You know how I warned you all during the first chapter about me being a bad updater? Well…here's your evidence. No excuses. This is a substitute chapter for one that was on my hard drive that died, but still, that was 2 months ago. Hopefully, this was worth it.

Disclaimer: I do not own the Ace Attorney series or its lovable characters.

Even Kristoph Gavin could have tough days at work.

A case that could have paid out extremely well suddenly fell through his fingers before he even met his client. His client had already waived his right to counsel and confessed his crime before he even reached the detention center. Kristoph was still muttering about the affair. Apparently, it had to do something about the new female detective.

"But Mr. Lawyer…she was so pretty! I couldn't lie to her!"

As Kristoph left the detention center he noticed two people – one he knew very well, and one he did not.

"Fraulein…that was amazing, ja?"

"I don't want to hear it, fop!"

"Oh, my darling! Let's not let the murders ruin our relationship!" the blond imitated in a singsong voice.

Kristoph watched as the female pelted some kind of snack at the blond man's forehead. She seemed very irritated.

"You know that wasn't my intention! He just started…"

"Confessing his undying love along with everything else? Fraulein, we should use that strategy more often, ja? Have any other low cut tops?"

"You're a pig, fop!"

"Pigfop, eh? Really creative, Miss Skye."

Kristoph chuckled at the insignificance of the situation when the blond guy glanced in his direction.

"Ah! Mein bruder!"

Kristoph smiled while inwardly cursing. His brother had an annoying habit of…being annoying.

"Klavier…what a lovely surprise!"

"What brings you down here?"

"Klavier...You know full well that there could be only one reason for me being here."

"Please. It's just conversation. Who's the client?"

"Well, I believe the beautiful young woman next to you took him away from me, making me unnecessary."

The female detective blushed profusely, causing Klavier to laugh.

"Fraulein Skye. Mein bruder strikes your fancy?" Klavier teased, before getting pelted by an entire bag of Snackoos. Kristoph shrugged and shook his head.

"My, my. How on earth can you stand working with him?" Kristoph asked charmingly, even though he actually wondered the same question. Ema giggled, and then quickly glared at Klavier, who was making smooch faces towards her.

"So…bruder. I have heard words about you having an apprentice, ja?" Klavier asked Kristoph as Ema quickly excused herself.

"Yes…he's been with me for over a year now."

"You surprise me. After years of practicing law, only now do you hire someone to assist you. Frankly, I couldn't picture it," Klavier murmured skeptically.

"It's none of your concern," Kristoph stated politely, but as usual, Klavier wouldn't let it go.

"Kristoph…why did you hire an apprentice?"

"I believe I said it was none of your concern."

"But why?"

"Goodbye, Klavier," Kristoph said curtly, before leaving the station.

Kristoph's mood was going even sourer, and he continued to calmly seethe on his walk home. As he was walking towards the building, he noticed Apollo standing outside with another student. As he was about to greet his apprentice, something about their conversation caught Kristoph's attention. He waited around the corner to get a better listen.

"Man, I wish I was helping a guy like Kristoph Gavin! Justice, you are SO lucky!"

"I suppose so."

"Oh come on! Where is your usual enthusiasm? Where's your GUSTO?"

Apollo began to laugh. Not his usual sheepish chuckle, but he was genuinely laughing. Kristoph realized that Apollo had hardly ever laughed like that. Kristoph too, realized that he couldn't remember the last time he or his apprentice laughed without self-consciousness. Kristoph realized his apprentice had continued his conversation.

"Gusto? Where did you hear that? What the hell does gusto mean anyway?"

"I dunno, my mom says it a lot."

"Well, regardless, it's a lot of work. And I really am grateful to Mr. Gavin. I truly am. I just have a feeling that being a lawyer may get pretty…I don't know the word…"

"Hard? Difficult? Challenging?"

"…dark." Apollo answered quietly while the other boy gasped.

"Hey Justice…what are you saying? You're not going to quit, are you?"

"Of course not. I can't. I have to do this the right way…even if it means denying everything I thought to be true."

"Justice…"

Kristoph inwardly gasped. Apollo knew something. He had to. Kristoph could read his face. Apollo didn't trust him anymore. His eyes that used to shine with admiration at the mere mention of his name were no longer the same vulnerable eyes he saw when he first took him under his wing. Now, they were hard, filled with dark ideas and mistrust. It was then that Apollo looked up and noticed Kristoph leaning against the building.

"Mr. Gavin…sir."

"Justice, who is your friend?"

"Sir, you overheard, didn't you?"

"There's no denying that."

"So you know...I don't really trust you."

"I assumed as much from your conversation."

"Sir…"

"Justice. You would be a fool to trust everyone in the world of law. A true fool."

"What?"

"You don't have to trust me. You can't trust anything in the legal system. You can only trust the evidence you find with your own two hands. You can't trust witnesses. You can't trust your clients. You can't trust the prosecutor. You can't trust me. You can only trust yourself and your own instincts."

"Mr. Gavin…that statement…it's impossible."

"Hm?"

"I mean…if I can't trust you, then how can I trust what you just said? But if I don't trust what you just said, then that means I trust you. Which also doesn't work. Because, it means I didn't trust your statement, which means…"

As Apollo rambled, Kristoph stared at him and laughed. Genuinely. He continued to laugh while Apollo simply stared confusedly, probably still trying to figure out the last statement.

"Apollo…that…made my day."

"What?"

"You are just…I can't figure you out. And it's funny. Of all the reactions you could have had, you pick up on the existing contradiction. I think only one other person would have done that."

"Mr Gavin…"

As Apollo and Kristoph shared an awkward heartfelt moment, the random student who had been talking with Apollo awkwardly watched. Kristoph and Apollo went up to the condo together, completely ignoring the unnamed boy. He sulked at being an unimportant plot device and walked away.

As the pair went up the stairs, Kristoph turned to his apprentice.

"Apollo…I think you only have one more semester of classes until you can take the bar…"

Apollo's voice jumped a few octaves.

"WHAAAT! I…I can't…the BAR exam?"

"Well, to be a lawyer, you kind of need to take it…it's part of the job."

"But…!"

"Be reasonable Justice. You knew full well that everyone has to take the bar – it's not a new phenomenon."

"Sir…do you…really think that I'm READY to take the bar exam? I mean…I'm only 21. Don't most lawyers have to be older?"

"Well…not necessarily. In my most recent memory there was a young lass back in Germany that passed it at age 13…"

"Wh…WHAT!?!?!"

"And my younger brother was about 17, I think when he passed."

"W-w-wha?"

"But 21 is still fairly young. I was…23. Yes…that sounds about right."

"But what about those…KIDS? Taking the bar? Isn't that a bit too extreme?"

"Regardless, my main point is to make sure you are aware of the situation and plan accordingly. You have to arrange for a time to take the exam yourself," Kristoph continued, not realizing that Apollo had grown very quiet before speaking under his breath.

"Then what?"

"I beg your pardon, Justice?"

"Sir…I'll be a lawyer then, right? How will I get a case?"

"I can hand you specific cases that the firm is given. It's not a complicated process."

"No…but I'll apply at another firm, Mr. Gavin. I won't be working with you anymore."

Kristoph stopped and stared at Apollo. After everything he had given him, Apollo still wanted to leave. Kristoph felt almost betrayed. He needed Apollo to finally stamp out Phoenix's fire, and if he left, his plan would be ruined. Kristoph seethed to himself.

That's the only reason, Kristoph. Right? I can't possibly be attached to him in more ways than this, can I?

"Apollo. Of course you will leave. But remember, you can always apply for a different position at my office."

"Sir…I wasn't ruling that out as a possibility. But I don't want to owe you anything anymore. I'll start looking for an apartment soon and then I'll be out of your way."

"You were never in the way, Justice." Kristoph said before he could stop himself.

Apollo smiled before returning to his room, wondering to himself.

I've learned too many things about you, Mr. Gavin. I already said I'd do this my way, and I can't stay here to make that happen.

Meanwhile, Kristoph had gone to his office phone and pulled a number he never thought he'd call. Speaking very softly, he began his conversation.

"You're good at finding people. Where did Zak Gramarye disappear to?"

I swear it's almost over. You can tell where I'm going to end this story, right? I apologize for the long hiatus, and I will apologize for future slow updates.