Hi all~

This is my first time posting fanfiction for any fandom, so I'm a bit nervous, and don't know if I'm any good at it lol. So please, constructive criticism would be greatly appreciated.

Less Than Three Minutes

Rating: G

Status: Complete

Pairing: Depending on how you look at it, Edgeworth x Franziska, with one-sided Klavier x Franziska (very subtle hints of these relationships, they're meant for you to interpret how you want with them)

Spoilers: JFA, minor spoilers for AJ

Author's Notes: I initially used Konrad, the name used in the European version, but I will explain this too in time.

Summary: Franziska is having trouble coping with Edgeworth's disappearance after AA1, and Klavier finally decides to do something about it.

Explanation: Ok, this part might end up to be a bit long-winded, but this was an idea that's been stuck in my head for quite some time now. I was thinking of the idea that Klavier growing up with Edgeworth and Franziska in Germany would be too adorable not to write about (see picture above). I've had a bunch of suggestions in my head how they would interact, but I had to get this particular story out because it's been bugging me like no tomorrow. In my mind, these ideas answer a lot of questions I had while playing the games, which I will mention after posting part 2. If people show enough interest, maybe I'll go back and write more stories about their childhood memories, but right now, I have to get to the idea that inspired this title and the ending that I planned for this fic. Everything will make sense in time. This story also won't be that long, so bear with me as I post the first part and see if I'm on the right track with my writing style and whatnot. Part 2 will most likely be the last part. Also, I drew some pictures to accompany this story, which can be found in the Court Records Forums under Aevitas' Stories of Doom.

They're not meant to be perfect or colored or anything, just some doodling to give a better imagery of how I pictured these three (so please don't criticize how they don't look accurate.. I just spit them out using no references whatsoever. It was meant to be fast!) If you want to see my actually completed works, click on my signature. Ok.. on with the fic!

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Before he had realized it, two years had passed since he had been under the tutelage of Miles Edgeworth. His own father being a reputable prosecutor, it was only natural that he would seek out Von Karma to keep the distracted boy in line. Konrad couldn't help it if the study material was boring. If schoolwork was more challenging, perhaps he would pay more attention. That was one of the reasons why he liked learning from Miles. He quickly understood that Konrad needed more of a challenge, and invited him to read through some of his own textbooks, which was quite a feat, as it was material suited for students nine years older. The young boy was skeptical at first, but Miles made the proposition as if it was a daily occurrence, which for him it was. Naturally, a boy growing up in the Von Karma household must be accustomed to excellence.

As time passed, Konrad enjoyed spending the study time with Miles, and saw him almost as an older brother, even though sometimes he could afford to loosen up a bit. In every study session, while he sported that stuffy cravat, Konrad would sit slouched in his chair, tie undone, dress shirt untucked, his blond hair ruffled, but listening intently to his lesson. Miles never raised an objection to his state of attire, and Konrad was grateful. In that respect, he wished his own older brother could be so tolerable. Before he knew it, Konrad was visiting the Von Karma mansion even on days when he wasn't scheduled for a lesson. There was something about Miles' passion that set him apart from the others studying law that he liked; the fire in his eyes, the playful smile on his lips that revealed he knew things other people didn't know, the desire for justice. This was what brought him to the driveway of the Von Karma mansion as he watched Miles Edgeworth step into a limousine and ride off to start his career in America. Even though he had talked about his home country on several occasions, he didn't think the day would come that he would actually go back.

Disheartened, Konrad then looked over at the girl standing next to him, the other companion he had come to spend time with in the Von Karma household. Franziska was two years older than him, but was nearly the same height. She was introduced to him as the child prodigy, the heir to the Von Karma legacy in law, who would regularly study with Miles ahead of her own classroom's curriculum. Needless to say, Konrad enjoyed trying to keep up with her, but each time he thought he was getting close, he would notice her pushing forward even more, her eyes always on Miles. And now, with him gone, her eyes seemed empty.

Konrad tried to look at Franziska now, her perfectly combed hair drooped over her downcast face. The perfectly pressed blouse she wore barely made a wrinkle as her hands formed into fists at her side.

"...Franziska? Are you okay?" Konrad inquired as he gently laid a hand on her shoulder. The girl didn't acknowledge it at all and refused to make eye contact with him.

"Hmmph. Why wouldn't I be okay? That foolish fool was only holding me back from my studies anyway. He may have lived under the Von Karma principles but his foolish ideals won't get him very far.." Franziska paused for a moment, as if coming to a sudden decision. "..Which is why I'm going to prove it to him."

Konrad blinked in confusion at this sudden declaration. "How do you plan to do that?"

Franziska flicked her blue hair back over her shoulder as she stated with more confidence, "How? I'm going to become a prosecutor of course. I know almost all of Miles Edgeworth's study material by heart, so it should be easy passing the bar exam. I mean.. if even a fool like him can do it.."

Konrad nodded slowly, making sure he understood. "That's great Franziska, you'll definitely be prepared by the time your classmates even catch a glimpse of the senior textbooks."

Turning her head sharply at him, he realized somehow he had made a mistake. "I'm not talking about in a few years, Konrad Gavin. I'm talking about now."

At the mention of this, Konrad's eyes widened. "What?! But Franziska, you're only thirteen! How are you going to survive in a courtroom of people more than ten years older than you?"

Again, she wasn't looking at him. Franziska's eyes lingered down the road which Miles' vehicle had disappeared into. "That's not going to stop a Von Karma. A Von Karma is perfect, child or adult. And besides, I refuse to let that fool get ahead of me in my career! I will surpass him as a prosecutor, and prove that his ideologies are for the weak!"

Konrad was stunned at her resolve. He certainly noticed the unspoken rivalry between Franziska and Miles during his visits. There was an indescribable pressure on the two of them to excel in the world of law, and it seemed at times Herr Von Karma would even encourage the behavior. Constantly butting heads, yet at times there was a silent and understood cooperation as well. It was like they were opponents in an ongoing game, and yet they realized they were all each other had in the world. Plus, he was fairly certain they cared for each other greatly, even with his limited eleven years of life experience. This relationship - this drive that pushed the both of them forward - baffled Konrad, which also kept him fascinated with the pair and he never had to worry about being bored with them around. With Miles gone now though, he felt there was only one thing for him to do.

Scratching the back of his head, Konrad sighed bemusedly as he tapped the ground with his shoe. "Heh.. spoken like a true Von Karma, ja?" He then looked up at his companion, and a teasing smile slowly formed on his lips. "I guess I have no choice but to support you then. But don't think I'll be happy about being left behind either. From now on, I'm going to work even harder so I can join the both of you in the world of law."

All Franziska could do in response was return his smile with a smirk of her own. "Hmmph, do whatever you like." Konrad smiled a bit at this, hoping it would raise both of their spirits a bit.

"Well then," the boy suggested, "we're not going to get any closer to that bar exam from just sulking around in the driveway. Let's take a look at some of those textbooks, ja?" Honestly, studying was the last thing he wanted to do at the moment, but if it would distract Franziska for a bit..

"...Right. I was going to suggest that, you fool." Turning on her heel, Franziska slowly walked back toward the Von Karma mansion. Konrad couldn't be sure, but he swore he saw her wipe something from her face. Could it be..? Impossible, Von Karmas never cry.