Inside that little room, the anguished screams of the akuma don't reach them. It's as if the entire universe narrowed down to this place and nothing else exists. In this quiet, Chloe feels herself calm down, the fear the akuma caused vanishing under the gentle scent of flowers and tea.
"It seems nice, making a living by growing flowers," Chloe says, glancing around at the plants.
Takahogi nods. "It is a good life, though not as easy now that I'm getting so old."
An idea hits her. A chance. An opportunity. For once, something that she wants, not what her father wants or what the world expects. "Can I help?" she blurts out, "Like, an apprentice or something? You don't have to pay me at all, I just want to help you with the plants. I want to learn about them, and how to take care of them."
She's suddenly nervous, wanting this so desperately. Chloe busies herself with her cup of tea as Takahogi hums thoughtfully and looks at her.
Please, she thinks, please, please, please, please-
"I would like that," he says, "I'm old now, and many things are becoming difficult for me. Thank you, Chloe."
"I- uh, yeah! Sure!" Chloe stammers out. She ducks her head to hide her smile as relief sweeps through her.
Each loss that she's endured (mother, father, Sabrina, the child she was and the person she could have been) carved themselves deep into her bones. The wounds are ripped open everyday and the pain is just as a part of her as any of her limbs, raw and aching and eternal. But surrounded by the calm in Takahogi's flower shop, Chloe remembers that she can still heal.
Chloe is a Greek tragedy; all her suffering accumulating until a final moment of catharsis where the evil is defeated and the good live happily ever after. She is the monster and the hero and the damsel in distress. This story is hers and Chloe understands now that she has control of the reins, of the choices she can make.
They finish their tea in comfortable silence, lost in thoughts that require no voice. Chloe runs her fingers along the ridges of the bamboo making the tatami floor, then traces the stitches in the cushion she sits on.
Takahogi gently places his cup onto the table with a quiet clink then slowly pushes himself onto his feet. His age shows in his movements, but Chloe sees no pain, only cheerfulness in his expression. "Come now," he says, "Let's go check on the akuma."
She follows without a word, moving slowly to give him time to slip on his shoes and walk into the shop. Sound rushes back in, sudden and disorientating. Wind chimes dangle from the ceiling, clinking together to create soft, musical sound. Plants sway in a soft breeze, coming in from all the open windows, rustling in a way that reminds her of water.
Not a single scream from the akuma lingers in the air.
"Do you think it's over?" Chloe asks, glancing away from the street to Takahogi.
"Perhaps. I have no television down here to check the news, so I can't know for sure. You may leave if you wish, or stay until your friend returns," he says, picking up his watering can from the floor and picking up a green hose to refill it.
Chloe pulls her phone out of her back pocket at goes to Ladyblog. The livestream hasn't finished yet, so she clicks play.
"No love is true!" the akuma screams, high in the sky form where Alya's filming, "Once you realize this, no one can hurt you! I'm doing this to save people!"
"I really doubt someone named 'Heartbreaker' can help save people," Ladybug casually remarks, swinging her yo-yo in a lazy circle. "I'm sorry you got cheated on, but love does exist! It may not be what you think it is, but that doesn't make it any less real! Breaking people's hearts only makes things worse, don't you see?"
The akuma howls and throws down a barrage of glass hearts. Ladybug and Chat Noir jump out of the camera's field of view for a moment, then appear again, chasing Heart Breaker through the air. Chat Noir lands and hit with his baton to Heart Breaker's side, sending her closer to Ladybug when the akuma turns on him, snarling, and hurls another heart at him. He's too close to dodge in time, and is sent flying off screen. Ladybug screams, and slams the akuma down onto the ground, her rage palpable even through the screen.
"Holy shit," Alya mutters, the camera shaking as she begins to move.
Chat Noir hasn't entered the scene yet when Chloe leaves the livestream and puts her phone away.
"Ladybug and Chat Noir are still fighting the akuma. It looked like Ladybug was close to purifying the akuma," Chloe tells Takahogi, walking closer to watch him continue watering his flowers. "Can I help?" she asks, feeling strangely like a six year old in her father's office again.
Takahogi smiles. "Of course. There's another watering shelf behind the counter. Fill it up halfway and start watering on the other end of the shop. Water until you see some water coming out of the bottom of the pot," he instructs, lifting his can to go to another plant.
Chloe finds the watering can, a metal one with bees painted onto the sides, and does as he instructed. The half-filled watering can is almost too heavy for her, with how weak she's become recently. Still, Chloe pushes herself and carries it to the other end of the shop, trying not to pant for breath, and begins watering, gently tipping the watering can until water flowed out.
The leaves of the flowering plant shook as the water hit them, drops rolling off into the soil. She kept careful watch of the floor beneath the pot, and quickly lifted the watering can once water began flowing out of the pot. There were hanging pots, leaves dangling in the air above her, but Chloe couldn't reach them. Unsure if she needed to water those as well, she glanced over at Takahogi, then moved on to the next flower as he did.
It is simple work. Still, Chloe felt tired, and oddly refreshed as she continued watering. All the plants flourished in the small shop, leaves strong and green and flowers blossoming with vibrant colors. It felt dreamlike, and Chloe couldn't help but want to stay in this moment forever.
She doesn't know how long they worked in silence, but just as Chloe finishes watering a plant just two away from Takahogi, as they slowly work their way into the middle of that row of plants, Adrien appears.
"Chloe!" he says, eyes lighting up as he spots her. The frantic worry on his face fades into relief, then bemused confusion as he notices the watering can in her hands. "Uh," he says, eloquent as ever, "What are you doing?"
"Watering."
"Cool."
His mouth curls up into a smile, just two steps away from a shit-eating grin. Chloe narrows her eyes, silently daring him to continue.
"Ah, so you've returned!" Takahogi says loudly, making Adrien jump then whirl around to face the old man. "Young man, you must be more careful. You almost upset the flowers."
"...Sorry?"
The look in Takahogi's eyes say that he's just messing with Adrien, which Chloe completely understands, since it's just so easy to mess with him.
"No harm done," he says, and pats Adrien's arm.
Chloe sets down the watering can and wipes off the water on her hands. "That's Adrien," she introduces, "He's normally better than this, I promise."
"Well, akumas have a way of throwing us all off balance."
"Sorry about earlier," Adrien says sheepishly, ducking his head. "I didn't mean to push either of you that hard, I just kinda panicked,"
"You wanted to keep your friend safe, it's alright," Takahogi says, then holds out a hand, "I am Takahogi Sho. This is my slower shop."
"Adrien Agreste. It's nice to meet you." He turns to Chloe, smiling. "Ready to go?"
Chloe nods and follows Adrien to the street. She turns around to see that Takahogi followed them to the door to send them off, and gives a small smile. "Is it alright if I come by again tomorrow?" she asks, her nerves coming back to haunt her.
"Come whenever you like," Takahogi answers, "There is little else for me to do but tend my flowers. I look forward to your company."
Chloe flushes and ducks her head. "Thanks," she mumbles, "I'll be by tomorrow then."
He waves her goodbye and turns back to keep watering the plants. Adrien waits for her, just a little ways down the street, and jostles her shoulder when she reaches him.
"He's agreed to take me on as an apprentice of sorts in his shop," she tells him.
Adrien beams and throws an arm around her shoulder. "That's great!"
They don't say anything more as they continue down the street, the lightheartedness of the morning returning. Still, from the corner of her eye, Chloe catches Adrien grimacing and pressing a hand against his chest before he plasters a smile back on his face.
"I love my father, even if I wish I didn't," she suddenly remembers him saying. Even now, Adrien hides all his problems and tries to be so perfect.
And Chloe lets herself think that maybe they're not so different after all. Not even after all this time.
And maybe, she really isn't as alone as she feels.