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

[nadenagi]

He smiled. "Now, so long as you just think of that, you'll be able to dance anywhere."

[coccinelled]

Think of....you think so?

[Marinette asks, biting her lower lip as she seems to click on how close they were. How intimate it was. She pulls back slightly in releasing Adrien's hand, looking sheepish and cheeks tinged red as she raises a hand to rub at the back of her neck. Adrien doesn't stop her from releasing their hands, glancing to the side and almost mirroring her in the way he rubs at the back of his head, messing up his hair a little some.]

[nadenagi]

He gave them both a warm smile that seemed sincere. Mostly it was hiding mirth. "I think that no matter who you dance with in the future if you remember this dance you won't be overthinking where your feet are."

[coccinelled]

I'm not sure when I'd be dancing again.

[Perhaps at some school arranged thing? Her wedding? But Marinette gives a shrug even amid her small smile and sheepish look as Adrien gives a nod. He is conflicted. Because while he does enjoy spending time with Marinette and she was a good friend, he loved Ladybug. And of course is oblivious to the fact that Marinette herself is Ladybug, thereby making this actually far more simple than he realizes.]

[nadenagi]

He chuckled. "Dancing is life. There is always time to dance if one seeks to find it. Perhaps the two of you could start dancing, just like this, at school between classes, watch how fast others come to join you."

[coccinelled]

A-at school?

[Marinette blinks, cheeks and nose tinging pinker at the very thought. This was one thing, in the privacy of her room. At school? In public? Where Alya and everyone else might see? She is less sure on that idea. Even if she is also aware she wouldn't be thrilled if Adrien were to practice with someone else.]

I guess it'd depend on the dance. Not everyone exactly knows more formal dancing.

[Adrien says with a shrug, but he doesn't seem. As worked up about the idea as she is?]

[nadenagi]

"If you can dance at school without music, you'll have the confidence to dance anywhere after," he pointed out. "And you'll bring joy to everyone who is inspired to join you."

[coccinelled]

I'm....I'm not sure if I'm that confident.

[Marinette says, shaking her head even as Adrien tries to reassure her, taking her hands in his as he says she had done well, given he is more aware than most on how clumsy she could be especially around him in particular. That he really means it is obvious in his softened expression amid her pink tinged face in response as she blinks back up at him as he talks about how perhaps Alya and Nino at least might join them.]

[nadenagi]

He grinned and sat back, letting Adrien encourage her until he was needed.

[coccinelled]

[Marinette is still unsure on the idea exactly. But maybe it wouldn't be so bad? If the others were dancing too? She's just well aware of her usual clumsiness around Adrien and isn't sure she wouldn't revert back to that with an audience. More of one anyway in people she knows better and sees every day with school and class and all at least. Still, she does seem to eventually lessen in her flushed face somehow as Adrien reassures her.]

Ah, but thank you! For teaching us, Nagihiko!

[nadenagi]

"Of course. You took care of my sister, even if she won't tell me the details, and Adrien and his friend were nice enough to include me in a game earlier. So of course I would treat you both as friends."

[coccinelled]

Oh, that. It wasn't that big a thing. I just did what I could.

[Marinette says, as Adrien chimes in with much the same and how he couldn't just sit back and watch them exclude and bully the kid like that. Not that they didn't figure it meant him as a friend by extension but it was still a deal in getting dancing lessons for free when they were usually paid like most any other tutor and all. Something about that saying, who you know, right?]

[nadenagi]

"It was a lot, for both of us. Not sure what you did for Nadeshiko exactly, but she said you were a real lifesaver and I do not think that she meant the candy," he said to Marinette, then to Adrien he added "And I am usually the strange foreign kid. Usually I wind up shooting hoops alone."

[coccinelled]

Well, over there I was the strange foreign kid. Didn't stop your sister and her friends letting me join them and all. So it worked out.

[Marinette says with a small smile, starting to calm down in changing the topic from her dancing with Adrien at school and all. Adrien says it was fun and while he was here if Adrien was free, he'd be glad to try this again, or another game of basketball sometime.]

[nadenagi]

"When I can, I always enjoy playing basketball," he said with a warm smile. And something shifted in his pocket again, this time he didn't notice.

[coccinelled]

I haven't really tried myself.

[Basketball. That is. Though it is probably not surprising Marinette isn't necessarily the most athletic or sporty type exactly given her being known for her clumsiness and all. Especially where Adrien is concerned. She tilts her head in confusion at his pocket shifting, as does Adrien's as he asks what was in the other's pocket.]

Your pocket...?

[nadenagi]

"My..." he glanced down, saw the wiggling. He looked panicked and hopeful at the same time for a moment, and the motion stopped. He watched, face smoothing, but nothing happened. "Must be the breeze," he said, sounding calm as ever. Maybe even amused. He even looked it.

[coccinelled]

The breeze?

[Was her window even open? Perhaps some were, downstairs, but it didn't seem that noticeable? But then again. Perhaps he had his secret for a reason. Marinette and Adrien can both understand that, given their situations with their kwarmi. So neither of them really press exactly in finding out. Until he was ready to tell them. If he ever was. If any of them would really be ready or be allowed to reveal themselves like that.]

[nadenagi]

He nodded. "Would you two like to get together with me again tomorrow afternoon?"

[coccinelled]

I mean, if Adrien is free?

[Things usually more depend on his schedule in comparison to hers. She does have his more or less memorized but has never let on about that in front of him. Not wanting to seem all weird and creepy and she is trying to get better on that over time at least? Adrien says he could see if he can fit it in. Meet them here after school finishes up.]

[nadenagi]

"Looking forward to it then." He stood and bowed deeply. "Thank you both."

[coccinelled]

Right! We should all probably figure dinner soon anyway, looking at the time. But tomorrow!

[Marinette says with a small smile, as Adrien gives a wave and has to rush off to get home to his place where dinner is probably already all but waiting for him with the kitchen staff and everything else they have access to. Unlike Marinette who might end up helping her parents in the kitchen once the other boy has gone.]

Um, are you okay to get back to where you're staying from here?

[nadenagi]

"So long as no more of those butterfly things attack, I should be. Thanks."

[coccinelled]

Hopefully. You should be fine. Let us know if you need help though. I can try get there and help at least.

[Not that she figures on being so open about Tikki and her being Ladybug but. Well. He seemed to have his own secrets. She guesses he has a chara of his own. She's just figuring to let him keep that to himself if he prefers. Until he might be ready to talk to her. No sense pushing things. So she gives him a nod and smile, a wave farewell as she walks him downstairs to the door of the bakery so he can head to his hotel or wherever he was staying.]

[nadenagi]

He nodded and gave her a smile and walked off.


Time skipping...

There was, of course, an Akuma attack the next day. At the dance school where he was learning. The child in question and been upset because a boy had been chosen to be the prima in their next big show. Not Nagihiko, since he probably wouldn't still be there then, but another boy. She, having expected to be the prima, when Akumatized, had decided that only girls should be dancers anyhow, and so her sparkly Manon-would-love-it wand turned any boy it hit into a girl, and any girl it hit into a reflective statue, so that she could keep checking herself out as she attacked.

There might have been reasons beyond skill that she did not make prima...

Whichever hero would arrive first would get there just in time to see the Akuma "Danseuse Prima" surrounded by mirrored statues of young girls, and other young girls sitting around in a blatantly feminine version of whatever they had been wearing, looking confused and dazed. She was just honing in on one target, a brunette boy almost as lean as Adrien and a year their junior at least. She waved her wand with a cackle... And just too late for them to be close enough to stop it, Nagihiko jumped forward and shoved the boy out of the way. The blast - which looked like a heart - hit Nagihiko square in the back. When he fell to his knees, his plad cape was red, his blue shorts a red skirt, his blue tie became red as well, his shoes becoming boots and his hair was now in a ponytail with flower barrettes.

He looked down at himself. "I... look like Nadeshiko. Great. Because that won't be confusing."

Looking up he saw the hero. "It's in her TIARA!" he/she yelled. Even the voice was NAdeshiko's, as was the way she moved as she got up, though the expression was all Nagihiko, grimmer than Nadeshiko had ever looked.