A/N: Hello, I'm here with the end of the first arc. This has been a fluffy yuri about two high school girls so far, but they live in the Ace Attorney franchise. Which means it will be inevitable that they run into trouble. It's time for yuri!

Chapter 5: When I see you.

December 22, 2030.

During the bus ride back home, Juniper received a text message from Robin.

The Chief Prosecutor gave me the day off! And since I now have the rest of the day to dedicate to you you'd better believe I'm going to spoil you rotten!

Juniper smiled and typed out a quick response.

Sounds great. I'm on my way home so wait for me. Okay?

After she sent the message she put away her phone and reclined in her seat. It said something about their lives that even today of all days, they only had so much time to spare. But as adults seeking to reform the justice system, it was just a part of their daily reality.

That wasn't to say their relationship had ever been "perfect". To be sure those first few weeks had been idyllic, but what relationship wasn't?

Today, and back then. Just how far have they come along on this path?

January 28th 2028, 5:15 A.M.

Woods Residence, Front Yard.

Juniper would admit any day of the week that she didn't do that well in the city. Her naturally reticent nature clashed against the smothering crowds of people, the sterile buildings, and the dirty air.

But place her in a natural environment like a field or a forest, and she flourished. Growing up in the mountains with her Grandma after her parents passed away, she fell deeply in love with the natural world, and it was out here where she was at her strongest, where she felt she could do anything.

Today was no different, as Juniper had decided to start her day by tending to her garden, dressed in a pair of worn overalls.

This early in the morning, even the sun was still sleeping under the horizon, and this high in the mountains everything was swaddled in a cozy fog.

The cool, clean air, the feel of the soil underneath her gloves, the birdsong echoing in her ears, the sight of all the mighty trees around her: it was an experience Juniper loved more than anything.

As she continued to take care of her plants, Juniper chatted to them about her life as she always did.

"...And Thena's been doing really well for herself ever since her mother's killer was caught. She's become such an amazing person. Just the other day she challenged everyone to a running contest! I haven't seen her much lately, since she's been busy with her cases."

In fact, the last time she had seen Athena, her friend had been hanging around the Criminal Affairs department. They had only a short time to talk before Athena suddenly had to leave to visit someone working there.

As Juniper went down the row of plants she let her mind just sift through her thoughts of the precious people in her life.

"Apollo's been doing great, too. The other day I decided to tell him that I was going out with Robin, and he actually congratulated me! He's such a kind, understanding person. Oh, but then Robin challenged him to a court showdown!"

Even though her feelings for Apollo had cooled, her initial impressions of him were accurate: he was as great a friend as any she ever had, and she would be forever grateful that she'd met him. Even so...

The mere mention of her girlfriend, even from herself, caused Juniper's lips to tingle slightly and for a pleasant shiver to run up Juniper's spine. A couple weeks had passed since they had their first real kiss as a couple. Truth be told, Juniper hadn't been sure of what to expect. But as cliche as it sounded, it was unlike anything she ever felt before.

Maybe it was the fact that it had been Robin's first kiss. Or maybe it had been the taste of fruit pie on Robin's lips. Or maybe it was the look in Robin's warm brown eyes at after the kiss, clear and full of affection.

Whatever the case, their relationship had shifted slightly after that, though how was rather hard to explain.

She had always been close to Robin, as a friend. But now that they were a couple, everything was-different.

Finished with tending the garden, Juniper cleaned the dirt off herself and headed back in her home. She had a Student Council meeting to attend today and as President she needed to present the best Juniper she could to everyone.

January 28th 2028, 1:00 p.m.

Themis Legal Academy, Art Club room.

All the attempts to psych herself up only did so much while she was still in the comfort of the forest. As soon as she arrived at school, Juniper felt short of breath and her head began to feel light shortly afterwards. It was all she could do to use her sunflower to calm herself. As soon as she got a hold of herself, Juniper slipped into her President persona.

I can do this. I can be strong.

Like this, Juniper managed to make it through her morning classes and the meeting with the Student Council. Even so, it was a huge relief when the bell rang for lunch period, and she headed straight to where she knew she would meet Robin and her friends: the Art Club room.

The meeting had at least gone well. As could be expected, everyone was busy with the end of the semester approaching with the usual school dances and other events planned out. With Juniper being the part of the graduating class, the rest of the council had surprised her with a lot of gifts at the start of the meeting. When she asked if there were any problems, however, her vice president had quickly cut in to say that everything was fine.

She had been asked by her friends at various points why she decided to become the Student Council President, given her shy nature. That she was so reticent was precisely why; if she could handle a position like this, it was one step closer to being able to ascend to the bench, mentally.

But times like these, when she was talked over, showed her that she still had a long way to go.

Approaching the door Juniper didn't hear very much going on, and she took a peek inside to see what was happening. As it turned out, Myriam was typing away at her laptop, while Hugh was holding his bow as if he were going to shoot it, just without an arrow. Robin was seated on a stool in front of an easel and a paper, painting Hugh as he held his pose. What appeared to be an already completed painting was propped against a nearby wall.

With everyone focused on what they were doing Juniper took this chance to absorb the scene before her. It wasn't all that different from any number of days where everyone hung out together, and it was exactly this that made Juniper feel happy. The simplicity that belied the true strength of everyone's bonds with each other.

She turned her attention towards Robin and found herself becoming entranced. Something about watching Robin paint just felt so-right.

The way the hand holding the brush was able to coax out such smooth strokes. Her causal, cross-legged position she was sitting in that belied the intense concentration on her face. The joy that was clear in her bright, brown eyes. Robin was truly one with her craft during times like these, and while she was now pursuing Prosecutor as a career, it was clear that art still held held a special place in her heart.

As much as she didn't want to interrupt everyone, Juniper was starting to feel uncomfortable just standing outside, so she politely knocked on the door before entering the room.

"Juniper!"

Shortly after Juniper found herself with her arms full of Robin. She felt herself flush at the feeling of her girlfriend's warm body. Once again, a pleasant shiver ran through her body. Spontaneous hugs like this one had started occurring since their nighttime date, and somehow Juniper didn't mind them, even at school.

"It's g-great to see you too," Juniper said, giving Robin a quick kiss on the cheek. "What's going on here?"

"Robin offered to paint Myriam and I portraits of us," Hugh explained, still holding his pose. "Now if the artist can get back to her craft..."

"Oh! I'm sorry, Hugh."

Robin rushed back to the easel and turned her attention to the painting. While she worked, Juniper went over to the corner of the art room where Myriam was still absorbed in her laptop.

"What are you working on, Myriam?" She asked.

Myriam moved her box above her get a better look at her friend; a seemingly small act that spoke volumes of the secretive girl.

"I have a really big scoop," Myriam declared cheerfully. "And I can say no more, Kahk-Kahk, since I'm still getting my resources together."

Juniper frowned. It was nice that Myriam was actually showing restraint, but whenever she spoke the words, "big scoop" someone was in her line of sight.

"Could you at least give me a teaser?" Juniper asked.

Myriam fiddled around with her laptop, clearly conflicted with leaking even a morsel of information.

"Right now all I have are rumors," she said, still fidgeting. "But I've heard that a lot of students have been getting harassing notes."

"Harassing notes?" Juniper's voice took on a dangerous edge. "What kind of notes?"

"None of the students rumored to have received the notes have come forward, sss sss sss," Myriam explained. "Even stranger, no one seems to know where these notes even come from. They just seem to materialize in students' lockers. Or so I've heard, Kahk-Kahk."

If Myriam was right, then it was possible that students were being bullied. As Student Council President...no, just as a person, I won't stand for this!

"I'm done!"

Juniper and Myriam turned to see Robin triumphantly holding a painting above her. Everyone in the room crowded around her to see what the artist had produced.

As with every art piece Robin did, the painting was incredibly well done. It depicted Hugh in the pose he had been holding, bow and all. But instead of the art room, the background was of a coastal cliff-side. Hugh was standing near the edge of the cliff, facing towards an unknown target. Robin had even taken the time to draw an arrow nocked in the bow. All in all, it gave Hugh a rather fierce look.

"Thank you, Robin. I'll be sure to frame this in my house, so that people can look at the work of of a true genius," Hugh said, completely sincere.

"Do you really think so?" Robin asked, looking at her painting critically.

"I don't think so, I know so." Hugh answered, gently prying the painting before Robin could do anything with it.

"I think it's great too," Juniper added. "In fact, I'd like a portrait of myself."

"Oh, okay."

Robin dug into her art supplies before coming up empty. Since they were in the art club unofficially, she couldn't just use the supplies already here. "I need to go to my locker for more stuff. Be right b-a-c-k!"

Robin dashed out of the room, and the three friends chatted while they waited. But during the conversation, Juniper noticed that Hugh had rather heavy bags under his eyes.

"Hugh, are you okay?"

"Hm? Oh, don't worry about me. I've simply run a few late study sessions lately."

"Hugh, don't push yourself so hard." Juniper scolded lightly. "I know you've had to do a lot of work, but-"

"WHO DID THIS!?"

That's Robin's voice!

The three of them exchanged a brief look before running towards the direction of the voice.

January 28th 2028, 1:30 p.m.

Themis Legal Academy, Robin's locker.

When everyone arrived at where Robin was, they found her glaring at her open locker.

Juniper looked inside, and met with a sight that burned itself into her memory.

The locker itself was perfectly fine at first glance, filled with school supplies, art supplies, and lots of pictures of Robin with her friends or on a date with Juniper.

But laying in the middle of the locker was as single sheet of paper.

Typed on the paper was note, which read as follows.

To the dyke known as Robin Newman.

You pretend to be a good person, but you're not.

You have the audacity to reveal your true colors only when forced.

Worst of all, you took an innocent, Juniper Woods, and tainted her with your corruption.

End your farce of a relationship with her, or I swear to personally deliver justice onto you.

Attached to the note was a picture of Robin and Juniper during the nighttime date a few weeks ago, with Robin crossed off with a black marker.

The note was unsigned, and yet, Juniper suddenly felt as if the entire school body had turned on her, on Robin. She began to cough, and found she couldn't stop. Soon, her vision began to dim.

A single thought rebounded in her head, over and over, as she sank to the floor.

Who would do this?

December 22nd, 2030.

Juniper abruptly sat up, startling the other bus passengers.

It was no coincidence she choose to recall that particular day.

For while her feelings for Robin had begun to evolve, at the same time a shadow had fallen over the innocent little world they had created. One that would force them all to face some cold, harsh realities.

End of Arc 1.

A/N: Now that the first arc had ended, the second one starts next chapter: Turnabout Shadow. Now, it won't be a murder mystery because I don't like killing characters, but that's all I'll say for now. Until then, this has been Orion Fowl, and thank you for visiting my corner of Romance.