New year, new resolutions. Himawari smiles proudly at her accomplishments as one of her stories has gotten into the top 10 of the rising author chart.

This is amazing! I can't wait to tell Luka about this!

As the thought slips through her mind, the raven head blushes. She notices it, of course, how everything in her life is now linked to Luka.

Grocery shopping? Luka.

Kitty Section practice? Luka.

Baking? Luka.

Going out? Luka.

Even all her friends are now telling her how similar her 'love life' is to Marinette, except for the fact that they both know each other's feelings but just remain silent. Alya once comments that they don't need to confess to each other anymore, just invite both parents to meet each other and BOOM, a happy marriage is a done deal. A blush adorns her face as she shakes her head, trying her best to ignore it.

Silly Alya… We're way too young for that…

How long has it been since the day they first met each other? 6 months? 8 months? A year? She can't even tell anymore. They are so close now, it feels like they have known each other forever.

If she has to be honest, Himawari does want Luka to make a move, to ask her out, to kiss her, to tell all their friends and family that they are together. Kagami tells her if he doesn't do it, then she should take action instead of sitting here waiting for it. But… but…

No ifs, ands, ors, buts Himawari. If you want it, you go and get it!

That is what her friend told her a couple of days ago. Kagami does not seem to realize that she, just like all the young maidens her age, wants the guy to say it first. Something about it makes her feel so special, so loved, so cherished. Maybe she has been influenced by all the stories she wrote and has started romanticizing her life more and more each day.

"Himawari, focus!" she taps her face lightly "You're still too young for all of that…"

The raven head goes out to the Couffaine's boat to tell Luka her great news. Like always, she brings one of her baked treats to them, this time it's strawberry muffins. As she is heading to their place, Himawari walks past an intersection and notices the familiar blonde standing in front of Le Grand Paris.

"Chloe?"

She stands in front of the hotel with her parents as they shake hands with some well-dressed people, smiling and laughing at the conversation. But Himawari notices it, the discomfort look on the blonde face when she turns to face a boy around her age, allowing him to kiss her palm before he gets into the limo with the other adults. When the limo takes off, her parents walk back into the hotel, still smiling and talking without noticing that their daughter just stands still by the sidewalk.

"Is that boy supposed to be her future partner?"

As much as Himawari wants to walk up to her, it seems like Chloe immediately regains her cool, sassy manner and follows her parents. But…to mask away her discomfort that perfect?

Chloe…

She remembers how the blonde's tendency to pick on other people has become less and less, as if she does not really care anymore. None of her classmates say anything, they don't seem to care about it and the raven head doesn't blame them. After all the bad things Chloe did, no one wants to be close to her, let alone know what's going on in her life.

She remembers what her aunt said about Chloe's potential engagement and how rich people do a lot of crazy things, and she can't help but feel sorry for her. From what she just witnessed, it seems like Chloe doesn't like her match and yet, she doesn't say anything. But why…?

Thinking about it does not help unless she can talk to Chloe, but then again, will the blonde even open up her problems to her?

Overthinking is one of Himawari's traits, she can think about one thing all day without even noticing her surrounding. One thought leads to another thought, the raven head puts all her focus on Chloe's problem and before she even knows it, she walks right into the Couffaine's houseboat.

"...wari! Himawari!"

Juleka turns to her brother, who is amused to see the raven head expression. It's not until the older boy flicks her forehead gently that Himawari snaps back to reality and stares blankly at the boy and his sister.

"Ouch… That hurts…" she pouts, covering her forehead with one hand "You're mean!"

"Am I?" he chuckles.

Juleka giggles behind him before taking the cue to leave them alone and goes to Rose's place. When his younger sister closes the door, Luka holds the back of her head and kisses her forehead gently. A blush adorns her face as she closes her eyes and enjoys the warmth of his lips on her skin. She loves it, she loves the way Luka makes her feel so loved, so special.

"What brings you here?" said Luka as he takes a seat next to her, teal eyes staring at the muffins she makes "And can I have some of that?"

"Of course, it's for you guys."

Smiling, Himawari opens the pastry box and invites him to eat the muffins. Many people tell her that her love language is cooking, and she now understands why. The way her heart jumps with joy when she sees how Luka enjoys her baked treats is the answer that she needs.

"It's funny, you know…" he turns his attention to her, commenting "I eat your baked treats a lot and yet, I never gain weight."

The raven head puffs out her cheeks. Of course, he never gains weight, Luka and his oh-so-mighty metabolism.

"And don't be like that. You know very well I can not handle your cuteness." he laughs and pokes her puffed cheeks gently.

"Meanie!"

"Am I?"

Again with that question. He knows too well that she can never say yes when he asks that. Himawari shakes her head gently before showing him her tablet, letting the older boy know her newest accomplishment. Luka's eyes shine brightly as he is happy to see her story is finally in the top ten charts, he is so proud of her.

"That's amazing, Himawari!" he smiles, his hand still caressing her soft black locks "I know you can do it!"

"I'm so happy, you know. It's one of my best accomplishments yet, if this story can make a breakthrough, then maybe my dream of becoming a manga artist has finally here."

"Of course, it's gonna be a hit. We all know how much work and effort you put into that story."

His encouragement keeps ringing through her ears as the raven head smiles brightly. She loves it when her hard work is acknowledged by everyone, especially by Luka. Every time he praises her, it only fuels her inspiration even more. As they keep talking about her achievements, Himawari remembers what she saw before she comes here and turns to Luka, wondering if she should tell him or not.

"Hm? Is something wrong?"

Himawari does not want to be a nosy person, but the look on Chloe's face really bothers her.

"Say Luka, have you heard anything about Chloe lately?"

"Chloe? You mean Chloe Bourgeois?" he looks at her, surprised to see that she is curious about the blonde who was once her bully "No, I don't think so. Why do you ask? She's not picking on you again, is she?"

"Oh no, she's not. It just…she has been awfully quiet lately, and also…"

She begins to mention what she saw earlier, how uncomfortable Chloe was, and how the adults were smiling and laughing like the blonde wasn't even there. Luka listens to her, knowing too well not to stop her when she is in the mood of talking. He does not really care much about what Chloe is doing, but if Himawari is concerned about her 'friend', then maybe he will help the raven head out.

"And I heard that there's a potential arranged marriage for her? Like her? At this age?"

"You never really know what crazy thing rich people can do, Himawari."

"You sound like my auntie…" she giggles "But yeah, I'm worried. She seems to shut herself in lately."

"And you want to talk to her? Or to spy on her?"

"I don't know…" she sighs "She probably doesn't want to talk to me or anyone…"

"Then let's spy on her."

With that, Luka stands up, pulling Himawari with him and leaves the boathouse. The raven head is taken by surprise, where is he taking her?

When they arrive at Le Grand Hotel, she turns to look at him, eyes widening as if he is joking. But Luka is faster than her, before she can walk away, he already pulls her into the hotel and sneaks around to find Chloe's room. The raven head tries to tell him that this is not a good idea, but Luka is having too much fun in this that he's not willing to back down. If they can find out something about Chloe Bourgeois, then maybe they will know what's going on with the spoiled blonde.

As they sneak around the hotel, Luka and Himawari are able to get intel about what's going on and vaguely understand why Chloe starts shutting herself in like this. It seems like most of the staff in this hotel already know what's going on with the Mayor's daughter, how she is promised to the heir of a publishing company, whether this engagement has a political motive or not, how crazy and lavished the wedding will be, how both side of the family already agrees on the contract, how Chloe deserves all of this because of how badly she treats the staff, etc.

Just listening to all of this makes Himawari's blood boil, how can these adults have such horrible comments to a child like Chloe? Sure she's obnoxious, self-centered, selfish and a big bully, but still, she is just a kid. To be put in this kind of situation is unimaginable, even to her.

"And may I ask what are you guys doing?"

A stern voice behind them causes both of them to jump out of their hiding spot, with Luka unconsciously pulling Himawari behind him and shielding her away from the stranger.

"Hm…and you guys are not dating yet?"

Himawari blinks a few times before she realizes who is in front of her. Kagami, with her training bag on her shoulder, just got back from her fencing class. She notices the familiar faces and decides to follow them before she realizes where they are heading to. With the situation right now, Kagami does not think it is best for them to do whatever they are planning to do and decides to stop the two before it's too late.

"K-Kagami…" the raven head sighs "You really scare me, you know?"

"Am I? And here I thought that I just ruin your moment with Luka."

"W-what? No, what are you talking about?" she blushes and shakes her hand in denial, Luka chuckling behind her and Kagami just giving her a sly smile.

"Anyway, why are you guys here? And why are you trying to sneak into that girl's room?"

Himawari stops everything she is doing and stares at Kagami, who gives her a very stern look that can be described as I'm very disappointed in you. She doesn't want to say anything and turns to Luka for help, but he nods his head, telling her that she should talk to Kagami about this.

"Maybe she knows something that we don't." said Luka "She lives here, right Kagami?"

"Know something?" she raises a brow before understanding what the older boy is talking about "Himawari, to think that you're a nosy person…"

"I-I just…I mean…She looks uncomfortable, a-and I just want to help…"

Kagami sighs as she shakes her head, this friend of hers is definitely an interesting one. While Marinette is a very good friend, the bluenette has never gone as far as to help Chloe, knowing too well that she is one of Chloe's bullying victims. But Himawari, on the other hand…

"You are indeed an interesting one, Himawari." Kagami looks at her "Come, let us go somewhere else. This is not a good place to talk about what you want to know."

Luka and Himawari follow their friend to her room, they make themselves comfortable while Kagami gets some treats and tea. The raven head looks around the room, smiling to see a picture of Kagami and her mother. At least she knows that their mother-daughter relationship is better than before.

"Here you go, have some tea."

"Thank you, Kagami!"

The lovely scent of her tea eases Himawari's mind as she takes a sip, enjoying the liquid that slowly warms up her body.

"So, you guys want to know about Chloe and her situation?" Kagami does not shy away and jumps straight into business "You do realize that it's very complicated, right?"

"Very complicated?"

"Honestly, I don't think there is any way out for her. This marriage of hers is a win-win situation for both families if you know what I mean."

Himawari raises a brow, not quite sure what her friend is hinting at. It is when Kagami gives her a newspaper to read that she realizes the true meaning behind Chloe's arranged marriage. The title of the page talks about how amazing André Bourgeois is as the mayor of Paris and all his accomplishments that make the city better and better every day. Kagami gives her a different magazine, this time talking about the fabulous Audrey Bourgeois and how the fashion world is once again, shaped by her evolution. They are both highly praised in both the newspaper and magazines to the point it's very obvious that someone is helping them.

"You mean that all of this is because of the agreement they have with the publishing company?"

"I'm not very sure, but considering the arrangement between their heir and Chloe, it is possible."

"How awful…" Himawari utters "How bad of a parent can they be to the point of sending their daughter off to gain more fame?"

"Himawari, you might think like that, but what about Chloe?" Kagami steps in to be the voice of reason "We don't know for sure if she hates the arrangement or not."

"Kagami has the point. Sure they are bad parents, but Chloe has never once said that she doesn't want this." Luka agrees "We should act cautiously before jumping to any conclusions."

Himawari frowns in response, as much as she wants to be Chloe's knight in shining armor, they have to be very careful. Chloe puts her own reputation above all, to the point that she walks around and bullies everyone just to make herself feel better. If they do something wrong that harms her reputation, who knows what the spoiled blonde is going to do?

"And don't tell anyone about this. This weekend, the mayor invites all the VIPs and celebrities to an exclusive party. I think that is when he's announcing her marriage arrangement."

This weekend… Only 3 days left…

Himawari is stunned…

With that limited amount of time, what can she possibly do?