Marinette very ungracefully sat on the breakfast table and let her head fall with a thump on the table.

"What happened, sweetie?" Her mother cooed.

"Maman.." she moaned. "My soulmate.."

"He finally replied?" Her mother's eyes lit up with excitement.

"He did.'" her lowered her head even more. "I think they hate me," she mumbled.

"Marinette, why would you say that love?"

"Yesterday, in the middle of the day, Nino drew d-.. some inappropriate drawings on my arm. For the first time he wrote back 'are you crazy?'"

"And see, you though he was dead," her father chimed in. "I told you he's not."

"How were I supposed to believe?"

"Cupcake, when you were what, three or four, you both used to talk all the time. Maybe, not talk but atleast spoil each other's appearances."

"Firstly, I don't remember any of it, literally none, and secondly, if what you're saying is true, he suddenly stopped drawing on himself, how could I not think he was dead?"

Sabine wiggled her brows, Tom sighed. "Fair enough," he muttered.

"And suddenly," she sulked back. "He replies as such."

"Maybe there was some reason?"

"Ha, really? I feel like I must have spoilt something really big, because it took him years to appear." she chuckled bitterly. "I wonder how he even writes or do anything. Never even a dot of ink has appeared on me on it's own. Did he get his hands amputated, or wears gloves to write. I can't let my soulmate know I exist!" she mocked him.

"I agree," another voice chimed in. They all turned to the front door.

"Ah.. Nino, my boy. Come inside." Tom ushered him in.

"Morning Mr. Dupain, Mrs. Cheng. Morning.. Marinette," he greeted everyone.

"Morning, Nemo," her parents greeted back. Nino mock glared at them.

"Marinette?" Sabine raised a brow at her.

"Morning, Nino," she wished.

"Come on son, I've baked some fresh croissants, wanna have some?"

"Actually, I want to talk to Marinette," he said.
"And not have croissants?"

"No, that too, but I have to talk to her, real important," he glanced at her. "Really important."

She eyed him, then nodded.

"Grab 'em, then come upstairs."

He nodded. When he entered her room, she was staring down at her covered sleeve. Instantly, a new wave of guilt and regret washed over him.

"Marinette?" he asked tentatively.

"Hi, Ninny," she looked up at him. "Sup?"

"I'm so sorry." He apologized.

"Oh, don't sweat it," she waved her hands. "At least this made him reply. So what important did you want to tell me?"

"There's something I have to tell you."

"That you've accidentally fallen in love with me?" she joked.

"I already love you, Mari."

"Ah, pooper. Okay, what is it?" He didn't reply. "Nino?"

"I guess I found your soulmate." He breathed.

"Oh, great."

"Marinette," he held her shoulders. His eyes were desperate, breath fast. "I really did."

"Nino," She gulped.

He shook his head. "I don't know how to tell you," he paced on the floor. Marinette watched him in amusement.

"Is he that bad?" she asked.

"Bad? It's not bad. Or maybe it is?" He violently fished out his phone from the pocket. "See yourself."

Marinette took phone from his hand and began scrolling. Apparently, after he told Alya what happened, she sent him a link. He's been stressed about it all night.

Oh the screen, there was Adrien Agreste staring down at his hand on which there were several drawings of.. dicks?

She gasped.

"You mean?" she looked up at Nino from the screen who nodded.

"I mean, they are exactly where I drew, so," he shrugged.

"This can't be true," she said a little breathlessly. "You are kidding, this can't be true, Nino."

"But why?"

"Don't you understand what you're saying? My soulmate is the most handsome model of Paris, of France, top ten models of the world, son of the CEO of a renowned fashion brand, Gabriel, son of the top female model of Europe, Adrien Agreste? No." she shook her head. "I don't think it's true." She handed back him his phone.

"Why can't it be true?" he frowned.

"Why?" her eyes widen. "He is son of Gabriel, Gabriel Agreste, Nino. He can't be my soulmate. And even if, let's consider, he is, I ruined his fan meeting event, Nino. I embarrassed my soulmate in front of thousands of people. He must literally hate me now."

"You didn't, I did," he grimaced.

"His skin is connected to mine, so I did it. Oh god, his father, he must have seen it by now. He must have seen how his son's soulmate assaulted him, like the news say, by drawing such offensive drawings on his arm in public. He must be so mad. What if he can bans me from entire fashion industry. If he did, I will never be able to a fashion designer, never be able to open my own line. I will have to learn how to bake, then one day take over this bakery. I'll have no other choice, Nino. I'd die without love, without passion. It's better I die now."

"Marinette," Nino suddenly yelled, effectively silencing her. "Isn't it too much?"

"What?" she shrugged.

"You never talk like this, M, what's going on?"

"I'm just slightly panicking over the possible end of my career."

"Don't try to fool me."

"But I really am."

"I know, but that's not all. What else?"

She looked up at him as if he's said something wrong, but didn't look away. She sighed. "He's Adrien Agreste."

"And?"

"I-" she choked on a sob. "I don't know how to feel, Nino. One day, I was wondering if I even have a soulmate, and then next day, you say my soulmate is Adrien Agreste. I don't know how to feel."

Immediately, Nino wrapped his arms around her. "Oh, cheri," he mumbled.

"For years Nino, for years, I wrote him. Asking him to reply me only once, so I just know he's there, but he didn't. He got all those messages, but he didn't care to reply. But then one day, you drew some dicks on my arm, which appeared on him between a fan meeting, and.. and he says I'm crazy. I am.." she curled around him. "There is a whirlwind of emotions going on inside me, and Nino," she sniffed. "None of them is happiness."

"Marinette, I'm so sorry," he whispered, trying to comfort his best friend in pain.

"Now, everything mine is on stake. Everything. My love life, my career, I don't even know what to worry about more. It's scaring me, Nino."

Marinette has always been an expert whenever it came to hide her emotions. But being with her since childhood, he could read her very well. She uses this mask of happiness and cheerfulness to hide how lonely and sad she really is. The fact that most of the class has found their has bothered her more than she showed. That is why, he cancels his plans with Alya, with his other friends many times just to be with her. He knew she needed a shoulder, but was afraid to ask so, so he never let her. He was automatically always there for her. Even now.

"Marinette," he cooed. "It's gonna be okay."

"I don't think so. Yesterday- yesterday after you left, a few m-more messages appeared on my arm."

"Did you read them?"
He felt her shake her head against him.

"I didn't have strength to."

"It's okay."

"Read them for me?" she asked after a moment.

"Are you sure?" he stiffened slightly. "I mean after yesterday.."

"Oh," she pulled back a little and looked up at him. "It wasn't your fault, Nino. In fact, I'm glad you did that. At least I know.. so much now." She smiled and extended her arm. "Here, read them."

With a nod, he rolled up her sleeves. She had buried her face into his arm, for she didn't want to see what he has to say.

He read aloud.

"Ms. Whoever you are, I'm really sorry. I shouldn't have said that. I mean who does that, right? That was rude of me. I'm sorry."

"Wow," she chuckled bitterly.

"Marinette." Nino didn't know what to do. All he wanted to go and bring some sense to that model boy.

"I don't think he wants to talk to me Nino. I guess I'm just wasting my time now. And if he is Adrien, I'm sure I am. I mean someone like him, he must have girls all around him much prettier and of his level. Why would he want to settle to a stupid, silly soulmate?"

"Don't say like that, Mari."

"It's the truth, Nino."

"Mari," he didn't know how to make her feel otherwise. He felt so helpless. He wished Alya was here with him.

"And oh god, how difficult it must be for him to hide all those untimely drawings and messages. No, I won't do that to him anymore. I'll.." she closed her eyes tightly. "I won't write on myself anymore."

"Oh, M, I'm sorry." He wrapped his arms tightly around her. " I can't even imagine how difficult it must be for you, but, M, not even for a moment, feel alone. Your this best friend will always be there with you, no matter what decision you make." He stroked her head.

"Thank you, Nino," she whispered. She sobbed a little on his shoulder. Nino held her tight, never letting go.

He just wished she end up happy like her parents.