Hello! SonicRebelHD here with the next chapter of The Master Files, Sorry for the late turn in, schools been rough so I had to focus on that for a little bit but I'm back in the groove. I hope you all enjoy. (I do not own Ladybug and Cat Noir)
Chapter 6
Secret No More
(Corrin POV)
Corrin's mind was foggy, as he drifted through the almost endless caverns of his mind; being tossed, from one memory to another with no break, or remorse. Each new memory he drifted through, entered his mind and stayed there, making Corrin watch that one memory for what he felt like hours before he drifted through another memory, repeating the process, making Corrin think he's lost his mind.
But he remembered, and learned from each new memory he pondered on; learning more on how to use his powers, remembering his history; nothing was out of reach for Corrin now. There was one memory that he hoped and successfully avoided for now; his death. He didn't wanted to remember how he died but Corrin was running out of memories to drift to, so he was going to have to if he kept drifting at this pace. But right as he was about to drift into the cursed memory, something jolted his shoulder instantly waking him up with a gasp.
Corrin looked around desperately trying to find out where he was, until a hand shook his shoulder. "Are you alright kid?" A officer asked, making Corrin's stomach drop.
"Y-yea, I'm fine." Corrin replied as he rubbed his temple, surprised that the pain in his head was gone.
"Are you sure? I got a report that a kid was in a coma up here on the Eiffel Tower so I came to check and you were here." The officer explained, making Corrin's mind ding in rememberence.
He had passed out during his meeting with Plag and Tiky; Corrin mentally slapped himself for being so careless but now at least his curiosity about his past was quenched. Plus Plag was right, even though Corrin was afraid, he knew what he had to do, and his determination had never been higher. 'Crap, now I owe Plag some cheese.' Corrin laughed mentally as he shook his head, bringing him back into the present.
"Sorry officer for worrying you, I just fell asleep looking at the stars, and I'm a very heavy sleeper." Corrin lied as he rubbed his head in fake embarrassment. "Please I'm Roger Raincomprix, but call me Roger." Roger said as Corrin's mind froze. Corrin knew a girl at school who's last name was Raincomprix, it was Chloe's friend Sabrina! 'Crap this must be her dad.' Corrin groaned mentally as his mind raced to find a solution but came up with nothing.
"Sir?" Corrin sighed, "What would it take to make it so that you don't tell Sabrina that you saw me here?" Corrin asked which made Roger look at him funny. "Ohhh wait you're that Corrin kid Sabrina's been talking about, the new transfer student from America right?" He asked.
Corrin nodded.
"But, why would you not want me to tell her? Your friends must be worried sick about you since you're an hour late for school." Roger informed making Corrin's skin grow cold.
"I can not have them find out I was up here all night, please what will it take?" Corirn asked again, prepared for the worst. Roger had a thoughtful look on his face before he gave him a suspicious look, " I'll let you off the hook this time but, if I see you late for school again, I will tell your friends everything from then and now, deal?" He asked as he offered his hand.
"Deal!" Corrin replied enthusiastically as he grabbed Roger's hand and gave him a firm hand shake before he ran to the elevator and started heading down. But when Corrin looked down, he noticed that he was still wearing his chef's robe which made Corrin clench his fist in frustration. 'I guess I'm going to have to wing it.' Corrin thought and laughed at his own pun, as the elevator doors opened. Corrin quickly glanced around making sure no one was near before he conjured up his armor and flew back home, changed, then quickly flew to school.
'I'm going to get harassed today, darn it!' Corrin groaned as he landed, dispelled his armor, and opened the doors to whatever pain he was going to be in.
(Adrien POV)
Adrien sighed as he kept glancing at the door, hoping for Corrin to walk through, as Miss Bustier talked about a subject that he was to worried to bother with. 'He should be fine,' He kept telling himself, but he couldn't help but glance at the door expecting him to walk through. Adrien had wanted to ask Corrin about his job; get to know him a little more than he already did, but when he didn't show Adrien knew something was up. He knew the others were worried about him too, for Adrien noticed them all glance at the door every so often, especially Marinette who he thought looked at the door more frequently than he did.
Then it finally happened, as the door slowly crept open to reveal Corrin, looking a little pale, quietly walk in and tried to get to his seat unnoticed but failed as Miss Bustier placed her chalk down, turned around and smiled at Corrin, who gave her a nervous smile. "Finally decided to join us?" She asked.
"I'm sorry Ma'am, I accidentally slept through my alarm, I won't let it happen again." Corrin replied.
Adrien knew instantly that Corrin was lying. Corrin was the most responsible, and dedicated 17 year old that Adrien ever knew, he was even a sous-chef at a restaurant, if that wasn't the true example of both Adrien didn't know what was. Corrin wouldn't be so careless to forget his alarm, and he seemed too alert to sleep through his alarm so something different must of happened.
Adrien knew that Corrin didn't have any parents and that he wasn't from America, from his fight with him when he was ackumatized but that also left a few other possibilitys. Corrin either was a adopted son of a family in Paris or he was homeless which seemed more like Corrin to Adrien. So something must have kept him from getting to school on time but what that was Adrien didn't know but he had half the mind to find out for himself. Corrin had gotten seated, resuming the class but Adrien was only half paying attention, as he tried to figure out a way to confront Corrin after school.
Adrien waited by the entrance of the school for Corrin, knowing that Corrin would be finishing his homework soon which still boggled his mind. He had a plan ready, and was confident that it would work but with Corrin you never knew what would happen which is one of the reasons why Adrien enjoyed being around Corrin. He could be a crazy joker, a caring friend, a guy full of wisdom, and finally just someone to listen to your troubles, which meant that Corrin could take Adrien's question a lot of different ways which was what Adrien was scared about.
Adrien finally saw Corrin, who was walking down the stairs with Marinette, making Adrien take a deep breath before putting on a smile and started walking towards them. "Hey guys, whats up?" He asked.
Marinette's face redened for some reason, while Corrin just smiled at his approch. "I'm fine, just a little tired thats all." Corrin said as Adrien and Marinette both frowned at him.
"Anyway if you guys want we can all hang out and play Meka Battle Strike Three at my house." Marinette suggested which made Adrien smile with excitment. Last time he played that game was when him and Marinette trained for a tournament that was being held for it, so playing again, or rather getting his butt kicked again by Marinette was better that his plan.
But to both of their dissapointment, Corrin shook his head, "Sorry I have family night tonight with my folks, so you guys have fun." Corrin explained as he was about to walk away but Marinette caught his shoulder before Adrien could even think about it. "Corrin why are you so busy all the time? It feels like you're avoiding us." Marinette said as Adrien nodded in agreement.
"I'm sorry, I hate being as busy as I am, but if I remember correctly, I should truly be free this weekend if you guys want to plan something for all of us to do then, then I'd be down." Corrin explained.
"Heck, I'd even plan the event if you want me to." Corrin added which made Adrien smile.
"Alright, I'll hold you to it." Adrien and Marinette replied in unison which made them all laugh, before Corrin left, leaving them alone.
There was silence between them before Marinette gave Adrien a serious look, "Have you noticed that Corrin's trying to hide something from us." She asked as Adrien nodded in response.
"Well, would you be interested in finding out his secret...together?" She asked as she looked away from him probably to see if Corrin was near by. Adrien smiled, she was just as curious about Corrin as he was, which made his final decision come a whole lot faster. "Sounds like a plan, Agent Marinette." Adrien said giving her a goofy smile, as she laughed. "Alright Agent Adrien, lets head to my house to gather some supplies then Operation Secret will comense." Marinette said as she ran towards her house, with Adrien right on her heels.
After they gather some supplies, including ear pieces which Adrien tried to ask about but only got a red faced Marinette trying to tell him but just ultimately giving up in the attempt, quickly found Corrin and followed him for a while. The only thing that he did as they followed him was look at the scenery, which Adrien thought was normal until he got a closer look at him.
Every time Corrin would stop and examine something, he would look at it with a artistic eye. But now he looked at everything with awe inspired eyes, like he was now seeing everything in a different light which really made Adrien wonder what changed for him in the last 24 hours. Finally, Corrin stopped at the Bridge of Saint Martin, looking out into nothing like it was the most beautiful sight he had ever seen.
Adrien and Marinette shrugged at eachother, as they watched Corrin with interest.
"Ahh Corrin, care for a double scoop?" A voice called, making Adrien look to see Andre the ice cream man, rolling his ice cream cart onto the bridge.
"Not today, but thank you." Corrin said making Adrien arch his eyebrow. Not many people would turn down Andre's ice cream and apparently Corrin was one of those people. Adrien put that fact into the back of his mind as he went back to listening, "Oh, is something bothering you?" Andre asked as he started setting up his cart.
"Kinda, I'm a little stressed at the moment."
"From work I presum." Andre asked.
"In a way." Corrin answered, making Adrien and Marinette look at each other in confusion.
"Well whatever you are going through, a little ice cream always helped clear my head." Andre informed as he made a double scoop cone and held it out to Corrin, who rolled his eyes and started to grab his wallet but was stopped as Andre thrust it into his hand.
"Today its free of charge, think of it as thanks for teaching me your people reading skills." Andre said with a smile and a wink making Corrin laugh and made Adrien's eyes widen in shock.
"Yea I heard you were now known as the ice cream man of love or something around those lines." Corrin laughed.
'No way! The reason Andre can actally see if you like someone, is because of Corrin!?' Adrien exclaimed in his mind as Corrin walked away waving goodbye to Andre.
"Come on, lets ask Andre a couple of questions." Marinette said as she started walking up the bridge, making Adrien instantly start to follow her. "Ahh, Marinette, Adrien would you care for some ice cream?" Andre asked with a smile.
"We have a couple of questions for you about Corrin, if you don't mind our asking." Adrien said which made Andre frown slightly.
"Friends of his?" He asked making them both nod.
"Well good for him, finally finding some friends, I thought he'd be a loner forever." Andre commented making Adrien and Marinette look at each other in worry.
"We are his friends but he's been keeping secrets from us and we'd like to know why." Marinette said making Andre nod in understanding.
"Well, if you want the full picture then you're going to have to ask him yourselves." Andre informed, "But, if you catch him in the alley way by the library then he'll be cornered, but you didn't hear it from me." Andre finished with a wink.
"Thank you!" Adrien and Marinette replied at the same time.
"No problem, I've known Corrin since he was a child so seeing him finally trust someone other than me in the last seven years is heart warming." Andre said as Adrien and Marinette thanked him again and ran to the location that Andre had said.
When they had reached their destination, Adrien wasn't sure if he should be impressed or sad. The alley way wasn't an alley way at all but a makeshift home: with bunched up blankets for a bed and stationary umbrela, an upside down box for a table. His chef robe was hung up away from all the dirt and muck but other than that, there wasn't clothing of any sort anywhere which really tugged on Adrien's heartstrings.
"Hey Adrien, look at this." Marinette called, making him pull away from Corrin's living arrangements to see what looked like a map of Paris, with scribbles of something written all over it.
"What am I looking at?" Adrien asked as he tried to decipher what the text was but could only make out a few mathematic equations.
"I think he's trying to locate something." Marinette responded as she traced her finger on the paper seeming to read the text in her head.
Adrien looked closer at the map, trying to see if he could see what Marinette was talking about but then he saw it, "He's using advanced calculus to figure out the location of something with only the direction by which someone came from." Adrien exclaimed in awe as he pointed to two points making Marinette look at him with wide eyes.
"I knew he was smart but this is almost genius level." Marinette spoke as she looked at the map with admiration.
A crack met Adrien's ears which instantly made both of them turn around to see Corrin, looking at them with his eyes full of fear, face pale, and sweat pouring down his face.
"Corrin," Adrien started,
"Why didn't you tell us?"
"Yea! Aren't we your friends? Aren't friends suppost to trust eachother?!" Marinette exclaimed, which made both Adrien and Corrin flinch.
Corrin opened and closed his mouth many times before he spoke, "I'm sorry, I didn't want to drag you guys into my problems." He replied keeping his eyes away from theirs.
"When you become my friend your problems become my problems." Adrien said with determination.
There was an unsetteling pause before Corrin spoke, "Now since we're all here, I might as well tell you everything huh?" Corrin asked making Adrien and Marinette nod enthusiasticly.
He sighed as he sat down on his 'bed' and began to tell them everything, from his parents death, to his self learning and survival, to finally present time. Adrien was in a state of shock as he listened to Corrin's story, Corrin knew the true feeling of being alone, which made Adrien for the first time in his life, think that he had it easy. After Corrin finished, Marinette went up to him and gave him a hug which seemed to make him uncomfortable, making Adrien laugh.
"You're our friend Corrin, so you should expect to get a full or side hug from us here and there." Adrien informed which made Corrin smile.
"But what are you going to do now Corrin?" Marinette asked as she backed off giving Corrin some space.
"Well, my plan was to work some extra shifts so that I could get a hotel room or something, but with my age I only get minimum wage so it'll be a while before I can actually get one." Corrin explained.
"Plus I have to focus on food and clothing which don't come cheap so I have long days ahead of me." Corrin finished as he rubbed his forehead.
Adrien just looked at Corrin in amazment, Corrin seemed willing to over work himself to get by, let alone have some comfort in his life, and he was only 17! But then a thought popped up in Adrien's head, and the more he thought on it, the better it sounded and the more sense it made.
"How about you crash one of our places for awhile?" Adrien suggested which made Corrin look at him like he was mad.
"Yea! Think about it, you're still 17 which means you aren't an adult yet, so why don't you relax for a little while, while also working here and there. You'd save up money without using it for food, and you'd get to finally relax." Marinette put in making Adrien nod in agreement but the idea seemed to make Corrin sick.
"I can't do that to you guys," Corrin responded making them both frown.
"Plus, I bet your father wouldn't approve Adrien, and I can't live in a girls house that would be um weird." Corrin pointed out which made Adrien flinch.
That did sound like his father but he'd still have to try, and he does understand Corrin's predicament with living with Marinette, that would be a little weird. But Marinette just shook her head as she grabbed Corrin's hand and started pulling him, "Come on we have a guest room it'll be fine for the mean time, Adrien you just ask you father and see if it can work, if not I'm sure my parents would be fine with having Corrin stay." Marinette explained as she pulled him with her out of the alley way and waved goodbye to Adrien before disappearing.
Adrien laughed as he starting making his way back home, Marinette could be a little pushy but she always had your back which was one of the reasons why Adrien really liked being friends with her. 'Don't worry Corrin I'll make sure dad says yes.' Adrien thought as he ran as fast as he could homeward.
(Corrin POV)
Corrin's face was beet red as Marinette pulled his arm towards her house, he knew she was only trying to help but he was definitely out of his comfort zone. It was bad enough that Marinette and Adrien found out about his homelessness, but with them trying to make his last year as a kid worth while really made Corrin feel guilty and a burden. He could've just used his power to sustain himself while he saved up money for a hotel but he couldn't tell them that so he told them he would have to pay for food too but Corrin didn't think that idea through enough for it back fired on him.
"Seriously Marinette I'd be fine if you left me in the alley, I've been surviving there since I was ten, I can live with it a little longer." Corrin explained but instantly regretted his word choice as Marinette kept walking but with even more hast in her steps.
"Thats the problem, no teenager should be focusing on survival not when adulthood is right around the corner." Marinette explained making Corrin groan inwardly as they finally made it to the Dupain-Chang residence. When they walked in her parents were working the bakery but had stopped to greet her but when their eyes laid on Corrin they hesitated a little.
"Hey honey, Hi Corrin what can we do for you today?" Her father asked him which made him shrink back.
"Dad would it be ok if Corrin use our guest room for a little while?" Marinette asked which made Corrin flinch.
Both of her parents looked at each other in confusion before asking, "Why would he need the guest room?"
Marinette opened her mouth to speak but Corrin stopped her as he took a step forward and took a deep breath, "I'm sorry Mr. and Mrs. Dupain-Chang, but I'd humbly asked her if I could use a spare room because I'm homeless." Corrin made up on the spot which made Marinette go wide eyed. "Wait Corrin tha-"
"I asked Adrien if I could use a spare room at his place but was informed that his father most likely wouldn't approve so I asked Marinette and she took me here to ask you guys. But I understand if you say no." Corrin finished as he bowed slightly.
There was silence as Corrin kept his gaze at the ground, having a feint hope that they would say no but he felt a hand on his shoulder, so he looked up to see Marinette's dad smiling at him.
"I knew I reconised you, you were that little kid who helped us with deliveries before Marinette was old enough." He said as Corrin's mouth flew open, how in the world could he remember that, that was almost 10 years ago!
"Oh wow you have surely grown." Marinette's mother complemented making Corrin blush.
"Well that settles it, you can stay but on one condition." Marinette's dad said.
"We heard that you're the sous-chef for the Age of Reason restaurant is that true?" He asked as Corrin nodded in responce.
"Well you have to make us some meals now and then if you don't mind." He asked with a wink as Corrin laughed.
"But dad, he needs to-" Marinette started, but Corrin cut in just in time.
"Of course, I'd love to cook." Corrin said.
"Well, welcome to our humble abode."
"Thank you sir!" Corrin said shaking his hand, truly appreciating their hospitality.
"Please call me Tom." Tom said with a smile.
"And I'm Sabine." Sabine introduced as Corrin shook her hand.
"Marinette could you show him to his room?" Tom asked as Marinette nodded and motioned for Corrin to follow her. He followed her up the stairs and then followed her until they entered a fair sized room with everything a guy could ask for: a comfortable bed, and a bathroom. Corrin didn't care about everything else in the room, the only thing that he needed were those two things but he had to admit that who ever designed it had a very artistic mind.
"Well here you go, sorry if its a little small." Marinette apologized but Corrin just shook his head.
"This is perfect, I've been without a comfortable bed for seven years now so this is great." Corrin said as he sat on the bed and practically sunk into it.
"I do have to say again that you didn't have to do this." Corrin said
"Of course I did this, you're my friend and you were in need so I came and helped." Marinette said as she turned away from him for some reason.
"I'll make it up to you some day I prom-"
"Don't finish that sentence! The only thing that I need from you is for you to be my friend and for you to relax while you still can." Marinette interrupted which made Corrin raise his eyebrow.
"Um that was two things."
"Y-you know what I mean!" She exclaimed making Corrin laugh.
"Just so you know though, cooking is one of the ways that I use to relax so if you need a chef then don't hesitate to ask." Corrin reasured.
Marinette nodded with a cute smile on her face, which made Corrin blush softly. He definetly wasn't expecting her to be so nice to him, even after she found out that he had been lying to her, but here she was, giving him something that he hasn't had in what seemed like a life time ago...A home.
