It's the second-to-last chapter! Thanks so much to all of my readers, and I'm sorry to have kept you in suspense for so long! I don't enjoy having Phoenix mess up any more than you do, I swear! Also, quick extra thanks to my reviewers, Inevitable Farewell and JP: you guys are AMAZING! I appreciate you so so much! :)


Phoenix Wright always made his worst mistakes when Maya wasn't with him. That was a constant fact, and one that he was well aware of. Looking through the shimmering glass at Iris, her eyes a mix of hope and concern, he knew that Maya couldn't be with him now, and therefore he could easily be making the single worst mistake in his life.

No pressure.

In the split second he had before he needed to speak, to say something, anything that would break the deafening noiselessness, he needed to think this through one more time.

It would be nice if the Chief could help me out with this one, but I don't think that's in the cards. Consider your options carefully one more time, Wright. You got this. Just don't screw it all up…


"Name three times when the fool Phoenix Wright acted irrationally."

Still seated at the ice cream parlor, Pearl and Edgeworth both appeared puzzled by Franziska's sudden proposition.

"Only three times?" Edgeworth pondered with a smirk.

"What does ear-rash-on-oily mean?" questioned Pearl curiously.

After a moment of consideration, the male prosecutor explained, "It's when someone does something crazy, often due to muddled judgment."

"It's a common trait of a man in love," Franziska added.

"Oh!" Pearl exclaimed, "Then, when Mister Nick beat down a door to save Mystic Maya, was that ear-rash-on-oil?"

"That it was," Franziska grinned, shooting Edgeworth a triumphant glare, "And he did that not once, but twice, I believe?"

"By itself, that proves nothing," he intervened, "Wright would do the same for anyone in danger; it's part of his moral code."

"But isn't it also part of his moral code to uphold justice?" Franziska returned, "Yet he broke that rule for Maya Fey! He attempted to pin a murder on a woman he knew was innocent in order to save the girl, even though she told him not to!"

Sighing, he conceded, "You have a point. The Engarde trial did reveal that Maya means more to Wright than the average person." With a finger wag, he added, "However, I don't believe he would fully indict Andrews of the crime, even for Maya. He was about to make that decision when you barged into the courtroom, remember?"

"Ah yes," Franziska scowled, "When I got reduced to playing evidence girl because of that damn assassin and the annoyingly valorous prosecutor who physically dragged me to the hospital!"

Pearl's eyes widened. "Dragged?" She bit her thumb. "That sounds very…. Ear-rash-on-oil."

"A common trait of a man in love," he echoed, all but whispering, before he continued, "Regardless, my point stands: you have yet to prove Wright's emotions!"

Suddenly Pearl chimed in. "I know! I have some proof!" Both attorneys stared at the girl, intrigued, which was a bit overwhelming for poor Pearly, considering the prosecutors' go-to expressions were death glares, but nonetheless the small girl swallowed her fears. "Um, what about the time that Mister Nick ran across a burning bridge?"

"That's right!" Franziska gasped, "The fool did do that for Maya Fey, didn't he?"

"Excellent point, Pearl," Edgeworth grinned. "Tell me, have you ever considered becoming a prosecutor when you grow up?"

"I don't think my mother would be very happy if I did," Pearl quietly sulked.

"Foolish fool! Stop dodging the question!" Franziska beamed. "Do you deny that Phoenix Wright risked his life, sprinting across a bridge on fire in hopes of rescuing Maya Fey?"

"I do not," Edgeworth confessed. "That was an utterly idiotic move on Wright's part, and it caused me a great deal of trouble, I recall, but it was undoubtedly because he wanted to save Maya."

"I rest my case," she declared with a curtsey. "Are you convinced now, Miles Edgeworth?"

The prosecutor made a face, before voicing,"At this point, it's safe to say that he harbors some… strong feelings for Ms. Fey, who in turn is romantically attracted to him…"

"…And?" Franziska urged, eager to hear the words 'you were right'.

"And, we'll see how he deals with the situation with Sister Iris. Even if he has feelings for Maya, I suspect he'll hesitate to accept his emotions. Instead, he'll try to convince himself that he likes Iris as not to hurt her feelings."

Franziska furrowed her brow, muttering. "That's true. I had nearly forgotten that Phoenix Wright is a foolishly foolish fool."

"But he's not an idiot." When Franziska gave him a doubtful look, he admitted, "True, Wright can be incompetent at times, and he's dense as a brick, but he's no idiot." Edgeworth faced an insecure Pearl with a nod, offering, "He'll make the right choice, I'm sure." The small girl did not look so confident, biting at her thumb with an anxious mind.

Franziska smoothly slid off her chair, then took up Pearly's hand and gave it a little squeeze. "Don't fret, Pearl Fey. I am certain that the moment we return, Phoenix Wright and Maya Fey will be together as a couple and be snogging each other's brains out like the foolish fools have always wanted to do."

The girl smiled shyly, squeaking, "Really?"

Edgeworth took her other hand. "Really. Now come, let's head back to the Detention Center." The trio exited the establishment together, after which young Pearl got excited and raced ahead, making sure to remain in the prosecutor's sight. With a bit of hesitance, Franziska let Edgeworth take her hand and guide her down the sidewalk towards the detention center. He gave her an admiring glance, muttering "You truly are amazing with children."

"Don't give me that look, Miles Edgeworth," she protested, turning away to hide her blush and quiet grin.


To be concluded next Sunday!