The Next Day, During Break. . .
"Marinette, what's up?"
"Adrien, dude, what happened?"
"Marinette, you're usually so happy. . ."
"Adrien, you are 99.97 percent happy, all the time. Something is wrong, isn't it? I am 96.23 percent sure."
"Maybe try making a diary entry to cheer you up!"
"Did your dad ground you?"
Marinette and Adrien were slumped and depressed. The previous night had taken the life out of them. Couple fights are hard.
"Adrien!" shouted Nino. "Talk to me! I'm your best bud! What do we keep from each other, dude?"
Adrien whispered, "I'm not feeling well, one minute." He went to the restroom and shut his stall tight. He consulted his kwami.
"Plagg, it's time to tell him," said Adrien sternly. "You heard Alya. She knows who Ladybug is. Nino should know that I'm Cat Noir!"
Plagg looked uncomfortable. "I mean, it's not exactly safe. Nino can't lie or keep a secret, Adrien, and you can't risk your secret identity getting out. Nino would tell Alya, first thing. I bet you my stinkiest cheese."
"I don't want your cheese."
"Complaints aside," continued Plagg. "Wouldn't Ladybug be mad?"
Adrien answered with anger radiating off of his words. "I don't care."
"Okay, then," replied the kwami. "Your funeral."
Adrien walked out and found Nino.
"Come on, Nino. We have some stuff to talk about," said Adrien.
Nino exclaimed, "Hold up! Where are we headed, bro?"
"Boiler room."
Nino wondered, What is it with the boiler room?
They marched side-by-side down the stairs, like friends do. Adrien positioned Nino.
"Dude, what is up with you today?"
Adrien scoffed jokingly. "I want this moment to be like from a book. It's the model in me."
Nino snickered.
Adrien approached Nino. "Please promise you won't tell anybody this."
"Wh-" started Nino.
"Not even Alya. Especially not Alya," said Adrien. "Please don't tell anyone at all."
They heard a door creaking. Adrien perked up and looked at Nino. "So?"
"I won't, buddy," answered Nino. "Never."
Adrien inhaled. "I'm Cat Noir, Nino."
Nino's jaw dropped. "What? Y-you're Cat Noir?"
Adrien shed a weakened smile. "Yeah, bud. We've been fighting evil together this whole time. I wish I would've told you earlier."
Nino stepped forward and ensnared his best friend in a bear hug.
"Tell Ladybug to give me my Miraculous more often," he chuckled.
"Actually, I think she and I aren't on the greatest terms," Adrien snickered lightly. "We had a bit of a fight last evening. . ."
He explained the previous night's events. Nino ooh-ed and ahh-ed and winced at some parts.
"Bro, that sounds awful. Hope you two can fix everything. Maybe there's a lucky charm for that," laughed Nino.
Adrien scowled, but it turned into an airy laugh. He'd made the right choice.
