Alya was confused to say the least. The songs had been rehearsed for the last two weeks. Chloe had informed them about the show's live stream, inviting Jagged Stone, Penny Rolling, and their parents to watch. Their instruments were being moved to the theater, and excitement was bubbling amongst the students. But as they sat in their last class of the day, Marinette still had yet to reveal their costumes.

"Are you sure you aren't forgetting something," whispered Alya, leaning towards her friend.

"I'm sure."

Alya sulked in her seat, watching the clock tick by. She tried asking the others what was up, Nino and Juleka were equally confused, but trusting Marinette. Adrien seemed to know, saying it was a big project she worked on at Gabriel's, so it would arrive later. But nothing had yet to show up.

"Light Music Club, you are dismissed," called out their teacher, Marinette and Alya packing their bags.

"Good Luck!"

"Break a leg!"

The classroom started chattering as the girls left, joining up with the other members in the hallway.

"Please tell me the surprise," demanded Nino, "Chloe got to leave class 15 minutes before me, and I tell you, that face was 100% mock."

"Chloe knows? Why does she know," asked Alya.

"Because she's the student council president, she authorized us to do this, so she has a right to know."

"Oh, that reminds me, father asked if he could send the stream link to the Gabriel's employee. I gave him the ok, but thought you should know," said Adrien, changing the topic.

"Why does everyone else at the company need to know," groaned Marinette as they entered the theater, the tech club members making final adjustments to the stage and lighting.

"Because, he's very proud of us. Nathalie told me father liked to listen to us play sometimes, as it helped him creatively. He thinks it might help the company. Plus…" he looked back to the others, "everyone at the office knows about the surprise anyway."

"Why does everyone but us know about the surprise," whined Alya as they entered the side of the stage, leading them into the greenroom to wait.

Instead of a vacant room like normal, inside stood Ms. Bustier holding a box. She was wearing a normal white t-shirt, obscured by the box.

"Caly?"

Their teacher smiled, pulling everyone into a group hug.

"Go rock it out there," she whispered before letting go, handing the box to Marinette.

She opened the box to reveal five plain white shirts with a giant red star with a green outline, "ATT" written over it in black. She was even wearing one herself.

"I couldn't resist adding a little something," said Caline as Marinette passed out the t-shirts to the rest of the members. Their backs each had a little design on them signed by Caline Bustier.

Adrien's had a black cat. Juleka had a can of spray paint. Marinette had a macaron. Nino had drums with a record as the bass drum. Alya had a guitar and a pen.

The group quickly exchanged their shirts, Marinette whacking Nino cap when he stripped his shirt without warning.

"Do you still have a pen? We should all sign each others," said Alya, Ms. Bustier produced 5 different colored sharpies.

They went about exchanging signatures with each other until their entire back was covered.

"I love this, this is the best costume ever," Alya hugged Marinette, both girls nearly crying.

The school bell rang overhead, signaling the end of classes. As well as Caline's phone beeping.

"That's Penny, she just confirmed she and Jagged have the link set up, and they wish you luck, and cordially extend invites to their wedding next summer.

"Oo, as a senior gift, can you give me Penny's number," asked Nino, looking over at Ms. Bustier's phone. She quickly closed out of the messages.

"Graduate first, then we can talk."

Suddenly all their phones started vibrating, the students opening their devices.

"My parents are watching it," confirmed Marinette.

"So is father and Nathalie."

"My mom is watching it with my brother."

"My mom has the whole kitchen watching, my dad has the zoo watching, even Nora, Ella, and Etta are watching."

"My mom's watching, and Luka and his band are watching."

Everyone smiled to themselves tucking their phones away.

"Then we just have to make sure this is the best concert ever," announced Nino, the group cheering in response.

"You're on in five," called out Chloe from the doorway. The group stared, Marinette and Adrien smiling as the other members saw what Chloe was wearing.

She was wearing their band shirt.

"Surprise," giggled Marinette.

"How," Juleka looked between Marinette and Chloe.

"With my approval, and approval from Gabriel's, we have enough shirts for the entire school, staff included. Student government unanimously voted your band is the most unifying school event we can pull off, so we chipped in some of our event planning budget to pay for the expenses."

Nino immediately led the charge for mauling Chloe in a group hug, the girl accepting the gesture.

"You may not be so bad after all," teased Nino.

"Pul-lease, I'm adorable. I'm just surprised it took you this long to see it."

"We're ready for you," Ivan appeared at the door to the backstage, also wearing a shirt. The club smiled at each other, giving final hugs before following Ivan. Other student techs wished them luck, even Mr. Harperle was wearing a shirt and giving them a thumbs up as they walked on stage.

Alya took a deep breath as she took center stage, readying herself for the event.

"And now Francios Dupont presents 'Afterschool Tea Time!'"

The crowds cheered as the curtains rose, Nino quickly starting them on their first song.

When I look at you, my heart always goes doki-doki

This shaking feeling is fluffy-fluffy, like a marshmallow

You're always so persistent, You don't even notice

Me, always staring at your profile

When we're in my dreams,

The distance between us can be shortened

Oh, God, please

Give some Dream Time for just the two of us!

Cuddling my favorite bunny doll, Goodnight again, tonight

Fluffy time (Fluffy time)

Fluffy time (Fluffy time)

Fluffy time (Fluffy time)

Again today, your unexpected behavior makes my heart go pound-pound

Reading too much into your casual smile, I overheat!

The serious face of yours I saw one day

Appears even when I close my eyes

Even in my dreams is fine,

I want some Sweet Time for just the two of us!

Oh, God, why

Is this Dream Night so painful that I've come to like it?

I've taken out my emergency teddy bear, will I be okay tonight?

If I could muster just a little courage

And speak to him naturally

I wonder if anything would change?

I think it would, but...

But that's the hardest part of all!

'Cause how would I have an excuse to talk to him?

And then, I'd have to think of something to talk about, and that wouldn't be natural at all!

Aaaaah! That's enough! Just go to sleep, go to sleep, go to sleep! (That's right! Go to sleep~!)

Oh, God, please

Give me some Miracle Time, just this once!

And afterwards, if I can talk with him no problem... we'll see where it goes.

Fluffy time (Fluffy time)

Fluffy time (Fluffy time)

Fluffy time (Fluffy time)

Alya smiled at the audience, the crowds a blinding white, red and green. Not a single person in the audience went without a shirt.

"Thank you everyone," Alya yelled out to the crowd. The crowd kept cheering until she spoke again.

"It's been fun, these past four years, playing with these guys," Alya looked back at the band, who were confused by her speech, but smiled for her to continue.

"To be honest, when I first came here, I had no interest in the Light Music Club. But I'm glad I found it." She laughed as she continued, "I'll never forget the day I met them. Our president Nino," the crowd interrupted with a cheer, "was stuffing his face with macarons, while Marinette was pouring Adrien tea." The crowd went even crazier, laughing at Alya's story.

"They were an odd bunch, but they made me feel right at home with all the fun, laughter, and music. Then we got Juleka!"

The shy girl waved at the crowd, who started cheering. Mylene was probably the loudest.

"She taught me to be a better guitarist. And she was there for a lot of us when we needed it most. This was our band for the past four, threeish years when Juleka came along. But we have many other unofficial members. Caline Bustier!"

Alya gestured to the side of the theater where their teacher was hiding, a spot light illuminating their teacher.

"A great teacher, an amazing teacher adviser, and an even better rock star."

Ms. Bustier turned bright red as the students applauded, gesturing to move the light away.

"Our parents, who provide us with much support and a lot of tea and snacks. And we have Chloe!"

Chloe seemed ready for this moment after Ms. Bustier's spotlight debut, princess waving at the cheering audience.

"Without whom a lot of stuff couldn't happen. We wouldn't be here, sharing our music with you. We have our friends in the theater club, and next year's drummer Ivan!"

The theater students cheered, Ivan moving the spotlight around on the stage.

"We have our friends in the art club. Whom I'm still waiting on for my super heroine debut."

The audience laughed.

"The Adrienette club, the best ship in the school who helped some many times with concerts. We don't know if you'll keep the club since we'll be graduating this year, but we'll keep you posted."

Alya looked back to Adrien and Marinette, who were both blushing as the crowd cheered.

"And you, so many of you who have supported our music. Thank you!"

She looked back to the club, nodding to start the music for their next song.

"As nice as that was and all, my senior forgot one important person," interrupted Juleka.

"Our nosey guitarist who always needs to know everything about everyone. Not because of her dreams of being a reporter, but because she cares. She's been a good listener and a good learner. Our guitarist, Alya!"

The crowds cheered wildly, Alya smiling and bowing. She looked back to her band, who all smiled at her, Nino raising the brim of his cap so they could start. Everyone started playing the song, the crowd cheering at the new music.

"For our next song, a new original written by everyone in the club! Even though Nino only gave us the title, 'Fate is Endless'!"

The front cover on the cover of our history textbooks is a set list from long ago

I wonder if the turtle swam and became a bale of turtles before it got to land

I feel like my heart is held still, being pulled in, and disconnected

Like a puzzle ring kind of feeling

No matter where or when, let's connect and sing! Ta-da!

Hey, can this fortuitous encounter be called fate?

The answer is a smile and a full power session

We met by chance without passing each other by, it's rather amazing

So if our pitches don't match perfectly... that's okay! There!

Even if you come in from the back, the tempo is the tempo, the tension rises from the beats piling up

From a single cell we split successfully, everyone is here with their five senses

We can't waste even a gram of such a miracle

I won't stop even if I get a fever from studying

On rainy, windy, or stormy days, stick out you chest and let your heart ring, ta-da!

Hey, this combination is an extra-special fate!

It's the number one groove in the school, in France, to make you happy!

One song in 3 minutes can even cross the border

Where are we from? It doesn't matter what language... we can communicate! There!

Ah, I want to embrace this moment, but you know,

If you go on treasuring it and enjoying it

There'll be even more good things...!?...right! Ta-da!

It's an extraordinary promise that transcends time

A string, keyboard and stick are our red thread

Even in a future where space food is the standard

Tea and snacks will never be forgotten

That's right, this fortuitous encounter could be called fate!

Forever a full power session with a smile

We met by chance without passing each other by, it's rather amazing

So if our pitches don't match perfectly... that's okay! There!

'Cause we're together! There!

'Cause we were destined to meet since before we were born

Even if we're reborn, we're sure to be able to meet again

Be thankful for our good fortune

I'll aim to be most loved in the galaxy

Hey, this music is a wonderful collision of fate!

We can even get to be on the same level as Beethoven!? There!

Everyone in the audience stood, cheering loudly, and screaming for an encore. Alya looked back to the rest of the club for permission, everyone nodding. Alya turned back to the front to start their next song.


"How many songs was that," groaned Nino. The members sat in their clubroom, underneath the window as the sinking sun illuminated the room.

"I think we played every song we ever wrote," said Adrien, passing a water bottle to Marinette.

"But it was fun, wasn't it," asked Juleka, the group nodding. They sat in silence, only the crinkle of a water heard as Marinette set it down.

Then they heard the slight hiccup.

Alya took off her glasses as they fogged up, pulling out a cleaning rag, only for them to fog up again.

"I'm not crying," announced Nino as he took off his glasses to clean as well, "just sweating, out of my eyes."

Alya felt Juleka reach for her hand. She looked over at the girl to see her crying.

"I don't want this to end," she whimpered, Alya pulling the smaller girl in a hug.

"It's not over yet. We still have Christmas, New Year's, plus you heard Caline, we'll all go to Jagged wedding."

"Maybe we could put on another small show in the spring or something," added Adrienette, Marinette's face buried in his chest, although the boy was crying himself.

"We still have a lot of school year left," added Nino.

"We, we j-just have to m-make every mo-moment count," sniffled out Marinette as she looked at the group. As everyone looked to Marinette's crying face, everyone started crying and hugging, settling into a group pile.

"Can't we just stay like this forever," asked Marinette.

"For now. And maybe later," said Nino.

"Yeah, I still have to report on the best fashion designer in Paris," jested Alya.

"Well all meet up at the after party," continued Juleka.

"Head back over to the lavish apartment Marinette has for herself as Mr. Agreste's future successor," added Nino.

"And we'll just sit up against the wall, because your sofa is too small," said Adrien.

"And I'll pull up Alya's blog, with the recording of our show tonight on it, and we'll watch it on loop for the rest of the night."

Alya smiled, the picture nearly complete in her head.

"Then in the morning we'll go to the Dupain-Chengs and have tea and croissants," said Nino.

"And her parents will ask Adrien if he's going to pop the question soon," teased Alya, Nino and Juleka laughing.

"And I'll tell them to stop spoiling the surprise, and to bother the other single people in the room."

"You wouldn't," Nino looked over at Adrien, glaring at him.

"Wouldn't I? 'Oh, future-maman-in-law, Nino and Alya are looking a little single lately. And Alya's going to be in town for awhile, maybe we should set them up on a date?'"

"Oh no you don't Agreste," challenged Alya.

"Years of you meddling in our affairs, time for payback," responded Marinette.

The four teens started arguing, from dating lives, to a unimagined future. Juleka sat in the middle of it all, smiling and enjoying every moment.


Still some more chapters to go. Not quite the end yet.