's voice nor Chloé's and Lila's answers, until it was her turn.

"Our last, but not the least lovely lady is a woman of many talents, she loves the faint breeze of the wind in the nighttime Paris, the feeling of accomplishment and Ultimate Mecha Strike IV extra levels. Nice to meet you, Kitty Cat!" the showrunner exclaimed.

She was asked to write her introductory piece as vague as possible, so she couldn't mention her hobbies, but she hoped it was interesting and informative enough. She refused to lose to Chloé and Lila, even if the guy turned out to be a major jerk.

"Kitty Cat, pawsome name, I must say, I like you already! My question fur you: If you had the chance to correct one of your past mistakes without changing the past completely, what would it be?"

Marinette's heart was thumping wildly in her chest. This was Chat's voice. She was absolutely sure of it, as if the cat puns weren't enough torture during their meetings. She might go on a date with Chat Noir. With his civilian identity. They hadn't revealed their identities after defeating Hawkmoth, but they still met up for occasional patrols. She was so screwed, but she had to suck it up and face the music.

"Uhm...nothing. The mistakes I've done, have been part of my growth. If I hadn't made them, I wouldn't be who I am now, I wouldn't have learnt to trust others and I wouldn't have found strength to overcome my insecurities."

What if Chat recognized her as Ladybug? She was in deep trouble and she couldn't even escape as it was all recorded on the video tape.

"Thank you," he said breathlessly.

She didn't hear anything else. Now she had to wait until he chose one of the three by calling out the other two. This was it.

Lila stood up with a scowl on her face and walked to the front of the studio to meet the mysterious bachelor. Then Chloé. He chose her.

In few minutes, the crew asked her to go meet him. She wasn't sure if she was gliding over the floor or wobbled, her legs threatened to give up under her weight.

A blond hair came to the view, stylish but casual outfit, face behind a mask. She nearly froze in place as Adrien's wide eyes slid over her, a shy but bright smile curled around his lips.

The formalities were passed, she didn't even realize her mouth had been moving or any of the sound coming out of it. She was too floored about the revelation that Adrien was Chat Noir and he had picked her out in the dating show, while Lila and Chloé were her rivals. It was too surreal to be true.

The show was over. Her hand was sweating in Adrien's, wait, when did he took hold of her hand? They were alone and he was looking at her as if she single-handedly placed the stars in the sky.

"It was always you."

She didn't dare to look away, nor did she want to. Shyly, she brushed strands of her hair behind her ear with the hand that was not secured in Adrien's. He was rubbing his thumb gently over her knuckles, prompting her to say something that wasn't just incoherent screaming.

"H-how did you know?"

"Your voice, but when I heard your full answer, I was completely sure,"

"I don't understand. I didn't say anything that might have revealed my identity," Marinette tried to remember her answer to his question, but she was certain it had been quite imprecise.

"I think you underestimate me, my lady," her heart skipped a beat at Chat's nickname through Adrien's lips,"I have known you for a nearly a decade."

"Are you disappointed?"

"Of course not! Are...Are you? Disappointed? That it's me?"

"No, not in the least." The relief on his face was apparent and the grin was back.

"So, I can finally take you out on a date, buginette," Marinette groaned, but couldn't stop her correspondent smile.

"Ten years of waiting, I have to say I admire your persistence, chaton. And don't call me buginette."

"Do you prefer Kitty Cat?" They both burst out laughing, still holding their hands in each other's tight grip, not intending to let go.