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Chapter Text

I waved to my parents as I boarded the plane with the Tsurugi ladies. Kagami grabs my hand and drags me into the jet. It was a nice flight, with us watching some movies about fencing and ninjas! Madame Tsurugi stayed silent the entire time.

When we landed and were at the Tsurugi estate, and we walked through the zen garden, I felt peace I never thought I would feel. I was led to my room, and was faced with a pale pink room filled with sakura petals. I lay out my stuff, looking at the posters and premade presents that I made for when Adrien wins this tournament. I smile as I hug my good luck charm, putting it in my purse for extra good luck.

I lay on the bed, ready to sleep off the jet lag, not knowing about Tomoe's servants keeping a close eye on me.

XXX

"Lady Tomoe, it seems she isn't here to support your daughter at all; she is only here for that Adrien Agreste-"

"Kagami's boyfriend?"

"Yes, Madame-"

"Kick her out. Pack all her things and throw her out with all her trash."

"Right away, ma'am."

XXX

Someone pulls on my arm suddenly, and I jolt awake at the sudden movement. Am I being kidnapped? Is the estate under attack? Kagami once told me that when she was younger, people tried to kidnap her for ransom, but her mother beat them all up. I started thrashing around, trying to get them to release my grip, but they were firm; they then threw me outside, where I felt the concrete make contact with my arm. OUCH!

I fully woke up to notice one of Tomoe's personal assistants was the one to throw me out, Tomoe close behind. I look up at her, "Ms Tomoe! I think there has been a mistake! It's me-"

"Yes, I know exactly who I through out Marinette Dupain-Cheng."

I look at her, my eyes widening, "Why? Why are you doing this?"

"Because you are trying to get together with my daughter's boyfriend-"

"Her ex-"

"Doesn't matter! You are a harlot and don't belong in my house! Now scram before I call the cops!"

I feel fear starting to crawl up my body as I start to plead. I watch her get closer, and I feel my chest get lighter, thinking this was all a misunderstanding. She slaps me hard across the face. "Don't come back here!"

I was about to plead some more, but she closed the gate behind her. I started banging and crying, pleading to let me in and explain myself, but it remained closed.

I don't know how long I was like this, but rain started to fall, and that's when I knew I had to find somewhere dry and call Maman. I run with my clothes and bag, noticing how light it is compared to before. I make it to a restaurant cover, where I get some looks. I can understand why, though, I probably look like some pathetic, unprepared tourist. That or a teen who just got kicked out of their home, with the slap mark on my cheek still stinging from Tomoe's slap.

I open my phone and watch as it slides out of my hand. I go to reach for it, but my hand accidentally ends up bumping it out further into the street. Oh my god, this can't be happening. I go to retrieve it, but get yanked back as a truck ends up plowing through the road, the person who grabbed me grumbled about stupid tourist and how I need to look out. I sigh and look for my phone once more, only to see it crushed in the middle of the road. Can this day only get worse? I grab my phone only for my lucky charm that Adrien got me to slip out of my purse and down a grate, where I heard it smash into pieces. Great. Just... great.

I hold my broken phone in silence and let out a sigh. Well, now time to find someone who speaks English to ask if I can borrow their phone. I go around asking, but everyone ends up either pretending not to hear me or just straight up ignoring me. I walked blocks upon blocks trying to find someone who could help me call my mom. I then ended up in front of an Italian restaurant, and my stomach growled a little bit due to not eating anything since getting on the flight here.

Man, Maman is going to kill me. I enter the restaurant tired from all the walking and running on no food. A green-haired man comes walking up to me, looking concerned, and asks, "Are you okay?"

ENGLISH!

"Can I borrow your phone?"

He looks shocked but points to a phone connected to the wall. I quickly type in my parents' numbers, the green-haired man keeping a close eye on me. It rings once, twice, and on the third ring, Maman picks up.

"Hello, this is Sabine Cheng-"

"MAMAN!"

She stops when she hears my voice, "Oh my darling! Are you calling from a phone in the Tsurugi estate, darling? I didn't recognize the number-"

"Maman! She kicked me out on the streets and-"

I start rambling in French to her, the green-haired man seems to understand what I am saying, but I don't care enough to pay attention to that. Maman listens to me through the phone, and it goes deathly silent. "Maman? Are you still there?"

"Yes, yes, I am darling. I am just thinking right now."

Oh, she sounds upset, extremely upset even. I start to quiet down as well, "I'm sorry, Mama, if only I didn't like Adrien-"

"No, honey, none of this is your fault, I am not mad at you, okay?"

I sniffle and say okay back. "Okay, I have to call Grandma Gina real quickly, okay? Can you wait by this phone until then?" I nod and say yes. She tells me she loves me and hangs up. I sit down and feel the tears streaming down my face still. I try to wipe them away with my sleeve, but I just get them really wet, until a tan hand reaches out to me with a handkerchief. The green-haired man.

"Thank you."

He sits next to me, handing me a glass of water. "Drink up, don't want you to get dehydrated now."

I do so, tasting a little bit of salt in there, "Why the salt?"

"You're crying all the salt out right now, this should help replenish, also helps convince you to drink more water."

I nod, "My name is Kojiro Nanjo, and you are?"

"Marinette Dupain-Cheng."

"Well, stay here as long as you need, okay?"

"Thank you."

Chapter Text

I am sipping some juice now, and the phone rings. I quickly pick it up and hear my mom's voice, "Hi honey."

"Maman, is everything okay? What did you talk to Grandma about?"

I hear her sigh and take a deep breath, "I called Grandma to see if she had any friends in Japan who could look after you for the time being. We would send you back straight away, but we found some concerning letters from friends in the mailbox. We wanna keep you safe, and right now that seems to be keeping you there with a trusted friend."

"What happened? What letters, Maman?"

She sighs, "I don't want you to worry, but it seems some classmates of yours got a message from Kagami telling them how you are trying to steal Adrien and how they never broke up-"

"But they did, Maman! I swear I wouldn't go after Kagami's boyfriend while they where dating, and I even asked her-"

"I know, sweetie, but for some reason, someone wants to hurt you, and I want to keep you safe."

I feel my breathing quicken but Kojiro puts a hand on my back and I start calming down again, "So did Grandma have anyone up here that could help?"

"She apparently helped a kid a while back, and that kid owes her big time. So, a man named Kaoru Sakurayashiki will be taking care of you for now."

I sniffle and she continues, "Now, Papa and I will be up as quickly as we can, we don't want to stay in a city that lies about our daughter, so we will also be quietly moving to Shanghai okay and we will be temporary moving you into a school up there in Japan-"

I sniffle some more as the tears spill once more, "Maman, why does everyone want me gone?"

The hand on my back then stops, but I couldn't care, "Oh, honey."

I cry on the phone again, and this time, Kojiro takes over.

XXX

"Hi, sorry, Marinette is currently sobbing, and I want to keep the line going, so is it alright if I ask about allergies real quick? She seems hungry, and I don't want to ask when she is breaking down."

I hear a woman sigh on the other end, "Yes, and this is?"

"My name is Kojiro Nanjo, I am a chef who works at Sia la Luce."

"Ah, I see. She can eat everything, with no allergies. Can you watch over her until her ride gets there? He has pink hair and glasses."

"Of course, ma'am- by any chance is the person's name Kaoru Sakurayanshiki?"

"Yes! How did you know?"

"We are childhood friends, and he comes by the restaurant a lot."

She laughs a bit, "What a coincidence, guess it's a small world, huh?"

I laugh a bit as well, then Marinette takes over, "Maman, you will always be by my side, right?

Marinette smiles, and I see her crying again, but this time it seems to be happy tears compared to the despair she was feeling earlier. She tells her mom that she loves her and will be counting down the days until she can see her again. She turns to me with a determined look on her face, "So, how long till he gets here?"

I smile and start to go make her some pasta, "He'll be here soon I bet."

XXX

I sit on the bench feeling a bit lighter after my call with Maman. Apparently, Papa was still very much out, and she just couldn't wake him up no matter how hard she tried. I sit, my luggage all kept tightly around me. Kojiro then pops out with a small bowl, "Eat this, okay? I can hear your stomach growling from the kitchen."

I feel my face heat up, and I quickly start to eat the food. It was so good, and I was so hungry. I shove some more in my face and just embrace the flavor dancing on my tongue. Suddenly, the door opens, and in walks a sophisticated man. He had pink hair and golden eyes, and he was so well put together that he reminded me of Maman. So that must be the man who owes Grandma.

He looks at me and then at Kojiro and immediately gets between us, " You gorilla, what are you doing with Gina's grandkid???"

"She's Gina's grandkid? No shit???"

He nods and then looks at me with shock. "Your grandmother was an intense woman and scary."

I look at him and can feel the confusion radiating off of me. They both look at me before Sakurayashiki leads me out to a fancy car. "Where are we going?"

"To your temporary home, I have a room set up, okay?"

I nod and get into the car, ready for anything.

---

Except this? I look around the extravagant room and feel so plain compared to everything in it. It was much more beautiful than the Tsurugi place that was set up for me. It was simple, but it showed regalness. No wonder it took a while for him to pick me up; he was preparing a room for me to crash in. I feel tears starting to fall down my face, "Are you okay? Is the room not satisfactory? I can change it at once-"

"No, it's beautiful!"

He looks at me, his eyes slightly widening. I then continue, "I just wasn't ready to see something so pretty today, especially not after the day I had."

He nods and hands over a phone, "This is a phone my company is producing, it has an AI assistant named Clara, she can help you with anything you need. I thought you might want to keep in touch with your parents whenever so..."

I hug him, feeling my gratitude bubbling up inside of me. He awkwardly hugs me back and says, "Have a good night, okay?"

I smile and let him go, I watch him walk down the hall, and wave to him. I walk into my room, tired from everything that has happened today. I fell onto the bed, immediately going on my new phone and entering my parents' contact information. I smile and text them both a good night. My dad texts back that he wants a call when I wake up, and I agree. I smile as I fall asleep on the soft bed.

Chapter Text

"So she just left you there? Out in the street?!"

I hum in response to my father as I get some shoes on. I had to get ready for my first day at my new school and didn't want to be tardy. "Good, just make sure to stay safe and be sure to have fun at your new school, sweetheart, and thank you for calling. Love you, sweetie!"

"Bye, papa!"

I start to head out and tell Clara, "When Mr. Sakurayashiki wakes up, tell him I left!"

"Of course, Mari."

I run out the door, glad that Mr. Sakurayashiki lives close enough to my new school. I run over, looking at everyone chatting with one another about life and how they're doing, and all that. This is so nice, I slow down and enjoy being in the crowd of people, until well. A skateboarder shouts, "Pigtails, you might wanna move!"

I quickly side-step and watch the skater smile at me while shouting apologies. I smile a bit at the skater and continue walking into my new school, going to the teacher's office. I open the door, and one teacher immediately gets up. "Ah! You must be my new student! Welcome!-"

He starts talking and walking me around before classes begin, showing me my shoe locker, classroom, and lunchroom. Finally, we start walking back to the classroom one more time. This time, I follow inside, and I see the skater from earlier who almost mowed me over. I give a smile to the class as the teacher starts to speak, "Everyone, I want you to welcome Marinette Dupain-Cheng. She is from France and will be staying here until her family moves over to Shanghai!"

The teacher turns to me and says, "Alright, write your name on the board and share something about yourself, okay?"

I nod and write my name on the board, my kanji a bit shaky, putting all my attention on not embarrassing myself. I just have to remember Kagami's lessons she gave me. I take a deep breath and finish the last stroke before turning back around. "My name is Marinette, but you all can call me Mari! I am into fashion design and art!"

The teacher then points at a seat behind the red-haired kid. I smile at him and pass by, giving him a toothiest smile as I sit down in my spot. I sit down and start focusing the best I can, not wanting to fall behind or mess up translating.

We finally were on break, and my desk immediately got surrounded. Everyone started asking about my hobbies. I started trying to form sentences and explain what I used to do in Paris. "So how did you end up here?"

My mind pauses, and I remember how Tomoe just tossed me out of the house. I decide to speak a bit, "I was staying with a friend and the friend's mom through me out on the streets-"

Everyone looks a little horrified, and they apologize for that happening to me. I assure them that I am alright now. Everything calmed down, and before we went back to class, the guy who sits in front of me turned around to introduce himself. "Again, I am so sorry I almost plowed you with a skateboard earlier."

I chuckle, "It's okay! The way you skate was carefree! It was lovely!"

"By the way, my name is Reki Kyan!"

He puts his hand out, I assumed to shake, but then he does a hand shake with me. I look at him blankly, and he immediately goes back to facing towards the front as the teacher sets down the lesson folder. I look at my hand and just focus on my classwork.

---

At the end of the day, I rushed home so I could finish my homework, but heard once more behind me, "Watch out, pigtails!"

I smile and move to the side to see Reki skate on by. I just walked to Mr. Sakurayashiki's office. Wanting to see his calligraphy office. I rush in and immediately soak into the AC blasting. I walk in and the secretary looks at me. "Oh! You must be Marinette!"

I nod, confused, and she looks me up and down."Ah, I got an update from Mr. Sakurayashiki this morning that you were staying with him and that we will be seeing you a lot from now on."

I smile at her as she puts me in an office. "Mr. Sakurayashiki has stated this is your area and that you may use it however you see fit."

I throw myself in the chair and unpack everything in my bag, just sprawling everything everywhere. I started on my homework today was language, like reading from this book and talking about it, which means it's gonna be rough to translate in my head to understand it fully.

I was there for hours, just writing down a book report and doing some more work. I then look at my phone and try to remember any numbers from friends, but alas, nothing. I groan and look up to see Mr. Sakurayashiki staring at me. "I will be going out tonight. I will drop you off at home. Is that alright?"

I nod and we head out. The car was nice, but then I decided to ask, "So... What are you doing tonight?"

Mr Sakurayashiki grips the steering wheel, and I decide to change the topic. "I had a great first day!"

I start blabbing on, even when we were putting our shoes away. Until he finally says back, "Alright, get to bed now. You don't want to be tired for tomorrow, right?"

I nod and crash in my room. Listening to Mr Sakurayashiki moving around. I then hear him approaching, so I quickly take a peek through the door to see him. I can put my good old Adrien tracking skills to use. I see him coming out, putting his hair up into a high ponytail. He looked younger somehow. He was also holding a skateboard. He lets out a sigh and says, "I'm going, Marinette!"

I quickly duck further into my room and shout back, "See you tomorrow, Mr Sakurayashiki!"

He sighs and leaves the house. I immediately open my door to follow him. Suddenly, Clara cuts in, "Marinette, what are you doing?"

I pause mid-step and look around. "I wanna follow him-"

"Why?"

"Because I'm not twelve, so I don't go to bed at nine, and I am curious about Mr Sakurayashiki."

Clara is silent for a beat before saying, "Would you like me to send his location to your phone?"

"Would you do that for me, Clara?"

"Why not?"

I squeal and look for something to help follow him. Clara cuts in, "There are prototype skates in the closet. I will be able to give tips on your technique if you were them."

I smile and immediately put them on, the shoes being a bit big. I just do a quick prayer that I don't crash and get hurt in these big shoes and head out, putting headphones in for Clara. "Alright, tell me where to go, Clara!"

Chapter Text

I finally reach an abandoned-looking area, filled with skaters. Two guards were checking for a symbol that I didn't have. I decided to sneak in by finding a hole in the fence and sneaking in. "Trusspassing is a criminal offense, Marinette."

"Shush, Clara, I know! I just need to know what he is doing!"

"I'm just shocked you didn't fall during this-"

At that exact moment, I fall flat on my face. "Way to jinx it, Clara..."

"I apologize."

I dust myself off, taking off the skates for now, just walking around the dirty ground with my socks. A car honks at me and I quickly get out of the way, watching it zoom on by. I quickly run and grab onto the back, not wanting to get flattened by skaters. I then look around for Cherry Blossom hair, but I can't see anything. "Clara, where is Mr Sakurayashiki?"

She hesitates before saying, "It seems I followed the wrong passage that he was taking tonight. He seems to have had a deal with the head of a high company and got dressed for 'S' under his normal clothes."

"Are you saying I am in a new place all alone?"

"Yes."

"Clara, you suck-"

---

I settle down in a crowd, next to this guy with this weird fox thing. "Don't let him get to you... Reki."

Hum? He knows the guy going against the clown? Or is that the clown's name? Wait a minute, I look and notice, "REKI?!"

I watch as he speeds off. The guy next to me gives me a weird look and asks, "You know Reki as well?"

"We are classmates."

"Oh, I'm his manager-"

We start talking away and watching Reki skate against scary clown guy. "So how did you get in today?"

"I broke in through the fence."

He hums and asks, "Want a proper pass? You can stop by my store tomorrow and I can give you one."

"That would be lovely, thank you!"

He smiles and we watch the screen as Reki rams headfirst into a crowd and rocks. "Oh my god."

"This is the least amount of injuries, trust me. I'll see you around!"

I wave and just sit there watching the big screen as the Shadow guy starts to celebrate.

---

I open the door to class as someone says, "Morning, Mari!"

I wave and groggle my way back to my seat behind Reki. "Yo, what happened to you, Reki? Get in a fight?"

Ohhh, right. He broke his arm last night... I try to pay attention to what everyone is saying, but I think I look droopy as the person next to me asks, "Geez, Mari, stay up too late translating?"

I nod and plop down. Reki then says, "Wanna see?"

"Nah, seems dangerous."

I was about to ask when the teacher came walking in with a blue-haired guy. I look up and focus my attention on him mainly, feeling my head tug at my skull. "Tell them who you are-"

"Langa Hasegawa-"

I crash on my desk.

---

I look at my phone, where the manager I met last night sent me the address for the shop. Then I look at my wallet, counting the yen. If I wanna follow Mr Sakura, I have to make sure I am safe and prepared! I walk through the door. "Ah! Pigtails welcome in!"

I smile as I walk in, not noticing Reki restocking. He runs up and looks me up and down. "I didn't take you for a skater, Mari! This is awesome!"

The Manager comes walking back, "She isn't a skateboarder, Reki, she seems to be a rollerblader, right?"

He turns towards me at the end. I nod, and Reki seems to deflate a little bit at that. "Yeah, I am just here to get proper skates and gear. I wasn't the safest last night..."

Reki seems confused, so the manager makes sure to clarify on my end. "She was wearing no protective gear and had roller blades three times her shoe size on-"

Reki starts to lecture me about safety, but I just tune him out. The manager puts him in the back while he hands me some skates to try on. Suddenly, the manager asks, "Reki?-"

I tune him out as I try on another pair. Not noticing him rushing out the door. I only notice that no one is in the shop when I land on a nice dark gray pair of skates. Hmmm, these are nice. The texture was perfect, and it. had proper support, and it had good customization potential.

I look up and notice that no one is at the counter. I blink and the manager comes crashing back in with Reki and the new kid. "Oh, sorry, Marinette. I kinda just left you in here, huh? You choose a pair yet?"

I nod, blue hair kid staring me down, "She looks familiar-"

Reki chimes in, "She's also in our class!"

He hums and I bring the skates up to the manager, along with a helmet. "Just these for now-"

"That will be 29,212 yen."

I sigh and pull out the money, welp there goes my babysitting money from Mannon's mom. Reki gasps at me paying in full, and the manager also hands me an S sticker. "No more breaking in through the fence, okay?"

I sullenly nod my head, and the boys look at me like I am crazy. I look at the trio and wave, "Reki, Langa! I'll see you tonight, yeah?"

I leave before I get an answer. I immediately head down the street with my skates and put them on. Shoving my shoes in my bag. I start going around, practicing a bit until I hear a door slam open. Then I notice the sign on the door that got slammed, 'Sakurayashiki.' Uh oh...

Mr Cherry is looking at me with a panicked look in his eyes as he rushes over. He grabs me by the shoulders and asks, "Where is your protective gear?"

"I have a helmet-"

"That's not enough! If you get hurt and Gina finds out-"

He brings me inside and starts frantically searching online for protective gear for roller blading. I just can watch him as I ask Clara, "Why is he so panicked?"

She doesn't respond.

Chapter Text

Mr Cherry ended up express shipping everything. I went last night to S, but I was mainly practicing, not stirring up anything, just trying to learn the ropes. Which means I pulled another all-nighter. I came into class and slumped into my desk. Langa turns to me."What's S like?"

Huh? "loud-"

I slump my head on the desk as Reki talks some more. Class starts, and we were practicing our English. I accidentally nod off and am awoken to the teacher saying, "Marinette!"

I shoot awake and hear some chuckling, and he asks me to continue where the last person ended. I notice my book still closed and admit, "Sorry, Sensei, I fell asleep-"

"See me after class. Sit back down."

I nod and see Reki giving me a sad look. I wake myself up from that embarrassment and quickly refocus on the conversation. Ready for when I was called again.

---

"You can bet boards, status, friendships... girls-"

I glare up at Reki, and he looks scared. "I would never-"

I give him a look, and Langa just nods. "Is that a real bento box?"

"Is that what you are focused on right now?"

"Yes."

I chuckle at the interaction and focus on my bento box that I made last night. I offered some to Langa as he kept staring at it with intense hunger. We share a meal, and share numbers as well! I smile at the new friend I have acquired!

---

I was finally able to sneak away from Mr. Cherry once more. I flash my badge at the big guys guarding and quickly skate in. A quarter late to the opening, figuring if I am late, then I won't have to risk mosh pit behavior. I slowly make my way up only to see Langa bandaging the board to his feet. "What are you doing?!"

"I figure I can skate this one-"

I just look at him dumbfounded until suddenly, "Cherry?!"

I look up and shittttt- That is the man looking after me. If he knows I snuck out I am so fuuu- "He will skate."

"The AI skater?"

"The Cherry Blossom?!"

I watch as Cherry then comes next to me, as the race begins, but before it does, he asks, "So, why aren't you in bed, Marinette? I already got a call from the school about you sleeping in class."

I gulp and face him, watching him watch Langa. "I uhh-" I clear my throat. "I may have asked Calra to help follow you three nights ago-"

He glares at me and asks Clara, "Clara, did you really-?"

"She really wanted to, sir."

He lets out a disappointed sigh before saying, "I'm grabbing my bike. You stay here."

I sigh and he goes, grabbing Reki as he does. I decide to put on my skates and not follow the warning given to me by my guardian. I start gaining speed, trying to remember Alix told me as I round corners. I finally spot someone familiar in the crowd. We make eye contact, but I'm not able to register their face properly as I refocus on the track immediately.

I then notice how there is a bridge, and I slow down, taking my time, right as I see Langa on the ground, Reki celebrating. He must've won! Then I feel the air around me get cold, and that's when I see Mr Cherry's glare on me. He mouths, "I told you to stay put."

I try to shrink myself as I pull up next to him. He just says in a quiet tone, "We'll talk about this at home."

I nod and go into the background, not wanting to cause a scene. Cherry makes a motion to follow not much later.

---

When we got home, Mr. Cherry was not happy in the slightest. "Can you tell me why you are going against my parenting directly? You might be Gina's granddaughter, but I won't show disrespect for my authority!"

I try to appear smaller as I answer, "I was just curious-"

"You should've stayed curious then! I forbid you from going back! It's too dangerous!"

He takes my sticker and storms off, not before saying one last thing, "Clara, make sure Marinette can't sneak out anymore. I don't care if she pleads with you."

I look around the house and hear, "Of course, sir."

I look around feeling betrayed and just feel my eyes starting to water. I liked skating the two days I have been exposed to it. I rush into my room, and feel the tears starting to pour. I then take out my phone and search in the search bar, 'Fencing Tournament.'

It gives me prices and location, fine. I won't skate, but that doesn't mean I am gonna stay trapped in this house. I will at least hold up my end of being there for Kagami! I wipe my tears and immediately book a ticket, memorizing multiple routes and the clothing guidelines.

Mr Cherry, I'm gonna make you wish I kept skating. I flop into my bed as I look at the participant images. I curess a photo of Adrien and scroll to Kagami, "I promise I'll be there."

XXX

"What do you mean you kicked her out?!"

I haven't seen Marinette around, but thought she was just out exploring. I mean, that is what Mother has been telling me. I was a little hurt that Mari didn't want me to lead her around, but ultimately understood that she was probably just staking out Adrien. So, when mom finally sat me down and told me that she kicked her out with everything she brought, and her guards haven't been able to find her since, I was pissed.

"Now Kagami, this is not how a Tsuguri acts-"

"Neither did you, Mom, when you kicked our guest out! Our teenage guest who had to get parents' permission to come with you!"

Mom looks more upset as I mention the facts. "We are looking for her but she was being a pest trying to"

"I don't care, Mom! You better find her and you better find her fast, cause I am not leaving this country until we do!"

I storm off and immediately call Marinette's cell, but immediately get hit with, "The person you are calling is currently unavailable."

I look in shock. Did she block me? I mean, why wouldn't she?! My mom kicked her out of our house. In the middle of a country where she has an okay grasp of the language, it makes total sense that she would be upset with me! I let out a groan of frustration and cursed my mother for ruining the best relationship I've ever had.

Then the tears started to come. God, what if we find her and she is mad at me? What if she never wants to see me again and wants to stop being friends? I don't think I could stop being near her. I care about her too much. I start to cry thinking about the friendship I might lose.

Chapter Text

"Marinette, what's with the scary look on your face-"

I snap back into break time with my classmates immediately, "Sorry, I had an argument with my guardian last night! I am just thinking!"

Thinking about how to sneak out tonight and see Kagami, that is. I chuckle a bit and hardcore focus back on homework while making a plan. It was a math lesson today, so when classes started up again, I had to make sure my attention was solely back on the board once more.

---

I pace around my room, hearing Mr Cherry leave for a business meeting. I take a deep breath and look out my window, waiting to see him fully leave the building. Okay, it's only four in the afternoon, and the competition started at five. Okay. I pack my skates in my bag and lose some of my safety equipment so Clara won't suspect anything. I get to the elevator, and then Clara asks, "Where are you going, Mari?"

"I am going to the library to study."

"Okay, it is too early for S... Be home at eight. I will be informing Mr Sakurayashiki of your location."

I hum and get in. Waiting until I was a block away from the building, I put on my skates and knee pads. I immediately start speeding away, getting a message from Langa asking if I wanted to come and see him and Reki practice. I slow down and quickly respond that I am busy, but to be safe, I message that I could probably meet up later.

I tuck my phone back into my bag and start rushing to the tournament. I made it right when they opened the doors. I smile at the guard and pull out some more babysitting money, purchasing a ticket near the front. I store my skates in my bag and hop along as I put on my left shoe. I make my way towards the front and fall down the stairs, landing flat onto the harsh floor.

"Whoa, are you okay?!"

I look up and see Adrien looking back at me, "Marinette?"

He quickly switched back to French so we could talk to each other. "What are you doing here, Mari?"

"I came with Kagami! But some stuff happened, so now I am a little too early-"

Suddenly, I hear a conversation in quick French, "Mama! You're the one who messed up! Not me! You better find her or I am gonna-"

I turn and come face-to-face with Kagami. The second she spots me, she tackles me to the ground, making me fall on top of Adrien. "Oh, Marinette! I've been worried sick about you!"

I grab Kagami's face as Adrien tries shuffling out from the bottom of this pile. "Kagami, I would've contacted you, but I broke my phone and also accidentally destroyed my SIM card-"

Kagami just hugs me as Adrien is finally released from this pile. Kagami then starts to lightly cry, her tears starting to soak my jacket, "Oh god, I thought you hated me for what my mother did to you-"

"I could never hate you, Kagami."

She hugs me tighter, and she stayed like that for a bit before calming herself and handing me her phone number. "Make sure to put that in your new phone, okay?"

I nod and get in my seat, noticing how a crowd of people were watching Kagami and me's scene. I blush a deep red, quickly sitting down. I watch as the tournament begins, and I just sit in my seat.

---

It was finally Kagami versus Adrien. I could only watch as this brought me back to when I tried to make the team back in France. I could only watch as the boy I love fights the girl I admire. I think back to everything in France, my past few days. How I haven't even thought about Adrien when I have been here. He seemed confused as well that I was here. Does he know about everything going on in France?

I watch as Kagami's sword touches Adrien, and I don't feel upset that Kagami won. I feel proud, she has grown, I feel pleased to see her winning up there. I can feel my vocal cords stretching as I scream cheers for her. I can see her looking at me; she goes from a victorious stare to a toothy grin. I smile as I cherish that face deep in my head.

---

"Kagami!"

I jump and she catches me in her arms. I laugh as she spins me around, I smile as I look at her proud eyes, feeling my heart feel free for the first time in forever. Suddenly, someone clears their throat, and I turn and see Adrien looking at us awkwardly. Kagami slowly puts me down, and we both look at him as his eyes follow Kagami setting me down. He then says, "So, why are you here, Marinette?"

Kagami decided to answer, "I invited her for emotional support; you've met my mother, she isn't the best at that."

He can only stay silent, so I decide to say something, "You did a good job today, Adrien!"

He stares, before smiling, "Thanks, Marinette! When we get back to Paris, we can tell our friends all about this!"

I feel my throat go dry and my hands get sweaty, "So, uh, about that-"

They both stare at me, and I can feel their eyes digging into my skin with how hard they are staring. I then spilled everything about how Kagami's mother kicked me out and how Lila then framed me for trying to steal Adrien. Adrien quickly cuts in, "Why would she say that? It's not like you like me-"

I feel my face burn, and I look down in shame. He starts to try to laugh, like a joke, until it turns into nervous laughter. "It has to be a joke, right?"

I stay silent, he immediately sinks onto his knees and puts his hands to his skull, taking a deep breath, "Oh my god."

Kagami looks between the two of us, and Adrien is just continuing to have a crisis on the ground.

"Would it make it better or worse if I told you that I also have a printout of your schedule for the next five years-"

"Worse, so much worse, Marinette."

Chapter Text

"Marinette, how long have you had a crush on me?"

"Since you gave me your umbrella-"

"Then why didn't you just say something earlier-?"

"I had to make sure you were a good person-" I shift uncomfortably in my seat in the preparation rooms for the contestants, "Last time I had a crush on a person, Chloe manipulated Kim into giving me spiders, and I fell into the pool while Chloe filmed me with Sabrina. Kim just laughed."

They both just stared at me, and Adrien just let out a sigh while rubbing his forehead in frustration. I could see the stress coming off of him. "Marinette, I just can't right now."

I nod, and Kagami and I walk out, but before we fully leave, I bow at Adrien, "I understand if we can't be friends anymore, Adrien, just-"

I look him in the eyes, "Have a good life, okay?"

He smiles at me, and Kagami and I walk out. Kagami and I talked for a long time. I mentioned that I was living with Mr. Sakurayashiki and that I am technically grounded, but I promised to see her anyway. She smiles and we clear up that I am still her friend, forever and always, and that if she ever needs me, I am a phone call away. She smiles as I get my skates on and go back to the apartment building, ready to lie to Carla.

I speed down the streets feeling more alive than I have felt in forever, the adrenaline and rush skating brought me was fun. I started doing tricks, falling occasionally, but made it home around seven thirty. I took off my skates a block away from the home and walked into the elevator. I smile and hum to the elevator music, and the doors open to the penthouse. I smile and enter the code to get in, "Hello Clara!"

"Marinette, welcome home. I'll send a message to Mr Sakurayashiki that you are home."

I smile and put my things away before heading to the kitchen. I decided that today I was going to make something for myself. I smile and hum a few French songs as I cook, swaying around counters and feeling myself in the groove. "Marinette-"

I snap around and see Mr Sakurayashiki standing in the doorway. He looks at all the ingredients spread on the counter, and then he looks down at a bag he is holding. "I brought take out-"

"I was getting tired of takeout."

He lets out a long sigh, just puts it in the fridge, and walks away, mumbling about something. I just focus back on the food, cooking three servings, used to cooking so much for my family back at home. I just look at it all, Papa's big serving, Mama's normal serving, and mine. I feel tears slip down my face a little bit, and my hunger seems to vanish in an instant. How did today go from something cheerful to depressing?

I just pack up the food and go to my room, the food packed away in the fridge, the containers now stuck in my mind. I crash onto my bed and pull out my phone, texting mama and papa, 'I miss you.'

I feel my eyelids get heavy as I fall asleep.

---

I heard my alarm go off and slammed my whole hand on it, making it shut up until my phone started ringing. I quickly answered it, not checking the caller ID. "Mari! Wanna skate with Langa and me today? He challenged this pro-"

He continues to talk as I hum along, putting some socks on. Finally, Clara interrupts, "Skating today has been accepted."

My eyes snap open at that. Mr. Sakurayashiki approved of my skating today- "Only for the afternoon, participating in beef is not allowed."

I smile and basically shout into the phone that I will be there in like two minutes. Reki seems cheerful, so I quickly get dressed and rush out the door, passing Mr. Sakurayashiki, waving at him as I leave. I rush out and skate fast to Sk8, the guards looking at my badge and rushing me in, noticing that I wasn't slowing down. One angrily shouts, "WATCH IT! YOU COULD GET HURT-!"

I look back and wave a smile on my face, I continue looking forward, slowing down when I see a familiar blue and red-haired kid. "REKI! LANGA!"

They turn around, along with a cat-hoodie kid. I smile and pass by the kid, getting right next to Reki. "Marinette!"

He gives me a dap as we slide along, "I was telling Prince charming over here that girls at school call him prince-"

I chuckle and agree, Langa tries to defend himself when the cat boy cuts in front, "Alright, slimes, I am done being stuck near you!"

The kid rushes off, and so does Reki. I look at Langa and speed next to him, "What is that all about-?"

"Remember how Reki told you about the beef I started-"

"Oh, is that who you challenged?"

He nods and we start going faster, trying to catch up with the two, "They must be very far ahead... Mari!"

I look at him, and he continues, "Go make sure they are both okay! You seem secure on the skates!"

I nod and rush ahead, barely faster than Langa. We both turn a corner and watch Reki fly through the air, "Reki!"

I skid next to him, checking him over quickly. "Reki, are you okay?"

He looks at me and something seems to flash in his eyes, "Yeah! yeah! I'm fine, let's go! Langa might be in trouble!"

I smile at the care these two have for each other and help him up, "You ready to go?"

He smiles, and we both rush off to make sure Langa is alright. It wasn't much longer when we caught up, his knees and hands on the ground making him look like he's bowing, "I don't wanna lose to you due to a faulty board, get it fixed, I'm gonna win because I'm good, not because your board sucks."

Reki checks on Langa, and I grab his board, looking at the leather strap snapped. I sigh and head over to the two, "Reki, you are the board master-"

He seems to brighten at that nickname, "Why, thank you, Mari! Let's go back to Dope Sketch! I'll fix the board!"

I smile and nod, updating Clara of my whereabouts. Reki then looks at my skates that are way too big for me, "Also, we are getting you new skates- how didn't you break an arm?"

I feel my sweat drop, and I can just nervously laugh as they both give me a stare down.

Chapter Text

I watch as Langa places his foot in his new skateboard lock. Sitting on Reki's table as he explains why he added it. "Thank you! This is awesome!"

I watch Langa's eyes get a sparkle in them as Reki says, "That's why they call me 'Mechanic Star Reki'"

I smile as Langa completely ignores him and admires the board. "No frikken way are you winning against someone who is going to nationals on that board-"

Reki retaliates fast, and I just go up to Manager Oka, "I'll prove you wrong!"

We walk away, and he sets down a box. I sit next to him on a bench. "Looks like I need a new pair of skates, got any recommendations?"

He grabs his chin and starts thinking, his small fox-like creature jumping on my lap, but my focus remains on him. He seems to get a look of understanding in his eyes as he shuffles about. "So what happened to your last skates?"

"My guardian took them from me, so I have no clue-"

"How about I give these out on rent for now-"

huh? I started retaliating that it was my fault, I lost my skates, and I didn't want to borrow skates in fear that Mr. Sakurayashiki might lock them up, but Mr. Oka insisted. "Just take them, okay? It's better than those huge ones, and I'll keep these big ones as insurance."

I sigh but accept the new shoes. They were redder than the last ones, and for now, they would work. I try them out, skating around the store, Reki and Langa, then come out and watch me for a second, "You seem a lot more coordinated with those Mari-"

I immediately fall on my face, and Oka rushes over, helping me up. "Are you okay?"

I nod, rubbing my nose, "Yeah! Sorry, I lost my concentration there for a second."

Oka makes me skate outside for a while longer, breaking my focus and making sure I can stay upright when it happens, while Reki and Langa leave. I can only wave at them sadly as Manager Oka repeats for me to get up and try again. I cry a little on the inside. As it got darker, I could only make my way home, facetiming Reki as he works on the board, making him promise me that he will have me on FaceTime the entire time, as I am still on house grounding.

I skate home, feeling a pep in my step as I go into the elevator. I open the door and am face-to-face with my old skates; this time, though, it has something purple latched to them. I spin them around, and Clara then says, "Mr Sakurayashiki has returned your skates for school travel and occasional skating during the day. He still forbids you from going to S." I grumble, and she continues, "I am also now built into these skates; I can help with form technique and strategies."

I smile and put them back down on the ground, "And you are built to track me."

"Yes, yes, I am."

I sigh as I continue to look at Reki, my phone on mute as I watch him. We both sat there for a while until he sped off with his phone. I could only watch in anticipation. Zoning out as I work on my homework, until I hear cheers and Reki turns the camera to Joe???? Mr Sakurayashiki??? I watch as women fawn over them and feel myself gag. Reki points it back to himself and asks, "Did you just gag at me?"

I panic and tell him why, that I saw my parental figure in the crowd being fawned over and gagged at that. He chuckled and let out a sigh of relief. Reki gets in a car and we start following, Reki shouting as I am set on the dash, focusing on Langa. "NOW WHO IS SHE?!"

I hear Shadow scream through the phone, Reki turns me around and says, "Well, she is-"

"Ladybug- call me Ladybug!"

Reki smiles and nods, "Ladybug, our roller blader friend!"

He turns me back around as I have Clara scan for anything out of place, putting myself on mute once more as I watch Langa skate away, hearing Reki's excitement. We finally get to the finish line, Reki shouting to use the board to its full. I smile and watch Langa do exactly that. We meet him at the finish line, Reki tackling him when he succeeds. He tosses me over, and we are face-to-face. I unmute and calmly say, "Congratulations, Langa."

XXX

I stare at the screen, a blue-haired girl on a smaller screen staring back at Langa. I can only feel my rage build up as I look at her. Her big eyes filled with excitement, and I was about to call her and go off on her until I realized something. She isn't actually here, she witnessed a beef, but she was on a FaceTime; she isn't here. So I can't ground her for contacting a friend, it's just frustrating that she won't leave this S drama behind her!

I then watch as the red-haired kid announces, "Then I'll make you!"

XXX A little before Reki Challengesxxx

"Now, where is your little roller blader as well? Can't we have two talents here tonight?"

I look down at my phone, Marinette clearly looking uncomfortable. I hang up; she doesn't need to be involved with whatever this freak is on. "You don't need to know where she is; all I need is for you to apologize to Miya!"

He laughs, "And what are you going to do? I'm not going to-"

"Then I'll make you!"

I hold up my skateboard, my anger towards the man piling up. I was excited at first because he is a literal legend, but curessing my friend way up his leg, making my new friend feel bad, and trying to pray on my other friend is disgusting. I feel my eyes narrow at him, "Now I challenge you!"

XXX

I look at my phone, the end screen looking back at me. "Reki..."

I only heard the new guy ask about me, and then he stared at the screen so intently that my skin started to crawl, and the way he touched Langa. I feel my knuckles holding my anger, and look and see that blood is coming out of my palms. I don't know who this guy is, but I am gonna hit him so hard he can't ever go near Langa again.

Chapter Text

slam my hand on the desk the second I see Langa and Reki again. "What the hell was that dude on last night?"

"Wanna hear something worse, Mari-?"

I shoot a look at Reki and he continues, "If I lose that freak is gonna skate against Langa-"

"I SWEAR TO FU-"

---

I sit in class still seething that Langa agreed to be a prize to be won. I listen to them chat, but I am more focused on my studies, and I keep my anger in check, knowing I am going to slap the shit out of Langa at lunch for agreeing to those terms later. I watch the teacher creep up and, while Reki and Langa were whisper-yelling at each other, the teacher hits them on the back of the head, telling them to be quiet. I agree.

Lunch couldn't come fast enough; the second it did, I grabbed both boys and led them to the roof. Reki was the first to speak up, "Marinette, why did you drag us to the roof-"

I smack Langa on the back of his head, and I smack him hard. I grab his hair and start wiggling him around while asking him if he is stupid. Reki looks nervous, and I snap at him and ask the same, asking if he is stupid for going against someone who is a pro like that. Challenging someone so high up, we could just rock his shit off the court and get off scot-free, better than winning against him. When I was done with my five minutes of screaming at them, Reki at least looked ashamed, and Langa didn't. I let out an angry huff and state, "You better either win or fix this up, or your ass is gonna be in the ground! Understood?"

Reki nods, and I head down to eat some lunch, my anger driving other students to steer clear. I steer clear of them both for the rest of the day, too angry to even look at them.

---

I fall hard on my face, "crap!"

I look up and see Reki and Langa skating. I smile, knowing that they wouldn't disappoint me and skate against a legend. I know they wouldn't want another beating like today. I smile and think about how I can't wait to see Reki showing off skating at S, doing normal tricks with Miya. I should've known, though, that those two were planning on still taking on Adam, and that yes, they are dumb enough to get two beat downs. I then feel my back pocket vibrate, "I'm picking you up in ten minutes, meet me at the gas station."

I sigh and go up to the group. Reki looks at me with fear, and I just smile at Langa. Miya looks at both of them and asks While I walk away, "What happened with her?"

I just go to the corner and trade my equipment out for my normal everyday where, and like clockwork, Mr. Cherry shows up. The door opens, and I come in, Clara welcoming me in. I sit next to him, silently. He just drives until we arrive at a familiar restaurant. We walk in, the place is dead quiet as Cherry hands me a menu, "Order whatever you like, that gorilla wants to talk to me-"

huh?

"Ah, Gina's granddaughter!"

I know that voice. My eyes snap up, and I see Mr. Koijro! I smile and sit at the island tables, my face contorting into a smile. He rubs my head a bit and tells me to order whatever I would like. I smile and start to scan the menu, happy to see a familiar face. I tune the two out until, "I'm gonna challenge Adam to a beef-"

My head snaps, and I look at Mr. Cherry before I could yell at him like I did Reki and Langa. Mr. Koijiro then cuts in, "Me too-"

"Don't copy me!"

"I'm not copying you!"

"Then get back in line!"

Oh my god, I'll talk to them after they stop acting like children. They then decide on a challenge, Mr cherry brings out calligraphy, and I take this time to state, "Can I get a steak?"

Mr Koijro switches up fast and has a smile when talking to me, "Of course, sweetie! How do you want it-"

"Don't ignore me, gorilla!"

"I am getting the child you were assigned to look after food! One second!"

He turns back to me after shouting at Mr. Cherry. "And how do you want that?"

"Rare, please, and can I also get some salad to go with that?"

"Oh, a good, nice, healthy meal, of course!"

He then immediately goes back to fighting with Mr. Cherry as he prepares my meal. I smile and continue to listen to them argue, "Anyway, Mari-dear-!"

I look up at Mr. Koijiro, and he continues, "Wanna come with me to watch Reki versus Adam?"

My hands slam against the table at the same time Mr Cherry's do as well, we both then shout something different at the same time, "He's still going against him?!"

"Gorilla, she isn't allowed at S!"

He looks nervous and addresses Mr Cherry first, "Come on, she can just watch, no skating I promise."

Mr Cherry thinks about that, and he turns back to me. "And yes Reki is still doing it-"

THAT MOTHER FUCKER-

---

Mr. Cherry hands me a pile of folded-up clothes, "What's this for?"

"It will be your disguise for tonight and for any other time we take you to observe. I don't want people to approach me anymore for dates, and you will act as my child, so dress like me."

I groan but agree, "It's gross to see old men being hit on-"

He hits me with his sandal, and I quickly get dressed while rubbing my now stinging head.

---

I skate down the hill with Cherry and Joe, hearing people call their names. I try blending in as hard as possible into the background, watching Reki closely. He looks me in the eyes and I see his nervousness peak through his eyes once more. I just mouth to him, 'you lose, I break your leg.. So don't lose.' he nods, and I stick next to Cherry, ready to see Reki crush this scumbag. We make eye contact, and he smiles, 'fuck.'

Chapter Text

I watch as Adam smokes a cigarette while talking about taste and such before dashing and disappearing on a skateboard. Suddenly, a pit in my stomach forms. Reki is gonna get hurt. I get on my skates without Mr. Cherry noticing and go behind them, remembering the path that Reki showed during Langa's duel. I kept speeding along, Langa passing me on his bike right as I saw Adam go uphill. I watched as it felt like slow motion, Reki losing control and crashing. I looked at Adam, looking for remorse, and all I saw was a smile. THAT'S IT! Langa went to go help Reki and right as Adam goes to monologue, I cut in, all I hear before my fist makes contact with his face is, "Now I can race you Lan-"

I watch his face start moving towards the pavement before he looks at me, "Well, well, well, if it isn't the little roller blader!"

Langa was about to say something, but I cut in quickly, "GET REKI TO A HOSPITAL! NOW!"

He was going to retort, but I just glared at him, and he shut up and rushed off with Reki. "And what are you gonna do, little girl? Challenge me to a skate off-"

I kick him in the back of the knees, he starts going down, and I can see his widened eyes behind his mask. He was gonna try to come back, but I slammed my foot into his back and watched him fall without thinking about supporting himself. I grab the back of his head, starting to wrangle him, pulling, feeling my rage just build up. I've never felt S be so silent ever before. I kept going ham, slamming him into the ground, keeping him disoriented for as long as possible, remembering what Kagami taught me in defense. Suddenly, someone grabs me by the back of my shirt, "That's enough!"

I snap back to reality and watch Adam get back up, his mask cracked, blood coming out of his nose and mouth. I could feel the glare coming from him, "Keep that girl in check, Cherry, or next time I will break her so bad she ends up with the other skateboarders."

I feel the grip on my shirt get tighter, and Cherry responds, "Keep her out of this, Adam! There won't be a next time with her!"

He smirks and skates off. Finally, I get turned around and am face-to-face with an angry Cherry. He starts screaming at me, telling me that what I did was unacceptable and how dangerous that was. I then snap back, "I DON'T CARE, CHERRY! HE JUST HURT MY FRIEND! IF YOU ARE GONNA SIDE WITH HIM, I DON'T WANT TO SEE YOU ANYMORE!-"

"FINE! LEAVE THEN! GO HOME AND BE GONE BEFORE I GET BACK!"

I huff, my chest feeling down almost immediately skate off. I rushed home, packing everything in my suitcase, fine! I'll leave! He's the stupid one for being mad at me anyway! Adam just hurt my friend, and he thought I was just gonna stand aside and let him? That asshole!

I zip up my suitcase, tears spilling from my eyes, no. I'm not gonna miss this asshole! I am gonna leave and be happy elsewhere! It's not the first time I've been kicked out, and I'll survive! I text Langa to text me the hospital deets, and he gladly does so. I sent a thumbs up, and right as I was about to leave, I took off my skates and threw them in the trash, along with my phone. I took out the SIM card, and a voice cut in, "Marinette, where are you going?"

"Mr. Sakurayashiki kicked me out, I'm leaving Clara, and you aren't going to stop me."

"I understand. Be safe, Madame."

I feel my throat get heavy, the sobs wanting to break out and release, tell Clara that I don't want to leave, and I just want Mr. Sakurayashiki to forgive me, but I don't. I just say, "I'll miss you, Clara."

"I'll miss you too, Marinette. At least let me buy you a taxi, I won't track it."

"Okay."

I head downstairs and am met immediately with a taxi. I open the door and say, "Please take me to the nearest emergency room."

He nods, and we zoom off. Once we arrive, I thank the driver and rush upstairs immediately, not caring how I look. Langa met me, he looked at me and just let me stand next to him, "Marinette, what did you do after I left?"

I just chuckle, "I made him regret hurting Reki. Just... don't worry about it, okay?"

He nods, and I go up to Shadow. He gives me a look, and I ask to talk in private. We go off to the side. My tears start flowing the second we are alone, and he quickly offers a handkerchief, and I try to wipe my face, "What's wrong-"

"I got kicked out of my house- and I don't know what to do Mr. Shadow-"

He pats my back and keeps telling me that I will be alright, "Why me, we barely know each other-"

"I can't trust anyone else, the one other person I trust as an adult is friends with the one who kicked me out, and I just don't know what to do... Why do adults keep kicking me out!"

I'm full-blown sobbing now as he pats my back. I watch him take out his phone, and I watch him type to a contact. He immediately gets a phone call, and his voice goes all soft. He explains what happened minus sk8 and asks if his manager can take me in for now, until my situation gets cleared. She immediately agrees and asks for our location. Once he hung up, he just opened his arms, and I cried in them like a child. "Thank you, Mr. Shadow!"

He just holds me for a few more minutes.

---

I watch as Reki comes out with a huge smile on his face, "They said it should heal in two weeks and that nothing is wrong with my head!"

I smile and hug him; at least one good thing happened today. After checking with him, the manager arrived, and Shadow stayed in the well. She must not know about this punk personality. She looks me up and down before grabbing my cheek, "Oh, honey, let's get you somewhere warm, okay?"

I nod and follow her into her car, "You won't abandon me, will you?"

She stops and looks at me, her eyes getting watery as she holds me tight, "I promise I won't abandon you-" She pulls away and we look at each other, her eyes still big and watery, "Let's go home."

Chapter Text

I look inside Arisa's (fan name and it's the VA's first name) apartment and quickly take off my shoes. I ask about a phone, and she gladly hands me hers. I call my extremely groggy parents and mention how I was once again kicked out of a house. They were pissed again and asked if I was alright. I told them I was with Miss Arisa and that she is a trusted adult, and they seemed to calm down. They told me that they are gonna send Gina down soon as she has a property and can watch over me, but also told me that the move will be happening in two weeks, so no matter what, I will be home soon. I smile and tell them that I love them and apologize that this conversation is happening again, which they say is fine. I sigh and give Ms Arisa the phone, and she talks to my parents. She also helps me to a guest room that I can stay in, it's much smaller than the room at Mr. Cherry's place, but something about it feels warm. I immediately crash into the bed, Ms Arisa pulling the blanket over me.

XXX

Fuck Fuck Fuck! Where is she?! I look around the penthouse and see that nothing of hers is there. I look in dressers and everything is gone, the desk, everywhere that Marinette would've been had been ransacked clean. I didn't think she was going to literally pack up and leave! If I had known that, I would've rephrased differently! Then I finally pass the trash near the front, and I see something shiny in there, so I look and see her phone and roller blades that have Clara in them, discarded. SHIT!

I quickly call up Koijiro, "Hey, is Marinette with you?"

"Why she isn't at home?"

"So much worse than that-" I go on to explain how I came home and called for her, and there was no response. Then I found all her stuff discarded and missing, and the tech in the trash bin. "Oh, you messed up big time, huh?"

I sigh and agree, "Yeah, but what she did was wrong. I understand what he did to her friend was bad, but beating him up that badly-"

"You have to remember she is a teenager, she doesn't view consequences the way we do. She is more driven by emotions than logic."

I sigh again before saying, "Gina is going to kill me."

"Oh, most definitely."

X-X-X

I look around the school, feeling drained from last night. Cherry could find me here, but the teachers hopefully got a call from my parents telling them the situation and that I can talk to him only if I agree. I let out a sigh and go to class, feeling more on edge than normal. No one else knows, not Reki, not Langa, no one except the teachers and Shadow. I sat down, and it was boring until Reki shouted out for Langa to interrupt the lesson, but I am sure it was about Adam; he seems to be on edge since that interaction. I'm glad I messed him up now.

During lunch, I attacked Reki, not really, but I was worried. So I threatened that the second he got better, I was gonna get him for going against my warning. He apologizes and looks me over, "Something feels different about you by the way-"

My anxiety smashes through my body, and I can feel my thoughts spiraling. Please don't tell me he knows I was kicked out because of how I look... "Oh, I know what it is!"

Fuck fuck fuck. "Your hair ties are purple today!"

Oh, thank god. "Yeah, I got a new set and wanted to wear them!"

We laugh and go back to class after eating, but I'm stressing out. God, that was close. I have to make sure to be on my top game, as oblivious as Reki is, someone is bound to notice soon that I will be changing.

---

While walking back to Ms Arisa's house, I hear a commotion, but quickly notice that it's a demonstration of Mr. Cherry's new AI. I feel my feet freeze as I listen to him talk, "We have all made mistakes once-"

I feel my eyes narrow at him as he continues, I feel my ears go numb until something sticks out, "Means you repent for your past mistakes and want to recover... All humans make mistakes-"

At that moment, it feels like it's just us in the crowd and no one else. I know he can't see me, but it feels like we are all alone."However, they should be able to make up for them."

"CHERRY-!"

My mind snaps as I see Reki trying to get through security. I snap out of it and start walking home, "Be able to repent my ass, if you thought that for real... You wouldn't have thought about kicking me out."

I just walk home, my feet taking me to the flower shop Ms Arisa told me to meet her at. I walk in, "I'm here, Ms. Arisa-"

"Welcome-!"

I am then face-to-face with Shadow. We look at each other, my shock probably very well shown, he seems to calm down first, "Ah, Marinette! Are you here to see Ms Arisa?"

I smile and nod, but look at the bouquet he is holding, "but before that, would you mind if I sketch the flowers here?"

He smiles and nods, he hands me a stool, and arranges some flowers for me. I smile and start doing something I haven't done since I got lost here in Japan. I started designing outfits from the flowers, getting inspiration for the first time in a long time. My mind started going everywhere, my mind feeling at ease for the first time in the past twenty-four hours. I could hear the clock, customers, and rustling of flowers being rearranged.

"Wow, those are good!"

I jump a little bit and turn around, face to face with Ms Arisa, "You have a real talent, kid! You know I got a friend on this street who could use your help for costume design!"

I listen as Ms Arisa talks about how her friend's kid down at the noodle shop has a band and is trying to find a designer to help make their ideas come to life for costumes and is willing to pay. I gladly agree, Ms. Arisa tells Shadow to walk me down and then clock out for the night. He gladly agrees, we walk down the street side by side, "So you aren't gonna come and watch Langa skate against Adam?"

I freeze, my heart thumping against my chest, remembering that, "Shadow."

He looks down at me and I can see my hands shaking, "I can't do it, I can't watch another friend be hurt and if I see that asshole again-"

He puts a hand on my shoulder, "It's okay, I understand."

He stops in front of the shop and says before leaving, "Stay safe, kid."

I smile and wave him off, "You as well! You're the best Shadow!"

I miss how his smile widens on his face and how he straightens his back more in pride, happy that someone finally acknowledged his awesomeness, "I'll make sure he wins."

Chapter Text

I watch Langa speed off with Adam, "So why were you a little late earlier, Shadow? I forgot to ask due to the severity of the training, Langa."

I look down at Miya, "And you decide to ask now while watching Adam and Langa skate?"

He nods, and I just sigh, "I helped Marinette to-"

I hear something snap abruptly, and I look around to see what snapped, but don't see anything. Someone must've damaged their board, sucks for them, "She had a client meeting, so I dropped her off."

Miya nods and we both look towards the screen once more, missing how Cherry's fan is snapped in half.

XXX

You mean to tell me that the adult she went to was that knucklehead?! I feel my breathing getting quicker, but calm down, no. I have to keep everything about this life and my normal life separate. I can't show weakness right now. That Gorilla then looks down at me and lets out a whistle, "Man, she trusted a whole stranger she only knew to be violent more than me. Ouch."

I glare at him, and he shuts up as we watch Langa, holding our breaths.

X-X-X

I look down at my phone as a mountain of messages floods in, and I excuse myself from my client and call the number that has been texting me the most. "Reki? What's up?"

"Langa won with a tie! He broke out of the love hug-"

"A tie?"

He explains how the police arrived and cut the race short, but then there was silence: "Reki, are you okay?"

"He was reckless- I just can't lose another friend-"

Oh shit. "Reki..."

I hear something move on his side before he cuts in with, "Sorry, just call me when you can again, okay! Bye!"

I look at my phone and type in a number I wasn't planning on calling. I hear it ring once before the responder picks up, "Marinette? Where are you?-"

"Mr Sakurayashiki."

He gets silent, I feel my throat close up, and tears fall down my face, "Is Langa okay?"

It goes silent, "He's fine... Marinette, are you okay?"

I start crying out of relief and hug my phone close to my chest, "Oh, thank god."

I pull my phone back up to my ear, "Thank you... and I think... I am ready to talk."

"Do you want me to pick you up now-"

"Tomorrow at Joe's restaurant. Meet me there at noon."

He agrees, and I hang up. I slide against the door, taking a few deep breaths and wiping my face before going back to my client.

---

I look up at Joe's restaurant and let out a sigh, walking in. Mr Koijiro seems to light up when he spots me among the other customers. I look at the hostess and tell her that there will be two of us. She smiles and leads me to the spot where Joe is open-cooking. I sit down, not meeting his eyes, scared that if I do, he will be looking at me with anger, the same anger Mr. Sakurayashiki looked at me that night. I hear something clank on the counter and see that there is a glass of water staring back at me. I look up and see Mr. Koijiro staring back at me with kindness evident in his eyes. I accept the water, the condensation making my skin crawl from the temperature change. I just take slow sips until familiar pink hair sits next to me.

"Marinette-"

I hold up my hand, and he stays quiet. "Mr. Sakurayashiki, I have realized lately that I acted rashly."

I look at the bottom of his face, not able to meet his face, scared of his expression. "I realize that I was acting as a fool that night, and what I did to Adam, though he deserved it, wasn't the best course of action. I'm sorry, and if you will have me back-"

I feel tears coming out of my face, but suddenly I am hugged tightly. I look up and see that I am on Mr. Sakurayashiki's shoulder. I cry a bit more violently now, holding back onto him, my chest feeling relieved. "Marinette, I'm so sorry I made you feel you had to leave. I'm sorry that I didn't understand how you were feeling at that time. I'm sorry I commented for you to leave- Never leave again."

I cry more into his shoulder, not caring if other customers are looking our way. Just feeling happy to be back with Mr. Sakurayashiki. It felt like hours that we stayed together, hugging, feeling raw about the feelings we released. When we departed, Mr. Sakurayashiki looked composed, as if he hadn't been crying with me. I probably looked like a mess, though. "Here you go, Mari- wipe your face."

I look and see that it's Joe who gave me a rag to wipe my face. I gladly accept it, putting the cold rag on my face, immediately feeling better and less gross after crying. I chuckle, and Cherry smiles at me, "Now, let's call your grandma, okay? She's been mad at me for a while."

I laugh and agree, calling Grandma Gina, "KAORU-"

"Hi Grandma!"

"Oh, Marinetta! You're back with Kaoru, it seems."

I hum and then she starts lecturing Mr. Sakurayashiki over the phone about how teenage girls are sensitive and how the next time she sees him that his ass is hers. I watch him pale and Mr Kojiro's. "Ah, grandma, I sorted it all out with Mr. Sakurayashiki-"

"Marinette, you really don't need to call him all that; just call him Kaoru or something."

I chuckle and continue, "Sorry, Mr. Kaoru and I already worked everything out. I was actually the one to reach out first."

She starts singing my praises about how mature I have gotten, but tells me she will be up soon to keep an eye on both of us. I then decided to talk to her a bit longer about my new hobby of rollerblading. "Oh, no skateboarding?"

"No, I would crack my skull if I were on those boards."

She chuckles and promises to help me pick out a wonderful pair of roller blades when she gets up. I smile as the night seems to just melt away.

Chapter Text

I smell the salty air until I hear a familiar voice, "You're thinking 'how cute'-"

"AM NOT!"

What the hell are they doing here? I crank my neck and see Miya, Shadow, Langa, and Reki. If I just stay silent, they won't notice me, and I can just enjoy my vacation. "Joe?!"

Oh no. I look forward and notice Joe is attached to two women, please don't look over here, please don't look over here. "Wake up, you are landing in ten minutes-"

Everyone's heads snap and turn towards us. I feel my face rise in temperature, "Mari what are you doing with fancy pants over here?!"

"ehhhh?!"

I feel my face getting redder and redder, and I just hide behind Cherry. "What are you all even doing here for?!"

"Vacation."

"Healing."

"Tagged along."

"Chapoerone"

"You mean to tell me we are all here?!"

I look at Reki, and he goes back to questioning me until Mr Koijiro chimes in, "Did you not know that Cherry is Marinette's guardian?"

Everyone looks at me with slack jaws, except the women. I just run away, feeling my face burn. Cherry calls out, "Marinette, put sunscreen on, your face is completely red already!"

---

When we dock, Kaoru slaps a thick glop of sunscreen on my nose. "Seems it was the trick of the eye earlier for sunburn, but make sure to keep pale, don't get burnt."

I nod and watch him skate away, Clara on my wrist, quickly giving me directions and letting me know she is with me at all times. I smile and head over to Shadow and the boys. I watch as they all ride away, leaving Shadow with all the luggage. I sneak up on him and tap his shoulder, "Ah! Oh, Marinette!"

I smile at him and start helping with the bags, "It sucks they left this all for you, Shadow! I'll help you, okay?"

He smiles, and we start walking. Dumping things in his car and quickly following behind the group, "Hey, other two adults, time to switch drivers!"

"He's talking to you, adult-"

"Right now, I am just a boy!"

I watch as Joe does a trick off an irregular rock. I look in amazement, and Shadow smiles. Langa then shouts about a beach, and we go. He shadow-parked and immediately got on his skateboard, following the others. I just calmly get out, locking the car, and calmly walking over. I watch Kaoru setting up his station and walk over, finally taking off my cover-up, happy I can swim again. I throw my clothes over to him, and he quickly whistles me back, "Sunscreen, Marinette!"

DAMN IT! I sit in his shade and watch the boys all jump into the water, "Also, stay away from those boys while swimming, I don't trust them near you in a swimsuit-"

"But Kaoru-"

"No buts about it!"

I sigh and run into the ocean immediately. Swimming without a care in the world, "Mari-!"

It's Reki, but I keep swimming away the closer he gets, "Why are you running away-!"

"Mr. Cherry told me that I can't be near you when I swim-"

He seems to just collapse in the water. I laugh a little bit as Langa floats over. I hold onto his floatie and help him get into some deeper water. He thanks me and asks, while I help move him, "Why did you not tell us that Cherry is your dad?"

"He's not my dad."

"Huh? Then what is he?"

"He's my temporary guardian until I can move to Shanghai."

"Why are you moving there?"

"A very long story, Langa. Anyway, is this far enough?"

"Yeah-"

"MARINETTE, WHAT DID I SAY ABOUT SWIMMING WITH THOSE BOYS?!"

I quickly let go of Langa's floatie and swim right back near the shore. Just looking at them having fun, watching them throw each other into the water. They all eventually make it back on shore, and I just hang out with Cherry, but play in the sun while he stays in the dark.

I just enjoy my time with him, suddenly the boys come over and Cherry throws my cover up at me, "Don't let them near-"

I put it on and just sit next to him, "So where are you guys staying?"

"Oh, Mr. Kaoru's clients are paying for his room-"

He slaps me with his fan, "Marinette, what did I say about spilling information?"

"Sorry."

They all look at me with a bit of pity. We all just head on over, me on Joe's shoulders on the way back. Cherry thought it was risky, but I wanted to be up high and enjoy the wind. We make it, and I hear Reki talk about how Shadow is great with budget, and Cherry helps me down off of Joe's shoulders. I thank him and we walk into the hotel, the staff offering to take my cover up and wash it immediately, I politely decline. I turn around and give Reki a wave and rush to Mr Kaoru's side.

---

I sit in our room, soaking in the sun, just drawing some outfit designs for inspiration, the second I get my sewing machine back. I also plug in some headphones, enjoying some Jagged Stone while I wait for Mr. Kauro to finish his commission. It was half an hour when he came back, "Marinette- wait, why is there so much food-"

I turn around and see Joe open the door and appear with everyone else. I quickly throw my sketchbook off to the side, Joe quickly retrieves it, and puts it on a side table. I sit down next to him, adjusting my dress so I am comfortable. Then my phone vibrates, Kagami sent me a message, I open it and notice she is at the same resort, I make plans to go to the hot springs with her later.

The boys start digging into the meal, and I look at Mr. Kaoru, not noticing Reki looking at my phone at the picture Kagami sent of her in front of the hotel sign. "Mr Kaoru-"

"Hey Marinette, who is that on your phone?"

Mr Kaoru looks and notices that it's Kagami, He snatches it and asks, "Isn't this Kagami Tsurugi?"

I shyly nod, and Joe then snatches my phone, "Like the Tsurugi that is at the top of the fencing world and tech industry?"

Everyone looks at me, and I can feel my face getting redder and redder. How am I even going to explain this?

Chapter Text

"How do you know Kagami Tsurugi?!"

I twiddle my thumbs and start explaining, "Well, I met her when she was trying out for my school's fencing team, and we didn't like each other at first, but she was friends with my friend Adrien."

I start explaining how the more we saw each other, the more I came to like her, and how during the French friendship event, we got paired up and exchanged numbers and became even better friends. "She is the one who brought me to Japan, I thought Grandma told you-"

Kaoru rubs his forehead, distraught, and Koijiro is looking at me with wide eyes still, "But can I still see her later-"

Kaoru just nods, and I feel my face get brighter, "Wait, you aren't gonna join us-"

Kaoru slaps the back of Reki's head hard, "She wasn't going to join us regardless in the bath house, she's a girl."

Reki seems to remember that crucial fact and agrees. We finish up our meal and all go out front, me texting Kagami the entire time, and she comes out with a bike with an extra seat in the back. "Yo! Mari!"

She is speaking French, I smile and rush over, feeling my robes follow my movement. I tackle her, and she spins me around. "I don't think I have ever seen Marinette so happy- right, Langa?"

I hear a hum in agreement as Kagami carries both me and the bike over to the group. "Ah, Mr. Sakurayashiki! It's lovely to meet you, my mother loves your work."

I look at Kaoru and see him brighten up a little at that. I get off Kagami and hold her hand, "Kagami, Mr. Kaoru is my temporary guardian, apparently my grandmother knew him-"

"Mari, you have to stop knowing random celebrities."

I smile and introduce her to everyone else, she keeps her stoic face on, and I just smile. "Let's go, Mari, wanna make sure we aren't out too late-"

"Because your mother will get worried?"

She turns around and grabs both my hands, "No, because a cute girl like you will be snatched in the dark, so we gotta come back early."

"That was oddly romantic"

I shoot Reki a look and get on Kagami's bike, blushing a little bit still from her calling me cute. I wave the boys off and we start going,

"You're so sweet, Kagami."

We bike all the way there. "Also, make sure to let the locals know that you don't want to be covered in mud; they are apparently repelling the spirits tonight."

I smile and we just chatting about everything. When we arrived at the bathhouse we immediately relax, happy to have some time to ourselves. "Ah! I needed this!"

"So you technically got kicked out again-"

"Yeah, but we talked it out and we're good."

We both smile and chill, happy to be the only two women at the moment enjoying this side. We talked about France and how I will be moving to Shanghai, and how excited I was. "I will be able to connect more with my Chinese roots this time, Kagami! I will learn from my uncle about his celestial soup and-"

"Marinette, are you over there?"

I stop, and Kagami glares at the divider, "We are fine!"

"Thanks, Kagami, for the vocal confirmation!"

We continued to chat, leaving after an hour, as it was getting pretty dark out. While changing, I heard some screaming on the men's side, "Perverts, Marinette, must be perverts in there. Best we leave."

I smile and hop on the back of her bike once more. We passed some locals who gesture to the mub, and Kagami explains how we just came for the hot springs. They let us go without incident, and I smiled the entire way down, though one did give me a mask as a gift that I gladly accepted. We made it back all safely. "Wait, are you here during this event for the spirit cleansing?"

"My mom does it every year; she likes the luck it brings her right after, but I have my luck cleansing differently."

"Oh! what do you do?"

We talk about that as she leads me to my room. "Kagami, it was amazing to see you again!"

She smiles, and I kiss her on the cheek, "For keeping me safe!"

I close the door, missing how she blushes just a little bit before heading back to her room.

---

I look at Mr. Kaoru in the morning, and he looks traumatized, but I don't question it; Joe must've said something awful. I put the mask in my bag and head outside, waiting for Mr. Kaoru, Mr. Koijiro, Shadow, Miya, Reki, and Langa. We all silently head to the boat, and I put my headphones in just resting on Mr. Kaoru's shoulder.

XXX

"At least Marinette didn't seem to run into them-"

"Well, she had the world's best fencer with her, though, so I bet she was protected."

I nod with Joe, looking at Mari sleeping on Cherry's shoulder. "It was so scary!"

I watch Marinette's face, watching how calm she looks, "So Marinette is moving to Shanghai soon?"

Reki starts freaking out, "Wait, she is leaving soon?! I thought she was saying she was gonna leave in a year-"

"Yep, her Grandma is picking her up and taking her to meet up with her parents in a week."

"Why wouldn't she tell us?"

"Marinette's weird about talking about things; it must've slipped her mind."

There are a lot of strange things about Marinette that I am learning the longer I know her. She also has somewhat broken Japanese, sometimes like me. She doesn't talk about Paris much, and I don't think I've ever heard about any of her friends that she had over there. Just that she was left here and is now living here. What is her deal? We all then go back to resting, trying not to focus on the smell left behind from last night's horror show.

X-X-X

"Marinette, we board back on the pier in ten minutes."

I rub my eyes and yawn, not ready to be awake. "I assume you and Kagami had an eventful night?"

I nod and open my eyes, looking at Kaoru, "Yeah, we heard shouting in the mens bathhouse and Kagami thought Perverts where in there-"

Everyone freezes, recalling the mud-like monsters from last night, "We also ran into some locals who were lovely and talked about her mom. It was wonderful, I can't wait to see her again."

Chapter Text

I stand next to Langa, waiting for Reki to join us. "Ahhh! I'm so glad his arms healed up a bit!"

"Same."

I smile and hear a familiar rolling of wheels. I start putting on my skates and watch as Reki rolls up, "Yo!"

I smile wider and bunny ties the last lace, "Have fun today, okay!"

"Oh, right, isn't your grandmother picking you up today after school?"

They both look at me, "She decided to push back another week! Something about taking care of a few things here in Japan! So see you in class, okay?"

I wave as I skate away, ready to take my own route to class. I want to get better at scaling more urban terrains, considering how Shanghai is. I pull out my phone and start listening to my lessons, trying to learn Mandarin more before I leave.

---

Yawwwwnnnn

I look out at the skateboarders skating and lean against Grandma's motorcycle. "Marinetta- what's got you so tired?"

I look at Shadow, Miya, and Reki watching Langa skate. I can only admire him from afar, staying near Grandma. "Grandma, will I ever make an impact in the world?"

Her hand harshly grabs my hair, and she starts shaking me around, "Enough of that depressing talk, young lady!-"

I look at her and she lets out a sigh, "You might not be a skater, Mari-darling, but you are an amazing fashion designer, and you have made an impact already. So you are already doing amazing."

I just lean on her as I hear women chatting about Joe and Cherry. She leans me against her bike, and my eyes slowly shut.

XXX

I watch Mari's eyes shut, her breathing slowing, and those cute little snores leaving her. I take off my jacket and lean her against my motorcycle, making my way towards Joe and Cherry. "Yo!"

Both their heads snap towards me, "GINA?!"

They both seem to shrink back into those two high schoolers from oh so many years again. The other three with them also snap their necks towards me, "And who are these youngins'?"

The red-haired one comes up to me first, "I'm Reki Kyan! You know Cherry and Joe?"

"Yeah, I helped them out a few years ago! My, you aren't the Reki that's friends with my Marinetta, are you?"

His eyes widen in shock, "How do you-?"

Kaoru cuts in, "Reki, this is Marinettes' Grandmother."

Everyone was introduced to themselves quickly after that. When I shook Shadow's hand, I made sure to say to him, "If you need anything, let me know, Shadow. You really helped Marinetta out."

He gets a little bashful, and I watch this 'Snow' skate. The red-haired one then walks away, and I narrow my eyes at him. He's got promise, confidence issues, and an inferiority complex, but he has potential. hmmm.

I wave everyone off and go back to my darling Marinette. Looking at her now, curled up in my jacket, drool coming out of her mouth. Ah, my Marinette, how much I adore you.

xxx

I woke up feeling refreshed, and I looked at my bed that will not be mine in a day or so. I'm really gonna miss the bed Mr Kaoru got for me though... I get up, stretch, and get ready to go to school. I look around and catch the eye of my sketchbook that I haven't touched since I saw Kagami at that retreat. I smile and pack it in my bag for today. I think I want to focus on this more.

After a little bit, I was finally ready to go. On the way out, suddenly a voice called out to me. I turn around and am face-to-face with Mr Kaoru. He starts trying to catch his breath as he hands me his skates, "You almost left without your... skates..."

He looks down and notices my normal shoes, "You aren't-"

I smile and just leave the building, taking my time to get to school. Enjoying the smell of the trees and the grass. I rush past Langa, not hearing him call after me, just running to school, feeling excited about everything around me. I made it to school ten minutes before class started and sat down, feeling inspiration hit me everywhere, and for once, it felt like I was back in France in my classroom next to Alya before Lila came and destroyed everything.

I smile and start getting to work on an outfit, not noticing Reki peering over my shoulder with Langa trying to get my attention. I hear the bell ring and immediately put my sketchbook away, looking up and giving a small wave to Reki before all attention went to the professor.

---

I am back on the grass with all the girls, while the boys were playing soccer, we were doing runs around the field. I smile as I chat with some other girls in the class when I notice Reki on the field, standing completely still, and that's when I notice something. Something is wrong with Reki.

---

I walk to the gate, about to catch up to him when he starts walking. I can only watch as he walks away, watching Langa push past me and catch up to him. A classmate then walks up to me, "Ouch, wanna walk home together, Marinette?"

I slowly put down my arm. Did I do something? I look at my classmate and shoot them a smile, "That would be wonderful!"

---

I was at 'S' only because I wanted to practice some gesturing with everyone skating about. I was going to keep an eye out for Reki, but he never showed. I pulled out my phone, about to text him, when something sped by. Dirt flying in my eyes, "Ouch!"

Some people nearby helped pour water in my eyes and gave me some rags that they mainly used for decoration to help wipe. "That was dangerous."

"Snow sure is something, huh?"

That was Langa?

I wipe my eyes clean, thanking everyone and immediately start typing on my phone, looking at the contact before something goes in my head, "they have never really liked you."

Huh? I look at the message I almost sent to Reki, asking about Langa before the voice kicked in. 'They only dealt with you; you've seen how they interact. You could leave and no one would notice.' I mean, I know they are closer than I am with them, but- 'You were never a friend.' I try to convince myself that I am friends with Langa, Reki, and Miya, but that voice keeps yelling and is louder than I. I look down at the ground and clutch my fist tight, my throat starting to get a lump. I.. I need to go home... I get up and leave, deleting my message to Reki.

Chapter Text

"Something's off about Marinette."

"Why do you say that?"

"Look at her?"

I look around; everyone seems to pause, so I lay my head back down. "Usually, she would be doing something right? Smiling? Saying Hi to everyone? She's so..."

"Down..."

I dig my head deeper into my arms, wanting everyone to be quiet, or maybe even louder, so the voices in my head would shut up. They kept me up all night, pointing out how I could've never shown up, and everything that is happening would've still happened. I made no impact on any of my friends' lives here. The only significant thing I've done is disobey and be mean to skateboarders.

Someone then touches my arm, "Marinette? Are you okay?"

I look up and notice it's the professor. He looks me over and puts a firm arm on my shoulder, "I think you should go home today, Marinette. You don't look so good. Go to the office, and I will ask them to take you home."

I nod and start collecting my things, the professor gently letting me know about the things we will be learning today as he helps me with my bag. He puts a hand on my forehead and states, "No fever, but get some sleep."

I nod and start walking out in a daze.

xxx

I was walking with Langa when I noticed a blue-haired girl walking out. "Mari?"

She doesn't even look up at me; her eyes are clouded with something. She looked so bright and energetic yesterday. What happened? She walks past us, and I notice how slouched she is, how her eyes seem clouded in thoughts, the anxiety coming off her in waves. I watch her go when Langa then asks, "Why is she so down?"

Right? It's not like she is dealing with realizing you might be worse than your friend you helped teach skate? Why would she be down?

X-X-X

Grandma picked me up, she said to walk as she noticed what I was going through was emotional, not physical. So I did just that, I wandered around for what felt like hours, staring at beautiful sights but not being able to enjoy them, the spark wasn't there anymore. I look down at my phone, and an unknown message is looking back at me, 'Found you. Marinette Dupian-Cheng. I won.'

I just cry, I find an underpass and just cry. Lila found me, and what's worse is that she's right. Something in me has changed, how I view friendships, how I trust, and now here I am suffering when she isn't even around. More messages come in, more vicious than the rest. How she found me, I don't know, but... the more she says, the more I can't help but agree. No one likes me, I have no friends, and I am alone. I can just cry. I then hear steps coming and quickly run away. I don't need some stranger seeing me like this. I go to S, sneaking under the fence, knowing no one is there yet. It's too early. I just cry near some trees, feeling myself shrink more and more.

---

I look at the skaters incoming, texting Grandma that I am safe and will get a ride from Cherry. Also, texting Kaoru if I could get a ride, which he agreed to. I smile and hide alongside the track, looking back at my phone, texting one last thing to grandma, 'She found me again.' I watch the messages come in about how they were careful and will be getting me a new number again soon, and to keep this one active for now. Do I even have anyone to give my new number to here? Maybe Kaoru, but do the others even want to stay in contact with me? Miya called me a troll and slime not too long ago, and Shadow is a grown man who is probably tired of me. Langa and Reki are the only other two I could think of, but they will get tired of me soon if they aren't already. It's sad to admit, but the only other person who might want to see me again is Adam, strictly to bash me down like I did to him.

Speaking of which, I gotta keep an eye out, he told me that if he saw me again, I would regret it, and I am not in the headspace to kick someone's ass tonight, but then he came by, kicking Shadows' tricks right back at him. I could only watch in amazement at him skating, quickly running, trying to catch up to him. Something about him.

---

I caught up, but at what cost? I pushed threw the crowd, not noticing Adam watching from above. He was about to walk away, but I grabbed his wrist, and he turned around, his cap still tilted downwards. "What are you-"

"I need to talk to you!"

I drag him away, missing the shocked expressions across every screen. I pull him away, to the other course and ask, "Can you beat Adam?"

He seems shocked, "Why do you ask?"

He seems to pull his hat down more, and I just stare at him, not moving, "I need you to beat his ass, you need to beat him up so well that he can never recover."

I see his mouth open in shock, and I start walking away when he then asks, "Why does a rollerblader want someone this kicked so badly?"

Right, I am just a roller blader, and Reki, Langa, and I might not be friends anymore, but if I am leaving, then I am going to be leaving confidently, that someone can beat Adams' ass for me. "Just win."

I walk away, missing how Adam follows behind, stopping at Snake. Missing me getting beaten up. I miss how Snake looked at me with support and admiration. I just leave the building, walking up that mountain, ready to go home.

I even leave without Cherry deciding that his helping me with my skates was going to be the last time I ever bothered anyone I met here in Japan. I smile as I look at the city lights gleaming below me. I can go home now.

Chapter Text

"Marinette is leaving soon, isn't she? Why not bring her over for dinner before Gina takes her to Shanghai?"

I look up at Koijiro, "She hasn't been responding to messages. I asked Gina, and apparently, Marinette has been down mentally for a while. She even left before I could drive her home yesterday. I don't know what happened, but she is out of it."

"Weird..."

xxx

I look around the noodle shop, just trying to focus on my food. I am leaving soon. What am I supposed to do till then? I then hear some familiar voices behind me, "I'm not a skateboarder anymore."

Reki?

"You don't want to end up isolated, okay?" Joe???

Isolated... I look down and see my own reflection staring back at me. I put some money on the table and rushed outside, Isolated.. I'm not doing that. I'm totally not doing that! If I were doing that, someone would've told me, right? Right?

xxx

I watch the blue-haired girl rush out of the restaurant in the blink of an eye. I guess my words must've at least had an impact on one of these troubled kids. I look at her table and then notice something, a bright pink phone staring at me. Oh, god, Marinette. I pick it up and walk out, knowing I will be seeing her before she leaves.

x-x-x

I watch on the sidelines once more. The competition is tonight, and I need to know they are okay. I have to make sure, or what am I? I can only watch as Shadow beats his opponent, Harry, as they fight for the win. Next was Langa and Joe. They both speed by, like there isn't a care in the world, and I watch on someone else's phone, somewhere I left mine, watching them go on and on. Right, Langa and Reki don't need me; no one does. Langa is going to win like always, and it will be Reki to cheer him on afterwards. I was about to get going when, "Adam! and Cherry!" WHAT?!

I snap back onto the person next to me's phone. They kinda sink away from me, and I try to calm down. I don't know what Kaoru's history with Adam is, but he seems kinda intense about it. I watch as they go, how Adam tries to do love huge, but Cherry dodges. I cheer so loud that the person letting me borrow their phone takes it away. "Jesus, what are you, a Cherry fan girl?"

I grit my teeth and grab a skateboard, trying to stay on as I follow down the course, something in my stomach telling me something bad is going to happen. I hear gasps and cheers for Cherry. I keep going until I hear some gasps and oh nos throughout the crowd. I try speeding up, when I finally do, I see Cherry on the ground and Adam walking towards him, not again, mother fucker! I kick flip the board up, hoping I don't fall to the ground. Adam looks at me, and I swear I can see his eyes widen. I can see the board in his eyes.

I hit him right square in the face with it. I hear people gasp in horror, but I keep going, slamming it so hard against him that the board I borrowed snapped in half. He gets up, blood streaming down his face, and I then quickly grab the nearest object, which happens to be his board. I slam it into him, putting all my force into each blow, until he gains control. I watch in horror as he grabs it out of my hands, turns it around, and starts slamming it against me. "STUPID LITTLE BRAT!"

I try covering my face until he starts to also kick me. I feel my lungs exhale, and I start crying from the pain, "Not so fun when someone does it to you, huh?!"

He stops, and I just start coughing, trying to get some air back into my lungs. I cough and see blood splatter across the ground. I hear ringing and someone grabbing me, but they feel warm, comforting even. I just lean into them, smelling leather in my nose, "Shadow-"

I try to focus, but he just puts me in his car next to Cherry. I can only feel him moving me around, buckling me in. I lean against Cherry and feel the car moving. I try to focus on him, and suddenly, a hand is on my head. Everything is blurry, but I know it's Kaoru. I just leaned into him some more, trying to stay awake, but alas, I couldn't do it.

---

I woke up in the hospital, Grandma holding my hand tightly. "Grandma?"

Her eyes light up as she leaps up and hugs me tight, "Oh, thank god you are okay."

I try to focus on the room, but everything is still just blurry. I see flowers, but that's it. Grandma looks me over and starts cursing out Adam for hurting me and how she was going to teach that son of a bitch a lesson. I just try focusing on her face and try getting up, but immediately feel pain shoot up my arms and back. I lay straight back down, right as the door slams open, there I saw two very familiar people, "Mama, papa!"

They came rushing over, hugging me and Papa, checking my arms, making sure that everything was fine, but it wasn't. They start talking, my head is way too heavy to pay attention, "Mari?"

I look at Papa, "Let's get you home, honey. Grandma will pack your stuff, okay?"

I nod as he just grabs my hand tight, kissing me on the forehead, "Now sleep for now, okay? Mama and Papa are here for you."

I feel my mouth curl upwards at their words as my eyes get heavy once more, the lure of sleep casting over my pounding head. Papa starts singing a French song, causing my head to lean into sleep more, everything coming to a blissful quiet as the dreams start.

xxx

"Gina."

I look at my daughter-in-law, her eyes practically on fire with rage, "Beat Ainosuke's ass so hard that he can't ever skateboard again."

I nod, prepared to do much worse things to him; no one messes with my Marinetta and gets away scot free, and I am ready to teach Ainosuke another lesson on kindness and humanity.

Chapter Text

I walk into Marinetta's school ready to explain that a jackass beat up my granddaughter. I stand in the office, the teacher looking at me with an anxious expression. "Marinetta's transfer is happening sooner now."

He looks shocked now, "Wait, wasn't she supposed to leave later this week?"

I nod, "Someone decided to beat her up badly, and her parents are transferring her immediately. I'm sorry for the sudden change."

He sighs, and I bow my head in respect."She loved her time here and-"

"We are all going to miss her; everyone liked her and will be sad to hear she isn't around anymore."

I nod and walk out the door, knowing school will start soon. Suddenly, a familiar red-headed and blue-haired boys walk past. They were happily chatting. That redhead seems a lot more comfortable in his skin now. I smile and walk out, walking away from the disaster that is going to strike Marinettes' old classroom.

xxx

I look around, noticing that Marinettes' desk is empty, I'd better reach out soon. She must've been worried the past few days. Langa told me that she was always watching me and seemed always to want to say something, but couldn't bring herself to talk to me. Gosh, I feel so bad! The second she comes in, I will explain everything! I watch the clock tick by with Langa watching the long hand get closer and closer to nine am. The closer it gets, the more worried I get about Marinette. Where is she?

The bell rings, and still no sign of Marinette. The teacher walks in, and he seems down. He looks all of us over and makes an announcement, "Good morning, class. I regret to tell you that Marinette has moved early to Shanghai."

What.

Everyone starts yelling about how this is so sudden, and I can't help but agree. Marinette seemed fine, and there weren't any signs that I saw that she was going to be leaving early. The teacher started talking once more, clapping his hands to calm us down.

"She was hospitalized yesterday-"

That got us all shouting again, hospitalized?! I start thinking, Cherry banned her from skating lately, so it couldn't have been that. I looked at Langa, and he was just as confused as I was. The entire class seemed to go by in a blur, so when lunch approached, I got out my phone and texted Marinette, only for it not to go threw. Did she get a new number as well? I look at Langa, and he also gives a disappointed look. Maybe...

---

Before going to work, I step in front of a familiar building, or well, not familiar, as I never accepted Marinettes' invitation to come over, but a building. I go to the front and the receptionist gives Langa and I a look until something seems to click in her head, "Oh sorry sirs but Marinette doesn't live here anymore-"

The elevator dings immediately, catching me out of my trance. I see an older woman holding a box labeled, 'Marinette books'. I immediately rush over to the secretary, yelling at me. The older woman looks at me and stops in her tracks, making me slightly bump into her. I was going to ask about Marinette, but Langa asks first, "Where is Marinette-"

"Oh, Snow and Reki, right?"

We nod, and she motions us to follow her; we gladly do so. She arrives at a car, with only two other boxes in her trunk. "Marinette is going to live with her parents in Shanghai-"

"We heard she was hospitalized-"

"Yeah, Adam beat her senselessly and now we are moving her hospital wise-"

"Why would Adam do that to her?"

She shoots a glare, but then realizes that we genuinely don't know. She opens her phone and shows a video of Marinette in her Cherry adjacent outfit beating up Adam with his own board. Wait- isn't that when I broke my arm? Cherry comes in and holds her up and starts yelling at her, Adam yelling about how he will beat her the next time she dares to beat him up. I look at it, still confused, why would she possibly beat him up again? The grandma then swipes a bit and lands on another video, this time Marinette beating the shit out of Adam once more with his own board, Cherry on the ground beat up as well.

We stare in shock as this five-foot nothing girl with barely any muscle is beating a man with his own board once more. We start silently cheering when Adam then grabs the board and gives her the same treatment, but rougher. Granny only played it for a second before closing it, letting out a shaky breath, "Adam hurt my granddaughter, and to keep her safe, we had to move her."

I nod, understanding that, but Langa then decides to ask the next question, "Then why can't our messages go threw to her?"

"Marinette's old classmate reached out through her number and started harassing her again-"

"Wait, Marinette was harassed?!"

Granny then starts going on a tale about Paris, how Marinette got a new classmate who lied with every breath, and eventually isolated her from everyone, and was the reason her parents kept her here in Japan. I can only feel my eyes widen at this information, and I look at Langa to make sure I wasn't the only one who didn't know this information, and he looked less shocked than I, but still shocked. Grandma then looks at her watch and lets out a whistle, "Anyway, I gotta get going to see Kaoru, gotta make sure he knows Marinette is safe."

Right, Marinette was staying with Mr. Cherry. I feel my fist tighten and I ask, "Why did she beat Adam the first time?"

Granny looks at me and lets out a sigh once more and explains, "She was angry with how he was touching Langa and even more upset when he hurt you. She snapped and just started hitting."

Oh, so it was for us...

I was going to ask her for more info, but she just got in her car, speeding away before Langa nd I could ask any more questions. We can only stare at the car as it leaves with any information about Marriette with it.

Chapter Text

I smile as I ship Marinette's stuff to her parents' new address in Shanghai. I let out a deep breath and feel the anger I have been putting aside for Adam all up front. I turned out of that store and immediately went to the closest skateboarding shop nearby, which was a place called dope Skates. It was around nine, meaning it would be a close call to get to S and beat up Adam, but I could do it. I rush on the streets, zooming like my life depended on it, because it might not be me dying, but I am gonna rush so I can beat Adam's ass faster.

I park in a spot and rush in, an employee looking at me with wide eyes, "Gina?"

I smile and recognize the face behind the counter, "Shokichi, I need to beat a young kid's ass tonight-"

"Whatever Reki did, I apologize-"

"No, not Reki. Adam."

"Oh...OH!"

He seems to understand what I want now; he immediately goes to find a board and brings one out from the back. "Still in prime condition from when you left it all those years ago, but what did Adam do to you-"

"He beat my granddaughter with his board and left her hospitalized. I am gonna give him the same tenfold."

"Granddaughter?"

I smile and realize that Shokichi hasn't made the connection to Marinetta and me. "Yes, my granddaughter. Marinette."

His eyes widen, and he starts to freak out, "I made her pay for so much!"

I start laughing a bit, my anger being put on hold once more, trying to console him that it's alright, and how I would've been more offended if he hadn't made Marinette pay. He calms down and gives me encouragement on beating Adam's ass. "Can you also do me a favor, Gina?"

I turn and he continues, "If Adam hurts my kids, kill him."

I nod and rush off on the board, leaving my motorbike for Shokichi to look after for tonight. I speed off, taking an old pin out of my pocket, I found it just for tonight. Tonight, Adam dies.

---

I look at the large screen and watch as Reki is outsmarting the bastard I will be killing tonight. I watched the battle come to a tie. Adam won, but Reki was the real star tonight. I smile and watch them clown on that pathetic man. I was about to go beat his ass when he challenged Langa to a skate off now. Immediately taking off, fucking coward, I shall wait one more day.

---

I arrived once more at the tower of this hell site, ready to beat Adams' ass tonight. I will be getting revenge for my darling, and it won't be merciless. I will wait after Langa's skate off with Adam and then beat the living daylights out of Adam. I want this kid to beat him fair and square, and then I can end the night getting him while he is down. I start chuckling to myself, and people start backing away from me. "Yo, Gina!"

I look and see that it's Cherry, "I think it's still too early for you to be running about."

He rolls his eyes at me, and I can only see that moody teen in him. I smile and rub his head, looking at the course I once beat Adam on. "Are you here to kill Adam?"

"Whether he wins or loses tonight, his ass is going to be served burned on a stake."

"Gina, you are a hard-core old lady, you know that, right?"

I nod, watching the two start to race. I hold my breath; the faster they go, the faster and riskier they get. I then watch Langa start to fall. I can only hold my breath, the second that kid, please. Live. I watch his empty eyes, but they light up, and he gets back on his board. I can only let out a breath I didn't know I was holding. If a kid died here tonight, I would make sure Adam went to jail, and I could be the one to shank him in prison for getting kids' blood on his hands. I take another deep breath and watch the screen, stay calm, Gina, have faith in this kid, Mari did at one point, so can you.

I watch them fall and get back up I can only watch as they get closer and closer. I turn around right as Langa passes the finish line. Thank god. I then grab my skateboard and fix my gloves, ready to give the beating of a lifetime to a man who had it coming. Everyone can seem to feel my anger from a mile away, so when the blue-haired kid Langa came to interfere, I listened to him for a second, "Wait, Granny! I think you need to rest-"

"Kid, he put my granddaughter in the hospital, move or you are also going."

He moves without retaliation. I walk up to Ainosuke, and he looks up at me with fear, "Gina, what are you doing here?"

Everyone starts whispering, "Whose Gina?"

"You put my granddaughter in the hospital-"

"I would never do such a thing, Gina-"

I stomp on his back, and he seems confused, so I whisper, "You know the roller blader who beat your ass twice?"

His eyes widen in realization, but I don't let him say a word. I start hitting him and I start hitting him hard. Nothing else could be heard except my hefty board hitting him repeatedly. No one dared to step in, and he dared not to get up. I made sure I broke his legs and arm and spat on his body as a reminder. "If you ever hurt another child again, I will be spitting on your grave next."

I dust off dirt flung on me during the beat down and look at my gloves covered in blood. I walk towards Cherry and lean in, "Report to me if he does this shit again."

He nods, and I look at Kojiro, his head sweating, the kids looking petrified. I walk away simply satisfied that he will be in intensive care for much longer than Marinette will be. Justice was served my Marinetta.

Chapter Text

I smile in my new bed, Mama and Papa next to me as they help make me comfortable so I can heal properly. "Now Grandma said she had a surprise! So she will be calling soon, okay?"

I smile and nod as Mama and Papa smile and leave me in my room. I look up my phone, starting to move it over to me as Grandma calls. "Hey Marinette! Are you doing better?"

"Yes, Grandma, how are things in Japan?"

"Good! I have someone who wanted to say goodbye."

She turns the phone, and I am face-to-face with a red-haired boy, "MARINETTE! You can't just dip without giving away your number to meeee!"

I freeze on the spot, Reki? Why is Reki reaching out to me? He doesn't care about me, so why is he- "You ran away before I could say goodbye or tell you why I was down!-"

I listen to him rant, and something then dawns on me. Reki and Langa weren't avoiding me or neglecting me; they were going through their own things. Battling things on their own. I feel my nose crinkle, "Mari, are you okay?"

I snap out of my thoughts, "Yeah, sorry."

"So...can I steal your number from your grandma?"

I nod, and he lets out a cheer. He gets shoved out of the way, and I am face-to-face with Langa. "So you beat up Adam...Twice?"

I nod, getting ready for another verbal beatdown about how irresponsible that was to do, "Sick, so like how did you even get the upper hand?"

I feel my eyes widen and immediately start talking about me catching Adam off guard, how I just couldn't deal with his child-loving ass. I was so angry when he beat up Reki and Cherry, the rage I felt, and how everything just came spilling out. How scared I was for both of them, and the fear when he grabbed his board back. Langa just intently listens and nods his head along to everything I say.

"Man, I can see why your grandma beat him up so badly now."

"GRANDMA DID WHAT?!"

He tosses the phone and watches as it lands back in Grandma's hands, "Man, what did I do to upset my Marinetta?"

I start going off about how amazing she is and how I am glad she taught that idiot a lesson. We start talking about how she did that, and she also tells me about Langa winning against Adam as well. I smile, and suddenly the phone gets snatched out of her hands, and I am face-to-face with Kaoru.

"Marinette! Are you okay?!-"

He starts going off about how worried he was when I got hospitalized. I smile and feel my heart beating faster and faster, knowing my friends and family are okay. With these people by my side, I know I am going to be just fine. I then type in Kagami's contact, 'Kagami, thank you for always believing in me and being by my side. I love you so much and can't wait to see you again.'

I hit send, feeling happy.

xxx

I look down at my phone and feel a smile tug on my lips. Oh, Marinette, if only you knew how much I loved you as well. "Wow, so when's the wedding, Kagami?"

I smack Adrien on the top of his head and glare at him, "Just because we are going to the same school now doesn't mean you can snoop on my phone!"

He shrugs and continues to tease, "Man, you have become so annoying since leaving your old school."

"I'm just trying to be myself, Kagami. Why don't you like it?"

I smile, glad he is more comfortable in his skin since transferring away from his old school. Lila and the others kept pushing him in the box his father created, so I am glad he is expressing himself more. "I love it, Adrien."

He smiles and continues to act like a diva. I can only just laugh when someone then bangs on the window. I look up and see one of his old friends from his old school, what was her name? She made reports on that designer online... The ladyblogger lady? Adrien rolls down the window as she starts crying, asking why he transferred. I look at him, ready for him to fold himself back in the box his father set.

"I transferred because that school environment sucked, and Lila was distracting from my studies, and you knew Marinette was following me and didn't tell me. I already told you this-"

"It's not good enough, Adrien! You need to come back, Lila is suffering because of you-"

"That doesn't sound like my problem, Alya-"

"Marinette was right! Kagami is a bad influence on you!"

I pause and look at her. Marinette has already apologized for those assumptions she made about me when Adrien and I were dating. We both look at her, looking at her with shock, "Excuse me?"

She immediately backtracks, but not really. Adrien stops her, "Did you know Marinette was the one to tell me?"

She nods, recalling everything Adrien told them when he got back to Paris. "Then you would realize that if anyone was a bad influence, it was you and everyone else in class. Considering none of you thought to tell me your friend about being stalked and followed. She also told me about Shanghai-"

Alya's face goes white, Adrien just rolls up the window, and we go. "Jesus, when will they get it through their heads that they messed up?"

"With the way they still believe Lila... It's gonna be a long time."

He groans and just looks out the window, pulling out his phone to watch clever pun videos. I look down at my phone as Marinette sends a selfie with the caption, "Found out Grandma beat up the loser who beat me up. Huzzah!"

I laugh and show Adrien, who also bursts out laughing. "Glad to hear she is doing better. You were so worried when Gina called you."

I nod, and then Adrien says, "You should visit her soon and ask her out"

I glare but keep that suggestion in the back of my mind, "Do you think she will accept?"

"You both are so crushing on each other, she will."

I chuckle and text Marinette, "Wanna go on a date when I go up to Shanghai?"

The bubbles pop up and then disappear, my heart starts to shatter, but it was for nothing, as she sent back a photo of her on the floor, legs still on the bed, her face red as a bunch of random gibberish pops in bubbles. Finally, "YES! I mean, yes! I WOULD LOVE THAT KAGAMI!"

I smile, excited to plan a trip up there now. Adrien just smirks at me, and I tackle him. Grateful but done with his smugness. I can't wait to see you, Marinette.