{+}{+}{+}

Marinette has to give it to Alya. She can write one heck of an article!

It took about three days of gathering information, finding evidence, photos, and spying (which was mainly Alix's job). In the end, Catching a Ly-la-ing Fox turned out to be brilliantly written.

Marinette is nothing less than impressed with this masterpiece, this article probably being the best thing her best friend has ever crafted. The small red flags to discover the lies and the pillars of evidence to support the truth. The bluenette's jaw nearly dropped to the floor after reading it!

The day the article was posted, Lila didn't come to school and making her look more guilty. It wasn't until the next morning that Miss Bustier told the class that Lila is moving back to Italy.

"Wow, she even deleted her Silly Social Phrase account," Alix chuckled a bit, "We definitely ruined her life and I'm here for it."

The girls are gathered in the library, deciding to spend the rest of their lunchtime working on homework together. Yet, they quickly drew away from their assignments to indulge in talking about recent events.

"I can't believe she's been lying to us since her arrival," Rose sadly spoke, getting a sympathetic pat on the back from Juleka. Mylene nodded in agreement, feeling ignorant. Alya turned her gaze over to Marinette, who is still staring at her phone.

"Girl, are you sure you're okay? You've been pretty quiet ever since we got the news Lila is moving back to Italy. You should be celebrating! We beat the bad guy!" Alya said, enthusiastically. When she still didn't get a reply, she frowned, "So...why are you down in the dumps?"

"Don't get me wrong," Marinette started, "I'm glad Lila got a taste of her own medicine. Even so...I still can't help but wonder if we could've approached this differently. I'm starting to think Lila's lies were more than just for popularity. It could've been a defense mechanism or she had a hard time making friends in her other school or-"

"You are too pure for this world, Marinette," Alya cut her off, "You always try to find a way to see the good in people, even when they sometimes don't deserve it."

Marinette turned off her phone and pocketed it. She felt somewhat guilty for exposing Lila the way they did. Yes, Lila bullied Marinette and somehow got away with tricking everyone for a few years. Yet, it didn't seem just or honorable. She felt like a child tattling on someone.

Did they really defeat a villain or hurt someone who could've been crying out for help?

The bluenette may never know.

She sighed before someone clearing their voice caught the attention of the group of girls.

"Oh, hey, Kagami! Did you need something?" Rose politely asked, brightly smiling and ready to offer her assistance. Kagami shifted her brown eyes from the chipper blonde to the quiet bluenette.

"I was wondering if I could borrow Marinette for a moment?" Kagami asked, earning some confused looking in Marinette's direction. However, Marinette knew exactly why Kagami needed her. She promised to talk with Kagami "later" and it has already been a few days.

"Can you come with me to the bakery after school?" Marinette asked the fencer before adding on, "That is if you can come over!"

Kagami stared off, thinking over her schedule for the day. She usually has some sort of extracurricular event happen after school yet nothing came to her mind. No fencing practice, no extra classes, and no social parties to prepare for. Still, her mother is a stubborn woman, who always wants to know her daughter's every move.

"No, I'm free but I won't be able to stay for very long. My mom won't allow me," Kagami informed. Marinette grimaced and nodded in understanding. She figured something might get in the way (since Kagami's family is pretty well-known) but her mom is the last thing Marinette expected. Somehow, it didn't surprise her though.

   "I'll meet you at the school's entrance," the bluenette said.

   "Alright, I'll meet you there," Kagami agreed, "I have to go right now but I hope I have time to talk with the rest of your later."

   As if the girls suddenly appeared (Marinette forgetting her friends are still here), the other females gave their approvals. Kagami walked off, leaving Marinette with five sets of curious eyes on her.

   "What was that about?" Alix asked, "I always get this weird feeling when you two talk and I don't mean "romantic tension." I mean, a different sort of tension...or something."

   "Does this have anything to do with Luka?" Mylene wondered out loud.

   "Maybe, Marinette accidentally did something to make her think she angered Kagami, who isn't angry at all," Rose pondered.

   "Settle down. I'm sure whatever is going on between the two can be handled without our noses being stuck into their business," Alya reassured, "My girl is a strong cookie. She might be dense at times but has proven to have good instincts."

   "I don't know whether to thank you or be slightly offended," Marinette replied, a bit of gratitude laced in her voice. Alya placed a reassuring hand on her best friend's shoulder.

   "Maybe, Marinette and Kagami are somehow related," Juleka suddenly mumbled her theory, gaining some raised eyebrows and a bewildered look.

   "That's one of the zaniest things I've ever heard but I'm still somehow mildly intrigued," Alix said, turning to Marinette, "Not to be nosy, but I'm sticking mine in your business and going to straight out ask. Who is the winner-Mari?"

Marinette's eyes practically bulged out of her head at Juleka. Her mouth is left agape but no words fell out.

"Are you alright, Marinette?" Rose asked, concerned for her friend.

"How did you know?" The bluenette questioned the gothic girl. Everyone blinked for a moment, letting the question settle in before dumbfounded faces carved their features.

"Girl, explain," Alya said, "What are you talking about? I need to make sure my ears heard you correctly."

Marinette looked at all of her friends, deciding it wouldn't hurt to tell them what happened over break.

{+}{+}{+}

Nathalie walked up to George's apartment door, ready to pick up Adrien. He had texted her earlier, saying he'd be here but never explained why.

   Nathalie found this very suspicious since Adrien has never been to George's home. At least, not that she's aware of or remembers. Plus, she noticed Adrien has stopped acting strangely after they settled in the Le Grand Paris. She wondered if whatever was going on with him is hiding here.

   The ex-assistant knocked on the door.

   The blonde teen opened it from the other side, seeming to be acting normal.

   "Hi, Nathalie. I'm ready to go," Adrien said, about to walk out.

   "Hold on, I need to get something before we go," Nathalie said, entering the somewhat apartment. It isn't a lie. She really did have to get some important papers George ever-so-kindly agreed to keep at his place for the time being. She can grab them and search for the reason for Adrien's nervousness, killing two birds with one stone.

   Nathalie made her way over to a stand where the files are being kept, keeping her eye out for anything that stood out.

   Meow!

   The familiar sound immediately caught Nathalie's attention and shot her gaze over to the felines. Two cats and four kittens are huddled in the corner of the room sleeping except for the black cat. She swore it is giving her the stink eye, right now.

   The woman glanced from the cats and over to Adrien, who quickly looked away.

   Finally, her missing pieces are placed together.

   "Is this what you were hiding in your room?" She asked, making the blonde freeze up. He thought Nathalie would think the cats are the Gorilla's pets. Yet, it didn't seem to be the case.

   "Wait—h-how...what?" Adrien sputtered over his words, disbelieving that his guardian somehow figured it out.

   "Don't think I didn't hear that "meow" noise that one day. I didn't really know what it was before but now that I'm hearing it again, it all makes sense. Also, you're a terrible liar," Nathalie explained, leaving the teen in awe. Adrien scratched the back of his neck in embarrassment. Nathalie chuckled a bit, shaking her head.

She's relieved it was nothing bad.

"Of course, it's Adrien. He's a good kid," she thought, "He wouldn't even hurt a fly."

"Don't worry, they're going to go back to the streets after Plagg's leg—I mean, the black cat's leg heals," Adrien reassured Nathalie. Nathalie smiled, grabbing the files, and headed towards the door.

"Come on," she said, waving the papers in the air, "I've got a surprise to show you."

{+}{+}{+}

Marinette paced a few feet back and forth.

School ended five minutes ago and Kagami has yet to show. The bluenette isn't sure how she's going to go about this. How will Kagami react once Marinette tells her?

Will she think Marinette is crazy? Deny it? Think this is all a waste of time or a joke?

   Marinette sighed, "Maybe, I am crazy for doing this. How am I even sure we're even related? There could be a ton of people who have the last name "Tsurugi" that aren't related! If it is true, how are we related? There's my mom, Uncle Shan..."

She let out another sigh, wishing she planned this further ahead than jumping to conclusions. This was a huge mistake! Maybe, she can make up an excuse—

Marinette frowned, shaking her head.

"No, no more lies or excuses," the bluenette sternly scolded herself, "I'm sure it won't hurt to ask."

"Ask about what?"

Marinette jolted, feeling like she jumped out of her skin when Kagami suddenly appeared. The Japanese girl tilted her head to the side in confusion while Marinette nervously adjusted herself to "stand normally."

"Kagami!" Marinette said, a bit too loudly, "I didn't see you there!"

Kagami nodded a greeting, saying, "I apologize for frightening you. I have a tendency to sneak up on people without meaning too. It's a bad habit of mine."

   Marinette tucked this fact into her brain, noting to keep an eye out for the fencer.

   "It's okay," she waved off before fidgeting around, "Are you ready to go?"

   "Yes, but I don't quite understand why we have to talk about whatever it is you're paranoid to say at the bakery. Is it that bad?" Kagami asked, getting a skeptically odd look from Marinette as the two began heading to the bakery. In all honesty, she didn't even know herself. She hopes the outcome will be good but it could also turn out to be a disaster.

   "We'll see...I don't really know how you'll react or if there's any need for a reaction," she cryptically spoke. Kagami felt even more confused as they entered the bakery.

   Sabine was going to welcome Marinette home until seeing Kagami. She instantly understood what is going on the moment her niece gave her a certain knowing (but still unsure) look. The woman closed her mouth.

   "Anything you want to say, Aunt Sabine?" Marinette questioned, crossing her arms and glaring at the woman.

   Sabine grimaced before letting out a long sigh. She gathered some sweets from under the counter and gestured for the girls to sit at a table.

   "I was going to tell both of you at some point. Honestly, I was," Sabine quickly said after Marinette sarcastically hummed, "After everything that happened, I wanted to give you a break and I wanted Kagami to be here too. Yet, it wasn't working in my favor when she hasn't been coming in lately."

   "Be here for what?" Kagami asked, speaking for the first time since arriving, "What's going on?"

   Sabine and Marinette glanced over at the completely lost fencer. Sabine knew she'd need to explain everything after what she is about to admit—another secret she's kept for the safety of the girls.

   Finally, she answered, "You two are cousins."

{+}{+}{+}