Another day, another akumatized victim thwarted and saved, another afternoon rooftop with a Cat Noir and a Miraculous Ladybug flashing from having used Lucky Charm and Cataclysm, the usual five minutes remaining before they both revert. Ladybug tries to bid a quick farewell to the cat, knowing change was imminent, and that he would be transforming first with one pad more than her vanished already. But Cat Noir grabs her gently by the arm, tilting his head down and whispering "Wait..."
After a quick but quiet moment, Cat Noir looks up at Lady, a sincerely loving but questioning look on his face, his hand still holding her arm. "Listen, Ladybug...I understand that you are not ready to reveal yourself to me, so I won't ask it of you-this time." He dons a mischievous look for a moment, but quickly gets serious again, before the Bug can say anything. He continues, returning his face to one of affection. "But would you at least...consider letting me transform for you?" He lets Lady go, turning his head downward, and gives Marinette no chance to reply. "I mean, I haven't forgotten that you're in love with someone else, but that's not what this is about. I just...well...for starters, I trust you implicitlywith my secret-and I hope you know you can trust me with yours-but mostly, it's...it's..."
He tilts his downturned head to the side, slumping his shoulders and releasing a long sigh, ready to give up already. But much to his surprise, before he can call the whole thing a joke and leave in his superhero get-up, the Dotted Lady questions him further.
Now it's Laydbug's turn to lay hands on him, placing both hands on his shoulders-causing the cat to straighten up and look into her eyes once more as DuPainCheng replies. "Um...er...Cat Noir, I do trust you. I'm just not so sure it's a good idea. I mean we were both told to guard our secrets with our lives! It's nothing personal, I swear! But...if you don't mind telling me...what were you going to say? Why is it so important to you to show me your true self, even without me returning the favor? I must admit, I'm very curious..."
Adrien's eyes widen at that, his face a visage of incredulity and joy at his Bugaboo's sudden interest in his personal feelings, despite still being opposed to revealing themselves to one another.
Without breaking eye contact but turning his face serious (yet loving) once more, the kitty begins again to tell the pretty little beetle what she had asked to hear.
"Well, uh, it's like this, Ladybug...you see, my true self and Cat Noir are very different people. In normal life, I don't have this kind of freedom, and I'm anything but bold. Wearing the costume and mask so that no one knows me leaves me free to be who I want to be for a while instead of who I am the rest of the time. And I...I just want..." His face turns downward and sad, halting the words about to escape his mouth. Before he can say "nevermind," though, Ladybug tries to give him an out for this obviously difficult answer.
"Wait, Cat Noir," she says, gently squeezing his black-leather shoulders, causing the cat to look up, "you don't have to tell me. It's alright. Go ahead and keep your secret, no hard feelings. OK?" Her head is slightly tilted, a small yet compassionate and understanding smile upon her face. Cat Noir looks confused at this remark, both amazed that she had somehow known that he was about to retract his request, and soothed by her caring expression and tender grip on his shoulders. He can't help but return her mild but earnest smile for a second before he replies.
"NO! That's not it. I do want to tell you, Lady, I do. It's just...not as easy as I imagined. But please hear me out?" His brow furrows in worry as his eyes plead with hers to listen. Ladybug lets go his arms to pat his chest affectionately. "Of course," she replies gently, widening her smile.
Adrien straightens up as tall as he can and clears his throat. "Ladybug," he begins, "I just want you to know ALL of who I am, not just who I am when I'm out playing superhero. I want you to know the real me, who I am every day, not just who I pretend to be in this suit. I don't want to be two different people to you, I want to be just me, no matter how I'm dressed. I know that won't change your feelings, but at least I wouldn't feel like I'm lying to you every time I suit up, and maybe we'll even be better friends. I hate feeling like little more than a stranger to you. I want you to KNOW me. Please, it's important to me. What's wrong with that?" His hopeful eyes implore hers for a favorable reply, whilst he simultaneously braces for the opposite.
Marinette is taken aback. She doesn't know just what reason she expected of Cat Noir, yet his answer still comes as a surprise. But a heartwarming surprise, nonetheless. He was allowing her to see him in a shockingly exposed state, telling her some of his deep personal feelings. Plus, this is a Cat Noir far unlike the one she knows, and it makes her feel warm all over. She finds herself flattered in spite of herself, and touched by his sincerity. But logically, she cannot find anything wrong with his reasons for wanting her to see his true self. Yet she is still unsure.
"Cat Noir," she begins softly, "I understand-and there's not a thing wrong with your reasons for wanting to share your real identity with me. But..." She lowers her eyes, and Adrien's follow at that dreaded last word, knowing full well his request was about to be rejected. But Ladybug continues.
"It's not that I don't want to know, or that there's any flaw in your thinking, and it has nothing to do with trust. I'm just not sure it's right. I'm not sure it's really okay to do this. I mean, our pledges...I can't just decide on my own to ignore those, right? So for now, I guess I have to say no. I'm truly sorry."
Cat Noir sighs dejectedly, though he was expecting this reply. Yet he couldn't help but get hopeful, and those hopes were just dashed. Still, he lifts his eyes. "I expected as much, Ladybug. And I understand. It's ok, really. Please don't feel bad, ok? I just had to ask, that's all. Forget I said anything, alright?"
At that, Marinette notices the cheerful visage of an ostensibly unphased Cat Noir smiling broadly at her. Yet after what he had just oh-so-honestly and emotionally shared with her-and her refusal to give him what he asked of her-she knows she had really disappointed him. She knows he is only trying to cheer her up. She knows he truly doesn't want her to feel bad, as he said. He wants her to remain happy and carefree. He is truly a good guy. She wonders absentmindedly why she never really noticed that before-why she never took him seriously. She looks away, feeling bad regardless. But before she can ponder in the momentary silence any longer, the cat speaks.
"Well, Ladybug..." the black feline begins as he yawns and stretches, jarring the dotted insect from her reverie and causing her to face him again as he continues. "I guess that's it then." He beams at her as if all were well in the world and nothing had happened. "Actually, I'm a bit tired at the moment, and I'll turn back any second now whether you want me to or not!" At that, he places an arm behind his head and gives her his biggest grin, his most chipper laugh, and one of his famous Cat-winks. He had just made a very typical and corny Cat Noir joke. "So, Bugaboo, I guess I'll see you next time! Gotta run now!" He turns his back to her with a backward wave, though for some reason he is WALKING instead pole-vaulting away like usual.
Ladybug is astonished. Not only did Cat Noir seem like a different person this afternoon, but for some reason, he seemed...rather familiar to her. But it goes further than that. He also, odd as it appears to be, strikes her as suddenly somehow more attractive to her what with his brutal emotional honesty and semblant self-doubt, the way he had immediately tried to take back what he said and comfort her to keep her from feeling guilty or awkward, the way he pretended not to be hurt for her sake, and how suddenly cute he seemed to her as he behaved shyly for the first time ever since she had known him. Not to mention the strange way he WALKED away from her instead of speeding away with his stick, even knowing his time was about to run out despite her denial of his request to allow it. The girl doesn't really know how to react. But she does know ONE thing-two, actually-first, she has to bid him a proper farewell to assure him there would be no awkwardness between them now-and more importantly-she knows that, for whatever reason, she does NOT want this to be the end of it. She is suddenly a bit conflicted, in more ways than one.
"Uh, Cat Noir! Wait!" She calls after him without thinking before he gets very far-because she just doesn't want to leave things like this. "I...er...um...well..."
The black-suited superhero quickly returns. "Yes, milady?' grins a typically mischievous cat, facing her.
"What I mean is, uh...I just can't say for SURE what's right and wrong here, so..." Her cheeks pink and she averts her eyes-unlike ever before with this guy-and stammers on. "Well, what I mean...I mean, what I mean is-oh that's three 'means' in a row, isn't it?" She shakes her head. "But never mind that, what I'm trying to say is, or um ASK is, um...is it...is it ok with you if I don't give you my final answer yet? Will you give me some time to think about this?" Marinette surprises herself with that, having not expected those words to come out of her mouth-especially to HIM! In fact, they were so unexpected, she did not know how or why they fell from her mouth at all. Yet somehow she feels relieved saying it, discomfort and perplexity notwithstanding. She stares at Cat Noir's face full-on now, whilst she awaits his response with more hope than she would have imagined she'd have in this situation. After all, this is the guy who annoys her the most of anyone she knows (with one spiteful blond exception)! Or at least he was...
Adrien is over the moon! First, she had said no as he expected, but now THIS! Ladybug's not exactly changing her mind, but at least she is willing to think it over! He grins at her in sheer joy. "Bugaboo, take all the time you need. I will wait endlessly for you." With that, a grin, and a quick "see ya later then!" he turns back around and leaves the rooftop-THIS time pole-vaulting the whole way! He appears to have the spring back in his step!
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Later that day, Marinette is alone in her room-TRYING to study. But her mind keeps wandering, going back to the events of earlier today with Cat Noir. She argues with herself.
But I am in love with Adrien! And Cat Noir is nothing but a nuisance to me! I DON'T have any feelings for him! So WHY, then, do I keep THINKING about him? He just wasn't his normal self today, acting all shy and emotional. I bet he did that just to confuse me! No, no, that CAN'T be it. I know him too well. He's honest, if nothing else. But...but...but today, he was soooo different! I just can't get over it! He told me a lot about who he really is, and made it clear that his normal self is very unlike his superhero persona. And I just can't get that out of my head! He seemed so honestly SHY, and unsure of himself-totally divergent from the Cat Noir that *I* know. I know he wasn't lying, but...it's just so hard to believe! And the way he rubbed his head from behind, that bashful smile, that insecurity...and I could've sworn he was blushing, too! AND had trouble looking me straight in the eyes! He kind of...in a weird sort-of way...acted a bit like Andrien! C-c-could he possibly be..? Oh, girl, you are OBVIOUSLY letting your imagination run away with you! There is no way that's true! Completely preposterous! It simply cannot be! However...the two of them ARE similar in some ways, if I think about it. At least, considering how Cat Noir acted today. But then maybe I just took it all out of context, saw things that weren't really there. Maybe he didn't really mean what I heard. Perhaps it was all in my imagination. Maybe I was hallucinating! Or even...it didn't really happen at all! Maybe it was just a really realistic dream! Oh, I just don't know, darn it! With that, she sighs and plunks her head down on top of her chemistry book. She can't concentrate now. Study will just have to wait til she clears her head.
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One sleepless night later-or rather, the morning after one-Marinette struggles to arise and get to school on time. Once there, she is so out of it that she keeps accidentally bumping into people, and ends up unintentionally sitting in the wrong seat. She had TRIED to get to sleep the previous night, but her confused thoughts and feelings about Cat Noir and Adrien kept her obsessing most of the night. So, she tries to make the best of the situation by telling people she simply didn't sleep well the night before due to loud music from a neighbor's house. Everyone seems to accept that made-up excuse, and leaves her alone.
Once in the appropriate seat, tired though she is, Marinette cannot help but sneak peeks at Andrien, still questioning whether or not he is Cat Noir despite his obvious lack of feeling for her in real life and her conviction that it simply cannot be him. After all, what are the odds he would be? But she notices something strange-Adrien seems to be scanning the whole room, watching the girls in particular carefully, apparently listening closely, as if to learn a secret. For what reason, she does not know (but she doesn't like it much).
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Class begins normally for Adrien-except for the fact that he feels anything but normal this morning. After his discussion with Ladybug the previous night, he can think of nothing else. After all, she didn't tell him no-she basically said "maybe." He knew what a huge step that was for the overly-cautious bug, and it warms his heart and gives him some real hope. But it also DOUBLES his curiosity as to her real identity, and despite knowing her real self most likely isn't in his class, he can't help but entertain that idea. In fact, he has a sort-of gut feeling that she is, no matter how implausible. Thus he begins to scan the homeroom class, paying close attention to all the girls, hoping to find some sort of clue as to which female might actually be her-assuming his gut is right-despite having no idea what exactly to look for. He simply relies on faith, optimistically believing that he will just KNOW somehow.
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But then it happens. Whilst "secretly" glancing at Adrien, when he turns in his seat for unknown reasons, Marinette catches his eyes, such that the pair are looking directly at each other!A thrill goes through the girl's body, though the event also embarrasses her enough to make her dip her head down, her face red. Adrien is also embarrassed to have been caught looking, and does the same simultaneously. Too abashed to continue sneaking peeks, both parties leave it at that and keep their respective eyeballs to themselves for the rest of the class. But Marinette is desperate to actually speak to Adrien-just to see if she can find anything about him to help confirm or deny that he's Cat Noir without having to witness an unveiling that may be breaking superhero rules-and also to try to explain the stare he caught (though she also caught him staring, for no discernible reason). And so she concocts a little plot to get close to her true love today...
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Once Adrien's eyes fall upon Marinette's, he notices two things-first, how exhausted she looks, and second-quite surprisingly-how it makes him feel. He had been friends with Marinette for quite a while now, and he has noticed himself noticing her more than usual in recent times, but he still does not understand why his heartbeat picks up at the mutual stare, nor the reason it seems so difficult to look away. However, he DOES have a theory, ridiculous though he believes it to be.
For some reason, of all the girls in his class, Adrien abruptly seems to think that Marinette is the most likely candidate to be Ladybug-and at the same time, the least likely. She's nice, thoughtful, useful, and smart-just like Ladybug. But she is also clumsy, awkward, a little shy, and seemingly a bit insecure-totally the opposite of his dream girl. Yet he can not ignore the "evidence" that she just MIGHT be! After all, he knows-using himself as an example-that a superhero can be one way in disguise and totally different in real life. He cannot help but consider it. What catches him off-guard, though, is that that thought doesn't seem to bother him for some reason! In fact-shockingly enough-he feels rather relieved and somewhat happy to think the two of them might actually be one and the same person! After all, Marinette is one of the kindest and most utile people he knows! He simply cannot rule her out as a 'suspect.' Yet he is puzzled as to why he's entertaining that idea in the first place, since he never had before-as well as why he abruptly seems to have some measure of romantic feeling for her, despite his undying devotion to Ladybug. But he assumes his newly-discovered enchantment is simply due to the fact that he is suddenly half-believing that she IS his beloved! Yet, with so much room for doubt, he dismisses his "theory" and disregards his out-of-the blue attraction to her. It truly can't be her. Or so he convinces himself.
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Finally, the bell rings for lunch. Marinette makes sure she is directly behind Adrien in the lunchline, though Chloe stands right next to him, looping her arm into his. But Marinette doesn't let that discourage her-she has a plan!
Pretending to fall asleep standing up, tray in hand, Marinette "accidentally" bumps into Adrien's back. He immediately turns around, just as Marinette "comes to."
"Oh, hey there, Marinette! Looks like you lost a bit of sleep last night, and now you're having trouble staying awake. Why don't you go home and get some rest?"
Adrien is smiling at her happily, uttering such sweet words of caring, making Marinette temporarily forget her strategy.
"O-Oh! H-hi there, Adrien! S-s-sorry for you bumping into, er, uh, I mean, sorry for bumping into you like that! You're right, I didn't last night sleep, um, I mean, I didn't get much sleep last night because of some neighbors noisy. Oh! I mean noisy neighbors." The girl giggles nervously, embarrassed, then quickly adds, "I really appreciate your concern, very much, but if I now sleep I will...I mean, if I sleep now I will just end up being up all night. The neighbors should be quieter tonight, so I should fine be. I mean be fine! Th-thanks again!" Her cheeks are colored, and her words came out jumbled, but she gets the message across-that the stare was due to exhaustion. Now Adrien won't think she's acting weird, even if he did catch her looking at him (though she had technically caught him looking at her, too). Now for the rest of the plan, to gather info...to help her determine once and for all whether or not Adrien could be Cat Noir, despite how silly she thinks that idea is.
Before Adrien can reply to Marinette's explanation, Chloe speaks up. "What are you doing here, Marinette? You are way too close to my Adrikins-so close you bumped into him!-and you look afright! Why don't you just do us all a favor and go home?" She sticks her nose in the air and squeezes Adrien's arm tighter, getting on Mirinette's nerves.
"Calm down, Chloe," Adrien chimes in, "Marinette was just telling me why she's so tired. Bumping into me was just an accident, it could have happened to anyone. Give her a break, ok?" He gives his companion a winning smile, and Chloe has no choice but to back down. She doesn't want to look bad in front of him, after all. "Well, I guess I can let it slide then. This time! Hmph!" Chloe's nose is in the air again, but her words seemed to have made Adrien happy, leaving Marinette unable to hold onto her anger, even if Chloe was obviously still holding onto hers. The tongue-tied teen smiles at them both, not daring to mention her and Adrien's eye-balling directly, and bids the pair goodbye to go sit with her friends, her plan only half-executed due to an unexpected Chloe. After all, Marinette had intended to sit next to Adrien and talk some more-to "gather intel"-but it was simply impossible with the hateful blond clinging to the boy like that. Yet the black-haired young lady is used to this, so she just lets it go. For Adrien's sake.
But shortly after school, it happens again. Marinette hears about an akuma loose in the city on her smart phone, as does Adrien. They both make excuses to leave their respective houses quickly and quietly. They meet up downtown, transformed.
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Jean-Claude puts his keyboard to his chest, fastening the strap around his neck. He happily begins to play for the enjoyment of everyone walking through the park. Music is his passion, and he wishes to share it with the world! However, not everyone is thrilled to hear it.
"Excuse me, sir," says Roger Raincomprix, the policeman on patrol, "you can't play that here. Please cease and desist immediately!"
"But sir, I only wish to share my gift with my fellow Parisians! What's wrong with that?"
"Sir, that is noise pollution and disturbing the peace! Now please put your instrument away or I'll have to arrest you!"
The musician bows his head, dejected, but complies with the officer's demand.
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"Ah, such sadness, such anger," declares Hawkmoth from his hideout. "Go my little akuma, and evilize our depressed musician!"
The black butterfly reaches its intended target, inserting itself into the Jean-Claude's keyboard.
"Keyboard Captor," the gray-suited villain says to him, "I am Hawkmoth. I give you the power to play for a truly captive audience! And make them play for you! All I ask in return is that you bring me the miraculous of Cat Noir and Ladybug!"
"Yes, Hawkmoth," agrees Keyboard Captor. The akuma takes over him completely, transforming the man's keyboard into his shirt. Then he begins to play the keys on his chest, and each note takes physical form. The notes grow large, enveloping passersby like a straitjacket, and dragging them to his location. Then, each person's note plays in succession, making a discernible tune. It is literally music to the akumatized Jean-Claude's ears, and he laughs as he ensnares more people to make his melody with.
That's when Cat Noir and Ladybug show up. They hide behind a park bench to discuss strategy.
"Well I think it's pretty obvious where the akuma is, at least," Ladybug offers.
"Yeah. But how are we going to break it? It's going to be hard to get close to him with those human-sized musical notes flying out of his chest and ensnaring everyone..."
"Well, he's going to be after our miraculous, so maybe we can use that. Why don't you get him to chase you up the Eiffel Tower, and once we're on a high floor away from the citizens, I will come up from behind and wrap him up in my yoyo cord?"
"You got it, Milady!"
With that, Cat Noir taunts the villain, succeeding in getting the man to pursue him. Hawkmoth spurs on this action, lusting after Cat Noir's ring. The feline gets to a high floor and uses his martial-arts acrobatics to avoid Keyboard Captor's rapid-fire note attacks as Ladybug approaches from behind. She slings her yoyo, but Keyboard Captor is ready for her. He deflects the yoyo with one of his notes. Ladybug tries this approach several times, but Jean-Claude is simply too fast for her with the attacking notes.
"Cat Noir," cries Ladybug, "Try to hit his chest with your stick! Maybe you can break it!"
"Sure thing, Bugaboo!"
But the strategy fails. The chest-keyboard remains unbroken. Ladybug also tries to hit the man's chest with her yoyo, but each time she tries it is knocked down by another note. Finally, she manages to hit the akumatized musician square in the chest, but to her surprise, the yoyo simply bounces off.
"Our attacks are failing, I think it's time for a little help," the bug yells to her partner. Then she throws her yoyo into the air with her standard cry, "Lucky Charm!" What falls into her hand surprises her. "Bottled water? How is this supposed to help?"
But she can't ruminate on it for long, because Keyboard Captor is continuously throwing people-grabbing notes at her, and fending off Cat Noir in the same fashion. But then her Ladybug vision gives her an idea. She sees her bottled water, Cat Noir's arm, the floor they are standing on, and Keyboard Captor's chest.
"I got it!" she shouts to Cat Noir. "I'm going to a lower floor. When I get there, use your Cataclysm!" She points at the floor, letting Cat Noir know what exactly she wanted him to use his special power on without notifying Keyboard Captor, who does not see the gesture for being busied with trying to hit the cat with his notes.
"Gotcha, Ladybug!"
Marinette quickly descends to a lower floor of the Tower, and Adrien uses his Cataclysm as instructed. The floor beneath the two guys disintegrates, and they both fall. Cat Noir catches himself with his pole, and Ladybug throws her yoyo up at the falling Keyboard Captor, finally able to wrap the magic string around him. Thus, she stops his descent, and pulls him closer to her. Then she throws the water from her bottle straight into Keyboard Captor's chest, causing it to short-circuit, and the akuma is released. She pulls the man to safety.
"No more evildoing for you, little akuma!" she yells at the retreating insect. Then, "Time to De-evilize!" She captures the akuma, with a "gotcha!" She then releases the now-white bug. "Bye-bye, little butterfly!" Finally, she throws her empty water bottle into the air with her famous cry, "Miraculous Ladybug!"
The spell is broken, and all the citizens who had been captured-and played-are released, and all damage restored. It's another victory for the superhero duo. But Cat Noir wants to talk to Ladybug, and asks if she'll join him on the top floor of the Tower for the few minutes they have left before changing back. She agrees.
"So, Milady...have you given any more thought to my request?" the cat asks with hopefulness in his voice and a tender look in his eyes. Marinette can't help but feel warm and flattered by both-though she realizes that is this very thing that usually gets on her nerves, even after discovering his feelings for her for are real, as are his words of charm that she once thought only for show.
"About that," the heroine begins, "I really haven't had much time to think about it yet, but...I don't know if I can make such a big decision by myself. Would you...would you mind if I got a little outside advice with this from someone in the know?" Her eyes are as hopeful as Cat Noir's voice.
"Someone in the know?" Adrien asks softly, curious. "Who might that be?"
Marinette is taken aback by just how different Cat Noir still seems to be since the last time they met like this. His very presence is so soothing now...she completely forgets that this guy usually annoys her to death.
"W-well...I sorta know the guy who gave both of us our Miraculous. He's very wise and knows everything about Miraculous powers and Kwami, so I thought he would be the one to ask. I believe you yourself have met him before...I mean, I'm not sure what all he told you, but only HE could have given your Kwami a power up. So then...Would it be okay for me to consult him about this before I decide?"
Adrien is shocked. He did not really know who the man truly was, just that he was, as Ladybug had put it, "someone in the know." But here his precious Ladybug KNOWS the guy, well enough to ask his advice on transforming for one another? Amazing!
"Well," the kitty purrs, "that does sound reasonable. But...do you think I could meet him too, Ladybug?" He sounds eager and nervous at the same time. But he wants to learn more about this mysterious man, and what all he knows about magic powers.
"I mean, you are right, I have met him, and he did supply me with a power boost for my Kwami, but I still don't know anything beyond that. I have a lot of questions! I don't mind you consulting him privately or anything, but do you think I could officially meet him just once? Maybe get a few questions answered?"
"Um..." begins an equally-and as Ladybug, very contradictory to her usual superhero self-nervous young lady. "I'm not sure. I mean, I don't think he would mind, considering he chose you too, but I can't just assume and bring you to where he lives. May I have a moment to call him?"
Cat Noir grins. She didn't say no! How could he deny her request?
"Sure, Ladybug, go right ahead," he says with a smile. "I'll go to the far side of this roof and keep my back turned so you can talk in private. I'll revert too so I can recharge my Kwami while I'm over there. But it won't take me long to do that, so don't keep me waiting too long!"
Marinette nods, and Adrien smiles sweetly at her. It makes her heart skip a beat in spite of herself. Then Adrien moves away.
Ladybug turns back into Marinette to recharge her own Kwami, tells Tikki what she plans to do, and asks her opinion. Tikki tells Marinette that she can't be completely positive without asking the Guardian himself, but that she's pretty sure he would be fine with meeting Cat Noir personally, considering that it was he who chose Adrien in the first place. Furthermore, Tikki believes Master Fu would be fine with the two of them exposing thier true identities to one another, as they are both trustworthy and reliable, but that she cannot speak for the man. So Marinette returns to her superhero form, and places the call.
"I...I...I have something to tell you, Master," she says after exchanging greetings. "I hope you don't get upset about it. But I told Cat Noir about you. But just that I know you and that he's met you, I swear! I didn't give him your name or address or anything like that!"
Master Fu chuckles. "Of course I'm not upset, Marinette. It's fine that you told him. In fact, I don't mind if you DO give him my name and address! I trusted him enough to give him a Miraculous, and then to deliver to him a Power-up for his Kwami in person. Plus, if I can trust you with my identity, and you trust him enough to tell him about me, then I have no reason to complain. But surely you didn't call me simply to tell me that, did you?"
Shrewd as always, the Guardian hit the proverbial nail on the head. "Well," Marinette begins, "some things have happened and some questions need to be answered that only you can answer so I need to come see you to ask you but now that Cat Noir knows about you, he wants to meet you too and it's okay if you say no, really it is!"
"Calm down, Marinette, it's alright. No need to be nervous. There is nothing to worry about. Feel free to visit me anytime with your questions, and I see no reason to turn Cat Noir away. Why don't you both come join me for tea? Say, four o'clock tomorrow?"
Marinette is surprised, but relieved. "Really? Oh, thank you Master! We'll be there!"
"I'm looking forward to it. See you both then. Goodbye for now."
Marinette is unexpectedly happy to hear that her and her counterpart were invited to have tea with the Master the following day. She calls out to Cat Noir to come back, then tells him what the Guardian said.
Adrien is thrilled. Once given the address, he promises to arrive there promptly at four p.m. But he has a couple of questions first, about who exactly the man is, and Marinette now feels free to tell him everything she knows. Sharing such secrets with Cat Noir is a bonding experience for them both, though it rather troubles Marinette, who is beginning to feel a little betrayed by her own heart-for starting to like Cat Noir when she's in love with Adrien Agreste!
After discussing the Guardian and Kwami and Miraculous for a while, the pair realize that the sun is going down and that they should both be getting home soon. They are both reluctant to leave the rooftop and go their separate ways. But they bid each other farewell anyway to head to their respective homes.
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Marinette and Adrien-as Ladybug and Cat Noir-both arrive promptly at the Master's home. Greetings are exchanged, official introductions are made, and tea is served. Cat Noir asks Wang many questions, many of which Ladybug had never thought to ask. It's a fascinating conversation. But it starts getting late, and Ladybug needs to get to the point. She politely asks the cat if he can go ahead to the top floor of the Eiffel Tower and wait for her, as she wants a moment alone with the Guardian. Adrien is happy to oblige.
"Master," Marinette begins once Adrien is gone, "Cat Noir wants to show me his true identity. And I'm beginning to want to do the same for him. But I don't know if it's ok to do that. I mean, we've been sworn to secrecy for good reason, right? What do you advise?"
"Marinette, my dear, it is true that there is good reason to keep your identities secret-there are forces in the world who would use that information to harm you if they knew. But secrets are meant to be shared between close friends who trust each other, when the time is right. If you both trust each other to keep the truth under wraps from the rest of the world, then I take no issue with either of you revealing yourselves. You simply have to ask yourselves if you trust one another that much, and if you are both prepared for the consequences. The truth can be disappointing, sometimes, or frightening. And once you know each other's real identities, it will certainly affect the dynamics of your relationship. You must feel confident that your friendship will endure no matter who he is to you undisguised, and vice versa. You must use logic when making your decision, but do not neglect your heart either. If you trust each other enough, if your friendship is strong enough, you will both survive the consequences of the unveiling even if the surprise is beyond anything you would expect. But I cannot tell you what you should do. It is a decision only you can make. Cat Noir has already made his choice; he has no doubt. You must ask yourself if you do. Understand?"
Marinette smiles and nods, surprisingly happy with the Guardian's words. She is unsure at this point exactly how she DOES feel about both of them revealing themselves, but at least now she knows it isn't wrong to do so. She has a decision to make, and a lonely cat is awaiting her answer. Thus, she thinks it all over on her way to the Eiffel Tower.
The thing is, I DO have doubt-at least about showing him MY self. I think I can handle finding out who HE really is, but I'm not certain that I'm ready for him to know ME. I mean I do rather want him to now, but I feel somewhat afraid. Of what, I'm not exactly sure. But I cannot deny that it is there. I guess for now, I will tell him that he can show me his face, but I may not have the courage to do the same. But will that anger him? No, surely not. He told me I didn't have to do the same; he told me he simply wants me to know the real him. He should be satisfied, then, if that is all I can do at this point in time.
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"What took you so long," asks an eager cat with a devilish grin.
"Oh, sorry for making you wait. But I have decided. If you still want to show me, I will allow it. But even though I want to return the favor, I'm not sure I can. I mean, I'm not sure I'm ready for that yet. Is...is that okay?"
Adrien's eyes grow wide and his mouth ovals in surprise. He had HOPED for the best answer possible, but EXPECTED the worst, so he is happily surprised at her final reply to his request. "It's more than okay, Ladybug! I'm thrilled! Like I said, I just want you to know the real me. I think, in time, you will want the same. But for now..." He smiles joyfully, his eyes sparkling. The night is clear, stars shining brightly, a picture-perfect place and time for a buoyed Adrien to expose his real face. He closes his eyes and takes a deep breath in. He holds out his ring-hand, fist clenched. His smile widens as he utters the words that he believes-this time-will change his life. "Plagg, claws in!"
Marinette watches with intense interest as Cat Noir begins to fade into a "real human boy." But when the transformation is complete...
"A-A-Adrien? It really IS you?" The bug is truly shocked. She had thought herself crazy for thinking it could POSSIBLY be him before. But now...here stands before her the guy she loves!
"Y-you know me, Ladybug?" asks a deeply curious Adrien. "Then that means...you ARE in my class?"
Marinette is dumbfounded. The love of her life is also the guy she recently developed feelings for, her superhero partner! And he loved her! Her heart races at that idea, but...
Does this mean Adrien loves me back? I want to believe that, but...he's never shown any sign of loving Marinette, only Ladybug! W-would he be disappointed if he knew who I was? Oh! And the awful way I've treated him! How many times have I rejected him? Pushed him away! He's tried to KISS me and I blocked it! In fact, I once kissed HIM to break him out of a spell, and I thought of it as a terrible CHORE I had to perform! It was my first kiss, WITH ADRIEN and my mind was completely in the wrong place! How could I not have known? Oh, all this time, I've been SHRINKING from the touch of the person I love most in the world! I'm a terrible person! There is no way he would still love me if he knew who I really am. I've treated him so badly. And in everyday life I'm nothing more than a friend to him, anyway. There is no way I can show him my unmasked face NOW.
Ladybug is visibly distressed. Her face is twisted as if she were in pain, sweat appears across her wrinkled brow, her breath is shaky. She is staring ardently at the boy before her, yet her eyes seem quite distant. Adrien immediately assumes it's because she is disappointed in who he turned out to be. He bows his head, already regretting what he just did.
Dejected, Adrien apologizes before Marinette can find a word to say to him. "Ladybug, I'm sorry. This was obviously a mistake. I shouldn't have pushed you. Please forgive me. I have to go now." With that, Adrien turns his back to Ladybug and pole-vaults away.
"A-Adrien, wait!" shouts Marinette. She does not know exactly what to say to him, but she doesn't want him to regret what just happened; he did nothing wrong. She couldn't stand the sad expression on his face, knowing that she herself had put it there by choosing silence when he transformed before her. "Adrien, please come back!"
But it is too late. He is gone.
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Marinette lands on her balcony. It's after dark; she knows she needs to go in soon or her parents will worry. But for now, she needs the open space to think. She envies the uncluttered sky. The landscape of her mind, at the moment, is a mess. She's still worried that Adrien will be disappointed when he finds out who she is. She's still worried how he will-or rather, won't-feel about her. She's still feeling guilty over the way she has treated him as Cat Noir. And now, she also feels guilty for having made Adrien think she was disappointed in him. She knows that she has to rectify this situation somehow, but she isn't sure exactly how. The Master's insightful words come back to haunt her: "The truth can be disappointing, sometimes, or frightening. And once you know each other's real identities, it will certainly affect the dynamics of your relationship. You must feel confident that your friendship will endure no matter who he is to you undisguised, and vice versa."
The Master was so right. Because Adrien transformed for me, *I'm* afraid, and *he's* disappointed. He's at home thinking he's disappointed me right now. He's suffering because of me. And now...how will this change our friendship, as Ladbybug and Cat Noir, and possibly even as Adrien and Marinette? I have GOT to figure out what to do about this. What can I say to mend the crack I put in his heart? Do such words even exist? And how do I get past this unsettling fear? She sighs heavily, a hefty burden on her shoulders.
Finally, Marinette goes inside to bid her unsuspecting parents goodnight, and gets into bed. But sleep escapes her. She tosses and turns and ponders and wonders all night. And then a harsh new day begins.
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Adrien is heartbroken. He had disappointed the woman he loved just by being him. He had not expected Ladybug to jump for joy or embrace him or suddenly fall in love with him, but he had expected her to accept him. This rejection was far worse than any other she had ever given him.
This is all my fault. I shouldn't have pushed her. She obviously was not ready to know the truth. She was hoping for someone better, I guess. Maybe someone who's more like Cat Noir every day. I wonder which girl she is, anyway. Who exactly have I disappointed? She knows me; she must be in my class. So which girl dislikes me so much? I mean, that horrified look on Ladybug's face when she saw me unmasked...she must really detest me. But no one in my class has ever shown any signs of hatred toward me...it's truly a mystery. I wonder if she will even speak to me at schcool tomorrow. Of course I won't know which girl it is by who talks to me and who doesn't, anyway. My conversations with girls other than the persistent Chloe are pretty random. I won't know if I'm being avoided or treated normally. Oh, why did I have to insist on showing her?
With a heavy sigh and an even heavier heart, Adrien gets into bed. He closes his eyes and tries to forget his worries, but his churning stomach won't allow it. The restless night of emotional torture seems to go on forever. But eventually, the sun comes up-and it's time to "face" the girl who not only doesn't return his feelings for her, but actually dislikes him. Even if he doesn't know which one it is going to be that he's having to face and won't know it when he's doing it.
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Adrien can't help but try to figure out which girl it is who is Ladybug's true identity. He scans the classroom as discreetly as possible, looking for any signs of distress. He assumes that if she was so disappointed in him last night, she would still be so today, and it might just show on her face. But every girl in class seems to be as chipper as always, and every one of them who catches him glancing in her direction smiles or waves at him. He wonders if she is one of them, anyway, simply trying to be nice. After all, disappointed or not, Ladybug is kind. He knows she had not meant to hurt him. Even if she did not care much for his normal personality.
But there was one missing. Marinette. The girl he had started to feel a bit romantic about despite his affection for Ladybug. Could it possibly be her? I mean, she isn't here, and Marinette never misses school...but she IS frequently late, so maybe she'll be here shortly. Either way, though, I STILL can't be sure.
Just then, in walks the very girl Adrien was just thinking about, late for class and babbling excuses to the teacher. He watches her take her seat. But she doesn't seem to notice him. He's not sure if that's the avoidance he would expect of a disappointed Ladybug, or simply a typically distracted and dazed Marinette. He also notices, however, that she looks simply exhausted-again. Could it be because she was Ladybug and was up all night pondering how to deal with a guy you don't like being your partner in saving the city? Or was it really the noisy neighbors she reported the last time? The very day after he first proposed that he reveal his identity to her? It does look like it could be her, he has to admit that, but he also has no proof. Plus, there is the fact that Marinette is far too spacey and clumsy to be Ladybug...isn't she?
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Marinette gives a hasty and frazzled explanation to her teacher as to why she is late, and then takes her seat-unable to set her eyes upon Adrien just yet. But from behind her book, she sneaks peeks, hoping to see him more cheerful today than how she saw him last night.
Unfortunately, though, he still looks pretty miserable-not to mention tired-the one time she catches his full face as he returns from getting up to sharpen his pencil.
It's all my fault. I made Adrien think I was disappointed in him because I didn't say a word to him after he transformed back for me. And with the awful things I was thinking of and feeling at the time must have also put a seriously ugly look on my face. He must think I hate him! Oh, I'm so stupid. Adrien is suffering because I let my own guilt and insecurity take over me instead of thinking of how he felt! How selfish and careless of me. I HAVE to find a way to fix this! I have to let him know that I am not disappointed! But how? Do I just SAY that the next time we work together? Would he even believe me?
Marinette spends the rest of the day pondering, looking for a solution. All who comment on her lack of concentration on schoolwork and apparent fatigue get the same excuse as the last time, noisy neighbors having kept her up all night. None seem to doubt it. But she does not know if Adrien accepts that answer or not, since she cannot face him directly until she comes up with SOME kind of idea of what to say.
But more of the Master's words resound in Marinette's head: "You must feel confident that your friendship will endure no matter who he is to you undisguised, and vice versa." With that in mind, finally, near the end of the school day, it dawns on her. It's so simple! It's a little risky, to my OWN heart, but I think it's the only way. I HAVE to do this. I HAVE to fix what I broke! Thus, she sneaks a note into Adrien's locker during a "bathroom break."
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Adrien arrives at the rooftop listed in the note he found in his locker to find Ladybug awaiting him. As per her request, he's in his everyday form.
"Hi," he says uneasily, not quite able to meet her eyes.
"Hi, Adrien. Listen, um...I uh...I have some things to tell you. W-will you hear me out?" Her voice is soft and pleading but at the same time nervous, and had he been looking, Adrien would have seen that her face was the same.
"Of course, Ladybug." He meets her eyes, then, figuring she deserves that kind of respect when she has something to say to him. He notices her expression then, and suddenly feels bad for running off so fast the night before. He had obviously ended up hurting her just because he himself was hurt.
"Um, er, I've got to tell you some stuff and um it's kinda hard to say but I just felt so ashamed cuz I was so mean but that was before I knew you were him and he was you and you were each other..." She punctuates her last statement with a finger pointing to Adrien, then the space next to his head, then crossing both hands, fingers pointing in opposite directions; then continues at break-neck speed without taking a breath. "...and then I got scared cuz you love her but not me and I do you and I'm not disappointed at all and I didn't mean to make you feel bad." She takes a deep breath in. "Um...understand?" Her eyes are full of doubt, pleading with Adrien to get the message she was oh-so-uneloquently verbalizing.
"Wait, slow down, Ladybug. That was a whole lot at once, and pretty confusing. I'm not exactly sure what you mean. Why don't you take it from the top at a slower speed? " She sounds JUST like Marinette, he thinks to himself.
Marinette begins again, this time trying not to rush through quite so fast and to be more articulate, to moderate success. "Well...you see...I know I really hurt you, and I'm so sorry about that. I'm not the least bit disappointed that you're Adrien, I swear! In fact, I think it's wonderful! But I just couldn't SAY anything when I saw you, because I felt so bad about how I treated Cat Noir not knowing he was you, and I felt insecure because you told me you loved me, but that's only Ladybug. The real you doesn't have feelings for the real me at all, and so I got scared, too, and with all those awful things on my mind, I just couldn't speak. I'm really sorry, Adrien. Please forgive me."
"Oh, Ladybug," Adrien begins sympathetically, taking her hands into his own and looking directly into her eyes, "please don't feel bad. You haven't mistreated me, and I'm fine now that I know you're not disappointed in me...but most of all..." He pulls the Lady's hands to bring her body closer to his, to where their faces are only a couple of inches apart, "I love you, no matter who's face you're wearing underneath that mask. You can't possibly disappoint me. I'm sorry if I don't show you any emotion outside of being superheros; that's just kind of hard to do when I don't know which girl is Ladybug. But I know who you are; what kind of person you are. I know that you are that same person in real life, too, and I need only to see your face to tell you how I feel properly. I promise my feelings for you won't go away when I finally get to see you without your mask on. Please don't let this trouble you anymore. Don't let anything concerning me bother you anymore. OK? I want you to be happy! Oh, and I'm sorry too. For running away from you last night. I guess I got scared, too. So... do you think we can go back to the way things were now?" He smiles gently at the polka-dotted insect.
Marinette breaths a sigh of relief, briefly looking down. She then smiles at him as she answers his question. "Well...not exactly."
Cat Noir's face reflects his surprise at this statement, but he tells himself not to overreact again. So he smiles back, and drops her hands. He opens his mouth to bid her a farewell, thinking the conversation is over now, but Marinette speaks up.
"We can't exactly go back to the way things were, because...I have something to show you that might change things." She takes a deep breath in and lets it out slowly, closing her eyes. Then she whispers, "Tikki...spots off."
Adrien is so shocked, he steps back a little. He watches with wide eyes and open mouth as a familiar face emerges from the swirl of magic as Ladybug transforms back to her normal state in front of his eyes. It's a dream come true!
"M-M-Marinette! It IS you!"
Marinette is very nervous-closer to terrified-but she locks eyes with Adrien anyway, needing to see his reaction.
"I-is this okay?" she asks insecurely. Her eyes reflect her fear.
A smile slowly spreads across a speechless Adrien's face. Then he wraps his arms around her, pulls her to him, and whispers into her ear, "It's more than ok, Marinette. I'm glad it's you. I was actually hoping it would be you."
Marinette can feel his breath in her hair, his body warm and close, and she can hear the sincerity in his voice. Her heart swells in ecstasy. Not only was he not disappointed, but he wanted her to be Ladybug!
This means he really DOES have feelings for me...doesn't it? she wonders to herself. But she doesn't have to wonder for long.
Adrien steps back from Ladybug, placing his hands on her shoulders, and looking into her eyes lovingly, a warm smile on his face. "Marinette, I love you. I love BOTH of you."
That's it. Marinette can't hold it in any longer now. She bursts into happy tears, and Adrien embraces her once again.
"I-I-I'm s-so happy," she sobs. "I can't believe it! It's too good to be true! Thank you, Adrien. Thank you so much!"
"My pleasure, Milady," he says, stroking her hair.
After a few moments of this shared bliss, Marinette dries up her tears and steps back from Adrien to look into his face. "Ya know, there's something else. Remember when I told you I was in love with someone else?"
"How could I forget?" whispers a frowning Adrien, casting his gaze down. "Well...I was talking about you!"
Adrien's eyes shoot up, joyful surprise written all over his face. "Me?"
"Yes! I've been waiting a very long time to say this to you, Adrien...I love you!"
Adrien beams at Marinette.
"Then, in that case...Marinette, will you go out with me? I mean...will you be my girlfriend?"
Marinette yells an enthusiastic "yes!" at him and throws her arms around his neck.
When they come apart again, Adrien takes Marinette's hand in his, making her heart pound, saying, "let me walk you home...Milady."
Marinette grins. The pair walk hand-in-hand toward the girl's house.
"Ya know, Marinette, truth be told...I was starting to get a little bit upset at myself. I knew how I felt about Ladybug, yet...here lately, I felt myself strangely attracted to you. Now it all makes sense!"
Marinette's eyes widen as she glances sideways at the boy walking at her side. "Really? Me too! I mean, I was getting confused too, because I was so devoted to Adrien, yet, I recently kind of started to have feelings for Cat Noir that I didn't understand. Guess I understand it now!" She beams at her companion, and he laughs out loud at the irony, making Marinette do the same.
Soon, the pair arrive at Marinette's doorstop.
"Well, I guess this is where we say good-bye for the day," begins Adrien. "I wish we had more time, though."
Marinette nods her agreement. They are now facing each other, close together, anticipation in the air.
"Well, that being the case..." Adrien says with a sideways grin. "I'm going to do something I've been waiting forever to do!"
With that, he closes the distance between their faces, and gently presses his lips to hers.
Two hearts surge in tandem, warmth and electricity spreading through two bodies.
This seems like such a dream! Marinette thinks to herself. Yet it's so real! I'm actually KISSING my precious Adrien! I mean, for the REAL first kiss! It's everything I ever thought it would be!
This too good to be true! thinks an elated Adrien. I waited so long for this, but it's so worth it! I could die now and I wouldn't even notice cuz I'm already in heaven!
Finally, the two break apart, rosy cheeks adorning matching smiles. They make plans for the the following day, and then finally, reluctantly, part ways.
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Marinette floats into her bedroom. She can't WAIT to tell Alya about the wonderful things that happened to her tonight! But she hates the idea of lying to her best friend about the REAL circumstances behind them. The one person she most wants to share the reality of her remarkable experiences with tonight, is Alya. So she decides to make a call or two...
"Miss me already, do ya?" he jokes, though he's obviously happy that she's calling him.
"Yeah, actually I do. But that's not why I called. Um...what exactly are we going to tell our friends? They're all going to want to know how this happened..."
"Yeah, you're right. I hadn't thought about that. Why don't we just say that we ran into each other in the park and I asked you out there?"
"Works for me! But...just for school. Um...listen...I know we just barely shared our secret identities with each other, Adrien...but...there is one more person I'd really like to know the truth. The whole truth. And I'm absolutely certain that she won't EVER tell a soul. H-how would you feel about that, exactly? I mean, um, if Master Fu is ok with it too, that is..."
"You mean Alya, right? I mean, she IS your best friend. If you trust her, La-er, uh, Marinette, then I trust you. You can tell her. I mean, if you're sure. And, of course, if the Guardian is on board with it too."
"Oh, thank you, Adrien! I will call Master Fu right away!"
"No problem, Marinette. But I have to go now, as much as I enjoy talking to you. Chinese lesson I can't get out of."
"O-oh, of course. Thanks again, Adrien. For absolutely everything!"
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Marinette calls Master Fu. It's dark out, making it feel very late, especially after such a long and eventful day, but it's actually only seven p.m. Marinette nervously questions the Master once more.
"W-well...Adrien and I have shared our identities with one another, and the result is more wonderful than you can imagine! B-but...there is...just one more person we would like to share with. My best friend Alya. Ya know, the one we gave the Fox Miraculous to and she became Rena Rouge? I'd say she's proven her trustworthiness for this, as well as her trustworthiness to me as a friend. Oh, and I've already talked to Adrien about it, and he's fine with it! So...what do you say, Master Fu?"
"Hmmm. Sounds to me like you have already made up your mind, my young friend. You do not need my permission. If you are ready to take the responsibility for yet another person knowing your secret-and Cat Noir's-then I say, trust yourself. If you have doubt, you probably shouldn't do it. You will always be worried whether or not you made the right decision, wonder if and when she might betray your confidence, wonder if it was a mistake to let yet one more person in on two more superhero secrets. But if your mind and heart are at peace with your decision and you have no doubt-and you are prepared to deal with whatever reaction she may have to learning the truth-you have my blessing. Not that you really need it."
"Really, Master Fu? Oh, thank you so much! This is no mistake, I honestly believe that with all my heart! I just can't thank you enough!"
"Any time, my dear. Any time."
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"Alya, I know it's getting late, but can you come over for a little while? I have something extremely important to tell you. Or show you. Well, both, really. It's something that can only be shared face-to-face. Can you make it?"
"Well...if it's really that important to you, I guess I can come over. But I have to be in bed at ten, ya know, so don't dally, ok?"
"Sure thing!"
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"Alya. Um...I'm kinda nervous about this, cuz I'm not sure how you're gonna take it. But I want you to know the truth. ALL of it. Please don't get mad, ok?"
Alya giggles. "Marinette, you're acting like you're talking to ADRIEN here! Lighten up, girl, I'm your best friend! Whatever you've got to tell me, or show me, or whatever, I can almost guarantee you I won't be mad."
"Well, the thing is...I've kinda been lying to you about a few things, for quite a while now, because I had to. But I think I can trust you with the truth now. I just hope you don't get mad at me for hiding this from you so long, and not telling you the truth sooner."
"Girl, what in THE WORLD are you going on about? What lies? What truth? Whatever it is, if you believed you were doing the right thing, I'm sure I'll understand. Just tell me, ok?" Alya squeezes Marinette's arm lovingly, a reassuring smile on her face. It puts Marinette a bit more at ease.
"Well...you know how I'm always late and I disappear a lot and I always have weird excuses for all that and stuff?"
"Yeah, what about it?"
"Well here's the reason for all that." She takes a deep breath in and closes her eyes. As she exhales, she utters the words that will bring on yet another change in the girl's personal life: "Tikki, spots on!"
Alya watches in utter amazement as Marinette transforms into her hero, the Miraculous Ladybug.
"So...what do you think, Alya?" Marinette asks quite nervously, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Oh-my-GOD! I'M BEST FRIENDS WITH THE LADYBUG!" Alya throws her arms around an extremely relieved Marinette. "Now it all makes sense! Wow, and here I thought I had such good instincts. I never really considered you, seeing as how clumsy you are and everything. But don't worry about anything, Lady-er, uh, Marinette-I totally get why you had to hide the truth. After all, it was you who made me a temporary superhero a couple of times, remember? And Rouge never revealed herself to Marinette, either! I get it, it's perfectly ok. Thank you for telling me! Say, does this mean I can get an exclusive interview, then?" Alya is all teeth, grinning from ear to ear.
Marinette giggles. The pressure was finally released, and there wasn't even a hint of anger. Alya really understood, true to her word. And she was happy to know the truth!
"Well, that's just part ONE, Alya. There's more. I'm dying to tell you what happened to me today! In fact, it's the reason I felt the need to come clean to you tonight, as late as it is. You're never gonna believe this!"
Alya is all ears-not to mention shock, excitement, and sheer joy-at hearing Marinette's story about how Cat Noir turned out to be the one and only Adrien Agreste, and that the two lovebirds finally got together! She is thrilled for both of her friends. Soon, however, Alya has to go. It's a school night.
"Just one thing before I go, though, Marinette...You and Adrien getting together will be a total bombshell at school tomorrow! I mean this is a pretty big scoop! What are you going to tell people? OH, speaking of which...what about Chloe? She'll definitely hear about it, and she's NOT going to take it well! How do you plan to handle THAT hot mess?"
"Well, Adrien and I intend to tell people that we met each other in the park and he asked me out there and I said yes. Simple, but believable, or so we hope. As for the hot mess...um...I guess I'll just have to tell her that Adrien decided on his own to go out with me, so it's not up to her. Besides, I'm not going to let her intimidate me anymore, especially where Adrien is concerned!"
Alya giggles. "Boy, Marinette, bagging Adrien has seriously boosted your confidence, girl!"
"I suppose it has..." Marinette smiles, realizing that Alya's words are true.
The two friends part ways, and Marinette hops into bed, ruminating about the day's remarkable events. Morning seems to come quickly, though she had spent the majority of the night not sleeping.
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The hallways of the high school are abuzz about this new development the next morning. Sabrina reaches Chloe just in time to see her catching the news from a classmate. Sabrina knows this is going to be bad.
Chloe tilts her nose into the air. "Seriously?" she responds to the classmate. "You MUST be joking. There is no way my Adrikins would choose someone else over moi, much less that lowlife Marinette. Ridiculous. Utterly ridiculous! Hmph!"
With that, Chloe enters the classroom, Sabrina right behind her. Chloe stops in her tracks, causing Sabrina to bump into her.
Sabrina apologizes, expecting to get yelled at, but doesn't hear a word. Then she sees why. Adrien is turned around in his seat, clutching one of Marinette's hands in his own, the new couple sharing pinked-cheek smiles and small talk. Sabrina can see the hurt, disappointment, and anger on Chloe's face. But before she can say anything to her best friend, Chloe pulls a...well, a Chloe.
The biting blond waltzes over to Adrien's desk. She grabs the arm he has stretched across Marinette's desk and pulls him to his feet.
"Excuse us, Marinette. But I need Adrikin's help with something over here..."
Chloe attempts to pull Adrien along with her back to her own desk, wrapping her arm around Adrien's like she usually does.
Adrien, who normally just tolerates Chloe's uncomfortable shmoozing, gently yet firmly pries Chloe's arm off of his, planting his fead steadily in place and refusing to follow.
"Chloe," he says tenderly, "I'm really sorry, but...I have a girlfriend now. I can't really let other girls get too close to me, ya know? You understand, right?" He gives Chloe a gentle smile.
Chloe is silent for a moment, taking in the reality of the situation, a frown on her face. Finally, she speaks up. "But of course, I do, Adriki-er, uh, I mean, Adrien." She puts her nose in the air like always. "I'm a lady after all. Far be it from me to interfere!" With that, the girl storms out of the room, snapping her fingers for a concerned Sabrina to follow.
Once out of earshot of all other ears, after the last class bell and not caring a bit, Chloe's facade crumbles. She begins to sob into her hands, Sabrina stretching an arm around the girl's back.
"Oh, Sabrina, it's true. It's true, it's true, it's true! How can this be? What does she have that I don't? I mean, Marinette of ALL people? I'm way cuter, smarter, and richer! What else is there?"
"Well, I know this doesn't help much, Chloe, but some things just aren't meant to be. Someday you'll find someone even better for you!"
"Ha! Adrien is a fashion model, he's totally hot, and his family is even richer than mine! Who else is going to beat all that?"
"I know this is something you have a hard time understanding, Chloe, but there are some things in this world more important than money or looks. I mean I'm your friend because I like you, not because you're so pretty or have so much money."
"R-really, Sabrina?"
"Of course! And I will always be your friend, no matter what. You'll never lose me."
Chloe, feeling a little bit better now, but still upset, remembers then what had made her notice Adrien in the first place.
"Sabrina," she whispers, "I had to start preschool all by myself with a bunch of kids I didn't even know after Mommy left. Adrien was the first person to ever talk to me. He was always so nice to me. He was my first real friend. Do I...do I really have to give up on him now?"
"Well, it looks to me like you have to let him go as a romantic interest, but he will still be your friend. Adrien is nice to everybody; that won't change. And of course, never forget that you've still got me. I will always be there for you. I will always be your best friend. You will never have to feel alone again."
With that, Chloe's eyes finally dry up, and she stands up straight. "Ya know something Sabrina! I think, for once in your life, you're actually right about something!"
Sabrina smiles, and then the two girls burst into unexpected giggles. When they finally stop laughing, the pair work to fix Chloe's make-up, then return to class acting unphased and giving "medical reasons" as an excuse for why they had been in the bathroom, though they were fooling absolutely no one. Adrien and Marinette both give her concerned glances, but Chloe simply sticks her nose into the air with her typical "hmph!" and the pair realize that she is going to be okay.
THE END