My Miraculous, UNLOCK! A PSL for a Ladybug in Japan.

[amu_chan]

After settling in, Tom and Sabine would have given Marinette a surprise gift, since they could tell that she hadn't fully wanted to come overseas on this trip. So once they were settled in they gave her an envelope. Inside was a concert ticket for the next night and some spending money to buy herself either something to wear for the concert, or cloth if she wanted to make something herself, since the air B&B they were staying at had a sewing machine. They would be at the concert too, since it was a strange city in a foreign country and all, but they assured her they would be sitting several rows back.

They totally weren't going so Tom could spy on if she was flirting with any Japanese boys, NOPE! Not at all. She can't prove it.

Anyway.

So she would be given an afternoon with some money and a map to wander if she wanted to, so long as she was home in time for dinner. There might have been threats that if she was late coming back for dinner they would spend the whole concert glued to her side, but that was probably a joke. Right?

It was cold outside, late December snows keeping some people indoors, so the streets weren't too crowded, but that made it that much easier to catch hints of conversations from the people who were out. Teenagers and kids were talking about school, and sports, and the upcoming concert which seemed to be a big deal. The two main acts were a boy band called Darts and a singer named Utau. There were subtle advertisements here and there, but at least one shop window had a pair of posters for them. Darts was all cookie cutter boy band, and on the young side. Nothing like the energy someone would get from a Jagged Stone poster. It looked like SAFE had been the key word for the design team.

The poster for Utau however....

The girl in the poster couldn't have been older than sixteen or seventeen, and the babydoll black dress and the blond pigtails should have made her look soft and safe as well. Should have made her look young, even with the tall heels she was wearing. But there was nothing comforting or cookie cutter about the poster of her. Everything from the look in her eyes to her stance seemed to act as a warning. Or maybe that was just because Mari knew Chloé. Just from the image she seemed to have all the attitude Chloé tried to have. But what held people going by was the expression on her face. The eyes. Where all the boys of Darts were smiling brightly at the camera, and thus the passer bye, her violet eyes held a challenge, her lips a slight down turn that might remind one of Gabriel Agreste at his more irritated. As though the photo shoot, or perhaps the audience, was a waste of her time.

In fact, some of the people passing by would comment, and Mari could hear them, about how she was so pretty, why wouldn't she smile, or about how her music was so good you almost didn't care that her poster looked like it hated you. A few guys starred dreamily at the poster, though.

One boy, maybe 19 or so, stopped near Mari, eyeing the poster for a moment, his eyes cool, his face blank, hands in his pockets. Unlike everyone else, he hadn't bothered with a winter coat, wearing an all black outfit with small silver crosses here and there. He had short dark blue hair and for some reason might aaaaaalmost remind her of Chat, though there was no logical reason for it. Tikki, however, would sense something from him. The boy didn't seem to notice Mari at all, however, and would turn and walk off again after only a moment, seeming bored.

And he wouldn't be the only one Tikki would sense something odd about. Not five minutes later, three girls would be passing, huddled in their jackets. Two of them looked about a year or two younger than Marinette, the third looked a year or two younger than that. The youngest looking one had brownish hair in pigtails that DID make her look younger, but the barrettes might have something to do with that. Big red bows. She was also bouncing a bit as she walked, and all her mannerisms made her seem young. Of the other two, one had shockingly pink hair with a red X hair barrette over one small lock that was pulled up over the rest, and bored seeming gold eyes. She was hunched into her black and red jacket against the cold. The third had long purple hair Juleka would have loved and kind eyes, along with small kind expressions. She moved with a gentle grace, small fluid motions, and her jacket was well tailored to her and looked very feminine in style and cut. Very well made. The other two were clearly wearing off the rack coats, hers looked custom designed for her.

The youngest was talking animatedly. "Are we going to Utau's concert this time too, do you think? Should we ask Kukai and Tadase at school tomorrow?"

"Do we have a choice, after last time?" The pink haired one grumbled.

"Hmmm," the purple haired one said. "We probably should go. Let's bring it up at the meeting, alright?"

She looked like she was about to say something then looked around, scowling. She stared at Marinette for a moment then looked past her, before turning to the purple haired girl. "Where are Ran and the others?"

"I think Kiseki said something about training, they'll be along." And with that the three kept walking.

But not only would Tikki sense something odd from those three, the pink haired one the most, but.... something the pink haired one was wearing or carrying under that coat and scarf, hidden from sight, was something that Tikki would feel like a wave of power. As if she had just eaten one of the macarons with an enhancement potion in it. Something that girl had with her would make Tikki feel strong and amped up... but it wasn't any feeling she'd recognize.

Comments

[amu_chan]

And again she'd feel her arm pulled. The flower would rise like sparkling lights, twinkling and shining and then start to vanish. When it was done not only was the flour gone but the bed was made, the carpet looked vacuumed, all the glass surfaces shined. There was a pleasant cleaning scent to the room.

[coccinelled]

Well, that works!

[Marinette can't help but to grin, taking in that fresh, clean smell. It was even better than when she had first arrived, when the maids had come in during her stay even. She can't help but to be relieved at that, in that she wouldn't be leaving a mess for them to deal with like that in having them maybe charge her parents or question what she had been up to in here with all the flour everywhere.]

[amu_chan]

Su broke the transformation and floated over to hug her cheek. "cleaning and cooking and chores, just leave them to Su!"

[coccinelled]

Thank you. All of you.

[The chara for helping her. The others for being open, accepting her as she was with being Ladybug and all. Letting her help out and teaching her. She doesn't quite have that back home. Of course she has support from Chat and the rest but it's....different. Somehow. With her being seen as the leader, if there were to be one. Back in Paris.]

[She lets Tikki come too, in letting her Kwami say goodbye as well, as she reaches a hand to Su.]

[amu_chan]

The charas swarmed around her and Tikki. Amu, slightly embarrassed, looked away. "We're all seeing you off at the airport tomorrow, right? I can say my goodbyes then."

[coccinelled]

I'm leaving soon. I was about to remind you all after I'd finished packing on the time of the flight.

[But, well, this works out. In her seeing them at least, here. So Marinette gives a nod. They all knew she wasn't staying too long. But she would still miss them.]

[amu_chan]

Amu nodded. "We'll be there to see you off. Nadeshiko says you should leave some room in your carry on..." she eyed the bags. "In your parent's carryon," she amended.

[coccinelled]

In my -- er, yeah. My parents bags might be the better option.....I'm not sure if I should open these until we get back to Paris.

[She says, glancing back to her now closed and packed suitcases. Then she glances back to the others, tilting her head.]

It's not....gonna be too big, is it?

[Probably not but just in case? She isn't sure what to expect exactly.]

[amu_chan]

"Probably best to not..." she agreed, then shrugged. "Nadeshiko didn't tell me,"

[coccinelled]

Hm. Well, I'm not sure they've had as much chance to shop like I have so it's probably okay with them having space still in their bags.

[At the least, she knows hers is all ready. She thanks them for helping, before going to check on her parents and their packing, whether they would have room in their bags.]

[amu_chan]

Amu nodded. "We'll see you then... um... then." she headed fo the door.

[coccinelled]

Right! Thanks guys, see you soon!

[It won't be long until they need to leave to head to the airport then. To ensure they are in time for their international flight back to Paris. Marinette arrives at the airport checking she has everything, especially her passport, phone and boarding pass for their flight. She goes with her parents to get their bags checked in and weighed, before asking them to wait for her friends to see them off.]

[amu_chan]

Just before security check all the Guardians were waiting for them. Bright smiles all around.

Nadeshiko had a cloth wrapped package for them. "Snacks for the flight!" she said cheerfully. "We're going to miss you Dupain-Cheng-Sama. Please come visit again soon.'

"You're not half bad to hang around with. See ya around, kid," Kukai said leaning back on oen leg, the other crossed behind him, hands behind his head as he winked.

"Awwww.... Yaya's gonna miss you," Yaya said, sulking a bit.

"Ah, yeah. Sure." Amu wasn't looking at any of them, faintly flushing.

Tadase bowed deeply to her. "Thank you for your assistance." He then bowed to her parents. "Thank you for bringing your daughter to come help us out. It has been wonderful to get to know her."

All the charas gathered around Marinette's face while Tadase had her parents distracted so they could hug her cheeks and say their goodbyes. Su was crying a bit. Miki was shoving drawings she made into Marinette's pockets. the others were all just babbling good byes at her.

[coccinelled]

I know. I'll miss you all too. But we have online chats to keep in touch!

[Though her parents might be confused as to what exactly Marinette did in helping these kids exactly since it would probably be figured more the other way around with locals helping out the tourist if they get lost or such. Still, they seem sufficiently distracted as the chara and Marinette say goodbye, along with Tikki giving a wave of her own from Marinette's bag.]

[amu_chan]

Miki would swoop in and give Tiki a hug and a bit of paper with an address. "Pen pals?" she asked softly.

"We should let them go," Amu said, seemingly to no one. "Or they'll miss their flight."

Yaya looked at Marinette, eyes wide. "If you miss your flight, does that mean you have to live here with us forever?" she asked, bouncing a bit.

[coccinelled]

Alright. But uh, if we missed this one we'd just need to get the next flight back home.

[Her parents have their bakery to get back to. She has school. And her friends who will want to hear all about the trip. Marinette gives an apologetic smile, as Tikki takes the offered paper, giving a nod in agreeing to try keep in touch.]

But I have your details. So we can definitely keep in touch!

[She explains, before they are called to the gate for their flight in boarding it. She gives a wave, ensuring she has her carry on, passing the snacks to her mother before they leave.]

sorry this icon's expression fails to match.

[nadenagi]

There were sad goodbye waves. And some letters exchanged back and forth that probably never said much of note. And probably mostly came from Miki and Su, to be honest.

A few months would pass and then a special rare day happened. Adrien had finished a photoshoot at a local public school early and Nino had been hanging around for just in case and it worked. They were able to convince Gorilla to let Adrien stay until the time the shoot was allowed to end, though he was there watching.

A bunch of kids from that neighborhood had been watching the shoot - and waiting for their playground back. As soon as the camera crew packed up, a few of the older boys asked Adrien and Nino to join their pickup game of Basketball. But once they counted up, they were a kid short. Till one of them spotted a young boy in baggy clothes watching them from behind the fence. They called the kid over, asked if he wanted to play. And he did.

But then one of the local kids decided to be a jerk, shoving the new boy. "Why should we have to play with some sort of purple haired freak?" he asked, leering down at the boy who hit the ground. His long loose purple hair was splayed around him, his amber eyes wide. HE shook his head and got up gracefully. "It's fine," he said to anyone who offered to help, his voice quiet and sad. "I don't have to play...."

[coccinelled]

[It's a relief once Adrien is done - that he gets some rare time to himself for a bit. So of course he intends to try make the most of it with his friends, probably. Though he is distracted when he notes the game nearby, when he sees the local kids picking on someone. He frowns, hearing them call the boy a freak because of his hair. He approaches then, shaking his head.]

You asked if he wanted to play. If he wants to, let him. He might surprise you. Or I can play.

[nadenagi]

"Better a pretty boy than a freak," the bully boy said.

"I'm the one who invited the kid," another boy said. "But if we have you then we have enough people Unless your friend wanna plays too..."

The boy brushed himself down and looked to Adrien. "Don't worry about it. I can always come back and play usual."

[coccinelled]

Nobody is a freak. And I don't mind playing or not. But I think it'd be better if he gets a turn. He was asked first. Give him a go, he might surprise you.

[Adrien tries to tell them, encourage them to give the other kid a chance if he wants to play. He doesn't feel right stepping in instead, if he wants a turn to play. And he's trying to dissuade the bullying and name calling. Especially with knowing that sort of thing could escalate with creating an akuma to deal with.]

Me attempting Nino, who is one of the ones I am weakest with, lol.

[nadenagi]

"Hey man, we could all play," Nino said. "Him, you, and me joining them. Or the three of us could play on the other court. You know, whichever."

He glanced up at Adrien, as if seeing him as the leader, or letting him make the choice. He pushed his hair back behind his shoulders and offered the blond a small shy smile.

[coccinelled]

Sure, if we have enough. That could work, splitting up into different groups to play. That way nobody gets left out.

[Adrien may or may not even realize or notice that others see him as something of a leader. He's just...trying his best. To help others. To avoid more situations where there could be akuma as a result. So he takes a ball, glancing to the others to see if they agree to the idea.]

[nadenagi]

"I like that idea," he said softly. "the three of us can play over there, they can play over here." leaving the other group with an odd number of people. Nagihiko did not think less of himself for hoping one specific kid was the one who had to sit out.

[coccinelled]

Sounds good to me then. Let's play on the other court.

[Adrien isn't even considering the numbers. If they really have enough to properly play. He just wants everyone to have fun, he has the rare time at the moment to join in and he figures this way everyone can get to play. So he grins, giving a nod and taking one of the balls, bouncing it as he heads to the court.]

[nadenagi]

Nino and the other boy followed Adrien. "So, like, what's your name?"

"Fujisaki Nagihiko," he said softly. "You can call me Nagihiko or Nagi, if you want."