Adrien couldn't do anything else except wait until the Shinshinkai school opens in a couple of days, maybe he could spend time with his friends tomorrow, as today he will be busy with fencing. However, he should take this opportunity to ask Kagami if she has a self-defense teacher of some kind. Knowing her mother, she probably was put to train when she was able to walk as a toddler. Tomoe was just like his old man, maybe with a bit more trust in Kagami but still the same kind of parent. Hopefully, someday Kagami will be free like him, and maybe he can even help.

Walking to school next to Marinette like the other days is probably going to be part of his routine now, the blunette was sharing her ideas for a new design she was thinking of for him. Adrien loves to see her share every detail about her passion, to see the way she expresses it with so much emotion makes his heart warm. Maybe he could ask Marinette if she wanted to come with him to fencing practice, he knows she and Kagami became great friends over time, Kagami was right next to Alya when it came to the position of best friend. Hey, maybe Marinette can also help Kagami be free someday.

" Just him, her and Marinette " he thinks to himself before shaking his head.

Wait, did he just thought about Kagami the same way he thinks of Marinette? But before he could continue questioning himself, he arrived at school with Marinette. Today Alya was there early next to Nino. Pre-class talk was small, Rose was sharing some news about one of her charities, looks like the Shinshinkai donated a big amount to some of them and also offered lessons to those interested once the karate school opens.

Someone lamented that Lila wasn't there for the news. It took all in Adrien and Marinette to not roll their eyes at the mention of said girl. At least since the Italian liar died in that accident two years ago, everything is like it used to be before she joined the class. Even if neither of the two wished harm on her at the time, they couldn't deny the peace that came after it was good, apart from the Akuma attacks of course. Funny enough, the last tale Lila told before her accident was that her father was the strongest man alive and that's why he was never around, he was busy with tournaments or something. A couple of days later after her not being in class, they were informed that the Italian died in an accident with no more information about it. There were some tears but with time everyone moved on, leaving her only as a memory.

Some of their other classmates finally arrive followed by Mme. Bustier so the class could start like normal. At lunchtime, they sit at Chloe and Sabrinas table to make them company like yesterday. Small talk was a bit… awkward still, Chloe was mostly keeping to herself, not interacting with them. None wanted to be pushy, so, they left her be without forgetting she was there, Sabrina did the best she could, being new in the "having more than Chloe for a friend" thing, it was… progress.

After school it was fencing practice time, Nathalie managed to find fencing gear that would likely fit him so he didn't need to borrow a vest and helmet from another person. Though this one isn't like his old get-up, this one took a note from Kagamis and it's a solid color instead of white or gray, just instead of red like Kagamis, it's black.

"Looking good, Agreste" one of his teammates commented.

"Yeah, black fits you pretty well" another one said.

"Thanks, guys" Adrien thanks his teammates while walking out of the lockers with his helmet and saber in hand. the new gear fits him perfectly just like a glove, he has to remember to thank Nathalie for it later when he goes back to the mansion.

"Hello, Adrien" Kagami greets him in the yard while doing some stretching.

"Hi, Kagami. How are you?" he greets back.

"I'm doing fine, thanks for asking. I hope you are ready for today"

"Like always"

"I meant that you will not hold back like the other day"

"Huh? I- I wasn't holding back" he says with a nervous tone.

"You were, and I took offense to that. It felt like you were underestimating me"

"Oh... well, I'm sorry for that. Early that day I arm wrestled with a classmate withoutmeasuring my strength and I hurt him a bit. I didn't want to hurt you too if I went full-on without being careful" He explains.

"I see. I appreciate your worry, I understand that strength without restain can cause as much damage as moving forward without thinking"

"Thanks for understanding"

"Still, I want you to go on with all your strength. I can handle myself with bigger and stronger opponents" she reassures.

"you sure?" Adrien asks.

"Yes, when it comes to fencing, I will not lose" She says as she puts on her helmet.

"Alright then" Adrien says before putting on his helmet.

Both of them got into position, pointing their sabers at each other. Even with her helmet on, Adrien could feel the determination in Kagamis eyes. He really loved how her boldness and determination were like a fire inside her, without leaving a sweet side out that he got the pleasure to see from time to time in their little escapades from their parent's businesses over the years. It kinda reminded him of the feeling he had when he felt for Ladybug and then Marinette, Huh, he probably has something for strong willed passionate girls.

"Huh, Wait a second -" But before he could continue that train of thought, their teacher gave the signal for them to begin the match. Kagami was fierce as always, Adrien barely managed to block her attacks. She really is giving all of herself right now and Adrien is insulting her for not reciprocating her feelings on this, if she was sure she could handle him, then he also was going to give his all.

So, Adriens attack became stronger than the last time they fenced, Kagami not being able to stop the force of each one with a block, instead, she chose to redirect them with her saber. Good thing they were made of a pretty good material, if not, the sabers probably would have bent like plastic straws. The two were at the same level, not leaving the opportunity to the other to find an opening in their defense. Kagami is still able to keep up even with his speed, each movement still as elegant as the previous one, Adrien was almost distracted by the beauty of her movements. Even if she was able to keep up with him, that was only for so long before her body began to show signs of tiredness, her ability was impressive but even she had a limit. This left the perfect opening for him, but he was a bit too eager and he also left a perfect opening for her. Their match ends in a tie.

"How about that? not holding up this time" Adrien asks between huffs trying to catch his breath back.

"It was good, even if I barely could keep up. Still, it's good training, we wouldn't be able to improve if we restrain ourselves and put a limit on what we do" Kagami says.

"I get it now, thanks Kagami" Adrien says, finally catching his breath.

"Good, shall we continue then?" The Japanese girl asks.

"You are on" Adrien answers with a cocky grin.

After a good amount of matches, their teacher suggested that both of them should take a break, seeing that both of them were reaching their limit, especially Kagami. They sit on a bench rehydrating their bodies and catching their breath with their helmets off. Kagami had taken part of her gear to help her skin breathe to cool down, Adrien couldn't help himself but stare at the girl sitting next to him. The way her skin was shining and the soft blush on her face, he found it alluring.

"Adrien?" the girl asks.

"Yeah?" he says.

"You are staring" She says in her familiar monotone tone.

Adrien almost chokes on his own saliva.

"sorry! I guess I got distracted" Adrien apologizes.

"I hope it is a good distraction" Kagami says in what could be described as a flirtatious tone.

"Yeah, it's. A pretty beautiful one" Adrien says with a chuckle.

Kagami can't help but blush at that.

"Oh yeah. Kagami, I wanted to ask you"

"Yes, Adrien?"

"Are you trained in self-defense? outside of fencing of course"

"Oh, well, yes I was. It was long ago when I was a little girl back in Tokyo."

"Really?"

"Yes, my mother never approved of it. She is more of a "using a tool instead of getting our own hands dirty" type of person but was my father the one who made me do it, time before his passing. He was… close to a master, a family friend would be a better way to call him, he was like an uncle or grandfather to me. He took me in and trained me like his own for a while before my father passed, after that, we lost contact because of my mother."

"You never talk about your father, Kagami. What kind of person was he? if I can ask"

"Yes, I think I... never had. He was... warm, someone with a big heart, he was an engineer who worked with my mother before they got together and had me. He and my mother worked in the same field, but she was more on the business side of the company while he was on the development side. Even still, he always made time for me and never left me alone at home. He used to cook meals for me even when we could just pay someone else to take care of that, we would watch shows until I fell asleep after dinner on the couch." Kagami says, looking up at the sky.

"He sounds like he was a great person" Adrien says.

"He was, I… had missed him every day since I was eight" Kagami says as she looks down at the ground.

"There was something wrong with his immune system and after a bad infection, he was gone" Kagami says, trying with all her will not to let her voice crack.

Sensing this, Adrien pulls her into a tight hug. He knows the pain of losing a parent since his mother passed and knowing Tomoe was just like his father, she probably wasn't there for her daughter the same way his old man wasn't there for him years ago, even if it was his way of grieving or some bullshit.

"Thank you, Adrien" She says, pulling from the hug.

"Don't worry, I am always here for you" He says with a warm smile.

Kagami nods as a response.

"In any case, why did you ask if I was trained in self-defense?"

"Well…. I just wanted to know if you have a teacher that could also teach me, I want to learn how to fight. Even with this new strength, I know it will not be enough to protect those who I care about. And before you say, I know you can handle yourself perfectly, but I still want to" Adrien explains.

"I see. Well, I still remember my training but I am probably a bit rusty on it. If you want I- I could teach you some?"

"Really?!" Adrien asks cheerfully.

"If we have time after practice, I think we could use that time for it"

"Thanks Kagami!" Adrien says taking both of her hands on his with what could be described as stars in his eyes.

Kagami again can't help but blush at the sudden contact.

After a small talk with their teacher, they move to a more open area of the yard for Kagami to show Adrien what she could do. Thankfully there was a mat from a previous class on the ground. so there was no risk of hitting the concrete floor of the yard. They take off their shoes and part of their fencing gear to be comfortable and take their positions.

"Ok, so... what do we do?" Adrien asks.

"First, you need to show me how much you know to see how much I will be working" Kagami states.

"You sur-" Before Adrien could finish his question, Kagami shut him up with a glare that said " I can handle myself "

Kagami takes her stance. Adrien isn't sure how to begin, fighting without his miraculous was something kinda new. In the past he had to defend himself or others from Akuma, yes, but those times he had something he could use as a sword. Now he was hand-naked, well, apart from his ring. So, Adrien just raises his fists in position.

"You ready?" He asks.

Kagami answers with a nod.

"Ok then…."

Adrien jumped forward trying to land a hit on her with his right fist, Kagami side step grabbed his wrist while hitting his side with her elbow, Adrien's world turned upside down after that as he now lay on the floor blinking feeling the sting of pain on his side . Even if he was fast, Kagamis reaction time was faster than his, she managed to avoid the hit and use his movement against him.

" That was judo or something?" He thoughts.

" You really don't know anything, don't you?" Kagami asks, looking over at him and offering her hand to help him stand.

"Nope, the one who did karate was Felix, not me" He answers as he takes the offered hand.

"Your cousin?"

"Yeah, his dad put him through it, black belt and all. My parents preferred me to go through arts, though it was only piano thanks to my mom"

"Have you talked to him lately? Marinette told me what he did back after the first year of your mother's passing happened"

"After that incident, I... tried. but he was mostly closed off to contact, he and my aunt rarely visited after too. I still try from time to time, even after what he did, he is still family and we used to be really close"

Kagami hums.

"I have the hope we can mend things in the future, he can be perceived as cold and rude. But deep down, he is good, I know that" he says with a smile.

"You two probably could have a sparring match, sometimes when our words don't work, our bodies can express how we feel"

"You think?"

"Yes, that's how I read how you feel sometimes while we fence"

"I see, then maybe we will" Adrien says, with a chuckle.

"By the way, have you searched for other means of learning? I can only teach you so far while I am rusty in what I remember" She says.

"Actually, yes. Heard of the Shinsinkai Karate School? they are opening one here in Paris and I am planning on entering" Adrien explains.

"Really? Huh, I heard of it back home. Just a little, but I know of it, it's pretty popular, and it helped a lot of people. It's like a way of life for them" Kagami says, looking pensive.

"That's what I read while researching about them, I think they are my best shot at learning" He says.

"I see, it's... a good idea since there aren't other places fit for training in martial arts"

"Yeah"

"So, are you ready to continue our lesson?" Kagami says, going back to her position.

"Y-yes" Adrien says, with a bit of nervousness in his voice.

After a day of getting his ass handed to him by Kagami, even if she was teaching him how to correctly put his weight and the right positions for it, she was merciless when it came to applying it in sparring. It will take time for him to get used to the soreness on his body product of it, it was totally different from fencing, one would think his new body would have come with a new level of resistance but nope, at least his pain was ease thanks to being transformed, tonight he haves patrol with his lady.

He was getting the jumping from rooftop to rooftop at high-speed handled well, he just needed to be precise with how he jumps right after landing. He loves the feeling of the cold night wind on his face as he jumps to his and Ladybugs usual spot. Looking ahead, he sees his lady hasn't come yet. Landing on the roof trying not to crack it, he proceeds to sit on the edge of it to wait for Ladybug.

Adrien wonders if Ladybug will use his idea about the temp heroes, she was pretty convinced when he told her about it. If she goes with it, he hopes she tells him before dropping by with a new hero. Ladybug finally arrives with a soft thumb behind him.

"Good to see you tonight, MLady," Chat says.

"Good to see you too, chaton" she says.

"How are you doing?" He asks as she sits beside him.

"Everything good, working on a project. You?"

"Doing fine, though a bit sore because of some training I did in the afternoon" he answers as he moves his shoulder a bit.

"One would think those new muscles would stop that from happening" She says with a playful nudge to his arm.

"Me and you" Chat says with a defeated chuckle.

"Though, training? Aren't you big enough as you are now?" She asks.

"Nah, it isn't for muscle gain or volume. I am learning some martial arts"

"Really?"

"Yeah, it doesn't hurt to expand my knowledge when it comes to that. We never know when Hawkmoth will pull a big Akuma or something, and as your knight in shining leather, I should be able to protect you from it" he explains with a wink.

"Ooooh"

"Strength only goes so far, without the knowledge of how to use it I will be just the same cat as before, just bigger. And there will be moments where we won't be able to rely on our miraculous. So, I want to be ready"

"That's pretty thoughtful of you, Chat. Though it made me feel a bit useless seeing I haven't done anything proactive like that" Ladybug says in a defeated tone.

"But you do stuff, MLady. You take care of the Kwami AND work on the grimoire, that is also work that helps us against Hawkmoth" Chat reassures her.

"Yeah, I mean, that's something. But it doesn't help us get closer to defeating or catching him"

"Maybe, but you still find stuff by researching the grimoire, who knows if there is a "find missing miraculous" spell or something like that in there. or maybe a new power-up or something that will unlock a new power for us.

Look at me, I was just lucky to use a power we didn't know about unconsciously in the middle of a bad dream"

"Still I should be learning something else that could be useful at the moment and not in the future, at least when it comes to Akuma"

"Hmm, maybe you could ask Master Su-Han if he could train you in some mirakung fu? I mean, you are a guardian, maybe he will" Chat suggests.

"Hm maybe I can"

"We will probably be able to spare in the future, could be useful to have strategies and such. How about this, we could exchange miraculous to familiarize ourselves with our skills in case of an emergency"

"Sounds like a good idea, we could take the off patrol days for it"

"Don't need to worry, Lb. We got this"

"Thanks, Chat. You somehow always find a way to cheer me up"

"Always at your service, MLady"

Meanwhile in the Tsurugi residence. Kagami rested after her day of training with Adrien, while lying on her bed she couldn't get their talk out of her head. It had been a long time since she talked out loud about her father, talking about him brought happy memories from her childhood. The days they spent together, the days they had fun, the days when she was happy...

Rising up from her bed, she went directly for her phone, at this hour it should be around afternoon back in Japan. Even if her mother doesn't approve, she will not lose contact with one of the remaining bonds her father gave her. Hopefully, the number will still be the same and she is remembering the number correctly.

Dialing the number on her phone, she awaits.

…

…

…

click *

" Hello, who am I speaking to ?" The voice of an old man speaking Japanese is heard from the speaker.

"Gouki-ojisan?" Kagami asks.

" That voice... Kagami-chan? " The man asks.

"It had been quite some time, ojisan" She says.

" Yes it has been, Ryuuko " He says. Kagami tensed a little at the nickname, she remembered that being the nickname he and her father used to call her for her fierce personality back in the day. Still she can't help but tense a little because that's also her miraculous hero name.

"I wanted to... make contact. After father passed... you know how mother is" For some reason, words were kinda hard to speak for Kagami at this moment.

" I know, but I'm glad to hear from you. How have you been, child? " he asks.

Kagami smiles before speaking.