"A foreign exchange student program?"

"Yeah! I heard that students are going to take a test to determine if they are eligible to go in. The school you will be going to will be a prestigious school in Japan, so only the kids with brain smarts can go." Alya showed Marinette the flyer.

"I don't know, Alya. Going to Japan for a school year? What if I get into the program and then I have to leave you behind and, and how am I going to get my clippings of Adrien?"

Alya rolled her eyes. "Oh, c'mon Mari, it won't be that bad. I promise to scan any clippings we have and email them to you, how about that?"

Marinette looked at the flyer, then back at Alya hesitantly. "I don't know..." She mumbled.

Alya chuckled and nudged her shoulder against Marinette's. "Alright, I have an idea. How about we both sign up and take the test? Who knows, maybe we can get lucky and we both get to go to Japan for a year." Alya nudged her shoulder more until Marinette's hesitant look surrendered into a smile.

"Alright, alright, fine." Marinette nudged her away and Alya hugged her, vocalizing her excitement with a squeal.

"An exchange student program to Japan?"

"It's a wonderful opportunity. Plus, there's a talented batch of students at that school, and it would benefit not just you, but the Agreste name, if you start making acquaintances in Japan." Gabriel Agreste told his son over the phone. He wasn't even present to tell him this. He had Nathalie schedule a call for him and show him the flyer over breakfast.

"That..." There was a hum in question over the line that dared Adrien to object. "That sounds wonderful, father. I'll ask Nathalie to look into the details for the program."

"Splendid. I'll speak to you later." The call ended before Adrien was able to say good-bye or give any response of hopeful approval that he would hear from his father again.

"Nathalie?" Adrien asked.

"I'm looking into the details of the program already." She was tapping into her tablet with her pen.

"Thank you." Adrien sighed, pushing around some food on his plate. He'd lost his appetite.

Nathalie noticed this and sighed softly. She pulled the chair out beside Adrien and sat down, taking one of Adrien's hands.

"Listen Adrien, I know that you're not looking forward to being whisked away to Japan for a year to make more business for your father, but think of it this way," she scooted closer. "The first couple months of your stay in Japan would collide with a fashion project your father will be hosting. So, think of it as... a little vacation, away from home and work."

Adrien perked at the sound of that. "So that means... I won't be attending photo shoots, or doing any modeling?"

Nathalie shook her head. "School policies say that you can't have a job while attending school." Adrien brightened. "Although I'm sure your father could bend the school to their will, he won't be able to get his hands on you for a couple months."

"And it wouldn't be... Online classes?" All Adrien has ever known was being stuck in his home, with no permissions to do public schooling. Only home schooling, private instructors and online classes.

"No, Adrien." Nathalie chuckled sympathetically. "You're going to be attending a private school with other students. It's the change you wanted."

Adrien couldn't help but smile. "Did you know about all of this?"

She nodded. "I figured you needed a little vacation."

Adrien's smiled widened and he hugged her. "Thank you, Nathalie!"

A couple months later...

Marinette groaned when her phone started ringing. It was a chime she was all too familiar with, and when she called, it always meant something big was happening. Marinette answered the call, not bothering to say a greeting since she knew she would be interrupted.

"Have you checked your mail yet?" Alya asked.

"No, why?"

"Result letters came in."

Marinette froze before she started rushing down the stairs. She nearly tumbled down, but she gathered her footing, quickly descending the stairs. Her mother looked at her curiously.

"Marinette? What's wrong?" Sabine asked.

"Mama, have you checked the mail?"

Sabine nodded, pointing to the counter, where the mail was laying. "I haven't checked it yet, but I believe there's a letter in there for you." Marinette went to the counter and flipped through the various envelopes until she found the one with her name. Marinette brought her phone back to her ear.

"So, did you get it?"

"Yeah, I'm holding it in my hands right now." Marinette replied.

"At the same time?"

"Let's do it." Marinette picked up the letter opener and tucked it under the flap, sliding it across the envelope and set it down. She took the letter out and waited as she heard Alya still tearing her envelope. "You didn't rip up your letter, did you?" Marinette teased and Alya tutted annoyingly.

"Alright, we'll read them at the same time?"

"Yup." Marinette agreed.

"Okay, on three? One, two..."

"Three." Marinette unfolded her letter and she started to read it. There was a couple seconds of silence and Marinette's eyes widened as she continued reading. "Oh my god..."

"What, did you get rejected too?" Alya sighed.

"'Dear Miss Marinette Dupain-Cheng, we are pleased to inform you that you have been selected as a candidate for the foreign exchange program to Japan'." Marinette read and Alya gasped on the line.

"No way! You made it in!" She nearly shouted. "But a candidate? Will there be more students going too?" Marinette's eyes scanned the rest of the letter.

"Yeah, it seems like there's going to be another student going to Japan with me, but their name isn't mentioned."

"Probably for privacy." Alya mumbled and Marinette nodded. "But I can't believe that you made it in!" Alya squealed.

Meanwhile

"Okay, are you ready?" Nathalie held the envelope in her hands, Adrien nodding next to her.

"Ready." She gave a nod and she opened the envelope and took out the letter, her eyes scanning. Adrien stared at her expression, wishing, praying for a vacation.

"Oh, Adrien." Nathalie said, almost downcast. Adrien's shoulders fell slightly. "You made it in!" She smiled.

Adrien sighed in relief and he hugged Nathalie. "Don't do that, oh my god." He chuckled, and Nathalie chuckled softly, patting Adrien's shoulder.

"I'm sorry, but I'm glad you're getting a little bit of a break." She brushed his hair out of his face. "Time to brush up on your Japanese now, don't you think?"

Several months later

"You will behave, won't you?"

"Mama, what does that mean?"

Sabine chuckled and kissed her daughter on the forehead. "It's just that we're... we're gonna miss you." Tom was beginning to sob softly.

"Oh, papa, don't cry, you're gonna make me cry." Marinette fluttered to hug her large sobbing father.

"Mama said, that whenever Mama Sabine and Papa Bear go to Japan to visit, I'm allowed to tag along, so don't have too much fun while you're gone." Alya mentioned as Marinette went back to her luggage. Alya patted Marinette's shoulder and sidled up close. "So, keep an eye out for boys, okay?" She winked, and Marinette rolled her eyes.

"Shut up." She muttered, pushing Alya away.

"You've got everything, right?" Sabine asked. "Your map and your Japanese travel guide and translation book?" Sabine went on listing things and Marinette would check her satchel for everything her mother listed.

"I've got everything." Marinette nodded. They all stared at Marinette silently.

"Be safe, my dear. Send us a message when you arrive, yes?"

"M-My b-baby is... is leaving!"

"Have fun in Japan, girl! We'll see you soon."

Marinette wished goodbye to her family and friend, making it to her terminal. The attendant checked her ticket and motioned Marinette to go in. Marinette looked back and waved a final goodbye to her family, headed toward the plane.

Marinette was lucky to get a window seat and she managed to catch a nonstop flight to Tokyo. It was a horrid twelve-hour flight, but it was much better than a connecting flight that would have added another four hours to her trip. Since Marinette hadn't slept at all the previous night due to nerves and excitement about her trip, she nearly slept through the whole flight.

An early departure from France led to late afternoon arrival in Tokyo. Marinette managed to get a taxi and requested to be taken to the hotel the program booked her in in Bunkyo, which was a couple streets down from the school. When she got to the hotel, her Japanese was starting to fail her.

"Oh my god, how am I going to check in if I can't figure how to say this correctly?" Marinette mumbled to herself.

"Need a hand?" A crystal, clear voice in French was right beside her and she sighed in relief.

"Oh, please." She begged softly. She searched into her bag for her wallet, so she could give it to the receptionist while the boy beside her spoke in perfect Japanese. Oh, this boy was such a blessing to speak French and Japanese.

"The receptionist would like to see your ID." He said. She nodded and fished out her identification card, sliding it onto the counter. And that's when her Japanese was starting to kick in.

"Marinette Dupain-Cheng? You're here for the exchange program, correct?" The receptionist asked.

"Ah, yes!" The receptionist nodded and tapped into the desktop.

"The other student that's in the exchange program will be sharing a hotel room with you, it's a two-bedroom suite that the two of you will stay in, is that okay?"

Marinette tilted her head to the side. She didn't know who the other person was yet, but she guessed she had to meet them later. "Yes, that's fine." She nodded, the receptionist sliding her back her ID.

"The other student hasn't arrived yet, so-"

"Actually, that would be me." The boy next to her slid his ID next to hers and she looked at it as she started to take hers back. The blond hair and dazzling smile looked familiar. She didn't get to read the name, but she felt like she already knew who it was.

"Adrien Agreste?"

She just didn't want to believe it.

"Yes, that's me."

Marinette turned to look at him. She hadn't before, since she was trying to fish for her wallet, but now that she had it in her hand, she looked up at person beside her.

Broad shoulders, blonde hair, a handsomely developing jawline and cheekbones, and dazzling emerald eyes. Oh my lord, it's Adrien fucking Agreste.

"Wonderful, now the two exchange students have arrived." The receptionist started to tap Adrien's information into the desktop and he turned slightly towards Marinette.

"So, you're going to be my new roommate for the year, huh?" His smile was nearly blinding. "I'm-"

"A-Adrien Agreste, son and model of Gabriel Agreste, owner of the Agreste Design." She blabbered in French. He blinked a bit, giving a confused smile. "I'm Marinette Dupain-Cheng."

"You're French?"

His voice is so smooth. She nodded too quickly for her tastes. "Y-Yes! W-Well, actually, I'm half French and half Chinese, from my mama's side."

His eyebrows rose in surprise and he started to speak fluent Mandarin.

How many languages does this boy know, he's so talented. Marinette chuckled nervously. "I-I... My Mandarin may be a little rusty..."

He chuckled, taking his ID back from the receptionist. "Oh, I'm sorry. I guess I'm just so excited that my roommate is French."

The receptionist directed them to their room and a bellhop assisted them with their bags. A paid for hotel by the school, meant a fancy hotel. Grand hallways with chandeliers and televisions on every other wall. Adrien seemed pretty used to the fancy, but Marinette was swept away.

When they arrived at their rooms, it was more like an apartment, than a hotel room. "A full kitchen?" Marinette squawked as they were welcomed into the room. She quickly covered her mouth and blushed, before making a beeline to the kitchen. A full refrigerator, a stove, oven (although it was small), a microwave, even a dishwasher. "It's perfect."

Adrien watched her in slight amusement, leaning on the kitchen island as he watched her buzz about. "Are you a cook?"

She jumped and turned to his voice with a blush. "N-Not really?" She rubbed the back of her neck sheepishly. "Have you heard of Tom and Sabine's Boulangerie Patisserie?"

Adrien hummed thoughtfully. "Is that the popular little bakery that's across the park?"

She nodded. "My parents own that bakery."

His eyes sparkled slightly. "I've always heard a lot about that bakery, but..." His expression dulled slightly. "My father would never allow me to go, since breads and pastries are fattening." He mumbled.

Marinette's heart fluttered with pain for him. "I'm usually down there, helping my papa cook and bake pastries, so it's become kind of a stress reliever to bake, so..." She shrugged slightly. "I can bake for you since... S-Since we will be living here." It just hit Marinette.

The two of them... Living together... Together... For a year. Juuuuuuuuuust the two of them.

"Really?" Marinette's eyes went back to Adrien Agreste's sparkling-like-a-child's face.

A blush exploded on her face as realization hit."E-Excuse me!" She squeaked as she ran to her own room. She shut the door behind her and slid down the length of it. Ohboy. Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy, oh boy.