start notes—
When Marinette finds a shelved notebook in the library, she assumes it's a mistake. But the optimistic, pun-obsessed, cat fanatic of an owner seems to think it's fate, instead.
my tellonym: milkisande
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bookstore
'cause lately i don't even know,
what page you're on.
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THE first thing Marinette thinks as she pulls out the notebook is, that doesn't belong there.
And she's right— she knows the Fu's Bookstore in and out; it's been her favorite place starting from when she discovered it in high school, and Marinette's practically lived there ever since.
(It's come to a point that some customers have assumed she's worked there, asking her questions as if she were an employee. Marinette still answers them even if she's not, just for the simple reason that she can.
Mister Fu doesn't mind either, assuring her that he loves the company and spirit she brings to the business.)
So Marinette always makes it a point to help whenever she can; her own personal way of saying thank you for providing her with a second home.
Today, she's organizing the books and placing them on their proper shelves.
It only takes a moment for her to notice the out-of-place and bright red notebook peeking out from the selection for Books About Superheroes.
"Weird," she quietly mutters to herself, wondering if someone had left it behind by mistake.
(But in case it was, then why would they shelf it, of all things?)
Curiously, Marinette opens the notebook.
On the first page, written in almost perfect handwriting:
'Up for making a new friend?
If yes, turn the page and write something!
I think that together, we'll be meowvelous.'
On the bottom is a drawing of an all-too-familiar catlike superhero, but was depicted so poorly that she almost couldn't identify it at all.
Marinette sighs.
Okay then. Guess she'll be writing something after all.
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Adrien almost trips as he runs to the bookstore.
Maybe today. Maybe today someone actually replied!
He sneakily makes his way to the shelf, carefully watching to ensure that nobody's looking behind him. Adrien wraps the black jacket closer to his body in an attempt to hide himself.
Then, he opens the notebook.
First, he thinks with complete joy that, someone read it! This actually worked! He'll have a new best friend like in those coming-of-age movies and—
He flips to the next page.
'Please don't use the bookstore for your antics and jokes. I'll leave the notebook here for you to take back.
And Chat Noir, really? We all know the superior hero, and it's not him.'
Drawn below is an extremely intricate drawing of Ladybug, the superheroine of the Miraculous comic, arms out and holding her token yo-yo.
The sketch is so perfect that Adrien's tempted to rip the paper off and keep it for himself.
Instead, however, he decides to write back.
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'Hey, it's not like I hate Ladybug, but we have to give Chat Noir some credit too! His puns are purrfect; absolute comedy gold.
But I love your drawing! Are you an art major?'
'His puns aren't all that clever. And you're not that great either, come to think of it. Maybe you could learn from Ladybug and start speaking more seriously?
And not an art major, but I'm in fashion design. I just like sketching in my free time. You, on the other hand? You could do with some practice. :-)'
'Then, teach me maybe?'
'Believe me, we're going to need a lot more notebooks if you want that to happen.'
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Marinette doesn't know what makes her keep replying.
Maybe she doesn't want to lose a possible customer. Maybe the boredom of summer was finally getting to her. Maybe it's the fact that she pitied him because of his poor drawing skills and pure lack of taste in choosing superheroes.
Or maybe— maybe it's because she wants to know more about the strangely-optimistic and overly-friendly mysterious boy hiding behind the notebook's cover.
They continue their writing exchange for months.
(And have consequently gone through their fifth notebook to date. She figures that if they didn't doodle as much, they'd probably end up wasting much less paper.
But then again, Marinette does like seeing his awkward drawings decorate the pages.)
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Their first argument over paper starts when Bookstore Stranger uses two whole pages to draw Ladybug and Chat Noir— sharing a kiss.
She doesn't even compliment him on the drawing.
'WHY ARE THEY KISSING?'
'Why not? I think they're in love! :'
'No, they're just partners by profession. A romantic relationship ruins their whole dynamic!'
'Well, I don't think that's true… if anything, that'd make their relationship that much stronger.'
'They don't even know each other beyond their masks! They can't possibly love each other without knowing their true identities.'
'So what? We don't know each other's real names.'
'Yeah, and we're not dating. Your point?'
The message doesn't come in the next day like it always does.
In fact, it doesn't come at all.
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Marinette stops by the bookstore every morning.
Then every afternoon.
And even when it's closing time.
She arrives with a hopeful smile, then leaves feeling dejected and upset.
Maybe even angry.
Mister Fu asks her what's wrong.
"I found a stray kitty, and I think he ran away."
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It's two weeks when she finally decides to get over it.
Marinette takes the notebook, a poorly-written #5 on its cover, and decides to throw it away.
She's two steps away from the trash can when she realizes that she can't get rid of it at all.
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A month later, Marinette's taken a job at Fu's Bookstore.
It's a lazy Sunday, and she leans her head on the desk in front of her— eyes almost closing from how quiet it is.
Until the jingle of the door opening effectively wakes her up from her nap.
She rubs her eyes as the stranger walks up to her.
"Hi, I'm looking for this specific book and I just can't find it where I used to, so…"
"Okay, let me help you out," Marinette remarks, before turning to the desktop. "What's the title?"
"I actually don't know…"
She raises an eyebrow, then nods along. (Sure, she's gotten customers like this before.) "Can you describe what the contents are like, then? Or the design of the cover?"
"It's filled with sketches and some nonsense…"
"Nonsense?" Marinette wrinkles her nose. What a cruel way to describe a book someone's worked so hard on.
"I mean—! It's nonsense to everyone else, but not to me. And hopefully not to her either…"
Now, this is dragging on longer than it should.
"Then just describe the cover, please."
He brightens up. "Yeah! It's this bright red book; notebook, really, with the #5 on it? I know it should be around here somewhere, and I need to find it, I need to find a way to connect with her again…"
"..."
"See, I know it's not a real book, and I'm sorry I just snuck it here, but it's so important to me and…"
Marinette mutters unintelligibly.
"Sorry, I couldn't hear…"
She says it again.
"Can you repeat that?"
A third attempt.
"Please, just one more time—"
Visibly irritated, Marinette grabs a book from under her desk and places it in front of him. The number almost gleams as it's exposed to the light.
"That's exactly it! Thank you—"
"You can't have this."
"What?"
"It's my property."
"Look, I know I kept it in your library but…"
"No. We worked on it together, and you got to keep the last four so it's my turn."
"But—
Wait."
He looks up at her, eyes widening in surprise.
"Ladybug?"
She points at her name tag. "Marinette, actually. But hello, Chat. It's been awhile."
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end notes—
i've been getting some free time but am apparently incapable of writing until it's already 8pm and i have less than five hours to put everything together because my mind can only function with stress :) send Help :))
anw this was vaguely inspired by dash & lily's book of dares! i always wanted to do this, but i unfortunately dont have any cute homey bookstores nearby; and definitely none that would allow me to pull these stunts in their businesses ;n; so as always— i will live vicariously through my fanfics . :^D
i also just surpassed my kudos/comments count for my marichat may challenge ? and i still have ~2 weeks left ? thank u so much im so so grateful ! 333 so again, and i mean this w all my heart:
thank you for reading! ( ´ ∀ `)ノ～