Song of Our Lives

Chapter 2: Why Would She Do That?

After watching the scene unfold, Adrien slid down his window.

"Why would she do that, Plagg?" he ranted to the bored kwami. "Why would she make sure that I don't have to reveal my identity?"

Plagg yawned. "As sickeningly sweet as it is and as dense as you are for not noticing- she cares about you too."

Adrien's eyes widened. "Really?!"

"Yes," Plagg muttered, rolling his eyes. "Now can I have some Camembert?"

Adrien tossed a package on the bed, which Plagg immediately rushed to. Sighing, he slid down the window.

"It's not fair," Adrien suddenly called out. "She shouldn't have to reveal her identity is she doesn't want to. I'm the one who's always told her to do it... I'm the one who's comfortable with doing it, not her."

Plagg burped. "Then you go reveal yourself. Really, it isn't that hard to decide."

Adrien stood up. "I guess I will!" He pumped his fist in the air.

Suddenly, his computer beeped. It was the Ladyblog- with its daily update. Forgetting his excitement for a moment, Adrien ran to the computer and dived into the seat.

"Hey peeps, it's Alya! For those who don't know, Ladybug has decided to reveal her identity!" She leaned close to the camera. "I wonder who she is? Text in your predictions which will be confirmed this Friday! Until then..."

She did her signature wave and clamped a hand on the camera, effectively ending the video.

Adrien leaned back in his chair and placed his hands behind his head. "I wonder who she is..."

And back from the bed, Plagg groaned at his lovestruck friend.

*~*~*~*

Back at home, Marinette hung her head. She couldn't believe what she had just done. She had agreed to reveal her identity.

To make matters worse, she couldn't tell anyone else about it. She was all on her own. She turned to Tikki.

"Do you think I made the right decision, Tikki?"

"You had no other choice," consoled the sweet kwami. "Although, I don't think I've ever seen a reveal as odd as this one."

"There have been other reveals?"

Tikki nodded, flying up to the stressed girl. "Only one. A long time ago, the user of the peacock miraculous was revealed. But the effect was so catastrophic that everyone's memory was wiped. Nobody even remembers her anymore." She noticed Marinette's horrified expression. "I'm not saying that's what's going to happen to you! Everyone loves you, Marinette. They'll be happy to have you as their Ladybug."

"You think so?"

The kwami gave the girl a reassuring smile. "I know so."

Suddenly, a voice echoed from below and the stairs to Marinette's room pounded.

"Tikki hide!"

Through the open door came Alya, a wide smile on her face.

"Can you believe it, Marinette?" Alya squealed. "Ladybug is going to reveal her true identity!"

Marinette rubbed her temples. "Yeah, I saw it from my window," she lied.

Alya jumped up and down. "I wonder what song she's going to sing..."

"I don't think she's going to sing a song," Marinette muttered. "I've met her and she's not that good at singing."

Alya leaned close to Marinette. "Do you know her true identity?"

Marinette's eyes widened. "No- um- why would you think that?"

Alya laughed. "I'm just messing with you. Ladybug hasn't told anyone, how would you know?" She pondered this. "Oh I wonder if Chat Noir knows."

"He doesn't."

"Oh really?" Alya asked with a raised eyebrow. "And how would you know?"

"Well it's obvious," she managed. "If he knew, don't you think it would have gotten out by now?"

But Alya had her mind on other things. "I wonder if they're dating."

"WHAT?!" Marinette jumped out of her chair. "That's crazy! Who would think such a thing?"

Alya laughed. "Hey, he always flirts with her."

"And she always turns him down."

Alya's gaze softened. "I feel bad for him. He's so sweet to her, too."

Marinette stared at the floor.

"But hey, that's not our business," Alya finished. "It's not like either of us is Ladybug, so her love life is her's to worry about. Right?"

"Right."

Suddenly, numerous beeps echoed from Alya's phone. "Look!" she exclaimed, thrusting the phone in front of Marinette. "People are guessing who Ladybug is!"

Marinette bit her lip.

"Woah there are a lot of people on here from our class," Alya observed. "Heck, even you and I are on here. Crazy huh?"

"Crazy," Marinette echoed.

Alya continued scrolling down the list and reading out names. "Woah some people are guessing who Chat Noir is."

"Really?" Marinette leaned closer to the phone. "Who's at the top of the list?"

"Adrien."

"That's ridiculous," Marinette laughed. "Adrien as Chat Noir? The whole world would be upside down!"

"I guess so," Alya conceded. "What's really funny is that your name is at the top here too." She leaned closer to Marinette.

Marinette let out a shaky laugh. "Come on Alya, you know me! How could I be Ladybug? She's so acrobatic and powerful and I'm a total klutz."

"Good point," Alya agreed. "But I still have to put these numbers on the poll. You're coming to the concert, right?"

Not as the person you would imagine. Marinette couldn't help thinking. But outside she only replied, "Well of course- it's Jagged Stone! But I don't think I'm coming to the Ladybug reveal. It'll probably be boring."

"Oh come on," Alya grabbed Marinette's arm. "You never come to any Ladybug things! And your best friend runs the biggest Ladybug website in Paris." She bumped Marinette's shoulder.

Marinette sighed. "Okay fine. But I might be late. I have to finish up a few designs that I started today."

"It's on Friday!" Alya protested. But she sighed. "Fine. Thanks for coming."

Marinette shook her head as Alya turned back to her phone. What had she gotten herself into?