143 What I Like About You

Puttin’ my defenses up
‘Cause I don’t wanna fall in love
If I ever did that, I think I’d have a heart attack

Never put my love out on the line
Never said “yes” to the right guy
Never had trouble getting what I want
But when it comes to you, I’m never good enough
When I don’t care
I can play ’em like a Ken doll
Won’t wash my hair
Then make ’em bounce like a basketball

But you make me wanna act like a girl
Paint my nails and wear high heels, yes, you
Make me so nervous that I just can’t hold your hand

You make me glow
But I cover up, won’t let it show
So I’m putting my defenses up (Up)
‘Cause I don’t wanna fall in love (Love)
If I ever did that, I think I’d have a heart attack
I think I’d have a heart attack
I think I’d have a heart attack

Never break a sweat for the other guys
When you come around, I get paralyzed
And every time I try to be myself
It comes out wrong, like a cry for help
It’s just not fair
Pain’s more trouble than love is worth
I gasp for air
It feels so good, but you know it hurts

But you make me wanna act like a girl
Paint my nails and wear perfume for you
Make me so nervous that I just can’t hold your hand

You make me glow
But I cover up, won’t let it show
So I’m putting my defenses up (Up)
‘Cause I don’t wanna fall in love (Love)
If I ever did that, I think I’d have a heart attack
I think I’d have a heart attack
I think I’d have a heart attack

The feelings got lost in my lungs
They’re burning, I’d rather be numb (I’d rather be numb)
And there’s no one else to blame (No one else to blame)
So scared, I take off and I run
I’m flying too close to the sun
And I burst into flames

You make me glow
But I cover up, won’t let it show
So I’m putting my defenses up (Up)
‘Cause I don’t wanna fall in love (Love)
If I ever did that, I think I’d have a heart attack (Yeah)
I think I’d have a heart attack (Heart attack)
I think I’d have a heart attack (‘Tack)
Oh, I think I’d have a heart attack (‘Tack)
I think I’d have a heart attack

Ema Skye and Klavier Gavin
April 23, 2026 –June 14, 2026

Despite Klavier’s heartache over Kristoph’s incarceration, from the day Ema had taken him out for consolation dinner at The Burger Queen, the dynamic between the two of them had changed drastically, and he was overjoyed by how her previous hostility towards him had completely vanquished.

It appeared as though a tentative, somewhat fragile, bond of friendship had sprung between them when they’d commiserated over their siblings together. Their new-found dynamic, although peppered with the occasional zingers and bantering, usually ended with laughter, and lately had even begun to veer into the flirtatious variety, although his besotted self may have just been wishfully imagining that part!

Although Ema continued to call him fop, this time it was always said more in jest than anything else, and more often than not followed by a slight titter or hint of a smile, and not completely without some iota of wry affection. She always made him crack up with her mock turn downs to his half-playful, half-serious declarations of romantic affliction, which greatly helped ease the pain of what had happened with his brother, and they had even taken to grabbing lunch together or having a coffee after work on a twice-weekly basis, and he found these to be the highlights of his workday.

Scratch that – the highlights of his life.

Her silvery laugh was infectious, and he usually found himself joining in, even if the brunt of the joke was usually him! It didn’t bother Klavier anymore whenever she’d poke fun at him – it was always playful, never in a mean-spirited fashion, and it was just what he needed. Considering after Kristoph’s sentencing, the prosecutor had never dreamed he’d ever smile, let alone laugh again, Ema was like a welcome ray of sunshine on even the cloudiest of days.

For one week in May, he’d had to go to San Francisco for a District Attorney convention, but whilst he had physically been at the conference, mentally, his thoughts had been back in Los Angeles, all involving a certain captivating Fräulein Detective the entire time. He was so eager to get back to her that the following Monday, before heading to the Prosecutor’s Office, he first dropped by the police station, wanting to surprise his subordinate.

Ema’s sleeves were rolled up and a frown of concentration was on her face when he got to her door. The science enthusiast was so engrossed in her paperwork she didn’t even notice her boss silently admiring how adorable she looked while she mumbled and nodded to herself until he, at last, cleared his throat.

“Guten Morgen, Fräulein Detective.”

“Prosecutor Gavin!” Her head jerked up with a start, and although her tone was professionally cordial, she was unable to mask the reflexive sparkle that came to her beautiful eyes at the sight of him. “Welcome back!”

“I didn’t think you’d even realized my absence!” He casually leaned against the door frame and hooked a thumb over his belt loop. “Does that mean you’ve missed me?”

“With every bullet so far!” She evaded smoothly – but not clearly enough because he chuckled knowingly.

“Thus far, you have yet to use me for target practice with anything other than those chocolate snacks of yours – and I have no desire to be promoted to an upgraded choice of ammunition!”

“Well, I would’ve answered that I’ve missed you with every Snackoo so far, except I’ve made my mark on pretty much every occasion!” She smirked. “It’s not too hard to make an accurate target of that overly inflated head of yours, Prosecutor ‘Did You Miss Me Even Though I Was Only Gone for One Week’ Gavin!”

“Achtung! So you did notice the length of my absence!” He was grinning like an idiot as her cheeks heightened in color at her slip of the tongue. “I shall take your response as an affirmative, ja?”

“Is your rock star ego in that much need of bolstering today?” Ema countered lightly.

“Of course! I have zero qualms confessing that although I was in Northern California in body, my thoughts kept drifting elsewhere,” he answered shamelessly, enjoying the sight of her pale skin turning rosier at the unmistakable implication.

“Really?” She mumbled, reflexively reaching for her bag of Snackoos and averting her gaze. “Why’s that?”

“Because my wayward mind kept continually straying to mental images of a beautiful colleague who I can’t seem to get out of my mind.”

“That’s too bad,” she replied offhandedly, trying unsuccessfully to maintain an unaffected cadence. “You really should be focusing on your attorney duties and not allow yourself to keep being so distracted.”

“It’s truly lamentable,” he teased, savoring her charm as she devoured her chocolate snacks with fervor, resembling a chipmunk on overdrive, her cheeks transitioning from pink to crimson with each passing moment. “She’s both a thorn in my side and a blister on my heel. Yet, she possesses the eyes of an angel, a razor-sharp wit that captivates my thoughts, the eloquence of an English professor, and a tongue as sharp as a scalpel.”

“Ever still the incorrigible flirt, I see!” Cursing herself for blushing like a schoolgirl in his presence, Ema still couldn’t help but laugh at the blatant flattery laced within the backhanded compliment. “Er, thanks…I think?”

“Bitte, Fräulein Detective,” he winked, turning to head out the door. “I just wanted to say hallo before got to the office, before I unwittingly do something to thwart this delightful exchange and I become the recipient of a Snackoo attack.”

“Then I shall bid you adieu right now, Prosecutor Gavin!” Ema laughingly tossed a Snackoo in his direction, purposely missing by several inches. “Off with you! Aroint thee, varlet, before you find some way to provoke me, either with your twisted sense of humor or just by being such an insatiable flirt!”

“Auf Wiedersehen, schöne Frau!” Unable to resist one final parting shot, which he knew would rattle her, Klavier flashed her a wicked grin. “I shall pray for the day when you finally realize that I do not say these pleasantries, which you wrongly deem to be meaningless flirtation, for anything other than what should be the most blatantly obvious reason.”

“Blatantly obvious reason?” She echoed blankly, her brows drawn together in a perplexed fashion. “And whatever would that be?”

“Scientifically speaking, Detective Skye … I’m amazed you haven’t already deduced the foregone conclusion: it’s because I actually like you.”

With that, Klavier promptly exited, not even giving the flustered brunette the chance to respond, but not before seeing the embarrassed, but radiant beam that was stretched across her ethereal visage, which could have easily put even the brightest sun rays to shame.

I wish I was a bolder man, the prosecutor lamented to himself as he hopped on his motorcycle. A warming sensation flooded his senses as he recalled that beatific smile of hers from his confession, which she’d had neither the experience nor guile to mask. Because if I were – or if I knew how you truly felt about me, Ema Skye, I’d profess an even greater truth: that for the first time in my life, what I’m feeling in my heart veers far beyond merely liking …

Klavier Gavin
Prosecutor’s Office
June 15, 2026

Klavier was enjoying his flirtationship with Ema so much her almost forgot he was enjoying naught more than borrowed time with her, although earlier that day she’d brought up Phoenix yet again, this time because they had bumped into Angel Starr during lunch break the other day.

The ex-detective and lunch-lady, now a Private Investigator, had flashed a knowing smirk and wink when Ema had introduced her boss to the older woman, much to the embarrassment of them both.

But seeing the man-eater blonde had been yet another sharp reminder to him about how she still didn’t know the entire truth about the anterior attorney’s disbarring – one which Gumshoe, for one reason or another, had opted not to divulge to her – and made the blond man feel as uncertain and discomfited now, 7 years later, as he had the very last time he’d set his own eyes on the spiky-haired man, shortly after his badge had been taken away…

Klavier Gavin and Phoenix Wright
Wright & Co. Law Offices
May 4, 2019, 12:05 PM

Klavier pulled his motorcycle up in front of the Wright & Co. Law Offices building and removed his helmet. He knew that man who had worked there as would not welcome his presence, but his niggling conscience, moreover, his nagging concern about the older man’s state of being could not allow him to at least ascertain with his own eyes that Phoenix Wright was still of sound mind. His reason for questioning was simple: since losing his badge, the former King of the Turnabout simply wasn’t behaving as a disbarred attorney would be expected – there was nothing typical about his consequent actions, and it had completely thrown the teenage prosecutor for a loop.

It just didn’t make sense.

When the proverbial axe had fallen, the spiky-haired man had meekly accepted his outcome and not even bothered dragging his feet or filing an appeal about the decision about his fate, nor had he made any effort to defend himself during that fateful trial. He’d made a minimal defense during his hearing with the Bar Association Review Board; his sole comment to the overbearing reporters who wanted to know what could drive a moral man like his one-time courtroom rival to forge evidence was a quiet, “No comment.”

The only legal action, which the blond had become privy to, and only by chance, was that Phoenix was presently in the process of adopting the abandoned Trucy Enigmar and attempting to be as low-key about it as possible.

As angry as the blond man was about his first trial being ruined by the whole forging fiasco, and that the illustrious defense attorney had tried to cheat his way to victory, he still wasn’t by nature a cruel person. After all, the law had been the other man’s life, and his one-time courtroom rival would be undoubtedly devastated. Klavier was genuinely concerned about the former defense attorney’s overall safety.

Lurking beneath the anger was another, even more, burning sensation that the German could no longer ignore – yet couldn’t quite explain. It made even less sense than Phoenix’s atypical action.

It was the persistently gnawing feeling of uncertainty – and guilt. A sinking sensation in the pit of his stomach that he had made an irrevocable mistake, and he could not allow himself to move on until he’d found some way to put his mind at ease.

And the only person who could ease his mind about either of these subjects was the fallen blue attorney.

Hence, his impromptu drop-in on the man who would possibly greet him with a fist to the face the moment he saw the rock star at his door. Even as he stood outside the door – noting the placard now bore the name Wright Talent Agency on it – he found himself still trying to summon up the courage to knock and cursed himself for being intimated by the very man he’d torn to pieces in court.

But I didn’t just tear him to pieces merely in court. I shattered his life. But he deserved it, surely?! Phoenix Wright made a mistake borne of arrogance – albeit, well-earned arrogance! His bluffing got the best of him! He needed to be brought down a few pegs! Yet, if that’s the case, why do I feel so awful?!

Giving his head a firm shake, Klavier lifted his chin and knocked firmly on the door.

The man who answered was a far cry from the formidable attorney in his trademark blue suit Klavier last recalled. In his place was an unshaven man in an aqua beanie and jogging suit, who simply stared at his unwelcome visitor with surprising calm, and not even a trace of malice.

“Prosecutor Gavin.” His stoic countenance did not indicate his thoughts. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”

“I simply wish to have a word with you. May I come in, Herr Wright?”

Phoenix studied the younger man, now with a mixture of curiosity and suspicion. Then, after a moment of thought, he stepped aside to allow the prosecutor inside and cut right to the chase, crossing his arms over his broad chest, and staring at the blond man expectantly.

“Alright. What did you want to talk to me about?”

Klavier looked him straight in the eye, fighting down his mounting discomfort as he saw resigned, weary, but gentle orbs looking intently back at him – not at all the angry or shifty eyes of a guilty criminal.

“All circumstances pointed you to being guilty forging that evidence, Herr Wright,” he said at last and was the first to look away from the staredown. “I’m almost certain that I agree with the decision of the Board.”

“I notice you said almost. Are you here to get the rest of the confirmation you seek so you can sleep soundly once more? Truth be told, Prosecutor Gavin, you look more ill-rested than I am.”

The rocker was slightly taken aback and flinched. Was he that easy to read? Or was the slight shadow under his eyes a dead giveaway? He decided to level with the older man, regardless.

“I won’t lie to you – that slight doubt within me still disturbs me greatly, and is indeed what brought me here. I need to hear the truth – and I need to hear it straight from the horse’s mouth.” He sucked in a deep breath and expelled it quickly. “Herr Wright – was it you who ordered that forgery?”

The indigo eyes locked on his held not even a hint of hesitation or guilt within them.

“No.”

“Then why haven’t you tried to defend yourself?”

“Because I can’t prove it.”

“I just don’t get you at all.” Klavier shook his head despairingly. “If you’re truly as not guilty as you claim, why are you just rolling over and playing dead? Why aren’t you fighting to get back that life of yours that was destroyed? How can you just let that happen?! If anyone in the world can defend – and prove! – their innocence, it should be you!”

The hobo let out a humorless chuckle.

“It seems you misunderstood me, kind sir. I do stand by my innocence. However, I am unable to corroborate it just yet.”

“I’m completely lost here.”

“You’re sorely mistaken if you honestly think I’m just going to sit back and play dead when my world has come crashing down on me, Prosecutor Gavin.” Phoenix eyed him coolly. “I am indeed in the process of investigating the truth about what happened and have even made some progress. However, it won’t be an overnight job. If I foolishly speak up too soon before I have conclusive evidence to support my claims, it’s all over. As things stand, at least I still have the option to speak and be listened to.”

“You’re investigating this incident still?” Klavier’s mind was boggled at how badly he’d underestimated the ex-lawyer.

“Make no mistake – my battle has only just begun.” The steely determination in the other man’s voice was impossible to miss. “I swore to myself that I would uncover the root of all this – everything from Magnifi Gramarye’s death to the true commissioner of that forged evidence – if it’s the last thing I ever did. Even if no one else ever finds out the truth, I have to.”

“I see.” The prosecutor looked away, swallowing hard. “Well, that answers my second concern.”

“And what would that be?” The discredited man drawled, obviously enjoying his visitor’s discomfort.

“I feared for your mental state, Herr Wright.” Klavier awkwardly jabbed his hands in his pockets and looked down. “I feared that the shock of all this … devastation might result in you becoming a danger to yourself and needed to ensure you hadn’t, nor were likely, to inflict any self-harm.”

“That’s quite touching.”

The German’s cheeks reddened – he didn’t even need to lift his gaze to note his dialogue partner’s sardonic expression – the derision was evident in his tone as he continued to speak, unable to hide the laughter bubbling beneath the surface.

“I’m in the process of becoming a father to a helpless, orphaned child. She, and she alone is my reason for being and the light that will keep me from even contemplating taking my own life – not that the thought ever crossed my mind in the first place. Hence, you may ease your conscience – in that respect, anyway.”

“That’s quite a relief to hear, Herr Wright,” Klavier replied honestly, his eyes still on the ground.

“Tell me something.” Midnight blue orbs peered into the still downcast azure ones. “When you came here you said you were almost certain of my guilt. Where does that certainty presently lie after speaking to me?”

The young prosecutor looked up, at last, his expression conflicted.

“I – I’m somewhat certain now.”

“I see. I’m sorry I couldn’t help you with assuaging your not-so-reasonable doubts.”

There was something distastefully mocking in the dark-haired man’s last statement – tinged with unmistakable triumph. Although the rocker was taller, there was something about being in the presence of the legendary Ace Attorney that made him feel comparatively – small. And not just in height. It was a strange, almost uncomfortable sensation, and he found himself gritting his teeth.

“It was my second concern that was more important to me, anyway,” Klavier spoke finally, uncaring about the abruptness of his tone.

“There are no words to describe how moved I am, Prosecutor Gavin.”

“I suppose I have taken up enough of your time, Herr Wright,” the blond man sighed, turning to the door. “Thank you for being so gracious with your time. I’ll see myself out.”

“Hold it.”

The firm courtroom command froze him in his tracks and his eyes widened with surprise as he faced the expectant-looking hobo.

“Ja, Herr Wright?”

“My best – er, my esteemed colleague, Miles Edgeworth told me that as a prosecutor, his creed is to seek the truth about all else.” Phoenix met his eyes steadily. “Do you share this belief as well?”

Klavier didn’t even hesitate.

“Nothing matters to me more.”

“Then tell something…If I were to provide you with enough evidence to make you seriously question whether I forged that evidence or not, would you hear me out?”

The Gavinners frontman nodded firmly.

“If you could show me enough evidence of your innocence, Herr Wright, I would go so far as to advocate for you. I’m not in this for glory – I get enough acclaim from my music career. All I care about is the truth as well. Especially about this case.”

“Good to know, Mr. Gavin.” Phoenix flashed him a wry grin. “I trust you will still stand by this vow even if ultimately it’s an inconvenient truth that unravels?”

“I am a man of my word.” Klavier nodded swiftly. “And I am prepared to face the consequences of whatever the truth may hold.”

“I shall bid you farewell now. But I’m sure our paths will cross again in the future.”

“Take care of yourself. Thank you for the chat,” Klavier replied and then he was gone.

The disgraced lawyer stared at the door, the slight smile still playing on his lips.

“Even if it means facing an inconvenient truth, you’d ultimately still be my advocate, would you, Klavier Gavin?” Phoenix said softly, clutching his ever-present magatama in his pocket. “I shall ensure I hold you to that promise.”

Ema Skye and Klavier Gavin
Prosecutor’s Office
June 15, 2026, 5:15 PM

Seven years ago, I promised Phoenix Wright I’d support him if he could prove the truth of his innocence – no matter what it costs me, the prosecutor thought to himself, raking a tanned hand through his hair. I meant it – but I also haven’t heard a peep from him ever since! And there’s no use in trying to reach him myself to follow up – the man once more seems to have fallen off the face of the earth and won’t even return the calls of his friends – let alone the likes of me!

The Gavinners leading man was so deep in thought he didn’t even notice Ema was standing right before his desk until she waved her hand in front of his face.

“Earth to fop!” She giggled when he continued to remain silent. “Come in, fop!”

“Huh?” Startled at being shaken from his reverie, Klavier blinked as he was dragged back from the present, and met the Detective’s amused eyes, her lips curved into a teasing smile. Noticing for the hundredth time what a fetching sight she was, he found the corners of his own mouth reflexively curving upward in return. “When did you get here?”

“Wow, you’re lost in space, aren’t you?” She grinned impishly and popped a crunchy chocolate into her mouth. “I almost hate to have to drag you back to Earth, but I’m done for the day, and popped in to tell you that I need to push our post-work case review until tomorrow. I hope that’s cool.”

“That’s fine. I’ll try to forgive you this time,” he joked. “Although if I may inquire what other pressing matters have caused you to forsake me and cause darkness to fall on the highlight of my day, which was java with my favorite Fräulein Detective?”

“Flattery will get you nowhere,” she laughed, tossing a Snackoo at him. “It’s just … there’s something I’ve been putting off for some time now. I must nip it in the bud; I won’t be able to give my full attention to this homicide case until I do.”

Klavier rose from his seat and came to stand before her.

“I’m only pulling your leg. You do what you have to do. I’m just jealous of whatever, or whoever has your concentration tonight.”

“I’ve been unsuccessful in my efforts in this one endeavor, and I’ve decided I can no longer let this be!” She declared. “I’m just going to show right up and announce I will no longer be ignored for another moment!”

“Good for you! You and I have that in common,” he murmured, barely taking heed to what she might be referencing and instead focusing on the tiny smudge of chocolate on her lush lips. “And it’s a most commendable trait you have indeed – we both go after what we want, no matter what! Wait a moment, you’ve got something on your face…”

Without being conscious of what he was doing, Klavier moved his thumb from her chin to her lower lip, wiping away the smear while rubbing lightly against its inviting fullness. He finally realized what he was doing and abruptly stopped.

She stiffened at the unfamiliar sensation of his fingers against her skin and felt her pulse quicken, uncertain of how to react to the intimate gesture; knowing it was inappropriate but not entirely despising the tingling sensation his touch caused within her. She saw his jaw tighten and then, without warning, Klavier suddenly realized how close he’d been standing to her, and blinked, as though equally as surprised by his actions as she was.

Her heart pounding, Ema quickly drew back and drew a shuddering breath, sensing he’d been on the verge of kissing her, and had just decided not to do it at the final split second. After the last shattering minutes, she no longer knew who was what was right or wrong anymore. All she knew was that she’d never before experienced anything like this with anyone, wasn’t entirely sure what it meant, or how she could be so compelled by someone for whom she’d felt such animosity only a few months ago.

Klavier crossed his arms over his chest and looked away, his expression turning neutral and professional once more. Not certain what she was going to say or even what she wanted, Ema whispered a single, shaky breath, filled with confusion and a plea for understanding, her green eyes searching his.

“Prosecutor Gavin – ”

He peered searchingly into her lovely, bewildered face, knowing he couldn’t go through with expressing his emotions with this untold truth existing betwixt them, like the proverbial pink elephant in the room, and resorted to the haughty exterior he knew drove her insane.

“Ja, Detective Skye?” He drawled with a questioning lift of his brows.

“I –” she began, uncomfortably aware of the knowing look in his eyes.

“Yesss?” He prompted, adopting his smug rock star smile. “What’s on your mind, Fräulein?”

“I’m not exactly sure,” she admitted, her cheeks warming. What she did know for certain was that, merely seconds ago, she likely wouldn’t have refused if he’d drawn her into his arms.

“You know, if you wanted to be kissed…” he arched a brow and smirked. “All you had to do was put your lips on mine.”

“What in the genetic code?!”Ema stared at him in disbelief, not sure what to make of this unexpected relapse in vexing behavior. The sheer nerve of him! He’d nearly been the one to make the first move just now – yet was now making it seem it’d been what she wanted!

“You heard me.”

Ema stamped her foot, not sure if he was jesting with her, and not even caring at that moment, as she was so aggravated and confused by the bizarre sudden shift in his behavior…. from arduous to audacious in less than 60 seconds!!

“Of all the arrogant, presumptuous … you conceited jerk!” She whipped a handful of Snackoos at his smug kisser while glaring at him. “I did nothing whatsoever to provoke that most uninvited overstepping of my personal space! Ergo, if you think that I was the one who desired any sort of physical contact, you galling Narcissist, you have another thought coming, so don’t flatter yourself! I’ll see you tomorrow – provided you and that Mount Everest-sized ego of yours can fit through that door!”

He shook his head in mild rebuke, clearly amused by her outburst as she turned to storm out of the office.

“Spare me the outraged maidenly protests!” He called after her, still chuckling. “If you’re suddenly as curious as I am to discover if my lips can stir your passions as much as my words do…”

Klavier found himself taken aback by his own audacious suggestion, yet upon reflection, he saw no harm in sharing a few kisses if that was her desire. However, he couldn’t bring himself to make any advances until she knew the truth about his involvement in the King of the Turnabout’s downfall. Though he had intended to reveal it tonight, her cancellation of their plans meant it would have to wait until tomorrow. He felt remorseful for resorting to such abhorrent behavior to push her away, but he remained steadfast in his commitment to honesty and integrity, even if inadvertently igniting her passion in the process. When the opportune moment arrived and he finally embraced Ema Skye, it would be without any hidden truths or deceit between them.

Besides, ever since Kristoph’s trial, his little firecracker seemed to enjoy their new-fangled friendship too much to allow her current displeasure to cause a permanent rift between them. As disgusted with him as she was right now, he was fairly certain this latest angry tirade, like all others before it, would be like clouds passing in front of the sun. She hadn’t since held any grudges against him; surely this time would be no different.

The fiery femme will simmer down tomorrow, and things will be back to normal, even after I tell her the truth, he assured himself. Surely no harm can come from my confession being delayed just one more day?

Confidence would have been the furthest thing from the prosecutor’s mind if he had known precisely where the still bewildered and flustered yet resolute Ema was headed at that moment.

Phoenix Wright and Miles Edgeworth
Spago Restaurant, Los Angeles
April 2026

Ever since Edgeworth’s return to LA, he and Phoenix had been meeting once or twice a week for lunch or dinner. In true best friend fashion, the prosecutor did his best to arrange his busy schedule when meeting for dinner to include Trucy whenever he could – which he graciously always covered for both Wrights, always without question or complaint – to coincide with the nights she wasn’t working. The teen adored her Uncle Miles, and not even the austere man was immune to her magical charms. The girl saw the prosecutor as a brand new audience to try her latest tricks on, which her father knew his friend truly got a kick out of, and the recently brokenhearted man emitted more than a few appreciative chuckles at her antics.

The one possible time when Edgeworth may not have been the biggest fan of magic was during the infamous incident when Trucy had dared mess with his most beloved accessory. This had been a couple of nights after Phoenix’s trial, back in April.

“It’s fabulous to see that you’re secure enough in your masculinity to be rocking that shade of pink, Edgeworth,” Phoenix remarked as the waitress served their entrees and barely contained her giggles when delivering the slate-haired man his filet mignon.

“For the final time, Wright!” Edgeworth snapped peevishly. “How many times need I tell your gauche self that my suit is not pink, it’s magenta!”

“Who said I was talking about your suit?” The pianist smirked, gesturing towards the other man’s frilly cravat – which was now a baby pink in color!

“Egad!” The DA yanked at the offending fabric as though it were on fire, his eyes round with indignation. “How long have I been looking like something resembling circus cotton candy?!”

“I wouldn’t say cotton candy pink per se,” Phoenix deadpanned. “According to my former art student eye, I reckon that within the last split-second, it’s graduated now to more of a hot pink.”

“God’s teeth!” The lawyer jerked unsuccessfully at the neck auxiliary to remove it, as though it were suddenly asphyxiating him.

“Yup, definitely Barbie girl hue!” The hobo decided, his eyes twinkling with mirth. “About the same color of your mug, right about now, Edgeworth…”

“Shut up, Wright!” The prosecutor’s eyes widened with panic. “How long has this been going on?!”

“Oh, the moment appetizers – er, just a few moments or so!” Phoenix amended quickly when it appeared the magenta-clad man was about ready to explode into a conniption of unadulterated rage!

“Wright!” Edgeworth glared menacingly at the still snickering ex-attorney. “I demand you change my cravat back to its pristine white state, post-haste!”

“Objection! Why do you naturally assume that I’m the guilty party here, Mr. Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Cravat?”

“Well somebody is going to pay for making me look so completely ludicrous and undignified in a public domain…”

“Whatever are you talking about, Uncle Miles?” Trucy innocently batted her lashes. “Your frilly fluttery napkin thingie looks plenty white to me!”

“I’ll be a monkey’s uncle!” Glancing down once more, the flabbergasted lawyer’s eyes nearly bulged out of his sockets as he saw the offending material he was gripping in his hand was once again snowy-coloured and spotless. “How did…?! I could have sworn…”

“I think both of you gentlemen are seeing things,” the teen informed them sweetly, flashing a surreptitious wink at her father before turning her angelic smile toward her uncle. “How about we all just relax and enjoy this wonderful supper now?”

With that, she resumed eating her pasta once more, as though absolutely nothing had happened, leaving the beanie-wearer still chortling softly and the flummoxed prosecutor wondering if the time truly had come for him to finally get glasses, just as Franziska had always jokingly told him to! Either that or the extra salty special from Eldoon’s Noodles he’d finally tried at lunchtime, as per Phoenix’s glowing recommendation, was having delayed adverse effects on him!

Ngh! I’ve got to stop eating at those cheap restaurants…

Phoenix Wright
Wright Talent Agency
June 15, 2026, 5:45 PM

The knock at the front door startled the ex-attorney, jolting him from his intense concentration on the reports he’d so diligently been working on, a project to which he had been devoting himself on a more frequent basis ever since his Not-Guilty verdict.

Now, who the heck could that be? Larry is up in the mountains prepping for the big event tomorrow, Gumshoe’s evidently given up on me, and that couldn’t possibly be Edgeworth… Haven’t seen or heard from him in over a month for reasons that I don’t feel like mulling over this very moment…

Considering how antisocial he had been since losing his badge, company of any sort was not something he had very often, especially since his split with his former lover. Therefore, since he’d been disbarred, Phoenix could count on the fingers of one hand how many visitors had come to his door ever since: Larry, Edgeworth, Maggey, and, in another lifetime, Maya and Pearls. However, he certainly wasn’t expecting any of them this evening – and not especially anyone from the Fey clan!

Am I being arrested for something else now? He wondered grimly as he pushed back his chair from the desk and walked over to the door. Good grief! Don’t tell me now, two months later, they’ve discovered my daughter’s naughty magician’s trick with that bloodied Ace card?!

As he peered through the peephole, the very first thing he saw was a glimpse of a familiar top knot hairstyle, and his heart stopped in his chest, as he was certain that he must be seeing things!

After all, considering it was the night before his ex-girlfriend’s wedding, and he had at last decided to fulfill his long-ago promise to do complete reports on the entire Steel Samurai, and all its variations, DVD series (what else was he going to do to kill time on the nights he was off of work and his daughter was at The Wonder Bar?!), there was a very high chance that as he was presently suffering from an incurable wistful case of Maya On The Mind, and therefore, wishfully hallucinating!

Barely breathing now, Phoenix flung open the door.

The very first sensations that hit him were simultaneous feelings of relief and disappointment, as the long flowing tresses he had spotted were a pretty caramel shade, not the obsidian tresses that haunted his dreams every night.

Standing on the other side was a beloved blast from his past – in the form of his dear old friend, Ema Skye.

“E – Ema!” He croaked, his previous dealings subsiding into ones of stunned delight, mingled with guilt; he’d been shamefully shunning all of her repeated attempts to contact him the last few months. “What a pleasant surprise!”

“Mr. Wright!” She lurched into his arms, embracing him warmly and nearly knocking him off his feet with her effusiveness. “It’s so good to see you again!”

He reflexively returned the hug, not realizing until that very moment just how much he’d missed her.

“It’s great to see you too, Ema.” He replied honestly, a grin tugging at his lips as he saw how grown-up she now looked compared to the last time he had seen her. “It’s been far too long.”

“For you and me both!” She drew back and playfully wagged a disapproving finger in his face. “So tell me something, Buster! If it’s so great to see me, why have you been hiding from me for these last couple of months? I was starting to feel like a stalker!”

Phoenix felt the heat rising in his cheeks at the completely justified complaint, even though her pretty face showed no evidence of any hard feelings at his undisputable ducking and dodging; her cheeks were aglow with genuine happiness at finally being reunited with him.

“Well…” He awkwardly scratched the back of his neck as he scrambled for an explanation for being inexcusably remiss in returning any of her calls. “It’s a long story…”

“And I want to hear all about it – over our reunion dinner!” She treated him to an impish grin, which was still reminiscent of her bubbly teenage years. “You and I have a lot of catching up to do Mr. Wright … And don’t even think about trying to make some sort of excuse because I refuse to take no for an answer!”

The Romantics – What I Like About You
Demi Lovato – Heart Attack