"Alya please, you gotta be there." Adrien overhead Marin plead as he stood adjacent to their conversation within the locker room, just out of Marin's vision. "I've already asked everyone else please, you're my last hope."

Adrien stood there dumbfounded for a moment, Marin never asked him about any favor. Did he really not want to be around him that much?

"Sorry cutie, I can't. I gotta watch my sisters." She apologized, but then eyed Adrien eavesdropping, a mischevious expression growing on her face.

"What about Adrien? Maybe he could help ya' out."

He perked up his head, part of him not wanting to get involved if Alya was smiling like that, the other part; really wanting to know why Marin didn't ask him.

"Adrien? That'd be a disaster." He heard Marin chuckle and his heart almost sank. Then he sighed, "You know what, don't worry about it. I think I'll be able to handle this on my own."

"You sure?" Alya asked with a concerned expression.

"No. But we will see." Marin sighed, about to turn away, but then Alya rested her arm on his shoulder.

"Tell ya what, I'll see if I can convince someone to go with you."

Marin looked back at her in disbelief. "I doubt anyone else is going to agree at this point, but more power to you if you can."

"Don't underestimate me cutie. I'll send them your way if I do." Alya teased as she caught him in a half hug before Marin walked past him and towards the main hall.

Alya rested her weight on the locker, with a sultry smile. "Hey Adrien."

"Alya." Adrien greeted trying to search for an escape route.

"So, you've picked up eavesdropping as a hobby?" She asked playfully.

"Uh...maybe." Adrien turned his head away in embarrassment.

"Nino already told me that you wanted to be friends with Marin, and I know you overheard most of that conversation. So, you interested?" She asked.

"I don't know Alya..." Adrien sighed. "I don't think Marin even likes me, what if he's just nice to be polite?"

"Like you are with Chloé?"

Adrien chuckled, "Chloé's different when she's around you guys. I know she can be trouble, but I can't overlook how long we've been friends."

Alya sighed, "Fair enough. So, you in?" She asked.

"In what? I don't even know what this favor is." Adrien reminded her, still curious about Marin's request.

" Right, right. Basically, Marin's great uncle is coming tomorrow, and he wants someone to go with him when he escorts him to this competition at Le Grande Hotel."

"What's the big deal about that?" Adrien asked.

"The thing is-" Nino said as he suddenly butted into the conversation, as he was also in the locker room, resting his arm over Adrien's shoulder casually. "You two are new around here so you don't know, but the Cheung-Dupain family isn't exactly the closest family."

"Hm?" Adrien turned his head towards his best friend curiously.

"Marin's family isn't exactly close with each other. This is the first time meeting his uncle, plus that competition is going to be crowded with a bunch of cameras which makes him nervous, not to mention the fact that his parents aren't going to be there either."

"Really?" Adrien asked in surprise as Nino nodded.

"Yeah, they're almost always super busy with the bakery, they're the only two employees working there after all."

"How the heck do you know so much?" Alya asked, "I didn't even know that much."

"Dude, more than half the class has known each other since kindergarten, our family situations are pretty common knowledge," Nino explained.

"Wait, so why does he need someone to go with him?" Adrien asked, still confused.

"He just wants someone to be there as like an anchor if he gets too frazzled. Because he and social situations don't exactly go together very well." Alya explained. "That's where you come in."

"Me?" Adrien questioned. "If it's an all-day thing tomorrow, then there's no way my father would ever agree..." He said, starting to perhaps get a better picture as to why Marin didn't ask him in the first place. But then was caught off guard as Nino then poked his cheek with a playfully smug expression.

"What if you tell your father that you'd be practicing your Mandarin with a Michelin star chef from China?"

"Well, that would help. But what does that have to do with anything?" Adrien asked.

"Dude," Nino remarked, slightly dumbfounded at his friends' slowness. "Marin's mom's last name is Cheung. His great uncle is Wang Cheung." Nino explained, then nodded his head as Adrien's eyes widened with realization.

"That would definitely help."

Marin carefully wrapped the sweet violets from his balcony garden together, tying the bouquet with a purple ribbon. Tikki flew towards the flowers, smelling them with a small smile.

"I know they smell sweet but don't eat the flowers Tikki, they're for my uncle," Marin informed as he walked towards the living room.

"I was just admiring them!" Tikki remarked, hovering nearby as Marin sat on the sofa, a bundle of pure anxiety as he rubbed the back of his neck.

"Do you think he'll like them?" He asked, to which Tikki smiled in reassurance.

"Of course he will, you've been growing them for weeks. Anyone could see they've been grown with love. Trust me, you'll be fine."

Marin grumbled to himself. "They can't be fine, they have to be perfect! Uncle Cheung is very particular, so everything has to be just right- " His eyes suddenly widened with panic. "That's him! Hide, Tikki." Marin called out, opening his jacket so she could fly in. He then jumped down the stairs towards the front door, opening it he was expecting to see his uncle, instead, he was greeted by the sun.

["Welcome to my home-"] Marin began to say, but immediately grew embarrassed as Adrien was standing right there with his hands folded behind his back, smiling brightly. But just as he was about to respond Marin shut the door on him. On the other side, Adrien grew somewhat disheartened.

"What is he doing here?!" Marin harshly whispered to Tikki in his pocket, his face immediately running red as he realized he had just rudely shut the door.

"Maybe he's here to see you?" Tikki recommended before hiding once more in his coat pocket.

Marin immediately took a deep, opening the door more slowly this time as Adrien still was standing there with a half-smile, tilting his head slightly. ["Heya Marin, is this a bad time?"]

Marin could feel his ears burn with embarrassment as he invited his classmate in. ["Sorry,"] he said, opening the door fully so he could come in, his eyes then widened in surprise. "You speak Mandarin?"

Adrien nodded, smiling sheepishly "Yeah, I'm learning it, but it can be really hard sometimes."

"Right, so what are you doing here?" Marin asked curtly, closing the door behind him as he led Adrien upstairs towards their living room. He tried to command his heart to stop beating so hard, practically hearing it as Adrien sat down on his sofa.

"Alya recommended that I come," Adrien explained as he noticed Marin taking out a box with his family's bakery logo on it. "She and Nino say that you owe them croissants and cookies now?" He said somewhat confused at the request but saw Marin chuckling under his breath.

"They would say that, the gluttons," Marin remarked with an amused smile as he placed a box of snacks before him. Containing multiple pastel-colored macaroons, "I hope these taste alright." He said as Adrien eyed the colorful cookies greedily.

"You don't have to go through the trouble," Adrien said, trying to hold himself back.

"It's no trouble, my parents ingrained me with hospitality. Despite, me being rude to you earlier." Marin remarked sheepishly rubbing the back of his neck.

"I did surprise you after all," Adrien said, trying not to make his classmate feel guilty about it. " But I shouldn't, model's diet after all." He said guiltily but regretted it as he could see Marin looking ashamed.

"Oh- I'm so sorry, I didn't realize!" He rambled closing the box.

"No, no it's alright!" Adrien insisted.

"Sorry, they're probably not that good anyway. It's my first time baking passion fruit macaroons after all." Marin remarked with an embarrassed tone. "The fruit-infused cream probably ruins the whole thing anyhow."

Adrien really wanted those cookies now, diet be damned.

Suddenly, the doorbell rang, and both boys snapped to attention. Marin walked towards the front door, leaving Adrien alone with the cookies. They were in the box, right in front of him.

"Just grab one," Plagg muttered, sitting on Adrien's shoulder. "baker boy won't mind." He probably wouldn't, and those cookies smelled really good. Maybe just one wouldn't hurt-

"Adrien?"

Automatically Adrien snapped his arm back as Plagg retreated. He stood up to see Marin with the person whom he assumed was his uncle standing behind him now holding the same bouquet Marin was holding earlier.

["Uncle, this is my classmate from school, Adrien Agreste."] Marin introduced, gesturing towards him,

["It's nice to meet you sir. Is this the first time you've visited Paris?"] Adrien asked, blowing his head respectfully.

["No, I have been here 30 years ago. You can speak Chinese very well Adrien."] Wang remarked with a pleasant smile.

["Thank you, Master Cheng."] Adrien said graciously.

"The taxi is already out front. We can go right now." Marin informed.

It took all of Adrien's willpower not to look back at the cookies, forcing a smile. "Sure."

Outside the hotel the car parked in front of a red carpet where the announcer Alec was reported surrounded by an entire crowd of fans of the show. Adrien left the vehicle first long with Wang as Marin left from the other side. Intentionally trying to avoid any unwanted attention. As Wang walked forward to greet the mayor Adrien waited on his friend. Smiling warmly as Marin apologetically nodded his head towards his classmate.

"Only one will be awarded the title of "World's Greatest Chef." The winner's dish will become the new Mayor's Special on the Grand Paris's menu! Tell us Cheng Shifu, what dish will you be honoring our panel with today?" Alec asked, glancing towards Wang. Adrien walked up towards him, repeating the question as Wang nodded.

"My dish is: Celestial soup." He said simply.

"Wow! I've heard so much about your legendary Celestial Soup, but today we'll actually get to taste it!"

"Would you like me to come with you, Cheng Shifu?" Adrien asked.

Wang shook his head. "No thank you, Adrien. Cooking needs no words." Wang remarked, following Alec towards the kitchen. He then saw something that made him instantly more anxious, Chloé talking to Marin.

"Oh look who it is! My favorite person, Marin Dupain-Cheng." Chloé said slyly as she stood before him. "I mean, seriously? Does your great-uncle really expect to win the contest with a SOUP!? It's not even a main dish! Please! Doesn't he know how to make sushi like everyone else?"

Marin stared at his classmate, trying to process what she just said. "Are you really complaining about someone making you a free meal?"

"If that someone is deluded enough to think a bowl of soup can win a competition." She mocked as Adrien walked up with a displeased expression.

"Cheng Shifu isn't like "everyone else" Chloé, he's a highly respected Chef. His is soup is legendary!" He informed as Chloé still looked unimpressed.

"Well, I despise soup." She remarked.

"So what?" Marin asked as Chloé smirked at him.

"Didn't you know? I'm on the jury, and your uncle won't be getting my vote, that's for sure." Chloé chastised with an amused expression.

"Well, he doesn't even need your vote if your palette can only register sushi." Marin snipped, as Adrien glanced at his classmate in amusement, giggling at the truth of his comment.

Chloé glared, first at Adrien laughing and then at Marin. "You've made a big mistake." She growled under her breath, walking up the stairs as Adrien spoke up.

"I think your uncle would've appreciate you standing up to Chloé like that."

Marin shook his head, uncertain. "I'm not sure. I don't think he likes me. I mean, he even ripped up the bouquet I gave him."

Adrien glanced at his classmate with a concerned expression, "Oh no, you're wrong. Cheng Shifu isn't just a chef, Marin - he's an artist! He improvises on faithful things that come his way, the flowers you gave him must be what he'll use to garnish the soup."

"How can you be so sure?" Marin questioned, flinching slightly as Adrien placed his hands on his shoulder.

"I'm a fan of him. His work is known throughout the world, even being able to talk to him is a great honor." He said with a supportive smile, noticing that Marin turned his head away with a sullen expression on his face. "Hm, is something wrong?" He inquired.

But Marin shook his head, drawing a smile on his face, "It's nothing. Looks like they're going to be shooting for a while-" Marin's words were cut off as he suddenly felt something near his leg. They both looked down to see a crocodile wagging its tail happily.

Immediately, Marin took a step back as Adrien looked at it in curiosity. "I think it likes you Marin." He remarked with a smile as he noticed it was following Marin around fondly, while his classmate was looking nervous.

"Likes me, or wants to taste me?" Marin retorted bumping his back into a pillar as the croc rolled onto its belly before him, still furiously wagging its tail. A thought came to him as he recognized this particular reptile's collar, taking a familiar box out of his messenger bag. "You want a treat buddy?" Marin asked, holding up a passion fruit macaroon from earlier. The reptile's eyes began to sparkle as Marin knelt down to feed it. The crocodile licked its lips happily, nuzzling Marin's hand for more.

"You keep macaroons in your bag?" Adrien questioned as Marin fed it once more with a smile on his face.

"Sure," Marin remarked as he petted the crocodile's belly, much to its delight. "which is what this cutie probably smelled."

"There you are Fang!" A woman with colored hair remarked jogging towards him with a worried expression. She was dressed professionally, holding a clipboard in one hand and a leash in the other. "I'm so sorry if he gave you any trouble." She apologized attaching Fang to his leash.

Marin shook his head, "No trouble ma'am, he just wanted some snacks."

"Even so, he knows better than to harass other people." She remarked in a scolding tone, making Fang whimper slightly. "Are you two here for the competition?" She asked.

"Yes, my uncle is completing. Wang Cheung?" Marin answered, noticing the woman's expression fall slightly.

"Well they're already done filming if you wanted to see him." She remarked, then walking away as the Fang looked back sadly at his new friend who gave him delicious treats.

"They're done already?" Marin questioned having a bad feeling about this situation. He turned towards Adrien who seem to read his mind, the two then proceeding towards the kitchen via elevator.

Marin went to find his uncle as Adrien looked around, seeing the judges faces filled with discontent. As he walked past them he saw the camera crew looking over the footage. He observed from afar, seeing the chef get the lowest possible score and saying that his soup was tampered with. But what Adrien narrowed his eyes at was Chole smiling while the other judges tasted the dish before them. Not even covering her tracks as he then noticed the purple violet petal on her yellow cardigan.

He turned towards the producer, Alec who was observing the footage as well.

"Sir!" Adrien called out walking towards him.

"Hey, Adrien Agreste!" The announcer greeted, "What can I do for you?"

"I believe Cheung Shifu's soup was medaled with, by Chloé." He stated bluntly causing the producer to glance in the teens' direction, who was laughing at something on her phone.

"That's a big accusation for a judge on the jury. Do you have any proof?" He inquired.

"I just saw on the footage you got that she didn't even try the soup. Plus, she has it in for our classmate Marin, who's Cheung Shifu's nephew. Please, just give him another chance, he's a world-renown cook. There's no way he'd mess up something like this." Adrien pleaded.

Alec thought for a moment, then nodded. "Alright, we'll go through the footage again. If what you're saying is true then we'll have a do-over." Alec remarked as Adrien smiled gratefully.

"Thank you sir." Adrien said, then he searched around for Cheung Shifu and Marin, both of them would probably want to hear the good news. He checked the kitchens first, where his smile soon faded as he saw Marin standing before his newly Akumatized uncle.

["Uncle Cheng, I know it's not your fault. It was actually because of me, because I provoked Chloé and-"]

["I am Kung Food, and I can assure you. Today's first entree will be Brat soup!"] He remarked, picking up a pot of the remaining soup.

Adrien suddenly reacted, grabbing Marin's hand just before the soup was tossed at them. He led his classmate down the stairs towards the nearest exit when Marin suddenly pulled back, the two now in the lobby.

"My uncle's still up there, I can't leave him behind!" Marin remarked, looking back where they ran from.

"I promise, we'll go back but we have to get out of here before-" A floating creature interrupted Adrien's warning, projecting a message out before them.

["It's not polite to leave table without permission. Cut off all exits!"] Kung Food remarked, and only moments later a golden liquid began covering the doors.

Adrien tried pushing against them, but the liquid began hardening. "Hm." He touched the liquid with his finger, about to taste it when Marin immediately caught his hand.

"What are you doing?!"

"Tasting it?" Adrien stated as though he were stating the obvious.

"Tasting it?! Just smell it, it's caramel!" He retorted removing his hand. But Adrien still tasted it, licking his lips. "Please tell me you don't always try to eat what you don't recognize."

Adrien shrugged his shoulders. "It might taste good but it's totally indestructible. Looks like we're trapped inside."

Marin glanced up in worry, grasping the sash of his messenger bag, but then a more determined expression took over. "I'm going to try and find a way out."

Adrien nodded, "Then I'll see if I can find something to break through the caramel." he said, the two then split up in different directions.

Marin headed for the back room as Tikki flew out of his bag. "I never should have riled up Chloé!" He chided himself but still was determined. "Tikki, spots on!"

Meanwhile, behind the front desk, Plagg flew out of Adrien's shirt.

"You didn't happen to pick up a little piece of Camembert during all this cooking chaos, did you?" He asked as Adrien smirked at him in amusement.

"Cheese comes after the main meal," Adrien remarked. "Plagg, claws out!"

Ladybug and Chat Noir appeared at the same time before the grand staircase. Looking surprised to see each other for a moment as the hotel was already locked down.

"Ladybug, I see you've heard about the fine dining experience this hotel offers as well. Shall I reserve a table for two?" Chat Noir asked flirtatiously as Ladybug smiled in amusement.

"By all means kitty cat." Both ran towards the elevator but only Chat Noir tried to open it.

"Ugh! It's jammed shut!" He informed as the projection of Kung Food appeared before them once more.

["Ladybug! Cat Noir! You soon have privilege to be ingredients in Kung Food's soup. But first — you taste my special of the day!"]

"Did you catch that?" Chat Noir remarked curiously as Ladybug nodded.

"Did you?" He asked as Chat Noir smiled.

"Your kitty cat is blessed with many talents, Bugaboo." Chat Noir said but was pushed out of the way as Ladybug noticed the new enemy behind them wielding a large claymore entirely built from seafood.

"Seafood appetizers anyone?" The familiar henchman remarked with a smile, resting his weapon on his shoulder.

Ladybug narrowed his eyes, observing that the possessed rockstar seemed to have his strength heightened as he could easily swing the heavy looking weapon around.

"Seafood? This scam-pi happening. Let's see if you can carry a tun-a!" Chat Noir smiled in amusement at his own joke, twirling his staff in hand while Ladybug took out his yo-yo. The rock star attacked Ladybug first but the hero easily evaded, using Jagged Stone's momentum to catch him in his yo-yo and send him flying into the closet where Chat Noir quickly kicked a chair in front of.

"Well, that wasn't very "rock and roll" of you, Jagged Stone." Chat Noir remarked as he followed Ladybug into the elevator. He observed Ladybug resting his back against the wall with his eyes closed, crossing his arms. Cat Noir, on the other hand, rested his elbow next to him, leaning against the same wall. "Ladybug, come on, it's just you and me together. You can tell me how you really feel." He playfully poked, but soon dropped it as Ladybug didn't respond to his quips.

The hero only opened his eyes as he could hear a creaking as all of a sudden the lights flickered and the elevator shook to a stop, causing Chat Noir to fall over.

"I feel like we may have a delay for that table for two." He remarked pressing the emergency escape button on the elevator.

"I think the electricity between us short-circuited the elevator." Chat Noir said as the elevator opened to a possessed mayor.

"Royal hotpot with its giant string of boiled sausages!" He started swinging around a chain of steamed veggies and meat.

"Personally I prefer my sausages smoked." Chat Noir said as he and Ladybug dashed forward. The Mayor smirked evilly as he used his whip to wrap Chat Noir and Ladybug together, sending them flying in another room where Chat Noir crashed atop his partner on the sofa.

"Welcome to the world-famous Suite 36 of this hotel." The Mayor announced as Chat Noir helped his partner to his feet. They split up as the Mayor attacked again, this time capturing Chat Noir and dragging him closer. Not noticing Ladybug wrap his yo-yo around the neck of the chandelier, pulling it right down atop the mayor, halting his attack.

"Nice work, my lady. Shall we go and find the head chef and lodge a complaint about their staff?" He asked looking up at the hole in the ceiling that Ladybug made. He extended his staff to the ground, wrapping his arm around Ladybug's waist, lifting them to the dining area. "Great. All this fighting has made me hungry!" He remarked.

["Kung Food is generous. No need to choose between cheese and dessert, you get to have both!"] Kung Food said as the elevator to the roof rang, and from it appeared Alec and Marlena Caesar, Alya's mother.

"Watch the spectacular demonstration of the famous thousand flying cakes!" Alec remarked, seeing the two heroes evade the archer's attacks. "Oh ho! Our guests seem to have a few tricks up their sleeve, but how will they fare against the blinding stinging cheese bombs?!" He said shooting a wheel of cheese towards Chat Noir, stunning him for a moment as he dropped his staff.

"Ugh, he's right. The cheese really attacks the senses, I think it's turned-" He almost wretched. Ladybug pursued Marlena as she was shooting at him, jumping over her as he grabbed her and Alec's attention.

"Haha, you're no match for my- Hey!" Alec called out in annoyance as Ladybug intentionally bumped into him. Smirking as Marlena accidentally aimed for him causing the two to effectively knocking them out after all of Alec's cheese bombs went off simultaneously.

Ladybug quickly tied his scarf around his mouth, then quickly grabbed Chat Noir's staff and hand as he raced towards the elevator. Chat Noir could breath easier with the loss of tainted air, blushing at Ladybug held his face his hands, eyes searching for something.

"I'm not usually one for an invasion of personal space, but if it's you, my lady, I don't mind." Chat Noir said but felt a loss as Ladybug stepped back.

"Sorry, I was just checking if that attack messed up your vision. You alright?" Ladybug asked in concern, unintentionally making Chat Noir swoon.

"I'm always more than alright when I'm with you." He said flirtatiously as they arrived on the final level. Just in time to see Chloé getting lowered down into a large pool of soup.

["Ah, the temperature's just right. Time to add the main ingredient!"]

Chloé began struggling, "Oh, no no no no noooo! Ah!" Ladybug cut the string using his yo-yo as Chat Noir caught her in his arms. But quickly frowned as Chloé began yelling at him. "Hey! What took you so long!? Just wait until I tell everyone—" Chat Noir then dropped her without a second thought.

Kung Food glared at them maliciously. ["Oh no! My Brat Soup will be so flavorless!"]

["You're an honorable man, Cheng Shifu, don't let one person ruin your career!"] Ladybug tried to convince him, but it had no effect against the akumatized victim.

Kung Food growled at them. ["I am not Cheng Shifu, I am Kung Food — the Greatest Chef in the World! And nobody will stop me from finishing my Brat Soup!"] He proclaimed angrily, taking out a pair of tonfas.

"Get out of here Chloé!" Chat Noir ordered as their classmate ran off in a panic.

"The Akuma has to be in the hat." Ladybug remarked under his breath so that only Chat Noir could hear him. "Try and grab it if you see an opening."

["I take care of you two myself!"] Kung Food said viciously as he took both of them on. But eventually, he lost his weapons as Ladybug kicked them towards Chat Noir who immediately discarded them off of the building. But before Ladybug could strike again he was hit with a red powder that immediately burned his eyes.

"Ugh!" Ladybug grunted out as when he tried to remove the power it just seemed to make the problem worse. It didn't help that he was now the easy target as Kung Food sent him flying with a kick. He was lost without his sight, luckily his partner was there to pick up the slack as Chat Noir caught him in his arms. Ladybug placed a hand on his shoulder as Chat Noir rested his hand on Ladybug's waist. Both of them keeping their distance from Kung Food who laughed like a maniac.

["Haha! Like it spicy?"] The Villain taunted as Chat Noir snarled at him. Only calming down as Ladybug squeezed his shoulder tighter, catching his attention. He reached for his yo-yo, tossing it up into the air.

"Lucky Charm!" He called out, and this time Chat Noir was the one to catch the item.

" A... check dispenser?" He said in confusion. "Well, it's a good way to tally up this massive bill." Flinching slightly as saw Kung Food pull out a giant buster sword-shaped weapon made from pizza.

["You think you can beat me with a piece of paper!?"]

["You're one to talk, Kung Food. You've been trying to defeat us with the five food groups!"] Chat Noir retorted, his grip slightly tightening around his partner's waist. "So what do we do?" He asked seeing Ladybug's eyes well up with tears from the spices. He had limited vision, but it was easy to see he would still be impaired.

"You take him, I'll handle the Lucky Charm." Ladybug remarked, taking back the dispenser, wishing that he was the one with the heightened senses as Chat Noir took on Kung Food.

Ladybug walked towards the strong-smelling soup, extending the paper and dunking it in while still holding onto the dispenser. He could hear the sounds of weapons clashing, seeing blurred outlines.

"Chat Noir!" Ladybug called out.

"Present!" His partner shouted in return, signaling his location. Ladybug held on to one end of the paper, then throwing his lucky charm towards the sound almost immediately. Chat Noir smirked victoriously as he caught it, quickly wrapping it around Kung Food, in turn blinding him as he tried to take off the now sticky paper.

"Cataclysm!" Chat Noir called out, destroying his bag of weapons as he then kicked the hat towards Ladybug who's vision was slowly improving. He ripped it in half, able to see the outline of the Akuma flying against the blue sky.

"No more mischief from you little Akuma. Time to purify!" Ladybug said as he swung his yo-yo towards the possessed Akuma, capturing it in one motion. Then opening it once more, watching the newly purified Akuma fly away. "Bye-bye, little butterfly." Chat Noir then handed the tape dispenser back to his partner watching as he threw it up into the air as well.

"Miraculous Ladybug!" He called out, turning everything back to normal. Even clearing up his vision as he glanced towards his partner graciously.

"Happy to see me again my lady?" Chat Noir asked with a smile before the two pounded their fists together.

"Pound it!"

Wang looked around in confusion. ["Where am I?"] He asked as he looked up to Ladybug returning his chef's hat.

["You're a good man Cheung Shifu, I'm sure other people can realize it as well."] Ladybug said placing a hand on the confused chef's shoulder before his earrings started to beep.

"Oh what a shame, we never got seated." Chat Noir groaned in faux disappointment, already knowing that he and Ladybug simply had a work relationship. But noticed as Ladybug smiled at him.

"Seems like we'll just have to take a rain check on that dinner for two." Ladybug remarked, winking playfully as he then used his yo-yo to leave.

Chat Noir sighed, still love-struck as he too then left.

Back in the kitchen, Adrien smile as he observed at Marin and his uncle making the soup together fondly. Resting his back against the door frame as he then saw a familiar face out of the corner of his eye.

"Seriously? Still making soup?" Chloé said from behind with a furious look on her face. "I told you I hate soup! You think the jury is going to approve of this-" She was about to step into the kitchen, earning some glares from Marin and his uncle but Adrien stepped before her.

"Didn't your father kick you off the jury?" Adrien asked crossing his arms defensively, glancing at his childhood friend in irritation.

Chloé faltered at the confrontation. "Ugh, no he didn't! I... er... I... resigned!"

Adrien hummed for a moment. "I think Cheng Shifu and Marin have the cooking aspect covering. Unless you want to help out in the kitchen again, Chloé?"

Chloé flinched back with a fearful expression on her face for a split second. Then turned away grumbling under her breath as Adrien simply sighed. She may be a handful, but Chloé still was his friend, in some respects.

Marin's eyes lit up with joy as he saw his uncle receiving a perfect score with the newly created soup. He exchanged a glance with Adrien who also looked happy for the chef as well.

Wang Cheng bowed to the judges respectfully. "Thank you, but is no longer Celestial Soup. Now is: Marin Soup." He said, gesturing towards his great-nephew. Marin suddenly blushed at the sudden attention, glancing back at Adrien who placed his hand on his classmate's shoulder.

"Thanks for coming today, Adrien," Marin said gratefully as the cameras turned back towards Wang and the other judges.

"No need for thanks, today was super fun all things considered," Adrien said.

"I know you didn't exactly come for me, but I'm glad you were here today," Marin remarked, bowing his head humbly towards him. " I heard what you did for my uncle, I'm really grateful to you."

"Huh?" Adrien's joy dimmed a little. "What do you mean?"

"He told me you got him another shot in the competition-"

"No, the other thing, the first thing you said." Adrien clarified, his heart racing with some panic.

Marin remarked rubbing the back of his neck. "I mean, you said it yourself, you're a huge fan of my uncle. Why else would you go along with this?"

"Because I-" Adrien faltered for a moment, his face reddening slightly. "I overheard what you said earlier. To Alya, about why you didn't ask me to go with you. How it would've been a disaster to ask me..."

It was Marin's turn to get embarrassed as he covered his face with his hands for a moment, his entire face turning red. "That was because I wasn't sure you could've made time. Nino keeps saying how you do your best to follow your father's instructions, how much you try to please him. I didn't want to burden you..." He mumbled off, avoiding eye contact as the two teens were equally anxious.

"But it wasn't a burden!" Adrien insisted. "Marin I wanted to be here today because I wanted to become your fr-" Adrien began to saw but was cut off by Marin getting toppled by a giant reptile. Falling to the ground as Fang began licking his face affectionately.

The tense air between them quickly faded as they both began to laugh at Fang's affection towards Marin. Panting happily in hopes of getting another treat from his new friend.

Notes:

- This chapter was fun to write.

- Alya and Nino are the ultimate wingmen, making up for each other's faults.

-I enjoy writing Marin's familial relationships, whose dynamics and their effect on Marin will become more apparent as key episodes pass. :3

- I had to backtrack what kind of edible flowers Marinette had in the show, and the closest thing I got was Sweet Violets. (It probably isn't though)

- Marin keeps a garden on his balcony, as he enjoys gardening as a hobby, Tikki has eaten the flowers once and Marin has never let her live it down.

- Adrien Protecc, He attacc, but more importantly he want that passion fruit macaroon snacc-

- Fun story, I once got a masala in my eyes (a really spicy indian spice) So Ladybug's experience is derived from my own. Fun right? :D

-Poor Adrien, he really likes Marin, but can't seem to prevent himself getting Croc-blocked XD

- Fang and Marin will have the relationship I wanted Marinette to have with him. (Also Fang was attracted because Marin always smells like Macaroons)

- Marin still thinks that Adrien doesn't really think much of him ya'll. This is the slow burn y'all, Marin and Adrien becoming friends.

-Ladybug does not mind Chat Noir flirting with him for REASONS. That will eventually be explained...in like season 3...maybe...