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2:00PM
October 23, 2028
Themis Legal Academy

It's the 68th school festival at the Themis Legal Academy, and unlike in previous years, the academy's hosting its school festival for the entire week. One of the highlights of the school festival was happening today, as the academy is opening a brand new lecture hall named the Constance Hall, in tribute to the late judge course professor Constance Courte, who passed away in the tragedy that happened during the previous year's festival, one that almost ruined the school's reputation. Today, defense attorney Athena Cykes, who played a vital role in finding out the truth behind Prof. Courte's death, as well as well-known Themis alumnus, International Prosecutor Klavier Gavin, have been invited to participate in a mock trial at Constance Hall, to help celebrate the opening of the new facility.

The script of the mock trial, which was unanimously praised among the faculty members, was co-written by judge course senior student and student council president Juniper Woods and Themis judge course alumna Myriam Scuttlebutt prior to her graduation. The mock trial was to be held for a murder case loosely based on the murder case of Drew Misham a couple years ago, a case where Athena's partner, Apollo Justice, acted as defense attorney, and where prosecutor Gavin himself, acted as prosecutor. Most of the faculty who knew the late professor well noted that she highly valued honesty in the courtroom, and because of how both defense and prosecution worked together to discover the truth behind the case, this was one such case that she was fond of discussing to her judge course students prior to her death, which led them to choosing this case as the one to be used on the mock trial.

The mock trial itself went smoothly, with Athena, Klavier, and presiding judge Juniper Woods playing their roles perfectly. Most of the faculty had lauded the mock trial as a very good example, with the defense and prosecution attacking each other's arguments and the judge making sure each and every piece of evidence was viewed objectively in the proper perspective until all sides have reached the same conclusion.

After the students and faculty have cleared the lecture hall, Klavier and Athena stayed behind for a while. The latter noticed the proud expression in the prosecutor's face as he looked on the bronze statue of the late professor in the middle of the stage.

"She must've set quite the example for you, huh?" said Athena as she walked towards where Klavier was.

Klavier nodded without looking away from the statue "I'm just glad the school paid tribute to her like this, she was a one-of-a-kind professor." then he turned towards the young attorney "You did good back there, Fraulein Cykes, I reckon Herr Wright and Herr Forehead should be worried of getting outdone by you very soon if they're not careful."

Athena couldn't help but feel a little flattered by the prosecutor's praise, Widget also started to turn from his usual blue to a slight pink. "Oh, no, not at all, prosecutor Gavin! It's not like I didn't know at all how the case was going to go, so you're giving me a bit too much credit on that one."

"No, I think I'm giving you enough." Klavier replied "It's not like we had a full script to follow to the letter, there was still some improvisation to be done on the arguments and your abilities were in full display. Not even Herr Forehead sounded that confident during last year's festival, y'know."

Athena gave him a warm smile in response "If you say so, thanks a lot, prosecutor Gavin." she said, Widget turning green further emphasizing her reaction.

"In speaking of Herr Forehead…" Klavier began, but then started to look around the lecture hall as if to see if anyone else was there, and upon confirming that it was still just them in the hall, leaned in towards Athena with his trademark rock star smile and all, "How are things going between you two? Surely it must be difficult to keep things running with you two being so far apart from each other?"

Caught completely off-guard, Athena had pressed her hands against her cheeks, shock written all over her face and Widget quickly turning to a deep pink "Wha…HOW DID YOU KNOW ABOUT THAT!?" Athena and Apollo had only begun dating until early that year, yet through all those months, the pair haven't actually been letting people know about their relationship, least of all their boss, Phoenix Wright, who they think would disapprove solely on the grounds of co-worker relationships.

Klavier, for one, however, seemed to mirror Athena's surprise, and leaned back with a confused expression "Hmm…I thought it was fairly obvious. Even mein liebe seemed to think so, too, especially with that photo of hers showing you two together on the Cosmos Space Center back in Valentine's." Athena's shocked expression deepened and Klavier quickly realized he might have said too much "Don't worry Fraulein, we deleted that photo after we were talking about it, no one else knows about it." Contrary to Apollo and Athena, Klavier and Ema being an item wasn't exactly a secret, given how people easily find out things about Klavier's life, although in the past two years people have learned not to pry in too much as their efforts were always met with either nonchalance from Klavier or a Snackoo to the forehead that would hit as hard as a BB gun courtesy of the forensic investigator.

For a moment, Athena was tempted to ask who else knew about her and Apollo, but quickly discarded the idea and just resigned to a defeated sigh "If I'm honest, it's not exactly going as I hoped it would." she said. "Maybe it's because we've only been in this for five months before the whole thing in Khura'in, so I've been left with a bit of longing…like something was left unfinished."

"I can't say I blame you, although I hope you still keep some form of communication with Herr Forehead?" Klavier asked.

Athena nodded weakly "Of course. We still text and call each other every now and then, but it's never really enough…at least for myself." she then sat down on one of the bleachers in the front row, while Klavier opted to perch himself on top of the defense table "I might have sounded a little selfish there, but, I guess I just couldn't help but feel that way."

Klavier seemed to be in thought for a moment before he spoke "Have you ever tried going over to Khura'in to see him?"

The brunette shook her head "Not yet, but I've always wanted to. It's just that I don't want to leave Mr. Wright alone to deal with all the work, we're already feeling the strain of not having Apollo around, I wouldn't really want to add to that pressure." Athena paused for a bit, a look of hesitation flashed before she went on "That…and I don't want the boss to get suspicious."

Klavier looked surprised "So even Herr Wright doesn't know, eh? I'm guessing Fraulein Trucy doesn't know either?" a slight nod from the young attorney gave him his answer, and after being in thought again for a few moments, Klavier got off the defense table and quickly pulled his phone out of his pocket "I think I know what to do to help you, Fraulein Cykes." he then started scrolling through his contacts and quickly pressed the call button as soon as he found his mark.

Oh no…he couldn't be thinking of. NO! The prosecutor's grin and undertone of mischief in his voice didn't escape her notice, and she immediately knew what he was up to, but before she could get a word out, she heard ringing tones as Klavier had put his phone down on the defense bench…it was on loudspeaker, deliberately if she was to be asked. "What do you think you're doing!?" she hissed.

"Well, you said didn't want to appear suspicious, so I'm giving you an alibi." Replied the prosecutor, and before Athena could further protest, she was cut off by the voice of the person on the other end of the call.

"Hello?"

"Hello, Herr Wright. It's me." Klavier could only smirk in amusement as the look of shock quickly found its way back to Athena's face at the sound of her boss' voice.

"Oh hey, Mr. Gavin. How was the mock trial? Is it over yet?" asked Phoenix "Did Athena do well?"

"You should've seen her today, Herr Wright, you'd be very proud. Fraulein Cykes did wonderfully at the trial." Klavier threw a playful wink over at the young brunette, who was shaking her head trying to get him to stop "But..you see, that's also part of the reason why I called you now."

"Hmm, what is it, then?"

"I actually have a friend over in Khura'in who needs help with a case, and I thought I'd call Herr Justice about it but apparently, he's amassed quite the backlogs on his cases that he couldn't really take my friend's on such short notice. Your office came to mind next, so I thought- "

"Let me guess, you wanted Athena to help your friend with this?"

For a moment, Klavier raised an eyebrow in surprise "Ja. You catch on quick as always, Herr Wright."

"If that's the case, then shouldn't you be talking to her instead of me?"

Klavier grinned at Athena once more, who simply opted to bury her face on the desk as she had given up trying to get him to stop, shooing him with one hand as if to tell him to just do as he pleases "I would, but seeing as I'm going to have to ask Fraulein Cykes to come with me to Khura'in for this, I thought I'd ask your permission first. It might take us a few days, after all."

Phoenix was silent for a bit, Klavier quietly guessed he was considering his options "Alright then, I mean, I appreciate you coming to me to ask permission, but the decision's still hers to make. You still have to talk to her about actually taking the case for your friend."

"I understand. I'll be going then, I still have to go look around the campus to see if she's still around. Goodbye, Herr Wright." After pushing the call end button, Klavier walked over to Athena, who was still slumped on the desk "There. Now you have a reason to come to Khura'in."

Argh! What have you done!? Athena quickly stood up and slammed her hands on the desk, in the same manner that she usually does in a trial, with Widget red and all "What were you thinking, prosecutor Gavin!? What am I gonna do if the boss finds out I didn't actually take a case!? This isn't something I can get away with without bringing anything back, you know!"

The prosecutor just shrugged in response "What was it you liked to say? Details, details, was it? Just don't worry about it too much, it's not like you'll be going alone."

Ugh. Why do I feel like I'm just digging myself deeper…wait, not alone? Now Athena was slightly confused "What do you mean I'm not going alone?"

"The idea actually popped into my head the moment you told me you haven't been to Khura'in since the trial back in May." Klavier began "It just so happens that mein liebe is over at Khura'in right now, and I promised her I'd go visit her this week. So basically, I'm tagging you along in my little trip."

I wish I can just up and leave the office to go see Apollo whenever I want "How are you able to just go out and take leaves like that?"

"I hope you haven't forgotten, I'm an international prosecutor, fraulein, I can fly to other countries anytime under the guise of legal matters." Klavier replied, with a bit of pride, too, as Athena easily noticed "Besides, these days, Chief Prosecutor Edgeworth is a lot more occupied shuffling cases among the newer prosecutors than us experienced ones, so there's a lot more free time to find than usual."

Right. Prosecutors and their privileges. Athena fell silent for a moment, as one question lingers in her mind: What next? Klavier had now basically booked her a free flight to Khura'in to go see Apollo, but what then? What is she going to do once she gets there?

"You seem to be lost in thought there, you're not getting too excited, I hope?"

"Maybe. I just don't know what to do when I get there…"

"What kind of question is that?" Klavier was flabbergasted "What else? Go take him on those dates you're been wanting, I'm quite sure Herr Forehead feels the same way."

Of course I want to, but I gotta be logical, I have to be considerate, y'know!? "But you said it yourself! He's got a ton of backlogs to work on, where am I supposed to fit in all of that?"

"Look, if he wants to, then he'll make it happen." Klavier replied "That's just how we guys do it." Athena fell silent, seemingly pondering on his words "Look, if I were you, I'd be packing my bags 'cause we're leaving tonight."

"WHAT!? So soon!?"

Klavier raised an eyebrow "Would you rather see him sooner or later?"

Get yourself together Athena Cykes, you can't pass up on this now! "Fine. I'll be ready."

Klavier smiled and started to walk towards the exit of the lecture hall "Well, I think Fraulein Woods should be waiting for us at the quad right about now, I remember her saying after the trial that she wanted to show us around the festival a bit more."

Athena followed him soon after "Oh right, she did, and I promised to go with her too!"