Chapter 1 Lost Not Forgotten

Soon after I enter Borscht Bowl Club, strong smell of coffee washed after him. That reminded me a lot with Godot. I wondered how well he had been in prison. But before my nostalgic question could be answered, I spotted the person I was scheduled to meet. Abandoning all thought, I hurried to that person's seat and plopped down on the opposite seat. A waitress approached.

"Black Coffee with no sugar"

After telling the drink, I eyed the person in front of me, who seemingly ignored my arrival, reading the newspaper in one hand while drinking a cup of coffee. That man was Kristoph Galvin, a defense attorney, said to have the coolest defense in the west. He was probably the best defense attorney right now. Now and then, I was still in touch with him to learn the latest happening in the courtroom.

Also, because he helped me investigating with the case that had made me lost my attorney badge. At least, part of me believed so. Seeing that he won't start the conversation for who knows how long, I asked him the first question I could come up with, "How is your brother doing? Well?"

Still reading his newspaper, he answered, "As well as a prosecutor could be," and then sipped on his coffee, before he immediately explained, "he won his last case, another win to add to his perfect record since the inconclusive case you both had in the courtroom this march."

I smiled bitterly at that.

"Speaking of that case, have you found any leads of Zak's whereabouts?"

"As far as I know, no. For a magician, he sure knew how to disappear and cover his track," he closed his newspaper and put it down on the table, "And unfortunately, I still had no clue about who set up the false evidence that you used, Phoenix"

"…Don't mind me. But thanks, Kristoph."

After a moment of silence, he spoke again, "…Though, there is an interesting rumor that I heard from my subordinate this morning."

A rumor? Now that was unlike him to talk about rumors. Kristoph was a man of fact, usually. I asked him to elaborate.

"There was this woman, around your age, asking random people. She would show a photo of you and asked who the guy in the photo was and where she could meet him. She apparently came to my office too yesterday while I was gone. "

"She was probably just a journalist snooping around my last case."

"If she was, why would she ask for your name in the first place? Any journalist could, and should, be able to handle to at least know the name of their target. Besides, the guys in the office said that she was more like a tourist, bringing only an umbrella and a photo of you."

That would make sense, if not for the unknown reason why would she look for me in the first place. Unless it was about my last case, which Kristoph just shot down.

The talk then stopped but not because we lacked a topic to talk about. He was doing his routine of analyzing his conversation partner. His eye didn't stop on gazing me. Even after almost a year that I had known Kristoph, I was still not used to his stare. It was too calm that he seemed devoid of all emotions. But perhaps, that was why he was said to have the coolest defense in the west.

"Are you sure Zak had not approached you?"

I was taken aback by that surprising question.

"You adopted his daughter after all. Is it really that surprising?"

Oh, of course, sweetheart Trucy. After her father escaped from his verdict on the courtroom, no one looked after her. I still wondered what made me decided to take her under my wing. Is it because I pitied her? Is it because I owed his father?

Is it because she was the one who gave me the forged letter?

In any case, I had never regretted the decision. If not for Trucy, I would have been miserable. My disbarment was one of my darkest times I had ever had. But times with Trucy gave me motivation to live on. Still, the incident caused me to distance myself from my friends and acquaintances. Until now, I only kept touch mostly with Edgy. Sometimes, Maya came over accompanied by Pearly when she was not busy with her duty as Kurain Master. But that's it. Nowadays, I busied myself with playing piano for Borscht Bowl Club and, of course, investigating.

Oh, there again, thinking too much while I was having a conversation. I had been doing that too much lately.

"You made a valid point. I'll keep my eyes more open."

Again, Kristoph eyed me too much for my comfort. Did he think I was lying? After who knows how long he stared at me, he gave up and picked up his newspaper again. Without much interest, he asked me, "how is your life?"

"Just Trucy became more of a troublemaker than she already was. I knew she was going to be when I sent her to elementary school last month. Other than that, nothing is unusual."

"Heh, maybe I should visit her sometimes."

"Yeah. It has been long since you last visited the office, about one month I think?"

"Sorry Phoenix. I have become too busy lately… Speaking of which, are you free?"

Ah, it seemed he required my assistance again. Sometimes, Kristoph took too much jobs for his firm, thanks to his awful secretary he said. Because of that, there were times he couldn't get the investigation jobs alone. Then, he usually asked me to help investigating one of the cases. The pay was good too.

"Of course, my schedule is flexible," If needed be, I can skip my pianist job at night anytime.

Kristoph put down his newspaper again and reached into his case. He selected a file case amongst many of them in his case and gave it to me. He briefed me a little about this case. It seemed like a really simple case. I had one week to complete the investigation. I should start tomorrow but I thought one day was enough.

We chatted a bit after that, mostly about law cases. I had to keep in shape if one day I could return to the courtroom as a defense attorney. My passion for it, while weakening, was still bright after all.

It took only 10 minutes by foot to go from Borscht Bowl Club to where Trucy studied. It was not long after he took off from the bus, a higher-than-necessary shout called me. I was quickly warmed up to the high-spirited girl who ran and hugged me.

"Daddy! What take you so long? I have been waiting here for almost a day already!" She cutely pouted.

I smiled at her naivety, "Sorry, Kristoph kept me busied. How about we stop at Eldoon Guy?"

Her smile widened so big that it almost went further than her petite face, "Yay! Come on, daddy! I'll definitely eat more than you now!"

"Haha, just don't eat too much!" I had to shout since she dashed right away after she proclaimed to defeat me. I slowly run a little to catch up with her.

The noodle stand was still a litter further since it was near my office. Of course, there was no such thing as silence whenever Trucy was nearby. We chatted much in the journey, mostly Trucy telling me her school experience without me asking.

"So yeah, Alicia was at it again, Daddy! She was always so generous! Today, in the art class, she gave away each of us a candy to eat!"

"Oh, what did she say this time?"

"She just visited Belgium last week and wanted to spread its wonder with us by giving us Belgium special candy! Isn't she cool, daddy? I wished I had visited many countries like her!" She proceeded to dreamily dream god-knows-what country in her dream. But she soon snapped out of her reverie, "don't worry daddy, your office is still the best!"

"I'm glad you said that, Trucy," Also because I probably wouldn't be able to afford a nice long vacation in any foreign country in the near future.

"Then! Then! Guess what! The boys fought this afternoon!"

That stopped me from my track.

"...And? Are you taking part in it?"

"Of course not! Do I look like a boy to you daddy?" She used that magical pout again. I swear she could control anyone with that pout alone.

"Haha, sorry Trucy, I was just worried for a second there," relieved from the news, I walked again.

She puffed out her cheeks for a while to show her annoyance, until she remembered what she said before and forgetting her annoyance entirely.

"You still remember Nicky, don't you daddy? The boy with really weird hair just likes yours under your beanie?"

I am hurt, dear Trucy. Don't make fun of spiky hair. But yeah, I don't forget a boy with the same nickname and hairstyle. How can I?

"Also, daddy, you remember what I told you yesterday?"

"Hmm, a transfer student?"

"Yeah! His name is Tommy by the way. Anyway, Nicky and him apparently had a crush on Mimi! They fought over her!"

Wow, fought over love in elementary school? Childish was just too literal.

"I mean that's ridiculous. Everyone love Mimi, I mean I love her too. She was so nice to all of us! Fighting over her was just too stupid!"

"So, how does it go?"

"They pushed each other, Daddy! Nicky even almost hit the electrical pole!"

As soon as I heard that, I stopped in my track again. A certain incident when I pushed another man because of jealousy replayed in my mind. Because of Dollie. Because of Dahlia Hawthorne. A woman whose evilness was literally knew no bounds. I pitied her, really. Even after she was dead, she was driven by pure hatred.

A tug in my shirt pulled me out of my thought. Trucy realized that I stopped listening to her and lost in my nostalgic thought. Her eyes fully showed her concern to me. What's up with today anyway, why am I becoming nostalgic-mania?

"Are you okay, daddy?"

"...I am just thinking Trucy, why are you really short?" I gave her the biggest smile I could ever manage.

"That is because I am still under 10, Daddy!" She said with that magic pout again, before she dashed quickly, probably embarrassed. She could turn tsun tsun surprisingly. I laughed a bit before catching up to her quickly. I buried that bad memory away. That past is a finished business.

How wrong that was.

Guy Eldoon served the best noodle in town; I'll give him that merit, just like his father. It was cheap and big-sized too; no wonder it was our favorite stand to go.

"Come again, Wrights!" Guy Eldoon cheerfully collected his bowls.

"Thanks, old man!" Trucy shouted as she dashed off leaving me behind. I quickly caught up to her after I paid the bill.

"What's the hurry, Trucy?"

"Steel Samurai is about to play Daddy!"

I checked my watch and it was already 10 minutes left before the show started. I wouldn't like to miss that show too myself. Thankfully, the office was just nearby.

As energetic as ever, Trucy was already at the second floor while I was climbing the stair. I half-expected her to wait at the top of the stair and berated me as usual for my slowness but, to my surprise, she didn't. Where did she go?

That was when I arrived at the second floor and saw her crouching in front of the office.

More specifically, she bent over a slumped person.

I quickly approached them, "Trucy, who was… tha…"

I was petrified.

"Daddy? Who is this woman? She seems ill…"

I didn't immediately answer her.

The sleeping woman adorned waist-length red hair with that particular braid I was familiar with. Her skin was smooth white pinkish, a bit paler than I used to remember. She wore a white dress along with a pair of crystalline shoes set down nicely in her side. She held a mini umbrella in her hand.

She was just like Dahlia Hawthorne seven years ago.

I laid down the woman over the bed. I pressed my hand to her forehead. She seemed to suffer from a fever. The sick woman was apparently half-conscious since she breathed heavily, but I couldn't get a response out of her.

Trucy walked while being careful not to spill the water on a glass she brought. I picked up the glass and moved it so that it touched her mouth. I slowly forced her to drink the water. After I made sure she drank all of them, I put down the glass and asked Trucy to call Guy Eldoon. He should be resting at this hour to watch Steel Samurai.

"Yes, Daddy!"

I looked over the sickly woman. She really looked like Iris. There was no mistaking it. There was no one with that appearance, save for one death woman who was her twin sister. Why was she here?

Or perhaps a better question was, "Why do you dress up like seven years ago when we were dating?"

It brought back another memory. The days when I was still an innocent college student. Those were fun days when I was with you, Iris. At least until the day your sister decided to poison me. Why did you have to remind me of those days that I would never have again?

I was about, instinctively, moved my hand to stroke her hair. I decided not to.

I instead picked up a crumpled photo above the desk. I found the photo grasped by Iris' hand. In the photo, there was a picture of Iris and me sitting down under a tree. I remembered this scene. This was the day when she suddenly invited me to a picnic in a morning. We ended skipping all classes and went to the lake near the city instead.

I smiled fondly.

But then I remembered what Kristoph had said earlier.

There was this woman, around your age, asking random people. She would show a photo of you and asked who the guy in the photo was and where she could meet him. She apparently came to my office too yesterday while I was gone.

Was she the one who Kristoph talked about? While I was pretty sure Iris never knew my office, but that could easily be found, there was no way she didn't know my name. Hell, we dated and I defended her once for god's sake.

I sighed. Don't tell me she suddenly had a problem with her memory when she went to town while, for whatever reason, only bringing the photo. That concluded everything though.

Satisfied with my short thought, I pressed my hand again to her forehead. She was still hot, so I went to the kitchen to take another glass of water. While I was doing so, Guy Eldoon and Trucy arrived. Guy Eldoon, who brought over his medical bag, went to check Iris. Trucy and me followed him.

After some minutes, the makeshift doctor finally had his verdict.

"She is just having a fever. I suspect that she was in the outdoor too much for her body to handle."

"Should I take her to hospital?"

"Not really, just let her rest and she will be fine."

I was relieved.

"Oh, I also think that she haven't eater for days."

"What?"

"So yeah, make sure you feed her well, Phoenix. I'll be back soon to bring over a noodle, free of charge," he smiled.

Wow, how long had she lost memory?

"Thanks, old man. You don't need to worry about food. We still have plenty in fridge."

"If you say so."

I accompanied him to the door, not forgetting to give him some tips and telling him that we will go to his stand again tomorrow.

When I was back at where Iris rested, Trucy was looking at the woman, hard.

"Don't gaze at her too much, Trucy, she was shy," That was pretty much true.

Trucy instead faced me, "Then you know about this woman, don't you Daddy?" She bit her nail, "I can't remember her face at all…"

It was not surprising, since she was jailed for some months and immediately moved back to the mountain without telling me after she was released. It seemed that she avoided me, maybe because she still felt guilty for deceiving me. I couldn't blame her avoiding me though, since I also suddenly stopped visiting her after my disbarment.

"She was a friend. I haven't kept in touch with her for months."

She seemed satisfied with my answer.

"Why don't you go watch Steel Samurai, I'll look after her."

"Are you sure you would be able to Daddy? My teacher said men were unreliable," she frowned.

That sounded more like what a woman would say when she was breaking up with her boyfriend.

"Don't worry about it."

After making sure Trucy was gone from the room, I gave Iris another glass of water to drink. She was still half-unconscious, but her breath was a lot calmer this time. In any case, I needed to tell Bikini about this. If Iris was gone for days, who knows how worried that woman would be?

I took out my mobile phone and proceeded to call Hazakura's number. After the incident in that temple, Bikini learned the importance of communication and set up a telephone inside the temple. Not long after I dialed it, the phone was picked up.

"This is Sister Bikini speaking, who am I speaking to?"

"This is Phoenix, Sister"

"Oh, Phoenix! It has been long since I last heard from you! How are you?"

"I am fine. There were things here and there but I am mostly fine. How about you?"

Sister Bikini then talked for a long time about everything happened in the temple. It was mostly about his worsening back, Iris' activity, and occasional visits from the Feys. There was nothing unusual saved for a celebrity visiting for a short-time last month. That's it.

That's weird.

"Err, Sister, about Iris…"

"Oh, Iris? Sorry my dears, I have talked too much to you, eh? Sorry for boring you while I am sure you are dying to talk with Iris, Wa ha ha ha! Ho ho ho!"

"About that, Sister…"

"Ah, here she is, wait just a moment, I'll give the phone to her"

Eh?

Not long after, a soft voice was heard from the other line, a voice that no one but Iris should had ever had, "Hello… Feenie? Is this really you?"

But that is impossible. I moved my eyes to the woman who slept peacefully in my bed; the woman who I was sure she was Iris before.

"Feenie? Hello?"

Dahlia?

A/N

Heya fanfiction readers. I have decided, against my best decision, to come out (again) from being a lurker in this site and post a story. This is another English story done outside my English classes, so go ahead and shoot me for its horribleness, wkwkwk. Just do it in the review so that I can hear your thought and criticism about this debut chapter.

nb: I'd be delighted if I have a beat-reader (even if I still don't know how beta-reading works, I just know it can make my story has better words and grammar), so anyone can PM me about it (and explain how beta-reading works, or give a link of how does it work). Thanks!