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The next few nights are a blur of akuma attacks and, by the time I get to the bakery, Marinette is already asleep with her light off. At school, she's stopped sketching the dress, so I know by now that she's started to put it together. She's always rushing around, more so than usual, so I don't have time to stop and talk to her.
By the time Saturday rolls around, I am a nervous mess. Thursday night I left a note on her balcony telling her to meet me, as Chat, outside the contest building so I could see what she ended up going with. I didn't want to tell her that I'd see it on TV, so I decided I'll take a break from following my father around and talk as Chat. Yeah, good plan.
Start off with a nice shower, then hair, suit, tie, and a hat. I need a hat. Preferably a black one to match the all black suit I am wearing. I spot the derby hat that Marinette designed for me, and I know it's perfect for the day. I head downstairs where Nathalie and Gorilla are waiting for me.
"Where's my father?" I ask. He should be here, after all it's his contest.
"He already left to greet the contestants with the other judges. You will meet him there by the back door in fifteen minutes, so you better get going." Nathalie states. She nods and Gorilla goes to get the car.
"Thanks Nathalie. I'll see you when I get back." I head to the car, disheartened that I won't be with my father to meet the guests, but excited at seeing Marinette and all the designs.
Walking through the backdoor, I almost run into my father.
"Ah, Adrien. You're here. Follow me." I do as I'm told, and I listen to the instructions as I go. I am to follow behind the other judges at all times, make sure to not talk to the contestants, and prepare myself for the photoshoot with the winning contestant in his or her outfit.
"Alright, the judging will start in a few minutes. You have until then to do whatever you want. Just nothing crazy." He rushes off somewhere before I can even open my mouth in surprise. He must be in a good mood today.
I immediately run off to find Marinette's table. I spot her almost right away, her hair up in a bun and a cute little pink dress on.
"Marinette! I'm so glad you were able to come!" She smiles and I go in for a hug, but stop myself, remembering I'm Adrien right now. Chat can hug her later.
"Thanks!" She blushes and looks at her mannequin. The dress, wow.
"That's amazing, Marinette! Wow, I really wish you the best of luck! The winner of the contest gets to do a photoshoot with me while wearing their design, along with the other prizes, and the dress matches me perfectly!" She blushes as she realizes, and then turns to the dress.
"A friend really inspired me and gave me the design idea, so I just had to do it for him." I turn to really look at what she has done with the dress.
It's a black silk A-line with the sweetheart neckline I suggested, but there's something under the skirt to fluff it up slightly, and the top is a sheer black organza that goes up over the neckline and forms a t-shirt with a black silk ribbon for the neck. The waist is pulled in with a ribbon of black silk as well, with a huge bow hanging down to the hem of the dress. I circle the mannequin and realize that the back is bare except for the sheer organza, and the ribbon around the neck actually ties it closed in a little bow. The stitch-work is amazing, and the hem falls to just above the knees.
"Wow, Mari, this is really amazing! My father will love it because of its simplicity and style. I'll be rooting for you to win today!" I smile at her and she blushes.
"Thanks Adrien." An announcement comes over the speakers that the judges will be doing their rounds in one minute.
"I gotta go, I'll see you when the judges come round to your table?"
"Yup! See ya." She smiles and gives a little wave. I smile and rush off to the judges table.
"Imagine if she wins, how good that dress will look on her." Plagg says accusingly from under my hat. I blush, hard.
I imagine Mari in the dress, and I know she would look drop dead gorgeous with the black bringing out the darkness of her hair and letting her bright blue eyes bring the color in; the figure of the dress shaping to Marinette's body.
"Oh Plagg, not now," I groan as I dream up the mental representation. Now, every dress I see will be tainted by Marinette's beautiful figure. C'mon Plagg, now I'm biased! Not that I wasn't already. Anyway, it's time to judge. C'mon Adrien, pull out that Chat Noir. You can do this.
