The auditorium was a disaster of overlapping music cues and missed lines. Rose had glitter in her eyelashes, Alix was arguing with Max about lighting timing, and Marinette was trying (and failing) to yell over the noise.
"GUYS, WE NEED TO—no, Kim, the fog cannon goes in Act Two—Max, don't cue the—Ivan please put the mic down—"
She was losing control. Fast.
Adrien tried to help, but his head wasn't in it. He kept glancing toward the corner where Luka was adjusting his amp.
Marinette noticed. And her voice caught mid-command.
Then came the breaking point.
Marc stormed across the stage, gripping his script like it had personally betrayed him.
"This isn't working," he snapped, voice cutting through everything.
Everyone paused.
Marinette blinked. "W-what?"
"This show is a mess," Marc continued, red in the face. "No one listens, no one cares—and Luka gets to float in and suddenly be everyone's genius guitar savior?"
Luka looked up, surprised.
Marc's voice cracked. "He's not even part of this class. Why does he get to be the star?"
The silence was heavy.
"Marc," Marinette said gently. "He's just helping with music, not taking over—"
"Oh sure, right. You're the expert on feelings and fairness," Marc snapped. "You're so busy obsessing over Adrien you don't even see what's falling apart!"
That hit like a slap.
Marinette's breath caught. Her face went pale.
Adrien's jaw tightened.
Marc realized what he'd said a second too late.
And Luka… stayed silent. But his eyes dimmed.
"I'm trying," Marinette said quietly, voice wobbling. "I really am. I never asked for any of this. I'm just trying to make something good. Something that works."
Her fists clenched. "But maybe I can't. Maybe this was a mistake."
Adrien stepped forward. "It's not your fault—"
"No offense, Adrien," she cut in, voice brittle. "But not everything's about you."
The room froze.
Even Marinette looked surprised she said it.
Adrien's mouth opened. Then closed.
He turned and walked out of the auditorium, not saying a word.
The door slammed behind him.
Adrien sat alone on the back steps of the school, hoodie pulled over his head, hands clenched.
Kagami approached, perfectly composed. She sat beside him without asking.
"You made a scene," she said flatly.
Adrien didn't look up. "Not on purpose."
Silence.
Then: "Do you like him?"
Adrien blinked. "What?"
"Luka."
"I—I don't know." He tugged at his sleeves. "I've never felt this… weird. Around anyone. He sees me. But not like the image. Like he's looking through it."
Kagami nodded once.
"That terrifies you," she said.
Adrien didn't answer.
She stood. "When you're done running, go talk to him."
"…What if he doesn't feel the same?"
Kagami gave him a rare, soft look.
"You'll know when you ask him."