Contradiction || Marichat AU

Chapter 5: Hate at "First" Sight

08-21-21, 8:13 pm

Dotted with infinite stars, the sky above shined as bright as a precious diamond. The strong evening breeze threatened to loosen the girl's pigtails. She took an audible step to the side, fully looking around, and clutching her paper bag. Whereas his light chuckle of amusement only floated across the darkness as though it were a feather, causing the other's jaw to tighten.

"Why hello, little lady," said the boy who was now in front of her. "We haven't even met yet"—the hero went a little closer, with an almost pleading look—"why so harsh?"

His evergreen eyes somehow...fought with hers. Or maybe the fighting was one-sided. But really, they were so...inexplicably hypnotizing and luminous. She wanted to look away but tearing the eye contact would seem like giving up. Marinette exhaled, was she intimidated by mere deep color? 

She didn't even bother addressing the revolting nickname. "I'm sorry. Just in a bad mood," said Marinette listlessly. "I didn't expect you to just appear. But you approached me, why?"

The sides of his lips tugged upwards, flashing a grin as he replied, "I simply wished to accompany you," he told her. "It's dangerous to walk these streets alone, you know."

"That's thoughtful." She chuckled coolly. "I appreciate it. I can guarantee my own safety, though. These parts of the streets are safe. You would know."

"You may be right. I have no knowledge of what you're capable of, too," said Chat Noir slowly, "but keeping you company is only one of the reasons I'm here."

Marinette's face didn't bother masking the repulsed expression she formed; she looked at him like he was a cockroach. "Are you trying to stalk me, then?"

Chat Noir laughed, a panicked expression flashing for a few seconds. "No, no, no. I won't do you any harm. It's just— I'm a fan of Adrien Agreste too!" he exclaimed. "In fact, we know each other."

Her stomach lurched in embarrassment. "Really?" So then, Chat Noir knew Adrien Agreste, her classmate?

Considering Adrien was a popular model and Chat was a superhero, their being friends isn't much of a shock. But it is pretty surprising — astounding even — to think that such an insensitive person would look up to a thoughtful one.

"Of course. I happened to notice the magazine you had," said Chat Noir, pointing to the paper bag she held.

"O-oh..." Marinette rubbed the back of her nape, not bothering to unfurrow her eyebrows.

The boy in the cat suit mirrored her features, lost in his own mind for a few moments. Her having a seeming separate personality was a bit amusing. When he first met her as Adrien, she looked almost...timid (though a bit irritated). She was soft-spoken, nice, and gentle. Now, first meeting her as Chat Noir, her greeting wasn't exactly warm. Her implication of irritation was apparent too.

And that intrigued him.

Marinette on the other hand, reminded herself repeatedly. They weren't supposed to know each other — she should be cautious about how she was treating him. In hindsight, she could've handled this a little better. Showing her hatred for him would most probably lead to him figuring out Ladybug's identity.

Then again, he could never do that.

Chat Noir didn't have a large enough IQ level to put the puzzle pieces together. He wasn't sharp-witted either, as Marinette thought.

She returned to reality, coming back to her senses. It was a long way to home, and if she were to keep dealing with this foolishness, the evening would last forever.

"Adrien is respectable. But I'd prefer to be alone at the moment. It was nice meeting you," said Marinette heavily, proceeding to go her own way, and leaving the friendly cat behind.

Only, Chat didn't let her leave him behind.

Chat Noir knew of course, that no meant no. It was clear in this situation, although, that Marinette knew him somehow. Her words, even though they were sprinkled with politeness, still told Chat she simply didn't like him.

"Why are you still following me?" asked Marinette with a forced smile.

Something was so entertaining about seeing her so vexed. "It's called chivalry, little lady. I'm being a gentleman," said Chat Noir brightly.

"Mm, chivalry my arse." She scoffed. "And...little lady?" asked Marinette rhetorically, "please, you don't look at least nine centimeters taller than me."

"How about princess then?" he suggested with a tilt of his head.

She began walking faster. "That's even worse." 

He hopped on a lamppost and landed in front of her, walking backward and facing the infuriated face. "You sure?" questioned Chat Noir in a wry sort of tone, yet he was looking like a curious toddler. 

"Yes," said Marinette simply.

His eyes sparkled in delight. "Guess I'll have to call you that then." 

Marinette glared at him, feeling a throbbing vein on her temple. "You—" The young baker knew what he was trying to do, but her patience was still tested. She could feel her sanity shriveling away from her being. Control yourself Marinette. You. Don't. Know. Him. You are not supposed to.

Then out of the blue, the two felt light rain dripping onto their hair. Thunder roared, causing both of them to gradually halt in their tracks.

Marinette tore her eyes away from the sky, letting out a sigh. "God, how cliché," she told herself, wishing she hadn't gotten into this situation in the first place.

"Not really. I saw it on the weather forecast, did you not?" said the feline spiritedly.

Of course, he anticipated this. Is that the third reason he's here? Have a moment with a random girl under the rain? Marinette asked herself. She held on to the paper bag, cautious as to not get it wet. 

"I don't watch the weather forecast, or much of television," said Marinette, shrugging nonchalantly.

The hero looked up, then down, eyeing the raindrop that landed on his gloved hand. 

Marinette then eyed him suspiciously. Was this man in front of her an impostor? Why did he appear so serious, so suddenly?

This was the first time Marinette saw him this way.

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~1003 words~