Chapter Text
[April 2nd, 11:24pm]
[Chief Prosecutor's Office]
Miles' phone buzzed. He picked it up to see a handful of new messages. The sender's name: Shi-Long Lang.
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Lang: Hey I happen to be in the city! Wanna get lunch?
Lang: Totally cool if it's too weird though
Lang: Up to you Miles!
~
He stared down at the screen. He'd actually planned a regular lunch outing with Phoenix Wright, yet he hadn't seen or heard from Lang in a few years. He pondered this for several minutes until making a decision. (This is certainly a rare opportunity). Alright, he thought out loud, he'd simply apologize to Wright and promise to make it up to him.
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Edgeworth: Agent Lang. I shall be at the Kafine Cafe in 30 minutes. I would be glad to catch up.
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Edgeworth: Wright, I apologize. Something has come up. We can get lunch tomorrow, usual place, usual time.
~
He sent the text and sighed while checking his watch. (I'm sure Wright will understand). He could finish off some less-than exhilarating paper work before the lunch date. (Wait...date? No. What he had with Lang was several years ago). Twenty minutes had passed when Miles got up from his desk and threw on his coat. He journeyed down the twelve flights of stairs.
[April 2nd 11:46am]
[Wright Anything Agency]
“Hey boss!” Phoenix looked up from his desk to the grinning Athena Cykes. “Is it cool if me and Apollo step out to get lunch?” She asked.
“O-oh sure, of course!” He grinned. (It wasn't like the Wright Anything Agency were busy anyway).
Athena and Apollo grabbed their jackets and headed out. Phoenix sighed and stared blankly at his laptop screen. His mobile phone buzzed after a few dazed moments. It displayed one new message from Miles Edgeworth.
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Miles: Wright, I apologize. Something has come up. We can get lunch tomorrow, usual place, usual time.
~
Phoenix lowered his head in slight disappointment. (He must be really busy, as expected of the chief prosecutor). He replied post-haste.
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Phoenix: Oh haha no worries! I look forward to tomorrow then :)
~
He felt his stomach growl. (I guess I'll head to that new cafe and pick up a sandwich). Phoenix left the office and walked a few blocks towards his destination, Kafine Cafe. He pressed his hand against the glass door to open it, at which point he froze. A familiar wine suite-clad man was visible near the back of the cafe. (E-Edgeworth?). The prosecutor was sitting across from a man with light brown spiky hair and a gaudy jacket rimmed with white fur. They appeared jovial and reminiscent. Phoenix pulled his hand away from the door and took a step back. (Ah, I guess that something was a date). He felt his stomach drop and walked back to the office. He wasn't hungry any more.
[April 2nd 12:19 pm]
[Kafine Cafe]
Miles realised that it was about time to get back to the office. Catching up with Lang had been nice, yet he felt a pang of guilt for cancelling on Phoenix. “It was pleasant to catch up with you, but I must return to my work”.
“Ah yeah, totally! Seeya Miles.”
The two men shook hands and parted ways.
[April 3rd 11:40am]
[Chief Prosecutor's Office]
Miles' forehead rested on his palm as he signed page after page of tedious paper work. (At least I have lunch with Wright to look forward to). He sighed and took a sip of his chamomile tea. Bzzt. He looked over at his phone screen to see one new message from Phoenix.
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Wright: I will be busy for a few weeks working on a new case, therefore I won't be able to make lunch for a while. I'll let you know when I have free time.
~
Miles' mouth fell slightly agape. (B-busy? For weeks?!). He furrowed his brow and sighed, noticing that Phoenix did not ever write to him that cold and formally. Miles wondered if something was wrong and replied to him immediately,
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Edgeworth: Wright. Is everything okay?
~
Seen 11:42am. Miles jumped back into his paperwork to distract him from the wait. Anxiety bubbled within his stomach. Five minutes passed. Then ten. Then thirty. Still no reply. Miles questioned whether or not he should send another message. (Did I do something to upset him?). He decided to hold off for now, though the unease he felt grew more and more as the hours passed.
[April 3rd 12:20pm]
[Wright Anything Agency]
“Hey, Mr Wright. Could you take a look at this?” Asked the short horn-headed lawyer.
Phoenix was completely lost in thought. He had recently realised that he saw Miles in a different light, one which transcended simple friendship. (Had I missed my chance? Has he been dating someone else for all this time? Surely he would tell me. Right? I'm his best friend...). The laptop screen in front of him blurred in his vision.
“Um, Mr Wright?” Apollo prompted.
Phoenix did not hear him. A few moments later, Apollo yelled “MR WRIGHT!”
This jolted him from his own mind. “O-oh sorry!” He plastered on a hopefully convincing grin. “What is it Apollo?”
Apollo raised an eyebrow. “Could you take a look at these documents?”
“O-oh yeah! Sure.” He replied, taking the files from Apollo.
He pulled a curled finger up to his chin as he read through the papers. It was true that they had received a new case, although he had exaggerated the timeline to Miles. It was a fairly simple case, a client accused of assault. At the detention centre no psyche-locks appeared when he'd asked the accused if he did it, so he was fairly confident of his innocence. Phoenix stopped on the case overview. Assault with a blunt object. Minor lacerations to the head. “Ah.” Phoenix said. “Do we know what the weapon used was?”
“That's the thing...” Queried Apollo, a finger to his forehead in concentration. “The victim conceded that it was a baseball bat, but no weapon has been found in the accused's possessions or at the scene.”
“Hmm I see.” Phoenix wondered what the next move was. “I think you and Athena should question our client again. See if he has any thoughts on the matter.”
“Yeah okay. Can't hurt to try.” Apollo agreed. “Alright we'll head down there right away!”
“Mhmm alright. Good luck!” Grinned Phoenix, as he handed the files back to Apollo.
The two young lawyers walked out of the office quietly, exchanging ideas as they left. Phoenix was left to stare at the screen blankly yet again.
[April 3rd 13:21pm]
[Trés Bien]
Athena and Apollo had finished questioning their client, exhausted from the lack of new leads, they headed out for snacks and coffee. Athena ordered a slice of lemon cheesecake and Apollo ordered a cranberry muffin. They mostly sat in silence whilst occasionally throwing out some ideas about the case. Apollo remembered the sight of Mr Wright, completely zoned out, and shooting him an obviously forced smile. (Should I bring it up with Athena? She is quite the therapist, after all). “Hey um, Athena”. He gestured softly. “I'm kinda worried about Mr Wright.”
Athena looked up from her half-eaten slice of cake. “Hmm? Is the boss alright?”
“I'm not sure...” He trailed off. “Earlier he was completely out of it, and when he smiled my bracelet tightened. Like he was hiding something.”
“Oh...” Athena's face grew with concern, and Widget frowned along with her. “Do you think he needs a therapy session?” She inquired as she fiddled with her earring.
“That might be a good idea”. Apollo frowned in concentration. “Let's ask him when we get back to the office.”
Athena brightened up with a grin. “Don't worry!” She gleamed. “We'll find out what's bothering Mr Wright and help him out!”
[April 3rd 14:02pm]
[Wright Anything Agency]
Phoenix had barely moved since the two lawyers left the office. He would infrequently stare at the last message that Miles sent him, considering whether or not to reply. (It's not like I'm mad at him or anything. He didn't do anything wrong). He sighed heavily. (I just can't face him right now). The door to the agency swung gently open. He looked up from his desk at them. Athena and Apollo whispered something to each other and made their way over to him. “Hey kids!” He grinned. “Any progress?”
Apollo spoke up “Not really Mr Wright. Looks like we're gonna have to wait for court to draw out new information.”
“Ah that's too bad.” He commented. “I'm sure you two can handle everything in court tomorrow!”
Athena gently clutched Widget and shared a glance with Apollo. “Hey boss...” Athena began. “There's something bothering you, isn't there?”
Phoenix's eyes widened. “W-what?! No of course not. Everything's fine.” He attempted to throw on his widest, most convincing grin.
Apollo frowned and grabbed his bracelet. “My bracelet says otherwise, Mr Wright.”
“Your emotions are all over the place...” Athena worried. “Something hurt you. Something bad.”
Phoenix froze. (Of course two human lie detectors could see straight through me). He sighed and looked down to his desk. He opened his mouth to speak but nothing came out.
“I know it's hard to talk about your feelings. Would you be up for a therapy session instead?” Athena asked.
Phoenix suddenly stood up from his desk. “N-no! It's nothing really bad. Really don't worry about it!”
Apollo looked at Athena and chimed in “Of course we're worried. If you won't tell us, maybe we'll ask Mr Edgewort-”
“NO! No. Not him. Please...” Phoenix barked.
Athena stepped back in surprise. “Hmm the noise level shifted down a tad...” She muttered. “I-Is this about Mr Edgeworth? Did something happen between you two?”
Phoenix sat back down and looked at the floor. (I can't tell them. Can I?) He pondered to himself. “I-if I do tell you...” he murmured. “It stays between us, okay? No one else can know. You have to promise me that.”
Once again, Apollo and Athena exchanged glances before turning their attention back to him. They nodded and promised to keep it between them.
“It started yesterday. I was...”