#my fave besides marionette

[kunpyon]

Endo 2 doodles

[mihai-florescu]

Hello!

Sorry if I'm bothering you, I've been following your blog for quite a while and you seem very knowledgeable on Wataru. So I've been wondering if you have a list of stories to get to know him better. He's my favorite Fine member and probably one of my faves in ES in general so I'd like to learn about him as much as possible. So far I've read Circus, Element, Cinderella show, dancefloor, performance, Diner live, Cinema Theater, Tempest and Sanctuary. Also I'm already planning to read EP:Link and Altered but I still have to get to them. Just wondering what other stories I should read about him.

Thank you in advance ❤️

No bother at all, I'm honored you thought of me! You have already mentioned some of the most important ones I thought of immediately upon opening your ask, but I have a few extra to recommend as well^^ excited for you to read EP:Link and Altered fufuu~

Well, let's get this out of the way first: Blackbird, the Wataru POV light novel that came with the 2023 Element anime. I would recommend you read it before Altered. The wataeiP in me is saying you should read Daydream too, narrated from Eichi POV and set right after the last execution of the war, as Wataru does appear in it.

I would say another important one after would be Flower Fes, current Fine's first ! meeting, sans Eichi who was still hospitalized. Tori recognizes him as Fine's former enemy they defeated... this one is a super early ! era story so i think people tend to focus on others more, but it sets up Wataru's relationship to the other members of Fine And Keito. Then it makes his development with Tori that much more satisfying. Of course, to see more of Wataru reading his unit stories is quite relevant. Any of them, even if they dont focus on him necessarily, will give you some fun tidbits of info. Quarrel Fes, Milky Way, Jingle Bells etc. For Wataru Tori Amusement Live also stayed in my memory, although i dont think it's really a mandatory Wataru read. Ah, but Atlantis, the Fine climax that also has Wataru Tori moments, might be.

But besides his relationship with Fine, the 5 oddballs are important too. You've probably read Marionette for ex Valkyrie but the chapters with Wataru reveal some things about his views at the time. Rocket Start (the Trickstar formation event) is another remini that features Wataru in a couple of chapters, interacting with Natsume before the war. Scenes from it got adapted in the Element anime too. Aaand the story Eccentric is another i would recommend for seeing them interact, a year after the war ended.

Finally, you cannot have a meaningful discussion about Wataru without acknowledging his love of theatre, no? I have a love-hate relationship with drama club stories, but besides Performance, i think Transparency and Masks is one of the most important ones. It's set before Wataru's graduation as he threatens to close down the club. Ah and one last rec, the epilogue of Phantom Thieves vs Detectives. Why just the epilogue? Because despite being a 5star, he's only relevant there iirc. It's also an old story that has him opening up a lot about his past and feelings towards being different. It's really quite good, i recommend you read this before EP:Link as it gets a callback, and you will have to decide some things and their meaning for yourself. Oh, and it's extra funny when you remember in universe Phantom Thieves vs Detectives and Transparency and Masks happen really close to each other... my boy opened up in front of Tomoya and decided he must shut down the club immediately. Wait i just remembered, i think the kiseki finals also had some relevant Wataru chapters. Im due a careful reread badly but i remember there were some good moments with Hokuto.

Well, i think this is quite a bit i yapped about... any story he's in is relevant to me... any story he's not in but is mentioned in is also relevant. Like the random Eichi sub story where he reveals him and Wataru planned to fake an Eichi disappearance to see how Keito would react, that then to me links back as maybe the prototype of Wataru's disappearance in Sanctuary years later. Or in any story where Wataru interacts with others i think aww he's playing with other kids! like a proud mother at the park. But i hope you find the stories i mentioned above satisfactory to your understanding Wataru journey! Amazing!

[miraculoussideblog]

Ways To Say I’m Sorry-Chapter 6

Chapter [1][2][3][4][5][you are here]

[AO3]

Chapter Six- I hate that I love you/I love that I hate you

“Here.” Chloe placed the God awful brooch on Sabrina’s desk. “My Great Aunt Millie passed away last week. She left me this in her will. It’s yours now. Get it out of my sight”

“This looks expensive,” Sabrina said. “I can't accept this.”

The diamond and gold flower brooch was obnoxiously large and clunky. It looked like it was straight from a costume jewelry store, but it was worth almost one hundred thousand Euros. She didn't want to ruin any of her finery with that ugly thing. “It's worth a fortune. Try not to get it stolen..”

“Thank you so much Chole. You’re the best.”

“I know.” She flipped her blonde locks over her shoulder. “What are friends for?”

Nathaniel slumped down on his couch, this was a day for the books. Flying, a picnic on the Eiffel Tower, that Kiss. He was in love.

He had to end things with Sabrina before he could tell her. What they were doing was wrong. Chloe was doing much better, there was no reason for Sabrina to interfere. He called her over to tell her to her face. Sabrina, stated she’d get what she needed and left. She’d grown cold over the years. Whatever happen between the two really screwed he up.

A banging on the door startled Nathaniel. It had to be Chloe, she was in such a panic when she ran off. Something had to be wrong.  He opened the door. Chloe’s tear stained eyes were red and swollen. “What happened.”

In a fit of rage, Chloe pounded her fist into his chest. “How could you,” She screamed. “I trusted you. Bastard.”

“You’re hurting me,” Nathaniel seized her hands.

“Good.”

“What’s going on?”

“She kissed you!”

“Who?”

“Sabrina!”

Nathaniel, released her. Chloe proceeded to pound away at his chest. He shouldn’t have let Sabrina come over. He was so desperate to end things, he wasn’t thinking.

“Why did she kiss you?”

“We’re French!”

Chloe stopped hitting him. “Then why was she here?”

Nathaniel paused; it was now or never. He took Chloe’s hand and lead her to the couch. “Chloe, I care for you so much. Believe me, I would never do anything to hurt you. When you came back to Paris, Sabrina approached me and asked if I could help you out. She set up with Marinette job and a place to stay. My job was to get you to the bakery, and keep an eye on you. That’s all. I’m swear I only called her over to end it. I couldn’t stand lying to you anymore.”

Chloe sat expressionless. Her eyes completely blank. “All this time…” she mumbled. “All this time you’ve been helping me, not because you wanted to, but because you had to.”

“It’s not like that--”

“Did she tell you what happened the night I left town? Is that why you took pity on me?”

“I don’t know what happened between you two and I won’t ask. I know it’s hard for you to even say her name. I should have told you sooner.”

“I should go,” Chloe stood up.

“No please. I love you. I’m so sorry.”

Chloe paused. “I love you too. And I hate that I love you.”

“What?”

“You’ve given me so much. I don’t know if I love you because of you or everything you’ve done for me. I get it now. You’re Sabrina’s replacement. I don’t want to hurt you.”

“I’m not Sabrina. I want to be your boyfriend.”

“Relationships are about give and take. And I keep taking and taking. I don’t want to be that person anymore.”

“Chloe, you are not that person anymore.” He pulled her into a hug. “The fact that you can’t see that, and are still trying to improve proves you’ve changed. And I love you for it.”

“Nathaniel…” She pulled away. “I’m sorry.”  

“Ugh.” Chloe rummaged through a jewelry box filled with cheap costume jewelry. She needed to wash her hands, her skin could not stand touching such cheap accessories. She already felt a rash coming on. She checked the final drawer. Found it. “Thank you Great Aunt Millie.”

“What are you doing?” A voice said from behind.

Shit.

“Sabrina,” Chloe slipped the brooch in her pocket before turning around to face her friend. “I came to tell you I'm leaving the country.”

“What's in your pocket?”

“I have a friend who offered me a place to stay until this blows over. I'll keep in touch I promise. I have a plane to catch.” Chloe tried to push past Sabrina, but she didn't budge. “Sabrina, move.”

“Chloe, what did you put in your pocket?

Chloe’s finger grazed the slight bump in her pocket the brooch. She had two options lie or run and she already did a lot of running today.

“You're being absurd. Get out of my way.” Chloe crossed her arms over her chest, hoping she would back down. Sabrina reached for Chloe’s pocket. “what are you-" Sabrina pulled the brooch out.

“Aunt Millie’s brooch.” She muttered, placing the gaudy piece of finery on the dresser beside her. “You did say it was worth a fortune.”

“I just want to keep my the memory of my Great Aunt Millie alive while-"

“Save it.” She said sharply.

“You never wear it anyway. It's more useful to me now than you.”

“So you were going to steal it?” Sabrina looked livid. Chloe hadn't see her this upset since the Vanisher episode.

“Borrow. As soon as Daddy’s lawyers  get everything straightened out I'll buy you something better.”

“I don't want another gift. You betrayed my trust. You don't care about anybody but yourself.”

“Don't you care about me? My life imploded today.”

“And the first thing you do is steal from your so called “best friend” rather than ask for help?”

“I don't need your help.”

“You just need a hundred thousand Euros and a first class ticket to London.”

“How did you-"

“I know everything that involves you in this city. Call it intense loyalty or whatever, but I am hurt you didn't come to me first.”

“If you knew everything about me you would know I've been pretty preoccupied today.”

“Oh I know, but that's no excuse. You book a ticket out of the country as soon as thing get hard.”

Chloe checked her phone. She needed to get to the Orly Airport soon. Without the brooch she won't have enough money to live comfortably until she could figure out how to get her money back. “I need to leave. I'll call you as soon as I-”

“Don't bother. If you take that brooch, I never want to see you again.”

Chloe’s eyes darted to the brooch and back to her friend. Five years ago, this would have been an easier decision. She was bond by a sense of duty since getting her Miraculous, since becoming Ladybug’s friend. Ladybug wasn’t here. She didn't give a rats ass about Chloe, no one did. She had to look out for herself.

“Goodbye Sabrina.” Chloe picked up the brooch as she pushed passed her former best friend.

Chloe laid in her bed and stared at the ceiling for God knows how long. Pollen buzzed up to her fave to check to see if she was still alive. She didn't want to talk to her, or anybody right now. So many thoughts raced through her head.

Why was Sabrina helping her if she never wanted to see her again? Why bring Nathaniel into this?

“Chloe?” The trap door creaked open.

“Go away Marinette.”

Marionette sighed as she climbed up and shut the door under her. “I wanted to apologize for this afternoon. I was out of line.”

“I'm not upset about that anymore.” She rolled over to face Marinette. “Why did you give me a job and apartment?”

“You needed help.”

I was terrible to you and your family. Why did you say yes to Sabrina?”

Marinette sat beside her on the bed. “So you know.”

“Did she tell you what I did?”

“No.” She shook her head. “But I decided to give you a second chance. I know what ever happened with Sabrina is over, she's giving you a second chance.”

“I stole from her,” Chloe finally said. The action weighed down her heart the second she walked on the plane. “Right before I left Paris I stole an expensive brooch from my late Great Aunt. I gave it to Sabrina a few years ago. I took it right in front of her face. And we ended our friendship there.”

“Did you apologize?”

“Up until now I thought she didn't want anything to do with me.”

“Well, she cared enough to make sure you had what you needed when you returned. Right now, she's probably just giving you space until you're ready to apologize.”

“I don't know how. People say actions speak louder than words. But old Chloe would just buy Sabrina’s forgiveness. I am not that person anymore."

“Then use your words,” Marinette said. “I'm sure that's all she wants in the end. Show her you changed.”

“You sure?”

“You won't know until you try.” Marinette’s phone rang between them. She checked the caller ID. “It's Fu! Hello,” she answered quickly. Marinette listed intently. Her face didn't give away any emotion. “We’re on it.” She hung up. “Wayzz was watching Nooroo and he coughed up another akuma. It's loose.”

“Nathaniel!” Chloe jumped up.

“What about him?”

“I found out about the Sabrina thing and some other stuff. He seemed upset, but not ‘lock me up in a tower so I'll never leave him’ upset.” She dialed his number. It went straight to voicemail. “Shit.”

“Go to him,” Pollen said.

“I'll let the rest of the team know. It might not get to him. There must be someone in Paris more miserable than him.”

“Thanks...I guess.” She turned to her kwami. “Pollen Transform me!”

Golden light showered her body as she transformed into Queen Bee.”

“Good luck.”

Chloe raced to Nathaniel’s apartment. All of his lights were off. Shit. He left. She should have warned him if the possibility of a loose akuma. She was just so hurt she completely forgot. Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.

She called him again. The phone rang once, twice. “Hello?” He finally answered.

“Nathaniel where are you?”

“Chloe?”

“There's an akuma loose. It's not tied to Hawkmoth so it's unpredictable.” Nathaniel didn't respond. A shriek rang through the phone. “Nathaniel are you okay? Nathaniel!”

“I'm at the Seine,” he whispered. “It's here.”

Shit. Nathaniel's apartment as in the opposite direction. She released her wings and flew as fast as she could. She could hear the commotion as she got closer. She prayed Nathaniel was okay.

From the distance, she could see Nathaniel hiding behind a tree. He was okay for now. She needed to get him as far away from the attack as possible.

“Nathaniel!” she shouted, trying to get his attention. “Nathaniel.”

He glanced in her direction, his eyes wide with terror. “Look out!” He pointed behind her.

Out of the corner of her eye, the akuma appeared behind her. Before she could react, a green ray of light shot from its pen, knocking her out of the sky.