Forbidden Love That Wasn't

Kagami

She had always known. Even back in lycée Kagami knew that Marinette was anything but 'just a friend' to Adrien. No matter how many times he would deny it, his affection for Marinette had been so plainly evident that Kagami wasn't the slightest bit surprised by what she had witnessed in an empty hallway of "Gabriel."

Going after Adrien and Marinette wasn't what Kagami would've considered an honourable or even a decent thing to do for anyone, less for the member of Tsurugi family, but when more than enough time for a change of clothes and a conversation had passed and the pair still hadn't come back, Kagami couldn't help but worry. Unfortunately, there was only one way she knew how to deal with anxiety, and that was not a defence.

She shrugged off Luka and headed to the security to get an access card as Adrien's girlfriend, then followed to the floor that she vaguely remembered Adrien mentioning. The halls were empty and almost dark, only a few scattered lights illuminating her way. The silence encompassing her was deafening as something inside her kept insisting that maybe she shouldn't be here. Yet Kagami couldn't stop. Instead, she walked as quietly as she could, trying to keep the echo from her steps to the bare minimum which proved to be quite useful once the sounds of someone's running from around the corner approached - Kagami was easily able to slip into the nearest broom closet undetected. Unfortunately, that closet was precisely by the spot where Adrien caught Marinette in his arms.

Barely breathing, terrified of being discovered and accused of spying on the duo, Kagami froze in her place as the reality of the situation started to dawn on her. What was she thinking coming up here? It wasn't her. She was a Tsurugi and this- this was an extremely rare moment of weakness on her part and she couldn't allow for that to be seen. That kind of reputation was not an option, so, clenching her fists, Kagami stayed in that closet with its door a little ajar until Adrien and Marinette had left and then some more.

She heard every word. She saw every tender embrace and every loving touch. She noticed how gently yet protectively Adrien held Marinette. She witnessed how distressed Marinette slowly relaxed in his arms and calmed down. She heard Adrien proclaiming his love for Marinette and saying he was planning to break up with her, Kagami. She gathered from their conversation that there had been a kiss. She even caught Marinette's hesitation and concern for hers, Kagami's, feelings. 

It was sickening. 

The whole scene hurt to watch, and all Kagami wished for was to storm out of that closet and stop everything. But that was something out of the question.

Once the pair had gone away, and when Kagami was absolutely sure that no one would see her, she got out of that cursed closet and headed straight for the exit. On her way down, she called her family's driver and soon the red car was whisking her away somewhere safe, somewhere where no one would see, where no one would witness her failure, somewhere where she could be alone. Only in the shelter of her bedroom Kagami did something she hadn't done in years - she cried. She was always so incredibly strong, but still, underneath all the armour Kagami had built around herself, there was a fragile girl whose heart could easily be broken.

Ignoring all of Adrien's calls, she answered one of his texts only a few hours later and just because she didn't want him showing up at her doorsteps as he claimed he would.

[Kagami: I am sorry, Adrien, but I cannot talk right now. I suddenly felt sick after you left and decided to go home. I will talk to you in the morning.]

[Adrien: Alright. I am glad you are safe. Hope you are feeling better soon. Get some rest and I'll see you tomorrow.]

Kagami turned her cell phone off and threw it away, smashing it against the wall. Then she got under her comforter and closed her eyes. The world could wait. This mess can wait. Right now she needed sleep and forgetfulness to numb the pain and quiet the anger- yet neither wanted to oblige her that night. The morning came faster than Kagami would've liked, and, realizing that her attempts to fall asleep would remain utterly futile, she got up and started dressing.