Disclaimer: The characters and settings created by CAPCOM that are featured in this story are solely owned by their creators. I do not claim them as mine in any way, shape or form. I am not receiving monetary profit from having written this story and no copyright infringement is intended.


JUMPING TO CONCLUSIONS

~ Chapter Two ~

"Stick in the Mud"

"Did he really feel THAT insulted?" Maya asked the next morning at work, as she sorted out some folders into their appropriate drawers, filing them alphabetically in the way that her older sister Mia used to do. Phoenix had become slightly negligent of his office space and Maya secretly felt important enough to be handling the task.

"Well," Phoenix sighed, as he entered some scrap documents into the paper shredder near his desk, "I think it's probably just him. It's just the way he is."

A cold-hearted stick-in-the-mud.

The defense attorney leaned on the backrest of his chair, supporting himself with one hand. Maya noticed him look off into the distance and consoled him.

"Maybe he's just too stressed from all the work he has to do!" she said, in a manner that Phoenix could only label as much too positive for the situation, "I think you should invite him for lunch!

"Haha, like that's gonna work."

For all I know he'll make up something on the spot about having to stick to gourmet meals or being allergic to fast food.

"You're right." Maya agreed, sadly. But it wasn't long before her eyes soon lit up again. "Well, Ema's coming over to the office in about an hour, so all three of us can go for lunch, then?"

"Ema?"

"Yeah, she said she had nothing better to do. You don't mind, do you Nick?"

"No, of course not!"

"Great!" Maya clapped her hands in front of her and nodded happily. She skipped off to go get something from one of the shelves. "Awww, it's empty!"

The jar that had been dubbed between them as "Burger Allowance" was indeed empty, proven to Phoenix as the teenager tipped it upside down as if hoping any coins she missed would suddenly roll out onto the carpet.

"I don't keep all my money in there, Maya. Stop whining," Phoenix laughed, pulling out a ten dollar note from a brown wallet in his suit pocket. "See."

"Is that all?" Maya scowled, looking at her boss mockingly.

"No, of course it isn't! I just don't feel like pulling out everything I've got. That a problem?" Phoenix teased, tucking the bill back into his wallet. Maya just giggled and said something that sounded like: "Yeah, right.", before wandering off to file away more documents.

"When am I gonna get a pay rise, by the way?" she squeaked, puffing out her cheeks. "You've owed me one since I turned nineteen! Which was a while ago!"

Man, she doesn't know when to shut her mouth, I swear! Ah well.

"Heeeeey, just be thankful that I'm even treating you to lunch! I can't afford much at the moment. Not until I get paid."

And wait a second. Since when have I even paid her for being my assistant anyway?

Around fifty minutes later, a familiar head poked through the doorway.

"Oh, there she is!" Maya said loudly, smiling. Phoenix muttered a "huh?" before walking over to the radio and switching it off; Maya had insisted twenty minutes earlier that she felt like working to the beat of music. Unfortunately, she had ignored Phoenix's warning of "keep the volume down", turning it up loud enough to drown out any possibility of holding an audible conversation between other people. The tune of some hit song from 2010 ended with a fizzle of static.

"H-hey! Haha, looks like you were having fun in here!"

Phoenix blinked.

Why did the word "fun" bring more than one thing to mind just then.

"Yeah!" Maya said enthusiastically, ignoring Phoenix's awkward expression.

"Where's little Pearl?" Ema looked around, as if hoping the young girl would suddenly emerge from a hole in the floor.

"We took her down to the station this morning. She had to go back to Kurain for a while."

"Ah, I see!"

"Did you get here alright? The buses are running at stupid times again..."

"It wasn't a problem." Ema confirmed, pleasantly. "I mean, according to my calculations, it takes around 35 minutes to walk the closest..."

Phoenix zoned out; having grown more than accustomed to the student's scientific ramblings. Maya, however, listened attentively with bright eyes.

After a minute, the defense attorney tapped his wristwatch and insisted they leave for lunch.


The place Maya had chosen was surprisingly nice.

A fifteen minute walk from the office, in fact - which made Phoenix wonder why he hadn't come across this place before. The interior was furnished with neutral coloured walls and napkins were neatly folded atop each table - crimson contrasting against the pale blue tablecloths underneath. There were ordinary tables as well as the characteristic family booths that were popular at larger restaurants. Friendly staff welcomed every patron who walked through the door, and elegant-looking pot-plants were situated here and there, adding some sort of natural flair to the vicinity.

The three of them took a seat at one of the booths near the window.

"Oh! I remember Lana taking me to eat here a few years ago," Ema said excitedly, as if sitting inside a café was the most interesting thing in the world, "The chocolate milkshakes tasted really good!"

"Hehe, and the... prices? Were they good too?" Phoenix asked nervously, fumbling with the laminated menu in front of the salt shaker, "Because I kinda need to save money at the m - "

"Nonsense, Nick! Stop worrying! It's not that expensive here!" Maya spoke jovially, reaching across the table and poking him in the shoulder.

I like how she says "not THAT expensive". Sarcastic muttering entered his brain once again and he frowned at the idea of having to pay excess in case Maya thought it was cheap enough to order seconds... Or thirds.

Well, it was Maya. He might as well prepare himself just in case she did just that.

"Hello, are you ready to order?"

A pretty waitress decked out in a neatly-trimmed long black skirt and a white shirt stood next to Maya's chair, holding a brown clipboard and a pen in her hands. Short, strawberry-blonde hair danced about her shoulders and a set of pearly white teeth grinned expectantly towards the trio, as light blue eyes surveyed them in interest.

"Yeah..." Phoenix muttered in response, "Um... I'll get this," he blurted out, pointing to a random number on the menu. It was a few seconds before he realised, under Ema's puzzled facial expression, that he was actually holding the menu upside down.

"Hun, you want to hold it this way, see?" The waitress laughed, tipping the menu the right way. Phoenix blushed in embarrassment, feeling stupid. "So that's number ninety-six, then? The Greek salad roll on gluten-free bread?"

Eugh, no thanks!

"No, number sixty-nine... Sorry, I was holding it upside down so I actually wanted sixty-nine."

Maya and Ema burst out laughing and so did the waitress, before Phoenix gulped at the realisation of what he just said. Several customers near the counter looked at them in surprise.

"What?! No, no, no, no, no, no, NO!" Phoenix spat out, burying his face in his hands before lifting his gaze shyly, "You know what I meant! I can't help it that it happens to be that... that number."

"Suuuure, Nick." Maya laughed, as Ema snorted into the hand that was covering her own mouth from releasing hysterics.

"The number you pointed to was ninety-six, honey." The waitress laughed, "It's the same upside-down. Did you check?"

"All three girls surrounding the attorney cracked up even more.

"Look," Phoenix breathed, his blush gradually reaching the shade of an over-ripe strawberry, "I want... the... uh..." He looked over the menu again to find whatever dish was listed next to the offending number, "The grilled chicken sandwich. Yeah. It's listed as number sixty-nine! Yeesh!"

Good save! Luckily I like grilled chicken sandwiches. Next time I'll check more thoroughly... This is what happens when people rush me!

Smiling broadly as if the thoughts: "Why of course, you pervert" were at the front of her mind, the waitress scrawled the order onto her notepad. She ignored Phoenix's attempt at stabbing himself with one of the pre-laid out forks on the place mat, instead turning to the girls.

Phoenix sighed, his cheeks burning.

Why am I so awkward?!

"And for you two?" The waitress smiled amicably at Maya in particular.

"I'll have a chocolate milkshake and the daily special please!" Ema piped up, gesturing towards the blackboard near the counter that read: "Daily Special: Ham and cheese toasted croissant".

"And for you?" The waitress suddenly seemed to take a keen interest in Maya's bizarre Kurain attire, and was gazing at the magatama with a look of curiosity before moving her gaze to the pair of purple beads that were fastened to Maya's locks. Her eyes then darted to look at the slender legs peeking out from under the table. Ema shifted in her seat a little as she observed this.

"Ummmm, wow, so much to choose from! I think I'll get the double-patty hamburger, please!"

Phoenix snorted.

Not surprising at all.

"Alright, shouldn't be too long!" The waitress smiled at them and retreated to the kitchens. Phoenix swore he heard her gossip with a co-worker along the way, about a certain "man with spiky hair who was hitting on her".

Women. Seriously.

As they waited for their meals, Ema suddenly mentioned to Maya about how she saw the waitress looking at her.

"Really?" Maya asked, her eyebrows raised high enough so that they disappeared behind her thick bangs.

"Why does that surprise you?" Phoenix asked her incredulously, as he took a sip from a glass of water that he had poured for himself in the meanwhile, content that this café actually bothered to chill their water instead of leaving it lukewarm like many other places he had eaten at. "I mean, it's not like you're wearing what can be considered casual clothing".

"Hey! At least I don't go around telling attractive waitresses that I want a number sixty-nine!"

"Wh- ?! Maya, don't bring that up again. I told you all. I didn't realise the menu was upside down and I had to pick quickly."

It was my fault for not checking properly, but still...

Maya made a "pfft" sound and flapped her fingers at him, clearly not wanting to listen. The attorney pursed his lips.

"Maya! You know it was a coincid - "

A voice interrupted him suddenly; one that was distinguishable enough due to the English accent that was suited to its owner's dignified appearance.

"How vulgar."

"Huh?" Phoenix stopped arguing at once, spinning around to see who had spoken, even though he half-knew already who this 'mysterious person' was.

"Mr Edgeworth!" Ema squeaked, going into a mood which could only be best-described as "fangirl-ism", "I didn't know you ate here!"

"Not on a regular basis, Miss Skye. I just happen to like the coffee." Sure enough, Edgeworth had a steaming take-away coffee cup cradled in his pale hands. He smirked at Phoenix, who was still looking at him as if he had just grown an extra limb.

"Whaddareyoudoinhere?" The defense attorney asked him in what sounded a lot like a drunken slur as opposed to a sober statement of acknowledgement.

"Are those ridiculous spikes of yours creating an obstacle for any train of sensible thought from entering your head, Wright? What does it look like I am doing?"

"I thought you hated coffee..."

"Where on earth did you get that idea from."

"Well, y'know..." Phoenix thought back to the expensive tea set he had once seen in Edgeworth's office, delicate and decorative against the engraved metal tray they sat on. "The teacups and everything... and teacups obviously mean you drink... uh... tea... Yeah."

Edgeworth raised a primed eyebrow at the blue-suited attorney sitting away from him, and exhaled quickly through his nose in an irritable manner.

"Just when I thought you couldn't make any more sense, you grace me with your seemingly never-ending thoughtless remarks. Take some time to think about your statements before judging people, Wright."

Says the man who picks on me for having spiky hair when he's already completely grey way before thirty.

Phoenix laughed to himself, wondering when Edgeworth would start growing a long white beard. Catching wind of the chuckle, the prosecutor frowned.

"I fail to see what is so hilarious, Wright."

"Ahahaha..."

"When you're done."

Maya and Ema watched with interest, whispering between themselves. After a few seconds of this, Maya quickly asked whether or not Edgeworth wanted to join them, bugging Phoenix to shove aside and make room.

The predictable frown and raised eyebrow was seen yet again. "I'd rather not, thank you, Miss Fey. I really should be getting back to work now."

"Hey, you always work so much, maybe you should chill or something." Phoenix said casually, patting the empty spot next to him. His reply was a silent glare that seemed to miraculously penetrate the veil of wafting steam that rose from the coffee cup held in the other man's hands.

Honestly, you'd think I asked him to bear my child or something. Why do I even bother.

Phoenix sighed dramatically and rested his chin on the heel of his palm, turning away and pretending to be fascinated by the parking meter he could see on the street outside the large window panels.

"Shoot yourself." the defense attorney mumbled with a shrug, his words slightly muffled due to his slump and the fact that his hand was currently obscuring his mouth.

"I beg your pardon?"

Phoenix wrinkled his nose and sat up straight, no longer leaning on his hand, "I said, 'suit yourself'."

Wow, why did that sound as if I just told him to shoot himself...? What the hell.

"Nick!" Maya almost shouted in disbelief, causing a few heads to turn in their direction, "It sounded like you told him to shoot himself!"

Thanks so much for confirming that, Maya.

Phoenix snorted. "Sorry, I was too occupied staring at the street outside. You know, since it has more personality than Mr Frills over there."

"Excuse me?" Edgeworth glowered, this time almost causing Phoenix to cower under the powerful stare.

"W-well... Um. It's kinda true, right?" The spiky-haired lawyer subconsciously scratched behind his neck and grinned sheepishly, hoping his little joke would drift downstream past the other man. It didn't.

"You seem to be quite fond of making fun of me. Perhaps I should return the favour."

It was Phoenix's turn to quirk an eyebrow this time.

Like that doesn't happen already.

"Hold it! Don't you make fun of me more than I make fun of you?"

"But I shan't waste my breath. In fact..." The prosecutor moved forward and sat down neatly in the vacated spot that had been offered to him earlier, pretending not to hear the man next to him let out a "wha-?" of surprise, "...I might as well have lunch with you."

"Really? That's great!" Maya squealed, clapping her hands together.

Ema showed her enthusiasm as well, before proceeding to write something in her notebook.

"Note to self... Mr Edgeworth will give in when pressured enough..."

Maya peered over her shoulder, but not quickly enough, seeing as Ema had already stowed away the notebook as quickly as she had taken it out.

"No fair!"

"Hmm?"

"N-nothing!"

Phoenix felt a strange feeling surge within him as he felt Edgeworth's body heat in close proximity. He shrugged off the feeling. After all, it was probably more to do with the surprise he felt towards the other man's sudden change of heart.

"So. Why are you here again? I thought you had to go..."

Edgeworth turned to him and steely grey eyes locked onto blue. "Wright, didn't you say yourself that I should, as you call it, 'chill'? Is there a problem?" He placed his coffee cup on the table and leaned back in his seat, rather stiffly.

"N-no! I mean, it's just... Ah. Never mind."

"Right."

"Well done on remembering my name."

"That is not funny in the slightest."

"Can't blame a guy for trying."

Just trying to lighten up the situation a bit, is that illegal?

"If you don't mind, I am going to order something to eat." Edgeworth ignored Phoenix's attempts at hiding his own face in delayed embarrassment at his rejected pun from mere seconds ago. With a polite hand gesture, the prosecutor caught the attention of a waitress wiping down a table in the corner. "Excuse me," he beckoned. It was the same girl who had served them earlier. Phoenix groaned.

"Oh! Looks like a friend has joined you lot!" she grinned, winking at Edgeworth, "Decided to get something tasty to go with your coffee, handsome? What would you like?"

Phoenix shot his rival attorney an amused look, then the waitress. Thankfully, she wasn't looking at him. Her long-lashed, pale blue eyes were clearly too fixated on Edgeworth's effortless, alluring appearance. Too bad the personality didn't match the attractive exterior of the coveted Demon Prosecutor.

Don't bother, lady. He would be the most boring guy in the world to go on a date with.

Clearing his throat, the maroon-clad man listed off his order and folded the menu in front of him as an indication he was done speaking.

"Alright, won't be long! The other orders are almost done too." She walked off with a smile on her face that was almost unnatural in appearance.

"Does she hit on everyone?" Ema blurted out once the waitress was out of earshot, drawing a stare from the other three.

"What?" Maya asked, wide-eyed.

"Well, you saw! She was giving Mr Wright looks! And then you... and now Mr Edgeworth!"

"She was hitting on me?" The spirit medium asked obliviously, her mouth dropping open.

"Maya, you're so pretty! Of course she was!" Ema confirmed, before covering her mouth in shock as it dawned on her that she had just complimented the other girl in a way that was more than casual. Maya stared. "W-well... It's true!"

Okay, either that waitress is bisexual, or I'm missing something here, Phoenix thought, watching the two girls make a fuss opposite him. Maya seemed to be going red in the face and the defense attorney looked at her, feeling puzzled.

"Ahehe... Anyway!" Ema tried diverting, "I suppose you're used to getting such attention, right, Mr Edgeworth?"

The light-haired man looked at her with discountenance, folding his arms and tapping his index finger on his other arm.

"Hardly, I can assure you that much." he mumbled, irritatedly.

He really has no clue. Phoenix narrowed his eyes. The female masses love him. How does he NOT see that?

Shortly after Edgeworth's clipped answer, the waitress from earlier returned with a tray holding all of their orders. She placed each plate neatly in front of all four patrons, before cheerfully asking if there was anything else she could get them.

"No, I think we're fine, thanks." Phoenix replied.

"Okay, gorgeous!" the waitress said back to him, smiling cheekily; whether it was in a flirtatious manner or a mocking manner, he had no idea, especially after the sandwich ordeal from earlier.

Uhhh...

And with that, she walked away again, leaving behind an uncomfortable silence that was shared between the two lawyers and their female companions. Surprisingly, Edgeworth was the one to break it.

"Looks like you are popular here," he said bluntly, trying to look unfazed. Phoenix could see some sort of glint in his eye as he spoke, though.

Is he... envious that he's not getting enough attention from strangers? And what does he mean by 'popular'? It's my first time dining here!

"Is that envy I see on your face, Edgeworth?" Phoenix inquired, leaning over and grinning.

The prosecutor turned to him and gave him a look that was neither angry nor entertained - more of a stern expression that usually told others that he was not impressed. In other words, his default look.

"Don't flatter yourself, Wright."

Ouch.

Sipping his coffee silently, Edgeworth picked up his fork and poked at the small serving of pasta on his plate, as if trying to find a hidden shard of broken glass or something else that was detrimental to his health.

Bet he's looking for an excuse to sue this place, haha.

"There's no treasure hidden in the food, Edgeworth. Just eat it." Phoenix mumbled, taking a bite out of his sandwich.

Number sixty-nine... Oh god.

He scowled through his bite of bread and filling, remembering the tasteless joke made against him some time earlier. All of a sudden his appetite went down a level.

"Oh no!" Maya cried out, through a mouthful of burger. Phoenix winced as crumbs sprayed his suit.

"What?!" he retorted, shocked.

"I forgot to order a drink!"

"Maaaayaaaaa..." Phoenix whined. Edgeworth looked between the pair, wearing an expression of slight annoyance but choosing not to say anything. He continued eating quietly.

"It's okay, Maya!" Ema interjected, "You can share mine!"

The spirit medium muttered something like: "No, it's okay! You drink it!" before Ema pushed the tall glass towards her, offering the same straw she had taken a sip from.

"Are you sure?" she asked nervously.

"Huh? O-of course!" Ema stuttered, feeling the heat rise to her face. "I don't have a cold or anything, so don't worry!"

"No, it's just..." Maya fumbled with the magatama pendant looped around her neck, "... Well, okay." She smiled and sipped from the drink, receiving a look of happiness from the girl next to her, and two identical expressions of "what the hell" from the pair of men opposite them.

"I swear, Maya... You make a big deal out of everything," Phoenix laughed.

"Shush, Nick!"

"S-sorry."

Meanwhile, Edgeworth sat silently, chewing on a mouthful of his meal in a manner that could only be labelled as distinguished. The defense lawyer next to him couldn't help but stare for a few lingering seconds, in what was originally an attempt to divert his attention from his assistant.

"What are you staring at?" The prosecutor had swallowed his food and was now apprehending Phoenix with an expression of utmost discontent.

"Ummm... Nothing." Phoenix muttered, turning away.

Why was I staring?

Edgeworth let out a sigh and looked down at their place mats, past the messy, bitten chicken sandwich. He noted how the other lawyer was also, like Maya, devoid of any beverage.

"Do you want a drink?" he asked impatiently.

Did he just ask me if... No way.

Frayed eyebrows raised in response. "No, I'm okay... I'm not thirsty."

Like I need a pity party.

"Aw, he's offering you a drink because he feels sorry for you, Nick! Since you're POOR and all!" Maya quipped, receiving a giggle from Ema.

Maya, if you weren't so damned cute I would be angry at you right now.

An embarrassed expression came over him. "I'm paying for you and Ema, so cut it out!"

"Oh, you're paying for them too, Wright?" Edgeworth asked curiously, smirking. "How generous of you."

"W-well, yeah... What's so surprising?"

Large hands cupped themselves around the coffee cup again. "Hmm... I find that your low income is hardly beneficial to the situation, if I might say so."

"What is it with you and openly making fun of me all the time?! And you seem to be even more insulting after what happened between us last night!"

He was suddenly aware of how much louder his voice had gotten in the past few moments, as well as the many pairs of eyes fixated on their table.

"Wright, why is it that everything you say results in some sort of public spectacle?" a low growl escaped Edgeworth's throat, surreptitiously.

"That's not true!" Phoenix hissed, before quickly assuring the surrounding customers and kitchen staff that everything was alright between them.

"God knows what these people are thinking now," Edgeworth huffed.

Maya and Ema sat there with surprised looks on their faces, taking turns drinking out of the steadily emptying glass of milkshake as if they were watching a suspenseful scene in the latest blockbuster.

"They are probably thinking what a handsome man you are," Phoenix teased.

"What."

"Well, stab me if I'm just trying to lessen the thick fog of PMS that is surrounding your corner of the table."

"What."

Ema suddenly spoke, almost timidly. "Uh, Mr Wright... Maybe we should go now..."

Maya nodded, piling her now empty plate on top of Ema's smaller one. How they had managed to finish their meals so quickly, Phoenix didn't know. He chose not to question it. To catch up, he wolfed down the rest of his sandwich as best as he could.

Edgeworth swallowed the last few forkfuls of his pasta and moved his plate and cup as well, standing up smoothly. "I couldn't agree more." He moved in long strides towards the counter to pay for his order, followed closely by the two girls.

And as usual, I'm left behind... Phoenix sulked, eventually walking after them like the reject of the pack.

Taking out his wallet as he approached the counter, the defense attorney thumbed out the notes and proceeded to hand them over to the staff member standing behind the polished jarrah, before a voice paused him.

"I'll pay."

"I'm sorry, did you just say...?"

"Yes, Wright. Why are you so shocked."

"Uh..."

"Aw, thanks Mr Edgeworth!" Maya grinned, rocking on her heels. Ema was smiling widely by her side, the pair of them looking like two spoiled kids at a toy store.

"That's so nice of you, Mr Edgeworth!"

They're all over him like bees on a bouquet of roses.

"Yeah... Yeah thanks, I guess." Phoenix grinned.

"Oh, you don't have to thank me, Wright. You're paying for your own, after all."

"Huh?!"

"Do you not understand English? Last time I checked, you were an English-speaking man born in the United States."

"W-well yeah..."

He's such a bastard!

"That'll be eighteen dollars and ninety-five cents, sir." The young man behind the counter asked, receiving the money from Edgeworth and placing it in the till. The man's eyes widened at what looked to be a generous tip for the whole establishment thrown in with the payment. "Whoa... Th-Thank you, sir! Thank you for dining with us, enjoy the rest of your day." He beamed at their group.

Well, my time to shine and make myself look cheaper than ever is here.

Nodding in thanks, Edgeworth stepped to the side as Phoenix miserably counted out his change to pay for his order, adding in the small amount he could afford to tip. The man accepted the money with a less enthusiastic smile but thanked Phoenix nonetheless.

Oh well, at least I save money, just paying for myself.

All four of them walked out of the cafe, both girls looking content and the two lawyers looking serious.

Phoenix pretended not to be aware of Edgeworth's presence, but in the end, he ended up having to pay attention anyway as the prosecutor cleared his throat softly.

"Consider this a favour, Wright."

"Eh?"

"Well, I just saved you from having to spend too much, didn't I?"

Oh, so now he's the hero or something?

Maya and Ema walked ahead of them, laughing about something Phoenix couldn't quite make out.

"Hey," Phoenix stopped in his tracks, blocking Edgeworth's path. The two girls didn't seem to notice and kept on walking. "I never asked you to pay, did I?"

A smirk and a roll of the eyes succeeded in insulting him again. "Just accept the fact that I did something nice enough for you. Now do move aside, I need to get back to work."

Nice? You made me look like an idiot after offering to pay for all of us and then leaving me to pay for myself in the end. But I guess he never really specified.

Grrr! But still!

"Speaking of work," Phoenix muttered, choosing not to give Edgeworth the satisfaction of outwardly reacting to his last statement, "why did you join us for lunch? You seemed awfully set on returning to your office, then you just suddenly sat down to me."

There was the slight drone of 3:00 pm traffic flowing down the streets adjacent to them, and Phoenix waited for the other man's answer while trying to drown out the noise of impatient drivers honking at whoever was blocking the road.

Continuing to walk again at a brisk pace as Phoenix kept up with him, Edgeworth replied, "Well, maybe I just felt like proving to you that, contrary to popular belief, I do engage in social interaction from time to time."

"Key words: time to time," Phoenix repeated, laughing.

Edgeworth rolled his eyes again as their shoes made dull taps against the cement with each step, "... I, unlike you, don't waste my time. I get paid by the hour and I am expected to fulfill the task of making sure all of my work is completed within whatever time limit I am given. That is what a lawyer does, no?"

"Yeah, but..."

Smart-ass. Why don't you just award yourself that "King of Prosecutors" trophy all over again.

"Will you shift aside, please?"

"Huh?"

"You're in my way again, Wright. I need to get into my car."

"What - Oh."

When the hell did we end up in front of his car? I need to pay more attention.

Phoenix had not observed that his companion's vehicle was indeed parked at the side of the road, about 100 metres away from the café... And that they were now standing in front of it.

"Hurry up, Nick!" Maya shouted at him, from up ahead.

"J-just wait! I'll be there in a sec!"

"Why are you even still here with me, Wright? Go and catch up with them."

Pressing the unlock button on his set of car keys, Edgeworth opened the driver's door and was about to get in, before he turned to Phoenix.

"By the way, Wright," he said complacently, "sixty-nine is the same upside down as it is right way up." An amused smirk crossed his features as Phoenix glared.

"Yeah, I know." The younger man's answer was clipped in tone. "There was just a mix up." A bead of sweat formed on his temple.

How many times do I need to explain this to everyone?

"Of course there was."

Yep. He definitely enjoys tormenting me.

"I'll see you in court."

"Is that your favourite way of saying goodbye, or what?"

There was an awkward silence and Edgeworth exhaled loudly before lowering himself behind the wheel, extending a hand to grip on the car door handle to pull it shut. He lowered the window and tilted his head out, simultaneously starting up the vehicle - the engine coming to life with a purr.

"It's not like I'm never going to see you again, so stop complaining." A ghost of a smile graced his lips and he pulled on his seat belt.

Phoenix just stared sceptically.

Did he just... Smile? The expression almost seemed alien to him when worn on the face of a person who rarely displayed it.

"I'll see you later, then. Is that better?"

"Huh? Oh... Yeah. See you."

Not responding to this, Edgeworth pulled out of his parking space and drove off. Phoenix swore, as he watched the vehicle leave, that the other man had raised one of his hands up in what was unmistakably a wave.

And without knowing it, he was also waving back; smiling and feeling a little better than he had earlier.