Either Marinette was petty, or liked surprises as much as Adrien. After taking their measurements for costumes, Marinette kept her designs a secret from everyone. Well, everyone but Nino who was also mysteriously absent the day Marinette had her contest. Apparently she won first for her high school division and impressed several university representatives. So Juleka wasn't too surprised when Marinette brought in several large garment bags on the morning of their concert with the announcement, "I present to you the winner of Paris Junior Fashion competition."

Marinette laid down the garment bags to reveal her outfit. She wore a lavender and pink-spotted kimono that stopped at the knees, the lower half a puffy skirt. Holding her waist was a yellow and red sash tied in a traditional bow.

"And for the men," Marinette gestured to the door as Nino entered. He wore a yellow red-spotted kimono that reached the floor. His sash was a lavender and green. He wore a black jacket over the outfit with a hem the same material as his sash. His hat had been replaced by a yellow and red fox mask placed on the side of his head.

Marinette ran up next to him, posing in her outfit. Nino, trying to pose, crossed his arms while holding his drumsticks.

"Wow, these look great!" Alya circled the two, snapping a few pictures. "Once we all have these on, we'll ask Chloe to get some pictures!"

Marinette giggled jumping over to Alya to look at her pictures. Juleka looked over at Adrien, who pursed his lips while gently opening the garment bag.

"Let's take these over to the theater, so we change there before the performance," Juleka suggested, the others agreeing as they grabbed garment bags with their names. Marinette stepped next to Adrien.

"Do you like it?"

Adrien nodded, Juleka seeing a small bit of green peeking out of the bag.

"Good. It's probably not as good as a traditional Kimono, but it was fun to make."

"I'm sure it will be perfect."

Marinette turned slightly pink before scurrying away with an empty garment bag. Nino had seemed to disappear, probably already heading back to the bathroom to change.

"So the outfit was a special Adrien request," teased Alya. Somehow she had become more clued in to the Adrien and Marinette situation, teasing Adrien when Marinette was not in earshot.

"Sort of, just how it would be cool to have a kimono. I didn't think she would actually design one."

Alya raised her eyebrows, looking where Marinette and Nino had already left to change.

"Maybe she cares a little bit more than she lets on, like someone else I know."

Adrien frowned, elbowing Alya before leaving the room.

Alya looked over to Juleka, who shrugged. Just as Marinette tried to surprise Adrien for the day, she was certain to be surprised when she heard the lyrics to their new song.


The group waited in the greenroom, Adrien pacing as he murmured the song's lyrics under his breath. Juleka was surprised by the group's ability to keep his special song secret from Marinette. They managed to practice without Adrien singing the song the entire time they rehearsed, Adrien only sharing with everyone else the lyrics so neither Alya or Nino would blank out at hearing the song for the first time on stage. Alya did coo after reading it, while Nino frowned and possibly made some mild threats. They were prepared enough so if Marinette messed up while Adrien was singing the show would go on.

"Alright, so everyone is good. They just let out for the day so students should be arriving soon," announced Cloe as she charged into the greenroom. Marinette snapped up from where she had been adjusting Alya's dress. Alya had been pinning little flower clips to Juleka's hair.

"Yep, just last minute touches. Instruments are already on stage and tested."

"Great. Break a leg then, or whatever you show people say."

Chloe walked back out the way she came in before Alya could even ask for a picture.

"You're doing better at these things Mari. You're not as nervous like our first performance," commented Nino as he hung over one of the sofas.

"It's been three years and a lot of surprises during our shows. Especially after winning the competition, I feel like nothing could scare me now."

"Nice," Nino reached out his hand for a fist bump, Marinette obliging before moving onto Adrien for last minute touch ups. Adrien slightly stumbled as Marinette forced him to stop pacing, adjusting his green kimono.

"You've gotten taller," she grumbled as she set about to adjusting his outfit. Out of the five, Alya and Adrien had grown the most, Alya now matching Nino's height. Marinette seemed indefinitely stuck at her height as Juleka had slowly surpassed her upper classman, making Marinette the shortest of the bunch. Which was comical to look at as she barely reach around Adrien's neck to adjust his collar.

"Sorry, dad started going on a health food craze while in Milan."

"I don't apologies, just reminders to remeasure you a day before the event just to make sure something fit. Or just not make a full bodied costume again."

"But I like your costumes."

Marinette smiled, her fingers slowly straightening out his jacket. She blinked a couple times before shaking her head, smiling up at Adrien, and then moving onto Juleka.

Juleka obliged Marinette's demand to stand for final adjustments, looking over at Adrien who watched Marinette with a love struck grin, ignoring video and photos from Alya and Nino.

"Alright, the theater is packed, they are ready for you in five," announced Chloe as she poked her head in, quickly leaving before anyone could ask for a picture.

"I guess I'll get a picture afterwards.

"Our we could just do a selfie for the blog," offered Nino as he stood up.

"Fine, long arms!" Alya passed her phone to Adrien as everyone crowded around him.

"3, 2, 1," he counted before taking several photos.

"Cuteness!" Alya snapped the phone out of his hand, posting a photo to their blog before the group headed towards the stage.

"Break a leg," wished Mr. Harperle as he stood in the wings, ushering them onto the stage. Juleka walked to her new spot on the stage, near Alya who took front and center along with Adrien on the keyboard. Marinette took her spot next to Adrien, closer to the wings in case she fainted, she could be easily moved off stage. Juleka looked around at the group, Alya smiling at Adrien while Marinette wished him good luck.

"And now Francios Dupont presents 'Afterschool Tea Time!'" Mr. Harperle's voice rang out in the theater as the lights came on, blinding the band on stage. Rather than Adrien trying to introduce their new song, Nino began playing, followed by the rest of the band. The moment Adrien stepped up to the microphone, the crowds cheered.

If you're not around I can't do anything

I want to eat whatever you make

So when you get back home

I'm gonna hug you with a great big smile

Juleka glanced back at Marinette, the girl still standing, but as red as the sash she wore. The crowd seemed encouraged by this, cheering even louder.

If you're not around I can't take it anymore

I long for the sound of your voice

Just being able to see you smile that would mean everything to me

Simply being by my side you've always given me the courage

I wanna be with you forever and a day

I wanna tell you that this is how I feel

Whether under the sun or under the rain

You were always there when I needed you

Whenever I close my eyes I could see your smile shining brightly

If you're not around I don't know what to do

Where's the sugar and soy sauce?

And I was hoping that I could surprise you

When you come home

I think I've been spoiled too much

Because you're too good to me

You gave me so many things that I can't even get to pay you back

All the while I took your existence for granted

And I thought that we would always, always be together

As days go by

I'm sorry only now that I realized

That it really isn't the case

So to start things off I have to tell you these two words

"Thank you"

Will they go straight to your heart?

I'm not so sure of myself right now but

Don't laugh, okay? Please listen to me

'Cause I'm gonna put all my feelings into this song

I would like to take all my "Thank You's"

And send it to you through this song

This is a feeling I will never, ever forget

Oh feelings please get through!

As the song came to a close, Juleka glanced over at Adrien, who was looking over at Marinette. She was still completely red and trying to hide a huge grin. Encouraged, Adrien turned back to the audience.

"Thank you everyone! That was my first time writing a song." The crowd applauded wildly. Adrien giggled nervously, rubbing the back of his neck. "Thank you for your support." He looked over to Alya, then Nino as he nodded. Nino started the beat for the next song, Adrien leaning away from his mic as Alya stepped up.

"There's tons of thoughts in my head

I'm sort of afraid they might spill out


"You are still not going to date him!"

After the show, and a celebratory tea party at the club, Alya had asked if Marinette would date Adrien now after his sweet confession. Only to receive a firm no.

"I'm still focusing on my studies."

"You're with each other all the time anyway! What wrong with adding the label?"

"What wrong with not adding the label?"

"GrrrhG!" Alya angrily grabbed her cup of tea, slurping the last bit before refilling it. Only to find out they ran out. She stormed over to the kettle, filling it up with water before setting it back on the heater. The change in water temperature seemed to calm her down as she watched the water steam.

"Whatever works for you guys," said Nino, grabbing a pastry. Ms. Bustier sat at her table, amused by the whole thing. Probably for teacher water cooler talk later. Juleka just nodded, sipping her own cup.

She looked over at Adrien, who was staring into his cup, smiling to himself as Marinette's phone buzzed. Marinette flicked at her phone screen, smiling at something before turning it off. By the time the exchange was over, Alya came back over with the new tea, grumbling under her breath as she sat down..

"Stupid, stubborn teenagers."