Chapter Text
A woman's voice yells from downstairs, in Mandarin, "Marinette! Your alarm has been going off for 15 minutes! If you don't get down here right now, I will drag you out!"
Her phone glowed pink against the morning light. She resisted all temptation to bury herself deeper into the covers, knowing the sharp voice of her mother wasn't one to mess with.
"Got it, Mama!" She groans loudly as she rubs her tired eyes.
She shoved her damp bangs out of her face and sat up, her hair sticking out in multiple directions. As she turned off her alarm, she caught her reflection in the black screen. Her blue eyes were still puffy with sleep, her cheeks were flushed, and her freckles stood out more than usual.
Her mother's voice still echoed in her ears, the edged Mandarin always felt sharper in the early mornings.
She practically crawled out of her bed and clattered down the little staircase, "I'm coming. Please don't attack me."
Her room was large, all soft pink walls and wooden beams that made it feel cozy. Her bed was perched high on a platform with a white ladder leading down, leaving space underneath for her little cluttered world. One desk held her computer, another was buried in sketches and fabric, both covered in framed photos of family and friends.
A mirror leaned in the corner, though she made a point of avoiding it first thing in the morning.
Once in the kitchen, Marinette kissed her mother on the cheek. Sabine was small and graceful, her short dark hair tucked neatly behind her ears. She wore loose trousers and a white blouse patterned with delicate designs.
"Morning," Marinette mumbled in Mandarin. At home, that was the only language between them. It was something her mother had insisted on since she was born. As a toddler, Marinette was sent to live in China with her Aunt for a year. When she returned, she spoke fluent Mandarin. When Marinette first started school, her French lagged behind, and she hated feeling left out. Now she understood, being fluent in both was something to be proud of, even if she'd never admit to Sabine that she was grateful.
Marinette plopped onto a wooden stool, tearing open a carton of milk, "I bet you anything Chloe's in my class again."
The kitchen opened into the living room, sunlight spilling in through wide windows. Black and white furniture clashed cheerfully with splashes of pink, Marinette and her mother's favourite colour, something her father had long surrendered to.
Sabine raised a brow, "Marinette, if it's that much of an issue, I can always ask the school-"
Marinette forced a laugh and waved her hand, "No, it's fine."
She didn't want to worry her mother with the truth. Chloe had been making her life miserable since primary school. Back then, it was because Marinette stumbled over her French. Now it was just because Chloe could.
Sabine shook her head, rinsing another dish, "Your whole life with the same girl in your class isn't even possible."
"With my bad luck, it definitely is," Marinette muttered under her breath, this time in French.
Sabine glanced over, "Anyway, it's the start of a new school year - your last one, in fact. I'm sure everything will be just fine."
Marinette chuckled softly in agreement, placing down the milk carton. It then fell over and spilt all over her pyjamas. Marinette froze, then sighed as if she'd been expecting it, "Of course."
Sabine only shook her head with a smile. She grabbed a towel, blotting the mess before brushing a hand through Marinette's tangled hair for wordless comfort.
After a quick shower, Marinette dabbed on a little concealer and swiped mascara over her lashes, finishing with a gloss that caught the light just enough. She tugged her hair into two low ponytails, her wispy bangs falling messily across her forehead the way she liked.
She slipped into a pleated skirt and a cropped white short, soft layers still light enough for early September warmth. A pink cardigan hung open over her shoulders, casual but carefully chosen.
Around her neck gleamed her prized Agreste necklace, a birthday gift from her parents. A silver butterfly, tiny gems catching the sun, rested against her collarbone. Most girls her age wore one, but Marinette always ran her fingers over the charm with a mix of pride and something else she could never quite name. Admiration, maybe. Or maybe the strange shiver she sometimes felt was just her imagination.
She laced up her white trainers and grabbed her pink purse. She'd sewn it herself many years ago, dotted with polka-dots and a stitched cherry blossom beside an embroidered M.
She ran downstairs into the bakery her parents owned. Her father, Tom, hummed to himself as he arranged pastries, but stopped when he saw her.
"Ah, my beautiful Marinette is ready for school," He sung, setting down a tray and picking up a box.
"Good morning, Papa," She giggled, walking over.
He handed her the box, which she opened to find a row of colourful macaroons.
"Papa, these are amazing!" She exclaimed, hugging him tightly, almost dropped them in the process.
He chuckled and hugged her back, "Glad you like them."
She beamed, "Thank you, my class will love them. You're the best."
He grinned and pointed at their logo, "We're the best, thanks to you."
Marinette had recently created a new bakery logo herself, a simple yet elegant design with the letters T and S for Tom and Sabine.
Sabine handed Marinette her white leather backpack. She kissed both her parents on the cheeks before dashing out the door, leaving them smiling at each other.
--------------------
Marinette sprinted through the school halls, dodging other students and waving shyly at everyone who greeted her. Most were friends from previous classes, though she felt awkward trying to start conversations with them. Somehow, she made it into class just in time.
"Nino, why not take a seat in the front row this year?" Miss Bustier asked, her ginger hair catching the morning light. Tall and slim, she had a warm approachable presence and a quick sense of humour. It was clear she loved teaching, and her students respected her for it.
Nino rolled his eyes as he tugged off his headphones, dragging himself to the front of the class. He always acted like school was a punishment, but Marinette knew he was a funny, energetic guy outside these walls.
She slid into her usual second-row seat, settling down the macaroons, and smiled at her friends. Mylene was already giving her a shy nod, her dreadlocks bouncing as she fidgeted with her green hoodie. Alix, with her messy pink hair tucked under a black cap, practically radiated energy even while sitting still, her neon green top bright as ever.
Juleka was in her usual quiet corner, long black hair framing her face with purple streaks, eyes outlined in thick liner, listening to Rose as always. Tiny, cheerful Rose was already chatting away, her blonde pixie cut and big blue eyes practically sparkling with positivity.
Marinette took a deep breath, feeling a little lighter from the familiar faces.
Marinette's best friend, Alya, slid onto the same bench as Marinette.
"Hey, girl," Alya grinned.
She wore baggy jeans and a cropped shirt, her dyed curly hair wrapped into a ponytail of bouncy copper coils. Her glasses framed her face perfectly, and a small beauty spot rested above one brow on her dark skin, making her even more distinctive.
Alya was confident and self-assured, the kind of person Marinette sometimes wished she could be. But she was also loyal, always standing up to Chloe and looking out for her friends.
"Morning, Alya," Marinette sighed, resting her head on the desk as Alya barely looked away from her phone.
They had met in primary school and had been inseparable ever since. Alya helped Marinette come out of her shell, always had the best advice, and had defended her from day one. Marinette couldn't imagine a better friend.
A hand slammed onto the desk, making Marinette jerk upright.
"Marinette Dupain-Cheng."
Of course, it was Chloe. Her perfect blonde hair was tied back loosely, with designer sunglasses perched on her head. She wore a white designer dress with black stripes, topped with a long yellow cardigan that ended with the dress. A designer purse and glamourous Agreste necklace completed her look, along with black polished pumps.
Her dark blue eyes, smudged with eyeshadow, glared at Marinette. Pale matte lipstick made her lips look dry and unflattering, in Marinette's opinion at least. Every detail screamed wealth, they child of Audrey and Andre Bourgeois, fashion mogul and mayor.
Marinette's chest tightened, and a familiar knot of dread settled in her stomach. Seeing Chloe, all poised and perfect, reminded her of every insult and moment of humiliation she'd endured over the years. She wanted to shrink into her seat, disappear entirely, but she forced herself to sit up straighter and ignore her. Still, the anxiety lingered, gnawing at her as if warning her that today wouldn't be easy.
"That's my seat, move it," Chloe snapped, prompting Alya to give her a raised eyebrow look.
"I know you didn't just say that," Alya replies, never taking Chloe seriously, "Absolutely not, run along."
Sabrina, Chloé's so-called friend, let out a high pitched laugh, "New year, new seats."
She had short ginger hair, glasses and a purple sweater vest over a button-up shirt, which was tucked into a skirt. She was a follower through and through, nobody knew why she put up with Chloe.
"Why don't you both move to the front row, or do you want me to pay for the seats?" Chloe smirked, "I know your broke self would take any cash you could get."
Alya blinked a few times at the childlike insult since neither of them were anywhere near broke, but Marinette kept her eyes on her lap, already fed up as her mood sank. Why does she always have to ruin everything?
Alya glared, "Oh, do we have to bow down to Queen Bourgeois and her trust fund? Erm, no. These are our seats, you delusional brat, get over it."
Chloé groaned, "Listen. Adrien's arriving today, and since he's sitting in front of these seats, this seat is mine. Got it?"
Alya grabbed her bag and moved without a word, not wanting to waste any energy on Chloe. It wasn't worth it.
"Who's Adrien?" Marinette asked, keeping her eyes down to avoid confrontation.
Chloe and Sabrina immediately began to howl with laughter, as if Marinette had just asked the dumbest question in the world.
"What rock have you been living under?" Chloe sneered, "Your parents don't have Wi-Fi or something?"
Marinette gulped, unsure how to answer. Conflict had never been her strong suit.
"He's only a famous model," Sabrina mocked.
"And I am his best friend," Chloe bragged, smirking.
Marinette instantly assumed that, whoever Adrien was, he probably sucked.
"Well, he can't be too interesting if he's sad enough to be friends with you," She muttered, rolling her eyes.
Chloe went on about how Adrien adored her, but Marinette slid into the seat next to Alya at the front, who seemed completely unbothered.
Still, Marinette couldn't help but glance toward the front of the room, curious. She hadn't need Adrien yet, but something about the way Chloe talked... She felt a small flutter of curiosity she couldn't quite explain.
"I wish I could ignore her like you do," Marinette sighed.
Alya snorted, "We can't let her make our lives hell. She's not some goddess like her delusions allow her to believe."
Marinette thought about replying, but didn't. Chloe thrived on getting under her skin, and she knew it.
Chloe shrieked, making both girls spin towards the sound.
"Good morning, Chloe," A boy greeted, his voice warm and easy.
He was tall, lightly tanned from summer days abroad, with blonde hair he pushed back casually with one hand. Marinette couldn't help it, her jaw dropped slightly.
His face was nearly perfect, every feature balanced as if sculpted by the gods. Light green eyes that seemed to glow made her stomach flutter. She tried to look away, tried to tell herself not to stare, but couldn't. He was even more striking in person than in all the magazines and social media posts she had seen.
She recognised him now, Adrien Agreste. Son of Emilie and Gabriel Agreste. The same Agreste she wore around her neck.
She shook her head, begging herself not to fall for him.
Her thoughts were interrupted by Chloe throwing herself at him.
"Adrikins, I'm so glad you're here!" She cooed, basically vibrating with excitement.
Marinette sank slightly in her seat, trying to appear indifferent, but inside she felt her heart racing in a way she couldn't explain. She lowered her head onto the desk again. Adrien was friends with Chloe. That could only mean trouble.
"Adrikins?" Alya scoffed.
Adrien smiled warmly as he hugged Chloe back, "I'm glad too. It took a lot of convincing for my father to let me come."
It took more than convincing. He had begged for years after being stuck at home. Gabriel finally allowed it for his last year, reasoning it would be good for him to have some high school memories.
Chloe pulled away first, pointing to the seat in front of hers, next to Nino, "That's your seat. Again, so glad you're here."
Adrien nodded and slid into the spot, "Thank you."
Mariette tried to hide her groan behind her arms, knowing it was going to be a long year.
Adrien glanced at the boy next to him and decided to introduce himself, "Hello, I'm Adrien Agreste. It's very nice to meet you."
Nino raised a brow and smirked, "You're friends with Chloe?"
Adrien froze for a moment at the question but nodded, forcing a polite smile. He couldn't understand why being friends with Chloe would matter. He'd known her since they were born. They'd always been close, like siblings.
As he answered, Adrien's gaze drifted across the classroom, and for a moment, he noticed a girl. Her dark ponytails rested on the desk that she laid her head on, her eyes closed. She looked so peaceful. There was something quietly striking about her, unassuming yet impossible to ignore. For a brief second, he wondered who she was.
"Right, I think I know everything I need to know about you," Nino muttered, clearly uninterested. He despised Chloe and had no intentions of interacting with one of her minions.
"Pardon?" Adrien asked, his smile faltering slightly. Before the tension could grow, Miss Bustier called the class to attention, introducing herself to the new students and Adrien, who had just started.
--------------------
After class, Marinette headed to the lockers with Alya trailing beside her.
"Honestly, having a celebrity in our class isn't so bad," Alya teased, nudging her shoulder.
Marinette rolled her eyes as she spun open her locker, "He's friends with Chloe. That's enough to know he's a sobby jerk."
Alya laughed, clearly enjoying Marinette's grumpiness, "Maybe he's different than you think?"
Marinette shot her a doubtful look. Adrien seemed like a carbon copy of Chloe in her eyes. If he got along with her, then he had to be at least a little terrible, or completely out of touch. Maybe even both.
From across the hall, she caught a glimpse of him leaning casually against the wall, waiting for Chloe. For a brief second, their eyes met. He smiled politely, and Marinette looked away, cheeks heating. She didn't trust that smile and yet, it lingered in her mind longer than he wanted. He felt a flicker of curiosity, she seemed real. Most girls were staring at him, but she was busy in her own world. That was refreshing.
He was about to approach Chloe when she arrived at the lockers with Sabrina, but she walked right past him towards the girl he had been looking at and her friend.
He didn't know their names until he heard Chloe announce, "Well, how are my best friends, Marinette and Alya, doing?"
Marinette turned sharply, "What do you want now, Chloe?"
Adrien blinked at her bluntness. She was beautiful, but her personality...
He straightened up and casually walked over, standing beside Chloe.
"Oh, please, am I not allowed to check on my friends?" Chloe asked, brow furrowed.
The sarcasm was obvious, but Adrien wasn't sure if she was joking or serious.
Marinette made brief eye contact with him, and he felt a small pang of unease.
"He's right beside you, look," She muttered with a fake smile before slamming her locker shut.
Adrien cleared his throat, "Sorry, but you shouldn't speak to people like that. Chloe was just being kind."
Marinette and Alya exchanged looks, convinced he was being sarcastic, but Adrien genuinely meant it.
Chloe scoffed, and Alya laughed. "Come on, Chloe, I thought you didn't talk to people who aren't rich, since you're such a snob."
Adrien frowned. From where he stood, it looked like clear bullying. Marinette and Alya were furious, but was it just jealousy of Chloe's wealth? He started to wonder if coming to school had been a mistake.
Then Chloe snapped, "Speaking to the likes of you two should count as charity work. Marinette, you're a total freak. You didn't even know who Adrien was? You have no life. I'd rather die than associate with such an embarrassment."
Adrien's eyes widened, "Chloe, what are you-"
Alya's voice cut through, sharp as a whip, "Since when does being a bitch count as charity work? The nicest thing you've ever done is leave us alone for a minute. You hate us for what? Because your head is so far up your ass you think you're better than everyone else?"
Chloe froze, words caught in her throat. Adrien's stomach twisted. It was clear no. Chloe wasn't just spoiled, she was the bully. And he had been standing there, saying nothing.
Then his gaze drifted. Marinette. She had her head down, lips pressed into a line, but there was something about the way she held herself that made him pause. She didn't fight back like Alya, but her presence was quiet and steady, like she belonged even if she didn't believe it. Adrien felt a twinge of guilt.
Alya laughed again, "Both rich, white, and nasty? Yeah... Perfect for each other."
Marinette and Alya walked away, and Adrien remained, caught between confusion and concern. He wasn't nasty, but now, seeing Marinette like that, he wasn't sure if she would forgive him for simply standing there.
Then again, not even his own father seemed to care about him, and Adrien almost laughed at the absurdity of it all. He'd come to a public school hoping to make friends, but who would want to be friends with him?
"Come on, Adrikins," Chloe called, walking away as if nothing had happened.
He watched her go, feeling the weight of the truth. The only friend who had ever been there for him, really been there, was Chloe. And that was just how things were.
--------------------
A small, green, turtle-like creature stirred in its tiny matchbox bed. With a flurry, it leapt into the air and hovered in front of a small, elderly man who was busy attending to a client. The man, with neat grey hair and sharp eyes, seemed to be performing a gentle ritual or some kind of therapeutic practice.
"Master, Master Fu," The creature whispered urgently. The client, lying on the table, turned his head in confusion, blinking.
Master Fu paused, then blinked a few times, his hands still in motion.
"Ah... Master... Master... Chanting, yes! All part of the treatment!" He muttered, barely missing a beat.
Once the session concluded, he helped the client sit up.
"Thank you for coming, see you next week," he said warmly.
The client shuffled out, dazed but calm, leaving the tiny green creature hovering expectantly nearby.
Once the door clicked shut, the green creature spoke, "Master, the butterfly miraculous. I felt its aura."
Master Fu furrowed his brows, "I thought it had been lost forever, Wayzz."
Wayzz shook his head, frowning. "But, Master... it's a negative aura. I fear it may have fallen into the hands of a dark power. One not seen for generations."
A chill ran through Master Fu as if the very air around him had grown heavier. Shock flashed across his face. Wayzz wished he could read his master's mind, curious about the memories or fears that had haunted him for so long.
Master Fu shook himself, regaining his composure, "We must find Nooroo and his miraculous. If it has been corrupted, there's no telling what evil could be unleashed."
He weakly raised his arm, revealing a thin wrist adorned with a turtle-shaped bracelet, "Time to transform, Wayzz-"
He stopped abruptly, groaning in pain as his body resisted, collapsing to the floor, coughing.
Wayzz hovered anxiously, "Please, Master, be reasonable. You are-"
"Still young," Master Fu interrupted with a wry grin, rising to his feet, "I'm only 186."
Wayzz gave him a skeptical look.
Master Fu chuckled softly, "But, you're right, Wayzz. I can no longer do this alone."
"We'll need some help," Master Fu said, pressing two buttons on an ancient record player etched with dragons.
A hidden flap opened, and he typed a code into the panel. With a soft click, the lid lifted, revealing an octagonal box covered in red, arcane symbols. He carefully removed a pair of earrings and a ring. Two more creatures appeared, one red with a black spot on her head, the other sleek and black like a cat.
"Tikki, Plagg, it's time for you to be entrusted to new owners," Master Fu said, his tone grave.
Tikki gasped, eyes wide with worry. Plagg, oblivious, zipped around the room, cheerfully stretching out his tiny arms.
"Is everything alright, Master?" Tikki asked, her voice trembling.
Master Fu's eyes darkened as he glanced at Wayzz, "Wayzz felt the butterfly miraculous' aura and it was tainted. Someone already wields it for evil."
Plagg froze mid-zip, frowning, "Someone's already got it? But, who will our new owners be?"
Fu's gaze drifted toward the window, as if he could already sense the shadows closing in, "We must find them, before it's too late."
--------------------
During lunch, Marinette joined Alya, Mylene, Alix, Rose, and Juleka at their usual table.
"It's such a shame the new boy turned out to be a jerk," Mylene sighed, poking at her salad.
Marinette rolled her eyes, pretending not to care,
"Who even cares? He's not that handsome."
She knew the lie sounded hollow even to herself, but she wasn't ready to admit any flutter of curiosity, or worse, attraction.
Alya snorted, "Okay, fine, he may suck, but he's hot as hell. Marinette, I saw your jaw drop when you first saw him."
Marinette glared at the girls, cheeks warming as laughter erupted around her.
She'd never been interested in boys before. Romance felt like a foreign language, and she was proud of it. She had no expectations of ever experiencing anything close to it, and yet, something about Adrien lingered in her mind longer than she liked to admit.
"Aww, it really is a shame he had to be a jerk," Rose pouted.
"Why? He's just a nepo-baby anyway," Alix muttered, "A spoilt rich kid who has everything handed to him and has never had a problem in his life."
"Not necessarily," Alya said, raising a brow, "His mother literally just died a few months ago. Of course that would have affected him."
"Really?" Marinette asked, frowning slightly as a pang of guilt hit her.
She picked up her leftover food to throw it away, trying to shake the feeling off. She didn't want to feel sympathy for him, she hated him, but a small part of her couldn't help it.
Meanwhile, Master Fu was looking into the school yard from a balcony of a nearby building.
"You want to recruit teenagers?" Plagg whines, and Master Fu nods in response.
"How about them?" Wayzz asks, pointing at Alya and then over at Nino, who was talking to her from a nearby table.
That is, until Alya throws a middle finger, making Nino laugh.
Plagg laughs, "I like her."
"What about those two?" Tikki grins, pointing at two boys sitting together.
Nathaniel, a red-haired artist, along with Marc, a black-haired writer. Their table is covered in drawings. Plagg shakes his head.
Back on the ground, Marinette returned to her friends, right as Chloe decided it would be funny to shove Adrien into her. Marinette yelped as she hit the floor, Adrien landing on top of her. Their faces were inches apart.
Adrien froze, studying her. There was something in the way she blinked up at him, vulnerable, but also stubborn. Not the type to swoon over his fame or money. No one had looked at him like this before. She was different.
Quickly, he jumped up, helping her to her feet, holding her hands gently.
"I'm so sorry, Marinette. Are you okay?"
His eyes pleaded, full of guilt.
Marinette glared at him, shoving him lightly away, "I'm sorry, but leave me alone, Adrien."
She started walking, but he caught her arm.
"Marinette, please, listen to me," He begged.
She hesitated, seeing the desperation in his eyes, feeling an odd pull of sympathy despite herself. Was he really all that bad?
With a shrug, she finally wrenched free and walked away, leaving him standing there, frustrated and intrigued.
"Those two!" Tikki shrieked, earning a curious look from Wayzz, Plagg, and Master Fu.
"They're soulmates. Plagg... you feel it too, right?"
Master Fu shook his head. "Soulmates aren't a thing anymore. They're practically extinct."
Wayzz rolled his eyes, "I know you and Plagg can detect them, but it's been centuries since either of you found one."
Plagg frowned, "No, I feel it too. They are definitely soulmates."
Master Fu's eyes lit up. "Incredible. A sight like this hasn't appeared in centuries, you said, Wayzz?"
Wayzz nodded solemnly.
Tikki clutched the edge of the table. "Master, it has to be them. Those two, look at them."
--------------------
Marinette's thoughts were a mess. Had she judged Adrien too harshly, or was she being realistic? Sure, he was friends with Chloe, but maybe, deep down, he was different. She shoved the thought away, stubbornly, insisting it wasn't worth considering.
It was the last period, and Marinette couldn't focus. The classroom buzzed with chatter and papers rustling, but she stayed quiet, lost in her own head.
No. He sucked. Anyone who counted Chloe as a friend was clearly not worth her time. Marinette clung to that certainty, forcing herself to hate him with every fiber of her being. Attractive or not, Adrien Agreste was not a good person.
And yet, she couldn't shake the flicker of something strange when their eyes met. The tiniest pull she refused to name. She pushed it down hard, scolding herself for even noticing it. She swore to herself she would despise him, until the day she died.
Meanwhile, Adrien felt crushed. His first day had been awful. He had finally thought that going to a public school might feel normal, might feel like real life, but almost 18 years of nearly total isolation didn't leave much room for that.
"Dude, are you good?" Nino asked, noticing how down he seemed.
Even if he didn't like him much, Nino was still decent enough to check.
Adrien shook his head, "I'm sorry if Chloe has hurt you or anyone else before. I didn't know she was like that, I just wish my first day had gone better."
Nino swallowed, "Yeah, I guess I assumed the worst."
Adrien let out a sad, hollow laugh, "It's fine. So did everyone else."
His first, last, and only year of high school and this was how it was going to be.
Disappointment was no stranger. His father had neglected him all his life, and his mother, his one real anchor, was gone. Nothing could change that.
Nino held out his hand, "How about we restart? I'm Nino. Nice to meet you, bro."
Adrien blinked at the gesture, surprised, before smiling and shaking it. "Adrien. Nice to meet you, too."
--------------------
The rain poured down in sheets as the last students scurried off. Adrien lingered near his locker, carefully organizing his things before leaving. When he finally stepped into the school entrance, he noticed Marinette standing there, waiting for the storm to pass. She didn't seem to notice him at first, just staring out at the grey, wet world.
He sighed, knowing she probably still hated him, and opened his umbrella as he walked past her. Something made him stop when he reached her side. He didn't know why.
Marinette glanced up, and their eyes met. Green to blue, a brief spark bridging the gap between them.
Adrien swallowed and spoke, his voice quiet but sincere, "I'm really sorry, Marinette. I didn't realize Chloe had been bullying you, so I thought you were just being rude. I'm sorry for that, and, on her behalf, too."
Marinette felt her chest tighten, guilt rising again.
He hesitated, then continued, "Also, earlier when I fell onto you, Chloe pushed me. I only just saw today who she really is. She's my only friend, and that's just the way it's always been. I know I'm rambling, but I've never been to a real school before. All of this is new to me. I hope you can understand. If not, that's okay too. I just... I hope you'll change your opinion of me sooner or later. You actually seem like a really nice girl. Chloe is completely wrong about you."
Adrien held the umbrella out toward her. For a moment, the rain drowned out the world. They stood there, frozen, eyes locked. He got lost in her blue eyes, like an ocean he wanted to dive into. She couldn't tear her gaze from his green ones, so deep they felt impossible to look away from. Lightning cracked across the sky, thunder rolling overhead, but Adrien didn't care. His smile stayed warm, steady.
As their hands brushed on the umbrella handle, neither of them realized it, but a tiny pulse of warmth, like a whisper of magic, lingered between them, unspoken and unnoticed, threading through their fingertips.
"You don't need to apologize," Marinette said finally, her voice soft as she hesitantly reached for the umbrella, "I understand you, Adrien. I'm here for you too. You don't need to rely on Chloe."
Adrien let out a small, relieved laugh. "It's been a bad day."
Their hands met fully this time, and that spark returned, faint but undeniable, leaving them both a little breathless. Adrien let go, and Marinette instinctively pulled the umbrella closer to her, shielding them from the rain.
"I'm sorry for judging you so quickly," She admitted, adjusting the umbrella.
She accidentally clicked the close button, trapping herself under its fold. Adrien gasped and then burst into laughter, the kind that sounded like sunlight breaking through clouds. Marinette couldn't help but laugh with him.
"Thank you, Adrien," She said, smiling.
"No problem," he replied, returning her smile. "See you tomorrow."
She hesitated, then pulled out her phone. "Wait, may I have your number? I want to be friends. Like I said, you don't need to rely only on Chloe. Only if it's okay with you."
Adrien's grin widened. He gently took the phone and typed in his number.
"Great, see you tomorrow," She said, waving as he stepped down toward a sleek silver car.
Once she was alone, Marinette's mind replayed that moment. Their hands touching, the faint spark that felt impossibly familiar, the laugh they shared. She walked home slowly, rain dripping from her umbrella, but a smile spread across her face.
In the distance, Master Fu is with the kwamis once again.
"I told you they were soulmates," Tikki cheered, happiness taking over her with the knowledge that she was correct.
"They're made for each other, after all," Master Fu sighed, finally making his choice. He gives the earrings to Tikki and the ring to Plagg.
"Explain the situation to them, and once they're transformed, they need to meet me for training," Master Fu explained to the pair.
"Do you think they'll be up to it, Master?" Wayzz asked.
"I only got it wrong once," Master Fu answered, "Plus, they're soulmates. Who better for the job?"
He waved at Tikki and Plagg. Tikki followed Marinette, while Plagg followed Adrien.
--------------------
Marinette placed the umbrella next to her desk and dialed Alya.
"Marinette? What's up?" Alya answered.
"Adrien isn't as bad as he seems, I was wrong," Marinette sighed, sinking into her lounge chair.
Alya laughed, "What happened?"
"He apologised, and gave me his umbrella," Marinette answered, glancing around her room. Her eyes landed on something on her desk.
"Girl, I'm busy, but you better call me back later and explain everything," Alya said before hanging up.
Marinette set her phone down and walked over to her desk. A pair of earrings caught her eye, red with black spots. She picks them up, turning them over in her hands, admiring them.
"Hi! You must be Marinette!"
Marinette screamed at the sudden voice and dropped the earrings, her heart pounding.
--------------------
Once home, Adrien had taken a long shower, rinsing off the rain that had soaked him through. When he stepped out of his en-suite bathroom, towel draped over his shoulders, he paused at the window to watch the rain fall. His room was massive: skate ramps lined one side, a basketball hoop hung above an arcade corner, a large TV faced a white sofa, and his bed sat beside a desk cluttered with monitors. A second floor housed shelves packed with video games and DVDs.
He sank into the sofa, but something caught his eye. a black ring lying next to him. He picked it up, examining the green paw print engraved on it. Strange.
Suddenly, the lights flickered and went out, plunging the room into darkness. Adrien tensed, spinning around and he came face-to-face with an unfamiliar black creature.
"Boo!"