Alya sat at the desks in the clubroom, working on her laptop while the rest of the club was business as usual. Marinette had another contest that spring so she was busy sketching designs while Adrien tried not to add input as he watched and ate macarons. Nino was playing a random song on the drums while Juleka played along on guitar. Marinette smiled as Nino played, clearly aware of the song's origin.
Alya watched her computer screen as she uploaded a video from their Christmas Show. Apparently Chloe had pulled some strings for the video club to record their show that year they normally did with the theater productions. They had just finished editing the footage, since the other theater productions were higher priority and would get sales, unlike the Light Music's Clubs one video for their eventual memorabilia case.
The video would make great content for the club's blog. With less Adrienette action than normal, Alya had gone back to document club activities, ranging from their Valentine's party to impromptu music sessions. Juleka definitely knew the most songs as she could keep up with Adrien's classical training or Nino's jams. So with Marinette focusing on her contest, it wasn't too uncommon for a random burst of music from the three.
Marinette seemed to have a burst of an idea, so she switched from her sketchbook to her music book, flipping to a page and writing something inside. This action caught Nino's attention, the boy slowly down his drumming.
"New song idea?"
Marinette nodded, scribbling furious while humming. Adrien harmonized with her, Juleka following on bass. Nino stood up and walked over, reading over Marinette's other shoulder.
Alya looked over at her laptop, the video ready to be uploaded. She hit publish before looking back to the others, the group pausing as Marinette stopped writing, tapping her pencil against her chin as she tried to come up with the next lyrics.
"Want to see our concert for inspiration," asked Alya, moving her laptop so everyone could see. Everyone eagerly crowded around as she pressed play on the video, starting with the crowd cheering as Mr. Harperle introduced the club. The group walked onto the stage, the music quickly starting as the crowd yelled when Adrien stepped up to the microphone. Alya bobbed her head along with the music as the video cut in and out of the different angles of the band. She looked up to see Adrien and Marinette both a bit pink in the face but clearly enjoying the song. Eventually the song came to a close and the video stopped.
"I have a video of the whole performance, but it would have been too much to upload the whole performance at once. So I cut the video for only the first song," explained Alya.
"Nice, it definitely looks professionally done and great to advertise our next show," said Adrien.
"Should we do a show this spring," asked Juleka, looking between the older members of the group.
"Yeah, we've never really set out to do two shows in a year," added Alya.
"It could be fun, after my contest would be optimal though," said Marinette.
"I would be down, especially with the new song you just wrote," mentioned Adrien.
They all turned to Nino, who was still staring at Alya's laptop. As if aware of the silence, Nino announced, "I'm quitting drums."
"WHAT?!" Marinette nearly collapsed onto Adrien from shock.
"What happened?" "Where did this come from?" "You can't just decide to quit drums!"
Nino moved closer to Alya's laptop, scrubbing through the video until he got to a part that focused on the drummer. They could barely see his face, as the lights showed mostly on the drums and others in front.
"That's just one shot, I'm sure it's not the only case," said Marinette with a dismissive wave of her hand. Nino kept moving through the video, every shot of him overshadowed.
"Those lighting techs," Marinette grumbled.
"I want to be hiding in the back. I want to have a chance in the spotlight too."
"What if you tried a different instrument," offered Adrien.
"A different instrument," asked Marinette, no one seeming to listen as Nino ran around the room, looking at the different instruments.
"Alya can I try your guitar?"
"Sure!" Alya jumped up and grabbed her guitar, giving it a hug before passing it to Nino.
"Take good care of her."
"I will."
Nino strung Alya's strap over his shoulder, looking to the group's two guitar players for instructions.
"Let's start with you learning Fluffy Time," said Alya, looking to Juleka for confirmation.
"Yeah, that would be good since you were still able to learn it when you were a beginner."
The girls nodded, Nino nodding along.
"So the first note is an E," said Juleka as she moved her fingers to the E position, Nino mimicking her position.
"Then A, then B, then E again," instructed Juleka, moving her fingers, Alya watching as Nino tried to move his fingers.
"So like this." Juleka played the notes. The girls looked up to Nino, expecting him to follow, as he just gaped at them.
Nino took off the guitar and ceremoniously handed it back to Alya, Alya graciously accepting the return of her instrument.
"Thank you."
"You're welcome."
"If not guitar, then maybe piano," offered Adrien.
Nino eagerly jumped behind the piano, Adrien chuckling as he showed Nino a few notes.
"Is this really alright," Juleka whispered to Marinette. Marinette shrugged as the girls watched Nino and Adrien play together. Even though what Adrien was having him play for was fairly simple, Nino adapted to the instrument well, focused on his part of the song as Adrien played the more complex part.
Marinette smiled, closing her eyes as she bobbed her head to the song. Maybe Nino could play keyboard instead.
Nino smirked, playing a harsh sound on the keyboard, totally startling Marinette from her daze.
"NINO!" The smaller girl marched up, trying to whack his hat or his arm as Adrien protected his piano.
"Why don't you try playing bass," offered Alya. Nino had been with Marinette long enough, surely bass could be easier for him to learn.
"No way!" Marinette ran to her bass, holding on as if her life depended on it. "I'm the bassist."
"But Nino needs to try all our instruments, see which one he likes."
"No, it's fine," said Nino, smiling at his friend, "I get where Marinette's coming from. Thanks everyone, for letting me try your instruments." Nino grabbed his backpack, leaving the club room.
Alya crossed her arms, " we need to fix this."
"But how, Nino is best suited for drums," said Juleka?
"Well, he didn't do too bad on piano," offered Adrien.
"But do you want to switch," asked Juleka.
Adrien looked down at his piano, gently touching the keys
"Not really, I like playing piano."
The group nodded, realizing how much they liked their own instruments.
"Well, we just need to figure out a way to make Nino shine."
"Alright!" Alya burst into the clubroom the next day, almost making Adrien spill the tea he was pouring for Marinette. Juleka had to stop at her locker and Nino was running late. "I came up with several plans to help Nino be front and center!"
"You're really getting into this Alya," commented Adrien as he pulled forward her fox cup to pour her tea.
Alya nodded, grabbing a croissant from the box as she sat down.
"Of course. Nino's our club president after all, and the reason we have this club. If he wants to be front and center, shouldn't we help him?"
The two looked at each other before smiling at Alya.
"What can we do to help," asked Marinette.
"Ok Plan number one!"
"What in the," Nino started as he looked at the new place of his drums. They had been moved to the front while Adrien's keyboard was slightly behind. Marinette stood on the other side of Adrien's keyboard, while Alya and Juleka flanked the drums on either side.
"Our new positions," announced Alya, gesturing to Nino's spot in the middle. It had taken Marinette showing the rest of them how to set up Nino's drums to adjust its position. Then move the other instruments around.
Alya grabbed Nino from his spot in the doorway, pushing him into his seat. She then jumped back to her spot, waiting for Nino to start. Nino started playing Fluffy Time, the rest of the band joining in. Alya smiled, Nino, genuinely happy as he played the drums.
"What's going on," asked Ms. Bustier after entering the clubroom.
"Nino's always darkened in our concerts since he's in the back, so we moved him to the front," explained Alya as the group continued playing. Ms. Bustier moved around the group to see them from the front. She tilted her head to the side as she watched before tilting it to the other way.
"I'm not sure this way works. Especially if Nino won't be the one singing, we can't see the people actually singing in the back."
"You want to try singing Nino," Alya offered.
"Eh, I don't think I'm cutting out for singing Fluffy Time," said Nino, rubbing the back of his neck.
"Ok, next idea!"
The band had moved back to their original positions, everyone waiting on Alya's next instructions.
"So, while we play, we all look back at Nino at the same time."
Ms. Bustier looked rather dumbfound, but the rest of the club nodded in agreement.
"We'll look back on three. 1, 2, 3."
Everyone turned their heads to Nino before turning them back around. Then they repeated the process.
"I feel like you're singing happy birthday to me, and I don't know what to do with myself," Nino shivered.
"Well, it feels like that because we aren't playing."
"But do you think you can keep up the synchronized turning while playing," asked Ms. Bustier?
Alya tried to answer only to be stopped by Juleka.
"It's a good try," she offered.
"Ok! Next plan!"
Alya took off her guitar and ran out of the room, leaving the club wondering what the next plan was.
"Tada!" Alya returned with a strap attached to her head, reaching around to turn on whatever was attached, a shining light directed at Nino when she stood in front of him.
"There, to make up for the lighting problem."
"Where did you get that," asked Adrien, looking between the device and Nino as Alya moved her head to shine on him.
"I asked my dad to bring one yesterday from work. This was actually my first idea, but I wanted to try the others first."
Nino was squinting at the light thrown his way, Alya's head bouncing as she talked so the light was moving around his face.
"If you are moving, then the light won't always shine on Nino," said Ms. Bustier.
"That's why both Juleka and I will wear one."
"And I could decorate the straps so it won't look so weird," offered Marinette.
Everyone looked back to Nino to get his consensus regarding the light.
He smiled at the group, "Thanks everyone, but I don't think it's going to work."
"It will work, just try it, please," insisted Alya as she stepped up closer to Nino. Nino just shook his head as he stood. He grabbed his backpack.
"Thanks everyone. I think maybe, this might be something I need to figure out for myself."
He left the room, Alya reaching around to turn off the light.
"There's got to be something we can do to get him out of this," grumbled Alya as she sat in her seat. The rest of the club moved to the tables to think.
"But what else is there? The school doesn't have an all around stage we could use for concerts unless you count the school field," said Adrien.
"I might have an idea," murmured Juleka, "I don't know how legal we can do it though. Or even with Nino as depressed as he is, if he would even want to do it if its a one time thing."
"Just say the word and Chloe and I can talk to her dad," offered Adrien.
"And I'll handle Nino," said Marinette.
"You sure, he said he wanted to be left alone," said Ms. Bustier.
"He's my best friend, of course I would help if we actually have a good plan."
"Are you saying my plans are terrible," questioned Alya, crossing her arms.
Marinette opened and closed her mouth.
"They were ideas. This was more of a last resort if things got to this point. Any earlier and I don't think it would have been as effective."
"Fine." Alya slumped in her chair.
"I thought I was your bestest friend," pouted Adrien. Marinette just rolled her eyes, attempting to ruffle Adrien's perfect hair.
"So, what's your plan Juleka," asked Alya. Everyone leaned in as Juleka explained her plan. One by one everyone began to smile.
Adrien whipped out his phone as he stood up. "Consider it done. I'll talk to Chloe about meeting with her dad to get appropriate dates."
"Oo, we could debut my new song, and I have just the outfits for it!" Marinette flipped open her song book to show Alya and Juleka.
"I could start translating it tonight, after I make sure with my mother it's ok."
"If you need time off school, I could talk to the school as an extracurricular activity," offered Ms. Bustier.
"We'll try to get it for a weekend, so we could have the student come to the concert too," said Adrien, putting his hand over his mouth before continuing talking to Chloe over the phone.
Marinette had already started flipping through her sketchbook to show Juleka the outfits she made. Adrien had already left saying Chloe had made them an appointment with her father if he could come asap. Hopefully, they would help Nino reignite his love of drums.
Nino sat at his desk, twirling his pencil while trying to avoid the homework before him. Or looking at the wall filled with music posters. His mindless state was interrupted by his phone pinging on the table, causing him to lose his pen. He groaned before reaching for the offending device, unlocking it to reveal a message from Marinette.
It was a picture of the first time he and Marinette had a sleepover back in first grade. They were sitting in front of the TV in Marinette's living room, surrounded by blankets and pillows as they watched a replay of The Who concert. For the picture Nino had fallen over Marinette as he tried to tickle her in agreement to joining his band.
Nino smiled as he set down the phone, remembering when he declared to Marinette he wanted to play drums after seeing The Who's drummer, Marinette eventually agreeing to join. Her father had taken them to the music store that Sunday to look at instruments, Marinette eventually settling on bass after being convinced she could not just play the tambourine in their band.
He looked over at the wall, surrounded by concerts they had attended, including their own for their music schools. Music kept them together, even when Nino had been accepted into the band club in Junior High, he stuck with Marinette. He promised they would make their own band in high school.
Nino looked over to the picture frame Alya had given him of the Light Music Club at Juleka's initiation, everyone's hair a weird color. This was their band. And he was their drummer.
He looked to his backpack, his drumsticks poking out of the top. He reached over, spinning one in his hand before tapping it against the desk. He chuckled as he did, liking the familiar sound. He continued taping, using the desk and the two sides of his open school book to create a make-shift drumset. He picked up the pace, laughing as he drummed.
Until his little brother yelled for him to stop since they had school in the morning.
Nino crashed into Marinette while running to school the next morning. As they sat up, they were shocked to see each other.
"Why are you late," they asked?
"Doesn't Adrien pick you up usually?"
"Adrien was busy this morning. Aren't you normally on time?"
"Stay up until 2 watching videos of The Who. Then I remembered about homework."
Marinette smiled, reaching out her hand for Nino. He grabbed on as they lifted each other up.
"I take it, the picture helped?"
"A little."
Marinette whacked the lid of his cap playfully.
"A lot. Thank you."
"No worries, what are best friends for."
"Oh so now I'm your best friend? I thought you had me replaced for Adrien." He led her back to the crosswalk, the light allowing them to cross as they approached.
"Naw, Adrien has his own weird category of friend." Marinette's smile suddenly fell as she looked down at the ground, "Sorry if I made you feel like less of a best friend lately."
"Not really. I did get to know about your costumes before Adrien."
Marinette's smile immediately returned. I'm learning as we are growing up we are changing. I'm learning more about what I like to do as are you."
"And what have you learned?"
"That I want to stick with music for my future. I don't know what, maybe not even drums, but something with music."
"I look forward to seeing that. Maybe you could DJ one of my fashion shows sometime."
"Maybe, we'll see. I think I want to look more into music schools for university."
"So we may even be separated?"
Nino stopped in front of the school, Marinette stopping to face him.
"Probably, who knows where we'll all go. But we can all stay friends."
"Of course."
The school bell rang, Marinette and Nino suddenly realizing the lack of students outside the school. With panicked expressions, they quickly ran inside the school.
Alya was practically bouncing as she waited aboard the Liberty with Juleka and Adrien, watching Marinette lead Nino from her house to the nearby river where the ship docked for the day.
The group had been practicing Marinette's new song the rest of the week, Nino none the wiser why they were learning a new song for a surprise concert that Saturday. He was just happy to be back on the drums, especially without Alya's headlight. Marinette had even managed to put together costumes for them, claiming she had made them earlier, but the dark circled said otherwise.
Alya wore a black bear hoodie with a purple shirt, black shorts, and black tights, and black high tops. Juleka had on an oversized gray shirt, a grayish-blue tank top, black thigh warmers, and pink sneakers. Most of her long dark hair was up in a pink scrunchie. Adrien wore cream colored shorts, an orange, red, purple, and cream striped shirt underneath an open black and cream letterman jacket. Marinette wore a pink sundress with black heel boots. She managed to dress Nino up in green shorts, a gray sweatshirt with black sleeves. The hoodie part of the sweatshirt was periwinkle and the edge of the sleeves were black-and-white striped. He wore white hightops and a periwinkle and white baseball cap decorated with stars to complete the outfit.
"You're friends almost here," asked Mrs. Couffaine, coming down from the quarterdeck to watch the city.
"Almost, they're walking across the street," Adrien pointed as Marinette nearly got them hit by a car while crossing the street. They fell down, Nino's blindfold nearly falling off, but Marinette managed to slide it back on him before they continued on their way.
"Well, good luck with that then. Let me know when you're ready to sail."
With a wave, Mrs. Couffaine walked off, watering one of the plants on her way.
"You're mom's really cool for letting us do this," commented Adrien.
"Your dad would let us do this too you know," retorted Alya, "although it was nice of your mom for letting us."
Adrien shook his head, " No, we don't have a boat, he doesn't like unpredictability on shoots. He could have had us do it in the plane but i don't think that would have helped anyone."
Alya just rolled her eyes, Juleka's jaw dropping.
"How?"
"Oh, father's a fashion designer, Gabriel Agreste. With Marinette talking about her contests and impressing him a lot I thought you knew."
"I thought he was a judge."
"Not this year. Father wants to remain neutral for Marinette's contests. If she can do well in those, father is considering mentoring her. But don't let Marinette know, Father wants it to be a surprise when she decides her university."
Adrien winked, Alya raising an eyebrow. Since when did Marinette spend more time with the Agrestes? Last Alya knew was on their first Christmas as a club.
Before Alya could ask anymore, Marinette and Nino had approached the gangplank.
"Places," whispered Adrien, the three taking their spots amongst the set up musical instruments. Alya settled her guitar strap on her shoulder as Marinette led Nino onto the ship.
"And we're here!" Marinette pulled off the cap and blindfold before putting back on the cap.
"What in the-"
"Impromptu concert, approved by Mayor Bourgeois himself," announced Marinette as she took her spot next to Adrien. Alya and Juleka were up in front and slightly to the right, sharing a microphone. Nino's drums were in the back, but right in the center of the two groups. Their group face the street side of the boat, able to watch the people stopping by out of curiosity.
"Now everyone can see you," added Alya, gesturing to the drum set.
Nino slowly walked up, sitting down on the stool.
"We're ready to go," Juleka yelled out, waving towards the quarterdeck. Adrien quickly pulled up the gangplank as the ship's horn blew. The engine rumbled to life as it moved away from the shore.
Nino sat in awe, everyone smiling at each other.
"You didn't have to do this," he started.
"But we wanted to," finished Alya. Not giving Nino any room to argue, she started playing, everyone else catching onto the song. Passerbys stopped to watch, some even following after the boat as they played.
"Good Afternoon Paris! We're Afterschool Tea Time! We hope you enjoy our song," Adrien yelled out, a couple passing students cheering when they heard.
Alya looked back at the others, who nodded for her to start.
Drifting along on the wind, now we can
go to any land or any world, right?
I get overcome by joy at the first sound of a melody
The sun rises and sets on every little day
I can't lie in front of my precious friends
Love has no brakes
Let's advance on a pathless road, the sounds we let out together is our map
I mark our vow in my heart by the beats
Yes, We Go! Yes, We Play!
What colors and what rainbow
will the sweat running from our soaked foreheads and fingers turn into?
A slow running rhythm, disagreements, and conflicts
are everywhere on the one time-only stage in my entire life
I won't get hurt, your smiles taught me
that courage has no limits
I'll even sing a nameless song, the dream we picture together is our wings
When our eyes lock, we know how each other feels
Yes, We Fly! We, We Sing!
Every moment upon moment, ah, won't stop ending
But since they keep ending, they will keep starting
So I'll believe in the future
Let's advance on a pathless road, the place we step out to together is our road
I mark our vow in my heart by the beats
Yes, We Go! Yes, We Fly! Yes, We Play!
Forever and ever… Yes, We are Singing NOW!
The boat had slowed down enough so people could listen, cheering when the song ended. Everyone looked back to Nino, who was looking at the audience on both sides of the river, smiling and waving at everyone.
Adrien yelled out again to the crowd, "Everyone ready for another song?"
Variations of yes were heard along the river. The group looked back to Nino as he counted down for the next song.
"1, 2, 3!"
"Well, so much for that," Alya pouted as she sat down on the floor of the boat.
Marinette and Mrs. Couffaine were arguing with a police officer over their permit for the show, while Adrien was on the phone with Chloe, who was trying to get a hold of her father. Apparently they had "disturbed the peace" and someone had called in a complaint. The crowds had been forced to disburse
"Your mom's not going to get in trouble for this, right," asked Alya, looking up to Juleka who leaned against the railing.
"Probably not. Mom double checked the permits from Chloe to make sure everything was correct before we brought everything on the ship. She may be stickler for her freedom, but she tries to follow the law reasonably."
Alya breathed a sigh of relief, "that's good." Alya closed her eyes, forcing the noise from arguments to fade as she tried to relax. The only sound she could bother to hear was Nino's quiet tapping on the drums. She smiled to herself, bobbing her head to Nino's made up song.
This was her Light Music Club.
