Hey guys! I know I've taken so long and stuff but I'm currently writing another multishot fanfic about the otome game Prince of Stride (which I didn't play because it's in freaking Japanese). It's super long and a lot of work (for the moment it's worth 70+ pages and I have yet to finish and re-read the whole thing). However, I'm making a pause for the moment and switch between writing and mostly, drawing. Anyway, this chapter is pretty short and while finishing some ideas and the likes popped up for the rest of the fanfic. Well, I hope you'll like it anyway! Enjoy!

Under the shade of a Tree

The visit

"Daddy! Daddy! Is it true?"

Just as Phoenix Wright was about to take a sip of his coffee, Trucy threw herself over his shoulders, embracing him from behind, making her father almost spilling the content of his cup over his suit. Merely seconds after his daughter's blatant entrance, Athena Cykes, young attorney at law, smashed both of her palms onto her boss's desk. "Is it true that Apollo is coming?!" shouted the lawyer. Phoenix feared he lost his sense of hearing at that point. Wright placed the cup on his desk and brought his hands up to his ears, massaging them carefully. "Yes, Apollo is coming, you didn't need to shout it out to my ears." complained Phoenix.

Upon hearing the attorney's confirmation, the two girls jumped in excitement, obviously overjoyed by the news. Afterwards, Athena and Trucy left the office as fast as they came in order to announce it to absolutely everyone they knew and prepare for their friend's arrival. Phoenix watched them leave, sighing, with a smile playing on his face. He was as happy as his daughter and his protégé to welcome back the awkward red-clothed lawyer. Apollo has always been a wonderful and impressive fellow. The boy went through lots of things ever since they met and surely even before but he was determined, fair and lawful. The young lady was honest and kind-hearted, Phoenix couldn't help but be proud of him, like a father would be proud of his son. He was gratified to know that he watched over Apollo since his debut as a lawyer. Now, that same Apollo who was barely making it out alone during his first trial, yet, managed to overthrow a whole juridical system, uncover the secrets of a twenty-three years old long silence and live up to a legend's expectations. From what he heard of him through his numerous letters and emails, his law office was doing well and was getting famous. More and more lawyers started to leave the shadows and brought up their profession to light. Those who fled the country returned and many law offices opened again. Phoenix couldn't be any happier to know about Khur'ain's improvements toward the law field and was glad that what was supposed to be a simple tourist's visit turned out to be helpful for a whole country. Today, Phoenix was glad he would get to see Apollo after so long.

"What are you grinning at Fraulein?" whispered Klavier Gavin, former rock star and famously great prosecutor, to one Ema Skye's ear.

The forensic shivered at the voice, playfully elbowing the man in the stomach. Actually, she was holding herself back from laughing at her phone. Ever since Ema came back from Khur'ain, she often, if not every day, chatted with her former temporarily boss, Nahyuta Sahdmadhi. She always found it fun, talking to him and was pretty happy to answer each of his almost child-like questions about science. His messages were rather plain and serious or sometimes just, simply ridiculous but overtime she discovered the man to be actually very teasing and playful, sometimes even sneaking stupid pictures of Apollo to her. Ema was quite happy with the relationship she had with Nahyuta. Once they erased the wall between boss and employee, it almost resembled the one she had with her older sister. "Oh, talking to prosecutor Sahdmadhi? You two seem to be good friends." commented Klavier while resting his chin on top of Ema's head. Ema giggled "Damn yes we are. We are close in age and he is actually pretty kind you know?" Klavier only humpfed and made a fake pouting face, unseen by his Fraulein. "Wait, don't tell me you are jealous?" asked Ema teasingly. "Of course I'm Fraulein! How could I not be jealous when my adorable Fraulein speaks nicely of another guy, literally right under my nose?" complained Klavier. "Oh my God, idiot glimmerous fop!" jokingly answered the forensic. Ema laughed out loud and gave him another smack with her elbow. Despite the pain from her playful hit, Klavier fondly gazed at his girlfriend, glad that he got to meet the true Ema. The Ema who loved and enjoyed life to its fullest. The honest Ema. Truthfully, Klavier and her had been dating for more than one year. When she successfully passed the forensic exam, Klavier has been the first one to congratulate her, using every means to get his hands on the results before everyone else. At first, she didn't want to admit it but Klavier had been very supportive and encouraging. She understood that he wasn't just about sass and looks but also someone of high morals and values and a loyal friend. She finally grew used to his flirting and overcame her bitterness after realizing she achieved her lifelong dream. When Klavier showed Ema her results she couldn't help but burst into tears while the prosecutor never stopped congratulating her and telling her how proud he was. She warmed up to him and harvested feelings for him, finally understanding that all Klavier's advances up until now were genuine and sincere. She was glad and was living the happiest time of her life. The rockstar prosecutor was also the one who got her the opportunity to work overseas with the help of Edgeworth so as to help her gain valuable experience and show the advantages of forensic science. Ema was thankful for it and didn't have any regrets about her time alongside prosecutor Sahdmadhi. She thought of him as a gentle soul and understood where he was coming from every time he scolded her for getting way too emotionally involved during trials. Ema also remembered her relief when Apollo and Nahyuta finally closed the huge gap that formed between them. She got the opportunity to meet so many people she didn't see for so long and gained a formidable friend in Nahyuta.

"By the way fop, could you please take me to the airport?" requested the scientist.

"Airport? Let me guess. Prosecutor Sahdmadhi, ja?"

"Yep. He is with Apollo. It's been a while so...can you?"

"Anything for my Fraulein obviously." grinned Klavier.

"Uhm...I'm still pretty clueless about the reason that got you to accompany me, Nahyuta." stated Apollo with a slight look of confusion.

Ever since they got on the plane and arrived, Nahyuta was unusually quiet. Apollo had long given up on asking him the reasons behind his sudden decision but now it was just too strange. "Nahyuta, I'm talking to you." sighed the horned lawyer. Moments ago, the prosecutor was on his phone and in the blink of an eye, as soon as he put it back in his inner pocket, he became lost in thought. Whatever he was thinking about must really be troubling him. Eventually, his features relaxed slightly and he came back to reality. "Apollo, I'd gladly give you an answer but I'm still actually looking for one myself. I just….felt like I had to come. The Holy Mother probably guided my choice into the right direction." replied the prosecutor. Apollo looked at him with a blank face "I-I see.". 'The Holy Mother should probably guide to a hospital' Both men walked through the endless airport to the exit. Apollo was glad to finally come home. Part of himself felt like Juniper's letter was just an excuse for finally visiting. He would go see everyone, including Clay. He had to talk to Clay. Even if Clay wouldn't answer him, Apollo had to go to talk to him and bring him nice flowers kindly recommended by Junie. He would also be able to see Trucy. He has seen her once after settling in Khur'ain. He met Trucy and Lamiroir, it was enough for him to finally know everything and fully take off the veil that had covered his identity and past since his childhood. He had names, faces, bonds, and one, true, big family. Apollo came to the realization that now he was truly happy and in terms with himself, his past, his present, and future. He knew who he was and where he was going.

The reunion has been a joyous one. Everyone who has been able to attend was present. Phoenix's office was crowded, threatening to burst if it was possible. While Simon tried his best to avoid social interaction, Trucy was meddling here and there with everyone. Klavier, alongside Ema was happy to see his rival lawyer again and meet the ever so famous last rite prosecutor who actually confessed listening to his music. He was even more surprised when Nahyuta asked him to teach him how to play guitar. Even though Phoenix was internally moping about how much cleaning he was destined to do, he was actually having fun, chatting with his childhood friends and reminiscing about the old days like the old man he wasn't. Actually, the thing that made him truly happy was the relationship between his daughter and Apollo. As if they didn't already look like siblings to everyone, their bond was as unbreakable as the one he witnessed between Maya and the late Mia. The lawyer felt a little down knowing the spirit medium could not grace them with her presence.

"By the way Apollo…" brought up Athena with a mischievous smile. "Why did you decide to suddenly visit? Any particular reason?"

Apollo knew something like this would happen. Athena was too clever and too loud for her own good. The red-clothed lawyer gulped and avoided the young woman's gaze.

"Err-Well, I haven't seen everyone for a looong time and there's Clay-"

"It's because of a letter he received from Miss Woods." curtly stated Nahyuta, his eyes smiling in his stead him.

"Oh my gosh Nahyuta! You don't talk during a whole flight and when you open your mouth it's to say this?" shouted Apollo, clearly horrified.

Athena's eyes were sparkling "She did it! She finally did it! I'm so proud of my Junie!" she jumped.

Apollo's face, once again, matched his clothes. He knew how every, single, living soul in this office, would never, ever let him get out of this alive.

"Speaking of which…" pondered Klavier "Isn't she late?".

Everyone grew quiet, looking back and forth at each other until Athena exclaimed. "Ah! I forgot to mention...She isn't in town for the moment...told me Robin dragged her on a trip something."

Apollo was dejected. He wasn't only looking forward to visiting Clay's grave or his friends...his main goal was to meet Juniper after all and yet, he won't be able to for the moment. Suddenly, performed a magic trick to catch everyone's attention, with her magic panties.

"I've got an idea." she declared proudly with a radiant grin. "Say, Athena, do you happen to know the place where they went?"

Athena pondered a moment before it hit her. "Oh yes! Yes! Robin wanted to learn more about spirit mediums! She said she read old records about them and thus decided to visit Kurain village!" then the ginger lawyer faced Apollo again "You know that place well, right?".

Apollo nodded "Well yeah...kind of. What's the point?". The young magician's grin grew wider "Why won't you go there and surprise her? She may be aware that you are back but wouldn't be just romantic to go see her in person! Knowing that your loved couldn't wait-"

"I get it, I get it, please stop." pleaded Apollo.

Nahyuta was deeply interested in the idea. He listened to the siblings' exchange intently, a hand playing with his prayer beads.

"I shall come with you then." announced the prosecutor.

Ema shook her head. "Ah no. You shouldn't, it's a reunion between lovers." she explained with a teasing tone.

Nahyuta didn't budge. "I never visited the village. It's my duty to do so as my family's history is connected to it."

Simon, who was silent for most of the little welcome party eventually spoke up. "Sad Monk has a point. He is free to do as he wants, anyway."

Athena pouted and scolded the older prosecutor "You are no fun you know."

Apollo let out a long tired sigh. "You're all sounding as if you were planning my wedding...dang. Nahyuta come if you want. Miss Fey lives there anyway."

The only sound of this name sends soft shivers to Nahyuta. That's what he was really striking for.

"Well, if it's settled with you guys, could you give this to Pearls. She forgot this book last time she visited," asked Phoenix as he handed a children's book to Apollo.

Apollo accepted the book and nodded. "Well...we'll be going after I visit Clay's grave in the morning I guess."

Later that night, excitement and anticipation kept Nahyuta awake. He was strangely looking forward to sunrise. He was already curious to know more about how his brother grew up in this country he didn't know much about. But, what attracted him the most was Kurain Village. What was it like? Did it resemble his country? What was its history? How did women become spirit mediums there? To what extent was this village be so important that he was recorded in this country's history? Kurain village seemed to hold a deep, profound, complicated and unique story. And so was Maya Fey, the woman he was strangely eager to meet.

Thanks for reading! I'll try to make the next chapter a little longer and start focus on Nahyuta lmao.