Kagami and Chloe decide to visit their friends, it's almost the end of their suspended week and they hope to be able to help both Luka and Adrien with the situation.

Although not many things happened during their one-week suspension, there is a change in the class dynamics, particularly how almost everyone in Ms. Bustier's is unanimously staying away from Marinette. While Mylene and Rose can be nice to her from time to time, the girls just can't accept how the bluenette has caused such a big scandal just because of her own jealousy and insecurity.

This comes as a surprise to Chloe, who was so sure that everyone in her class would side with Marinette because she's their precious friend, but it seems like they understand the situation very well and won't let their feelings cloud over their own judgment.

Arriving at the Agreste manor, the girls are greeted by Natalie, who welcomes them with a warm smile and open arms. Like every mother, she's worried about Adrien and how this might affect him mentally. He witnessed everything, after all.

"How is he doing, Natalie?"

"Not…well…" the glassed woman sighs "He has been locking himself in his room ever since…"

"Not even his father can tell to come out?" Chloe is surprised.

"No… Gabriel, surprisingly, is allowing him to be alone this time." the woman takes a sip of her tea "He said that Adrien needs to regain his composure."

The two girls look at each other as they nod, understanding why Gabriel is doing what he is doing. It would be a lie if the man said that he is not bothered by his son's attitude, but trying to tell the blonde what to do would not solve anything, so he decides to stay out of this problem. Natalie also informs how frustrated both she and Gabriel are at Marinette, for her to do such a horrible thing to their son is unacceptable.

"Don't worry, Natalie. We just want to see how our friend is doing." Chloe reassures her as the glassed woman sighs "Please excuse us…"

"Of course, my dear."

They walk to Adrien's bedroom and knock on the door, which is locked on the other side. The girls can hear loud music blasting through the walls and decide to knock on the door again, this time, louder. The music dies down a bit, they can hear rustling sounds and how lazy the slippers are dragging on the floor as Adrien unlocks the door, welcoming them with a dreaded look on his face.

"It's you guys…"

His black kitty, Plagg, sneaks out of the room and rubs his head against Kagami's leg cutely.

"Hey there, Adrien." Kagami looks at him before turning her attention to the lovely furball on the ground "And hello to you too, Plagg."

The raven head pets his soft fur with a smile on her face, the presence of Plagg somehow eases the tension in the air a little bit. Adrien opens the door wider, letting them into his room. Everything in the room seems to be normal, the bed is a little bit messy but manageable. However, Chloe notices that there is no picture of Marinette on the wall or on his desk, it seems like Adrien had thrown all of them away.

"How have you been, Adrien?" his blonde friend speaks up.

"What do you guys think?"

"Honestly, a ghost might be more handsome than you are right now."

Kagami is proud of herself when her silly joke is able to crack a smile on the blonde's lips. Knowing it's still not the right time to talk about his situation, the two girls bring up different topics to distract their friend from dwelling on his dreading mode. Their small talk turns into a small conversation about school, fencing, Andre's new ice cream flavor, Chloe's life and so many more. The talk, although trivial, brings a warm smile to the blonde model's face. He is grateful that these girls, his friends, are here to bring peace back into his life.

"I'm very glad that things are working out perfectly for you Chloe, Himawari would be s-" Adrien trails off immediately when the name Himawari escapes his lips.

How can he possibly forget about the lovely raven head when all of 'that' went down…

"Adrien…"

"H-how is she doing? Himawari I mean…"

Kagami and Chloe look at each other and exhale, shaking their head. While the young artist barely shows any signs of sadness, the way she reacts every time someone mentions Luka gives away her true feelings. It hurts them to see their friend like that, hiding away her feelings because she doesn't want to be a burden to anyone. The more she keeps running away from the pain, the more she reaches her breaking point.

Adrien understands this, he understands her situation very well. He finds the raven head very brave as she has the courage to attend school after all of that, to meet her, the one who brought so much pain not only to Himawari but also to him and… Luka…

Luka…

Adrien wonders how the older Couffaine is doing. Despite telling himself so many times that the guitarist does not deserve his forgiveness, deep down, Adrien knows that none of this was his fault. Luka loves Himawari, everyone knows that. The way his teal eyes shine with fondness and adoration whenever the raven head enters the picture, it's exactly like how he used to be whenever she walks into the room.

Marinette…

Even her name leaves a foul taste in his mouth. He can not forgive her, not when she stabbed him behind his back like that. No matter how much anyone tries to justify her action, what she did was unacceptable. Adrien has spent so many nights thinking of why she did what she did, but the answer is always the same, he can never forgive her.

"Adrien, what about…"

"I don't want to talk about her, or even hear her name." he bitterly responds.

Chloe and Kagami look at their friend as they decide to stay silent instead of trying to reason with him. They want to feel bad for the bluenette, but their empathy soon fades away when Himawari's tears enter their mind. Marinette's selfishness has brought pain to those around her, if she had stopped even just for a second to think about the consequences, none of this would never happen. Her ego has caused her to lose not only Adrien's trust but also everyone around her, including her best friend Alya.

"H-how is Luka…?"

"He's not doing any better than you." Kagami answers.

"Is he…?"

The blonde model sighs, of course, Luka has it worse. The pain and guilt he had in his eyes when he saw Himawari is slowly eating his soul. While Adrien is here knowing what needs to be done about his relationship with her, Luka's case is not that easy. Himawari, while she is shown to be more mature than anyone else in her class, the raven head is still a teenager, to be betrayed by those she trusts the most has pushed her to her breaking point.

Adrien doesn't know how the older Couffaine can recover from this. Although he hates Luka for what happened, the blonde model can not put all the blame on him, not when he knows how this whole situation took a toll on him. He sighs again, hoping that enough time and space between Himawari and Luka will eventually mend their relationship, he would do anything to help them get back together.

When Adrien walks into the classroom the next day, everyone stares at him. Still the handsome blonde model they know, but something about him makes them feel uneasy, especially for the bluenette who flinches in her seat when Nino calls out his friend's name.

Marinette circles her arms around her body, feeling so small and pathetic. She can't even bring herself to hear his name, let alone look at the blonde. She has tried to call and mended their relationship so many times, with each call send her into another spiral as all of them were sent to voice mail.

"Hey Adrien." Nino smiles brightly, seeing his friend back in class finally eases his worry "Got you covered with the class material, here you go."

"Thanks Nino."

Adrien gladly accepts the notes from his friend, he is still sitting in the same spot, still very close to the bluenette and yet, Marinette finds him too far away, too far out of her reach. Alya sitting not far away from their table, observing the whole thing. How Adrien acts like Marinette is not even in the room, and how her friend is desperately trying to make herself comfortable at the sight of her now ex-boyfriend.

Alya feels bad for not staying by her friend's side at this moment, but at the same time, she doesn't want to have anything to do with the bluenette, not when she was the source of all problems that lead to this day. She turns her attention to Chloe, noticing how Himawari has not come to class yet. Does she know that Adrien is attending class today? Does that mean Luka will be at school as well?

"Adrien…?"

Speaking of the devil…

Himawari is surprised to meet her blonde friend, who gives her a warm smile as she enters the classroom. Adrien walks up to her, like the gentleman he is, guiding his friend back to her seat. The raven head is glad that the blonde model is no longer in suspension, but finds it uneasy when she spots Marientte's depressed face as she hangs her head low, now able to make eye contact with Adrien.

She turns her attention to the blonde model again, not knowing what to say. Marinette hurts her, she knows that, but seeing the bluenette in that stage makes her stomach turns, she does not wish any ill on her and yet, it seems like the whole class has turned their back on her.

"Adrien…"

"Don't, please just don't say anything…"

She looks at her friend again and sighs in defeat. The hurt in his eyes makes her feel ten times worse about herself. How can she possibly be the one that hurt the most when clearly, Adrien and Marinette have suffered even more than her?

The way Adrien refuses to even mention the bluenette is painful, he is doing everything in his power to block her away, like a cat licking its own wound. Himawari sighs, nodding her head in response. Deep down, she wishes that they can solve their problems and maybe give each other a chance.

A chance…

Seeing Adrien makes her realize that maybe Luka is here at school too…

How has he been, she wonders…

Will she be able to look at him if she meets him? Will she be able to follow the advice she gives Adrien and give Luka a chance to talk to her? Or will she run away?

Himawari doesn't know anymore…

"Himawari…"

"Yes, Adrien?"

The blonde looks at her, knowing that he should at least offer her some words of advice if she ever encounters Luka. His relationship might not be as flourished as he wishes it to be, but it would be a shame if Himawari keeps Luka out of her life like this. Adrien wants them to be happy, he wants his friend to find the happiness that she deserves and he knows Luka is the one who can make this happen.

"I know it's not my place to talk about this, but…" Adrien stops for a brief moment before he continues "Please give Luka a chance…"

His words make the raven head shifts uncomfortably in her seat.

A chance, he said…

Will she have enough courage to do that…?

"I… I just need more time…"