A few days later, at Françoise Dupont High School, the principal has the opportunity to invite some of the big musicians to join the students in a musical event. The Kitty Section is very excited as they are going to perform in front of many big figures in the music industry and if they're lucky, they're going to be signed for a record deal.
"Oh my god, just think about it! This could be our first-ever record deal!" Rose squeals "People are going to know how amazing the Kitty Section is!"
"Cool…"
With the help of Marinette, she has made artistic masks that resemble the unicorns for the bandmates, hoping to amp up their spirit and rock the whole school with their hit song, I love unicorns.
Himawari smiles at her friends' excitement, unable to contain her giggles as she heard Rose's squealing voice and Juleka's mumbling in agreement. Luka and the guys are backstage, getting ready for the big performance. Even Adrien joins the band as he is granted permission from his father, the one and only, Gabriel Agreste. As much as the designer hates the idea of his son joining a silly music band, Nathalie has succeeded in convincing her husband to 'let Adrien has his fun'. The blonde smiles to himself as he makes a mental note to thank Natalie later.
Juleka slows down her pace, just enough to walk side by side with Himawari. After the incident, the younger Couffaine has shown her gratitude towards the young artist as she keeps saying thank you and that with her help, Luka is slowly returning to his normal stage.
"Juleka, you don't have to say thank you all the time." she smiles "I'm glad that I can help you and your family in this situation."
"Yeah…" Juleka nods her head as she sighs heavily.
"What's wrong?"
"I…well…" averting her eyes, the shy girl mumbles "I just have this weird feeling that something is not right…"
She looks at her friend, thinking that the girl is worried about the performance and all the 'what if' questions that involve her doing something wrong and ruining the show. Juleka has never been a confident girl, she has her own personal issues and insecurities, too afraid to show her opinion because she doesn't want to offend anyone.
"Juleka, everything is going to be okay." Himawari reassures her friend "Rose and Luka are there for you, you guys are going to be great!"
"Thanks…"
Himawari walks backstage with the gang, smiling when she sees Luka waving at them. They put on the unicorn masks that Marinette designs as Rose giggles at how cute she looks and decides to take selfies with Juleka. They take many pictures together as Ivan holds everyone together to have a group picture, crashing Luka against the young artist as Nino takes a picture of them.
She laughs awkwardly, feeling her face heats up at the contact but her embarrassment doesn't stop there. Luka pulls her into his hold, telling her to smile as he holds up his phone to snap some selfies with her. The raven head is taken by surprise at his action before smiling at the phone, a fluttery feeling blooms in her heart as she can feel herself walking on cloud nine. The guitarist shows her the pictures, laughing softly when she points out that he's a bad photographer.
"Well, if you want to take a proper photo then…" he looks around "Nino, can you take a picture of us?"
"Sure thing, dude!"
She is shocked as her eyes open widely when Luka wraps his arm around her shoulder. She can see Alya smirking at her, Marinette and Rose squealing, Juleka giving her a thumbs up and the guys grinning at her. Himawari pouts a bit, her friends are teasing her and she is not pleased with them.
"Himawari, smile at the camera!"
The raven head turns her attention to the phone in Nino's hand, exhales a bit before a smile forms on her face. At that moment, their friends cheer like crazy, shouting and whistling at how 'lovey-dovey' they are. Himawari's face is bright red as she hides it behind her hands while Luka just rolls his eyes at whatever things his friends are saying.
"Kitty Section, you're next!"
"Got it!"
Alya gets a hold of the young artist as she 'wink wink, nudge nudge' the girl for being so close to the guitarist like that. Himawari scoffs at the comment, telling her that there's nothing going on between them and that she should keep her imagination to herself.
"Uh huh, I can hardly digest it!"
"Whatever you want to think, Alya…"
Shaking her head gently, she looks at Luka and Juleka who are tuning their instrument. The young artist is very excited for them as she thinks about all the passion that they have poured into the practice sessions, and how Rose sings her heart out as she proudly performs their single at the Liberty. She, like everyone else, has high hopes for them and knows that the band will nail this performance.
Himawari startles a bit when she locks eyes with Luka, blushing a bit when he waves at her. The guitarist has pushed himself nonstop throughout the practice sessions, jamming and strumming on his guitar as he leads the band through the whole song. She guesses that's a perk for being the oldest of the group as Luka establishes himself not only as a guitarist but also as the leader of the band.
"Come on, Himawari. We need to get the perfect seat to film them!"
"I'm coming!"
Luka, who stands from afar, turning his attention to the lovely raven head as she waves at him, mouthing the words 'Good luck' as she walks out to the sitting area. He knows that it's their performance as the MC begins to introduce their name on the stage, Juleka and the others are slowly walking onto the stage while he follows them behind.
The lights are shining on them as the audience shouts out their band name. From afar, he can spot his friend in the front row, cheering for them. The thrill and excitement burst inside the guitarist as he strums the guitar, with Rose beginning to sing the single 'I love Unicorns'. It has been a while since they perform for a large audience like this, not to mention Jagged Stone of all people clearly enjoyed their performance as much as all the other musicians.
Jagged Stone, his idol…
However, the fact that the biggest rockstar in France does not excite him as much as seeing Himawari's big smile as she sings along with all his friends. Her happiness is something that motivates him even more as Luka strums on his guitar harder, more 'erratic' as he can feel his blood boiling in excitement. Rose is clearly showing off her vocals and as much as everybody hates to admit it, that happy-go-lucky little girl can sing.
When the Kitty Section finishes their song, as the crow is cheering for them, the smile on the Couffaine siblings immediately fades away when they see 'him'…
That person looks at them from afar, their eyes piercing right through their souls as Juleka's body trembles in fear. The young girl inches closer to her brother, grabbing his hand tightly and Luka steps forward a bit and shields his sister from the other person's gaze. Rose looks to her side, sensing a weird aura around them. Although not know what's happening, the blonde girl walks to her friend's side as the whole band walks back backstage.
As the band goes backstage, their friends follow them. None of them sense the tension in the room besides Himawari, who looks at Juleka and Luka with worries in her eyes. The younger Couffaine has reassured Rose that she's fine but the blonde girl doesn't seem to buy it.
Marinette, as bubbly as she ever is, congrats to them for the amazing performance. Alya has recorded their performance and posted it on the school's website, knowing that it will draw a lot of attention from many other students who don't participate in this concert. Even if they are unable to get any record deal, the number of people who tune in and share their performance online will increase the Kitty Section's fandom.
"Is something wrong?"
"Everything is fine." he smiles "Don't worry, she's just tired…"
"Juleka, I'll get you to the infirmary room, okay?"
The young Couffaine girl shakes her head, not wanting to worry her friends.
"Luka…"
A rich, deep voice calls out his name. They turn around to see a man dressed in a dark, navy blue suit with slicked-back hair. The brown orbs, the fair skin, the Roman nose, his facial features as a whole are awfully similar to…
Himawari looks at him, could this person be…
"Luka, Juleka…"
Before that person can even speak another word, Luka violently steps in and shields his sister from him. Those eyes, those aqua-colored eyes are full of rage as he venomously spat out at the man.
"Why are you here?"
"Luka, I…"
"DON'T EVER SAY MY NAME!"
Everyone is shocked when they hear his voice, loud and clear, snap at the man. Juleka turns to Himawari, copper eyes plead her to do something, to stop her brother from making another mistake. Luka grips the unicorn mask in his hand tightly to the point that it's starting to crack, his anger fuels the rising fear of his little sister and the concerns of his friend. Marinette tries to step up but Adrien stops her, believing that it's not her or anyone's place to talk to him.
"Son, I…"
"DON'T CALL ME YOUR SON." he grits his teeth "Get out, GET OUT!"
The raven head shivers at his anger yet she gathers all of her courage and walks up to him, hoping that her words can ease the tension between them.
"Luka…" she holds onto his arm "Luka, please! Look at me!"
"Stay out of this…"
"Please… Please don't do this…"
She looks at him, amethyst eyes pleading for the guitarist to focus on her instead of the man in front of them but her words fall on deaf ears.
"Luka, plea-?!"
"Stay out of this, Himawari!"
He turns to her, the usual fondness in his eyes has been replaced with such anger that makes the girl shivers in fear. Everyone is shocked to hear his words. The calm and collected Luka, the boy who never raises his voice to anyone, especially Himawari, is now snapping at her. The coldness and bitterness in his tone scare her as she never expects him to react so harshly.
He exhales heavily, turns in a different direction and leaves without saying any words. Juleka tries to call him but her words are in vain, she looks at Himawari, who asked her to follow him as the raven head turns her attention to the man. She notices his sad expression when Luka leaves without even bothering to look at him.
Luka, Juleka… -
The man tries to follow them but the young artist stops him from his track. She shakes her head, knowing that whatever he is trying to do will only make the matter worse. The man looks at her, sighing heavily as he irritatingly runs a hand through his hair, messing up the slicked-back style. Marinette asks her friend about the problem but the young artist just smiles sadly at her, telling everyone that no one should intervene in the situation, even her as well.
They look at her and reluctantly leave backstage. Despite being curious about the matter, they all know that it's not their business to say anything. As Himawari turns around to make an exit, the man grabs onto her hand, his brown eyes looking at her with pleading.
"Please, can we talk for just a second?"
"Sir, I'm sorry but…"
"Please, it won't take long…"
The raven head bites her lips, not knowing what to do. His pleadings clench her heart but she has no right to interfere with the Couffaine's family matter and yet…
"Sir, I don't think this is the right time or the right place to talk about what you have in mind… -
"T-then please take this business card." he pulls out the card from his pocket "Please, contact me as soon as possible…"
She unwillingly nods her head, knowing too well the mess she has got herself into. The man smiles a bit when she accepts his business card, sighing heavily as he turns his heels and leaves the place. Himawari's eyes follow him as she looks at the card in her hand, Lukka Couffaine.
"Oh dear…"
Cecile looks at the business card on the table and exhales. Although her occupation is an author, the young woman does not know how to describe the situation that her cute little niece has got herself involved in. Himawari is sitting by her side, and her face shows various emotions from lifeless to depression to frustration, despite her being known for never showing any extreme reaction.
"Himawari, my god…" she sighs "What in the world did you get yourself into?"
"I want to ask the same question myself, auntie…"
The raven head pouts, her face showing signs of defeat.
The artist knows that it's not her place to step into the Couffaine family business yet she couldn't bring herself to deny the man's business card. At that moment, just in a brief second, she could see the sparks in those brown eyes as his gaze followed the silhouette of his children leaving the stage. Call her delusional but Himawari swears that she saw that light of hope in Mr. Couffaine's eyes. The longing and yearning for his children to at least talk to him…
"So, what are you going to do?"
"I…I don't know…" she lowers her head "I want to help, but…"
"Himawari, you've always been so kind…" Cecile pats her niece's head "Don't worry, love. I'll come with you if you're not comfortable talking to him."
The raven head turns to her aunt, amethyst eyes beam with contentment as she smiles widely and embraces the woman. Cecile shakes her head, holding onto her small frame. Even if Himawari wants to help, she is just a kid and an outsider. This family matter can only be resolved by the members of the Couffaine household, even if the young girl tries her best to piece everything together, her effort will go in vain if none of them want to face the problem.
Cecile wants to stop her niece and yet, she can't bring herself to tell the young artist to stay away from this mess. She wants to help too, especially when Anarka Couffaine is a good friend of hers. Although she hasn't heard about these things from Mrs. Couffaine, she knows that there's a reason why Anarka has to attend therapy. The friendship between her and the other woman was formed back in those days of attending therapy sessions. At this moment, when she knows part of the reason why her friend got into such a devastating stage, she wants to confront the person who is responsible for everything.
"I'll call him and arrange a meetup. For now, Himawari, don't come to the Couffaine's house."
"Okay…"