"If you weren't sissy," huffed Ladybug as she ran on the hallway "We could've been there before the Akuma raided Le Grand Paris."

"Well, I'm sorry for delaying our job, my Lady," retorted Adrien sarcastically, trailing just behind her "Because I need to transform into Chat Noir but you won't leave."

"Can't you just strip naked and don your attire like any models do in the same room with other people?"

"Not if that 'other people' is their crush!"

The spotted heroine almost tripped herself at his sudden outburst with a face as red as her costume. She didn't speak to him after that, not even until they reached the Akuma location and defeated it.

Adrien was a bit miffed at how she downplayed his feelings, like she was trying to deny his romantic feelings for her. It's been months since he abandoned his civilian life and lived as a Miraculous wielder named Chat Noir, and during those times he was very straightforward and open to his emotions. Even the media noticed it, as well as the Ladyblog who once featured an article about their partnership and chemistry.

"She was right," the black Kwami commented after he vents out his frustrations "Besides, you two had a joint shower before."

"We were six that time!"

"Who cares? The point is, you've seen each other naked before. There wasn't much difference in her body except her height and body structure."

The blond grumbled incoherently under his breath then slumped limply on the floor "What if she doesn't like me anymore?"

"Why don't you ask the person herself instead of moping here like a famished kitten?" scoffed Plagg much to his Chosen's irritation "You humans and your desire for mate...why don't you just eat some cheese and call it Nirvana?"

"Cheese as stinky as Camembert is called 'Punishment from Hell'."

The black Kwami stuck his tongue.

"But seriously, Plagg," Adrien sighed mournfully "What am I supposed to do?"

"Why are you asking me this kind of question? Tikki knows a lot more about the Love Department," he suggested.

His Chosen shook his head "If I told her, she might relay everything to her student."

"Hmm, you're right. That sweet tooth doesn't know how to keep her mouth shut especially if it's about the little lady," his Kwami pondered while scratching his chin "Maybe the problem is not with Ladybug."

He sat up immediately "What do you mean?"

"Did you know why she joined the Order of the Miraculous?" asked Plagg, which earned a brisk nod "How about the reason behind why she wears her glamour all the time?"

"To ground herself from her purpose," he muttered dismally "Which seems nonsensical."

"Why don't you focus on that aspect first?" the black kwami proposed, and when the blond tilted his head in question, he sighed "You're coming in too strong for her, kid, so she purposely ignored you because of her stupid beliefs. So, for you to reach her, you need to defeat her demons first."

Adrien felt like a bucket of cold water was splashed on his face as he absorbed his Kwami's words. I can't believe I'm doing it again, he cursed internally. I can't believe I'm being self-centered again.

"A lot of things could happen in a year," Plagg went on then patted the frustrated blond on his back "She's not the Marinette that you used to know a year ago, so you need to reintroduce yourself again but to Ladybug."

His brows furrowed "But Marinette and Ladybug are just the same people."

"I have no clue why she was disassociating herself from the reality. It could be her some sort of coping mechanism, we don't know," the Kwami shrugged nonchalantly then eyed his student with impassive looks "When you joined the Order of Miraculous, you lost nothing. For Marinette, she lost everything. Try to put yourself in her shoe."

Adrien raked his blond locks out of resentment. He realized how selfish he was for pushing himself to her without considering her feelings. He didn't even bother to ask if he was infiltrating her personal space or not. He should've known for the fact that Marinette didn't join the Order to find romance; she was there to spare her family from being Papillion's bait.

But that doesn't mean she has to oppress herself in finding happiness.

"What am I supposed to do?" he wondered out loud then winced when a steel rod hit his head.

"Get up there, Loverboy. We have some training to do."