Chapter 4: Another One Learns
"Bye bye, butterfly." Ladybug said after purifying the Janitor's akuma. She and Cat Noir were about to do their usual victory celebration when they were interrupted by Volpina.
"Give me your Miraculouses or they die!" Volpina demanded while showing illusions of Gabriel Agreste and Tom Dupain.
"It's another illusion, isn't it, Kitty?" Because of Cat Noir's excuse to know the Adrien Agreste illusion from their first run-in with Volpina wasn't the real deal, Ladybug thought his cat instincts could tell.
"Probably but I'm not sure." Cat Noir answered.
Before Ladybug could make sense of it, Rena Rouge and Carapace showed up and dispelled the illusions. "Like someone could abduct Gabriel Agreste without it becoming instantly mentioned on the web." Rena commented in disdain. Ladybug and Cat Noir took advantage of that discussion to flee before their five minutes wore off. Having her plan ruined and not being much of a fighter without her illusions, Volpina decided to flee as well.
Some minutes later, Marinette was discussing things with Tikki. "I don't get it." Marinette told her kwami. "Cat Noir could tell the Adrien illusion was an illusion but couldn't tell with Adrien's Dad and mine."
"Maybe Nadja Chamack got it right." Tikki suggested.
Marinette laughed at the idea. "Thanks, Tikki. That joke made me feel better." They then went to Master Fu's clinic, where they (mostly Marinette) were surprised to see Adrien. Marinette couldn't resist the temptation to eavesdrop.
"That was a close call, Master Fu." Adrien commented. "Perhaps we should let Ladybug know I am Cat Noir."
Marinette's jaw dropped at hearing that.
"I'm afraid she's learning it right now." Master Fu replied and then looked at the entrance. "Isn't it, Marinette?"
"What're you talking about?" Marinette asked. "I'm not… here. Alright, I am here. Adrien, are you really Cat Noir?" She asked in shock.
"Yes." Adrien answered. "And you are My Lady."
"How come you didn't sound surprised?" Marinette asked.
"Honestly, I started suspecting ever since the Evillustrator incident back when you didn't show up as Ladybug until after you as Marinette left, My Lady." Adrien explained.
"Then Alya's story about Ladybug having to be a student at Collège Françoise Dupont must have ended all doubts." Marinette commented.
"Actually, it was your response to my Valentines' Day letter, My Lady." Adrien explained.
"What're you talking…" Marinette started asking until it clicked in. "Was that letter for 'Ladybug' and not for 'Marinette'?"
"Wasn't it obvious, My Lady?" Adrien asked in surprise. "I even alluded to the fact you have a secret identity."
"Tikki thought it was some metaphor." Marinette explained.
"Hahahahahahahahaha. Typical Tikki." Plagg laughed. "Always looking for romance in everything."
"Be nice, Plagg." Tikky admonished her fellow kwami.
"Wait a minute." Adrien asked. "If I am Cat Noir and Marinette is Ladybug, are Rena Rouge and Carapace Alya and Nino?"
"You got that right, Kitty." Alya answered as she revealed herself at the entrance. Nino was with her.
End chapter.