- Don't you think Simon's been visiting us for a while?
Pearl smiled as she muttered behind the prosecutor's back. Trucy covered her mouth. Indeed. First, he came to request their services in defense of his sister, Aura Blackquill. Because no one was around, he started to talk to a new client. It was ok to do it. But then, the next week he was there again, carrying a file of documents.
- You're right, Pearly, do you think that… maybe…?
- What are you two murmuring about?
Both were surprise by Athena's interruption, but it was quite a challenge to defy her gadget's powers. They giggled as two little girls as they were.
- Boom boom. So the rabbit disappeared and the magic amazed the audience!
Trucy did a simple magic trick and grabbed Pearl by the hand, so they would flee. Athena thought it was cute, and didn't care much about their motives.
- Oh, Simon!
Athena happily held her hands together and approached the silent prosecutor, who was just talking to a bald man.
- … And that's everything you need to provide for defense.
- Thank you so much, mr. Blackquill. I'll come back tomorrow before 6 p.m. as you said.
The man left the office leaving the two alone.
- Oh, a new client!?
- Hello, Cykes-dono.
- Wow, Simon, you've been working so hard. Since you came here, it's like things are getting so professional. I'm kind of ashamed. Sorry for all the trouble, you know that you don't have to—
- No. I am not employed here. But since I had some business in this office and was waiting for too long, I ended up filling my time.
- Oh, I see… That's better then. I am happy to see you
Her lovely smile was something to cherish. Since her mother's murder was solved, Athena seemed a lot better and her happiness seemed genuine.
- So. Since the client it gone… I shall go.
- Really?
- I have a lot of work to do. So… excuse-me Cykes-dono.
- Oh, of course you do… I am sorry.
She could do nothing but watch his back as he went away.
Heartbeats.
So strange…
I just felt…
What was that?
Simon…
Is he struggling with something?
But he was gone.
- Is everything all right? – Apollo asked as he found his partner sitting in the sofa with a very distant expression.
- W-what!? I am fine, don't mind.
- You see… I have no widget with me, but I still can guess when someone's lying.
Athena laughed. It was funny how her psychology gadget and his bracelet were really useful on court, but quite uncomfortable for relationships.
- All right. I promised to myself I would avoid telling you lies, because you said you would fully believe me and that made me SO happy…
- Athena…
- I know, I know, I am trying to hide my feelings on purpose. But that's just because I don't really know what's happening.
- Do you mind trying to explain yourself? I may help.
- Well… it's not me. I am worried about Simon.
Apollo suddenly became tense. A lot of reasons came to his mind and the late events were so stressful he didn't want to see Athena suffer again.
- … What happened? Is Aura fine? I thought we made a deal about her case and she would start community service.
- No! She's fine! I hope so! Do you think is it? Oh my god. And if he's hiding something about that? Do you think Aura is really fine?
- Calm down, Athena, calm down. That was just presupposition. I don't even know what happened.
- Oh. Right. But what if…
She really seemed worse than before, clearly worried now, with both hands in her cheeks.
- Wait. Did widget got something?
- No. I mean… yes. I heard something. When Simon was leaving today. I think it was sadness. But the noise about that feeling made me worried.
- Gotcha! And if… Simon is feeling lonely?
- Lonely?
- Yes. He used to be on prison and his only "friend" for a while happened to be the phantom that planned his ruin. Maybe he's feeling depressed about that? He even wanted to show up for Trucy's show. Maybe the old samurai is trying to make friends but is too shy to do it?
- W-wait! That makes total sense.
- Does it?
Apollo seemed surprised himself. He was bluffing and never thought the prosecutor could really feel that way.
- Yeah! Poor Simon. He really had some trouble back then to make friends. He was really close to me and mom, but he was such a private person. It was like he was only himself in our lab.
- See? I am a genius. I knew I was right.
- Thank you Apollo. I think you've opened my eyes. I know what to do now.
Actually…
It's been a while we don't talk properly.
I wonder if I'll ever see his honest smile again.
OFF:
So many years and I never finished that Maya x Edgeworth story. But I hope this time I'll finally do it. I think I am mature now and can try a really simple way of writing to avoid grammar issues. I am sorry if any of that happens.
I love Cykesquill ~ and really believe they deserve a chance to be a couple.
