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imnobodyuknow · 1 month

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Surprise!!!

Well, I hate to tell y'all this, but...

I wrote another fan fiction!

Yep... And if that wasn't cringey enough, it's one about my favorite Ace Attorney ship!

And did I happen to mention I'm a bit of a hopeless romantic?

Dang, I'm just diabolical today. 😐

But for those of you who don't mind fanfiction, ships, and a bit of non-canon romance (and have played through both of the Ace Attorney Chronicles games), please enjoy a brand-new short story featuring two characters from my first one -- Ryunosuke Naruhodo and Susato Mikotoba!

I was hoping to have it ready by Valentine's Day, but I don't mind having a little extra time to polish things, so I'll just say "oh, well" to that. 🤷‍♂️ Now, without further ado...

***The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles Spoilers Ahead!!!***

A Moment of Warmth

A short story by the Co-Mod

Dedicated to anyone struggling to stay positive (and every hopeless romantic out there)

5th December, 8:08 pm

McGilded Park

(Ugh… We sure picked a lousy time to visit this place again. London winters are the worst.)

The young man slumped over on the bench in his brown wool coat, crossing his arms and hating the bitter cold with every fiber of his frigid being. He was grateful to be able to rest after the long trip from Japan to Great Britain, which had ended with a loud greeting and a sorry attempt at playing the violin from his eccentric British detective friend. He was also grateful to be in an open space with no sound, save for that of a light wind blowing. And at the moment, he was especially grateful to be alone. He had met many friendly people here in London, but as a defense attorney, someone who had to deal with some of the worst cheaters, liars, and cold-hearted murderers on a regular basis (and had already seen more than his fair share of them), he was all too happy to be the only person in the vicinity.

He wished he knew of a better place to find solitude, though. The only other quiet locations he could think of were the office of Prosecutor van Zieks and the house of the Garridebs, and he was never one to intrude unnecessarily. Much as he loathed the biting cold, he preferred it over the chaotic company he was accustomed to here. Being a Japanese in the Great British Empire had brought about a number of bizarre events in his life, some good, others not so good. He was grateful to have established a reputation as Ryunosuke Naruhodo, a skilled defense attorney, and was equally grateful that his close friends Kazuma and Susato, also Japanese, had themselves achieved good standing with the people of London. He was well aware that respect and social standing were often difficult to come by for outsiders to this nation. All things considered, he and his friends had been truly blessed during their time here.

Even so, he was struggling to feel grateful for much else at the moment. The cold weather and the dark sky above him reminded him of how cold and dark the human soul could be. In just a single year as a defense attorney, he dealt with criminals liars of many different sorts—one of which had tried to frame him for murder—and he was well aware that this was only the tip of the iceberg when it came to the evil still lurking in Great Britain, his home country of Japan, or any other land populated by people.

“Haah… People…” he muttered to himself. When he was younger, he’d read all about evil villains in books, both real and fictional, but seeing them with his own eyes had been an entirely different experience. Not only were they less fun to observe in person, but they often had a way of leaving one with a somewhat less hopeful outlook on life, as well as the future of the world and humanity. And then another thought came to him – with all the new gizmos and gadgets being invented that were making possible things that were previously impossible, who could say what would happen if one of them were to fall into the wrong hands? What new sorts of horrible crimes would be concocted and executed, and how many would suffer for it? The thought made him shiver…although it didn’t make much difference in the cold winter weather.

On the other hand, he had been lucky enough to become someone who, with the help of friends, both old and new, was able to stand against the evil schemes of the wicked and put an end to them. He’d never thought of himself as a hero, but somehow, he’d found himself in the position of being one now, at least in the eyes of his clients. The smiles on their faces and words of gratitude always seemed to make everything he’d been through for them feel less like a trial and more like the end of a thrilling adventure, or like reaching a long journey’s destination. It was those bright moments that truly made his efforts worthwhile in the end. But even so, unlike the fictional heroes he’d read about, he knew he would never save an entire town or city from a dastardly villain’s evil plot. Whether in Great Britain, Japan, or any other nation, all he could do was save one person at a time, and often only by sheer luck. He was simply a cog in the machine known as the legal system, and one cog could never be strong or efficient enough to keep the machine from breaking every now and then.

But regardless of what he was able or unable to do, he knew one thing for sure – he needed a break from people. Why else would he be out in the freezing cold, if not to get away from society and spend some time by himself, after all? Sadly, he couldn’t say that he felt much better now that he was alone. All he felt was the coldness of his surroundings, which only served to remind him of the coldness in the world and in pe-

“Naruhodo-san?”

He turned his head quickly in the direction of the familiar woman’s voice he’d just heard. Standing only a few feet to his left was the concerned face of his judicial assistant and friend. She wore a pink wool coat with the same design his coat had, though a bit fancier.

“Susato-san? Wh-What are you…?”

“I…could not help but worry when I saw that you had come out here by yourself. And in the freezing cold, of all places. Is there…something wrong?”

“Er… N-No, of course not!” he answered with a sheepish grin. “I just…wanted to be alone for a moment, that’s all. Heh…”

Her face grew more concerned. “I see… But…why out here? You could catch a cold in a matter of minutes! And besides, isn’t it rather uncomfortable?”

“I… Well… Uh…”

He paused for a moment, trying to collect his thoughts. Why was he out in this frigid park? Sure, there were no people here, but it hadn’t done much to relieve his inner stress. And it wasn’t doing much for his outer self, either. What had even been the point?

“…There is something wrong, isn’t there?” Susato asked with even stronger concern in her voice. “What is it, Naruhodo-san?”

He struggled to find an answer. She certainly wasn’t wrong, but what could he possibly say? That he was sick of people? That he’d rather be alone in the frigid cold than be near even one of them? He wasn’t sure if he even had a good reason, for that matter.

“I-It’s nothing… Really…”

He turned his face away, hoping she would believe him. After hearing nothing from her for a few seconds, he assumed she’d decided to leave him alone and rejoin their friends in the comfort of their warm and cozy flat.

(Haah… I hope I didn’t leave her feeling too concerned abou—)

“Naruhodo-san.”

“Ah—!” He jerked his head up and saw her standing in front of him, looking down at him with an unsatisfied gaze.

“I have never known you to do something so rash without a reason. Will you kindly tell me what it is that has brought you here?”

Realizing he had no choice, he let out a deep sigh, a large white cloud spewing from his mouth. “It’s…sort of hard to explain.”

He paused for a moment to collect his thoughts before looking down cheerlessly.

“I guess you could say I’m…feeling overwhelmed right now. I can’t put a finger on why that is, but…I thought it might help if I could just get away from the clamor of people talking, laughing, and shouting…”

He heard Susato’s shoes in the snow as she gently stepped closer to him.

“I’ve never really been someone who hates being around others, but…I guess they get to be too much to deal with sometimes. It’s almost like…they wear you down over time, like a horse that’s pulling a heavier load than it’s used to. Does that make sense?”

“Yes, I think so.”

“Gyuh—!” He jumped as he noticed her sitting right next to him. How had she done that so quietly?

She remained in silent thought for a moment, looking out into the distance, before turning to face him again.

“Is that all?”

“Ah… Mostly. There’s also…” He gave another deep sigh. “…the bad feeling I get when I think about the malice and cruelty people are capable of. It’s not as though I wasn’t aware of it before, but…it just makes me wonder…if…”

“If…?”

“If…there could be malice and cruelty inside everyone, only a few layers deep?”

“Inside of everyone?” Her eyes widened at his words.

“Well…maybe not a lot of it, but…enough to make anyone resort to criminal deeds, given the right circumstances. Enough to change them from a person to a heartless beast.”

She stared at him in silence, not moving a muscle.

“Look at Kazuma, for example. He said himself that there was a demon inside him. One that almost drove him to murder. He said that it nearly consumed him, in fact.”

“Well… Yes, he did, but…he managed to conquer that demon in the end, didn’t he? At least temporarily?”

“Sure, but…”

“But what, Naruhodo-san?”

He thought for a moment.

“I…used to think there were some in the world who had no such demon. I’ve come to terms with being wrong about that, but…”

He let out another deep sigh.

“…I never suspected there would be so many whose demons had conquered them. It almost seems like a disease that no one is immune to. I suppose that doesn’t necessarily mean everyone will catch it, but…to realize that even those with strong hearts and minds can be overpowered by the evil inside of them…”

He glanced over at Susato, who was still giving him a motionless stare. Looking toward the ground again, he continued, “I do apologize for sounding so gloomy. I’m not usually this negative, am I?”

“I was just about to say that,” she answered in a harsher tone, now wearing an unhappy glare.

He turned his head to her, wondering where this sudden tone had come from. “Eh?”

She put a hand on her hip. “I have seen you pout, slouch, groan, and sigh on many occasions, but not once have I ever seen you speak in such a horribly negative tone. And I must say, it does not suit you well at all!”

He stared at her for a moment before sighing again and slouching, “Sorry… I can’t help it if I’m overwhelmed, can I?”

“And now you’re doing all four at once! Will you kindly get ahold of yourself, Naruhodo-san?”

“…You make it sound so easy.”

“It has never been too challenging for you in the past, has it?”

“Hm?”

“As I recall, you have been overwhelmed on several occasions before now.” She held up a pair of tightly-clenched fists as she continued, “Yet you have always been able to pull yourself together when it counted, even when it seemed as if all hope was lost. And that is precisely why you are known and loved by so many today! Surely you haven’t forgotten?”

“…”

“…I…guess that’s true…”

“Then prove to me that you have not lost your resolve,” she shouted. “And do it now!”

Her words shook him out of his depressive state, if only slightly. But he knew he couldn’t disappoint Susato, no matter how pessimistic he was feeling. Sitting up straight, he paused, took a deep breath, and vigorously slapped his cheeks.

“Hah… That’s a little better.” He looked at Susato again and saw that she was still wearing the same glare, apparently still not satisfied.

“O-Oh, right!” He quickly stood up and, with a look of confidence and determination, pointed his left arm straight in front of him, as if accusing some invisible witness of lying. “OBJECTION!!!”

Susato giggled. “There it is! I was sure your resolve hadn’t left you entirely.”

He sat back down with a satisfied smile, feeling refreshed, and a bit warmer than before. “Thank you, Susato-san. I think that was just what I needed.”

She smiled sweetly. “Do you understand now, Naruhodo-san? Overcoming your negativity was as simple as that.”

He grabbed his chin and thought for a moment. “I suppose so, but…what else did that achieve? My mood might be a bit better now, but it’s not as if I’ve slain anyone’s inner demon by doing that, is it?”

“Oh…! There you go again!” she groaned. “And you were looking so content just a moment ago.”

“Ah…! Sorry.” He grinned at her again, unsure what to say next. She closed her eyes and huffed through her nose, looking almost like a dragon exhaling smoke.

After a few moments of awkward silence, she spoke up again. “I’m not unfamiliar with being overwhelmed myself, you know.”

(I can see that...) Ryunosuke thought to himself.

“And do you know what I prefer to do in those instances?” He turned and gave her his full attention. With a warm smile, she continued, “I prefer to be around familiar faces.” He gave her a look of uncertainty, wondering what she meant. “Being among company reassures me that I am not alone in dealing with my inner struggles, and it reminds me that I have people to help me calm down should my frustration ever get the better of me.”

(Assuming you don’t execute a Susato Takedown on any of them, that is,) he thought with a smirk.

Her eyes fell as she placed her hand on the bench next to her and added with a frown, “I suppose that’s a bit easier for us women, of course. We’re more social creatures than men, after all.” She looked up at him plainly. “But if you prefer to be alone, it would worry me much less if you were to do so indoors. I believe I speak for Sholmes-san and Iris-chan as well.”

He looked at her idly as he considered what he should do. He doubted his mood would be improved much, if at all, by rejoining everyone inside the flat, but he hated the thought of making them all worry about him, and his solitude didn’t seem to have helped much, either. If anything, it had only made his inner turmoil even worse. But he still wasn’t sure what choice would be the better one…or at least the more tolerable one.

He sighed and muttered, “All right, I’ll go back in.”

She smiled. “Thank goodness!”

“In a few minutes, though. I still need some time to think.”

Her face dropped as she gave an unhappy sigh. She looked down and saw his bare hands resting on his legs. “Well, you certainly won’t be letting your hands freeze solid in the meantime!” She quickly grabbed his hands and clasped her gloved fingers around his bare ones. (Honestly…) she thought. (How can you manage to be so careless?)

He stared at her hands, taken off guard by her sudden gesture. Looking up at her face, he saw her staring down his hands as if trying to win a staring contest. Even more alarming, though, was the strength with which she was gripping his hands. He knew she had strong hands, but he was sure he’d never seen her grab anything so tightly or focus so intensely. What on earth could have brought this on? Was she afraid he might get frostbit if she didn’t squeeze hard enough? Whatever her reason was, the warmth her hands provided was both comforting and pleasant, so he decided he may as well let her continue until she was satisfied.

But then he noticed something different. The coldness he’d been feeling in every part of his body seemed to be slowly dissipating, starting with his hands. It was almost as if he were holding them in front of a warm fireplace. Almost as if…Susato’s hands were a warm fireplace.

He gazed at her hands. He began feeling nostalgic and thinking of all she had done for him with those hands – helping him find clues during investigations, searching through evidence to help him put together the truth in the courtroom, taking careful notes and finding just the right information at just the right time, and writing letters to him when they were separated, using the most beautiful calligraphy he’d ever laid eyes on. She’d also used them to flip him upside-down on several occasions, of course, but he’d gotten used to it over time, strange as it was.

And now here she was, using them to create warmth, both in his hands and in his heart. It dawned on him then that he’d been spending so much time thinking about the cold and cruel people in the world that he’d forgotten about the ones who made the world a warmer place – those who gave of themselves without expecting something in return, those who used their talent and skill to benefit others rather than only themselves, and those who dedicated their lives to fighting crime and protecting those who fell victim to it – fighting the coldness he’d been so focused on earlier. He’d been lucky enough to meet and befriend so many of those people: the professor at his university, Dr. Mikotoba, his famous detective friend, Herlock Sholmes (also known as the Herlock Sholmes), Sholmes’s brilliant daughter Iris, the pickpocket turned detective-in-training, Gina Lestrade, and even his close friend Kazuma, whose heart may have been tainted by bitterness, but who had changed course in the end and become someone for him to look up to and admire once again. And, of course, his trusted friend and judicial assistant, Susato Mikotoba, who was now putting all her focus into warming his hands, as if it was her job.

A smile slowly spread across his face. A moment ago, he’d been talking about malice and cruelty existing inside of everyone, but after knowing, befriending, and working side by side with this young woman for almost a year, he struggled to recall her saying or doing anything malicious or cruel at all. She was certainly far from perfect, and even had a bit of an aggressive streak at times (one he had been on the receiving end of quite often, in fact), but if there was anything evil in her, it must have been buried under so many layers that no one would be able to dig their way through to it in a hundred years. What was easy to detect in her, on the other hand, was an extraordinary collection of good and noble traits: kindness, grace, humility, respectfulness, virtue, faithfulness… Not to mention, she was certainly rather beautiful. In short, she was the personification of an idealized Japanese woman, or as they said in Japan, a Yamato Nadeshiko. Now he was beginning to wonder…just how on earth had he found and become such close friends someone like her?

He became nostalgic once more and remembered a more recent moment between the two of them at Port of Dover, just as he was preparing to begin his trip home. It was a moment he could recall with perfect clarity, as if it had happened yesterday. He remembered the sun peeking over the horizon behind her as she asked him, firmly but hesitantly, “Um…Naruhodo-san…” He had looked at her quizzically as she mumbled, “…the path you’re going to follow from now on… I wonder if I might follow it at your side. Un-Unless I’d be a burden?”

Her question had left him almost speechless. He’d been under the impression that she would stay in London with Kazuma and the friends they had made there, and instead she wanted to go back to Japan with him and remain his judicial assistant? Not only that, but she’d already discussed her decision with Kazuma, who fully supported it? And she had waited until just now to ask what he thought about it? What was he to do with this situation?

Oddly enough, however, his response had come to him quite easily. Without thinking, he had answered, “With you by my side…no trial would seem too daunting. So, if you’re willing, I’d be honoured if you’d come with me. Together we can take on the world!” Her response had been a sweet, humble smile – a smile he had come to love seeing every time it appeared on her face. It was one he had seen on no other face but hers.

Now it occurred to him just how different his outlook had become between then and now. It was almost inconceivable that the man who had just been brooding over coldness and cruelty was the same one who had once believed he could take on the world with his trusted judicial assistant by his side, and that no trial would seem too daunting. Those words repeated in his mind as he stared at Susato’s hands, still linked with his. “We can take on the world…” “No trial would seem too daunting…” It seemed like an era had passed since he’d spoken them.

“Ah… Thank you, Susato-san,” he whispered. “I believe my hands are warm enough now.”

She loosened her grasp and gently pulled her hands away from his. “Then I trust you will keep them firmly tucked into your coat pockets until you come inside, yes?”

“O-Of course. Thank you.” Without hesitating, he slipped his hands into his coat pockets, fearing something much worse than frostbite if he disobeyed her.

Now he was utterly perplexed. His ponderings about the evil in the world had all made sense, he thought, but why on earth had he been so fixated on them? Why had he completely forgotten about the good he’d seen in others, and acted as if he was entirely unfamiliar with love, compassion, virtue, and everything else that made life and people enjoyable? Why, he was sitting next to someone who exemplified those things almost perfectly!

That’s when he realized what it was that had kept him from falling into sorrow and despair as he had traveled the bleak road of the defense attorney – it was her. Well…her and those like her in his life – his family, his friends, and the strangers who had shown him compassion and courtesy. Even if such people seemed to be few and far between right now, he couldn’t deny that he had the pleasure of knowing quite a few of them – people with warm, friendly attitudes, whose very presence could melt even the coldest of hearts, if only for a moment. Perhaps this is what Susato had meant by being “among company”? That the antidote to being overwhelmed by the coldness in people was to be around the warmer ones? If that was true, then…perhaps being alone had only served to make things worse for him.

Turning to Susato, who was focusing her eyes on his hands as if preparing to shove them back in his pockets should he dare to take them out, he smiled with gratitude as he realized she had done him yet another great favor. His thoughts took him to the past again as he remembered Kazuma’s words: “Ah hah hah hah hah hah! Your fine judicial assistant has everything in hand as always, I see.” He chuckled to himself. Was there anything she couldn’t do? It was now clear to him that of all the people who had made his life warmer in one way or another, none had done so quite so well or so consistently as Susato Mikotoba. She was truly someone special. A “special someone” in his life, as he’d heard some of the children of London say.

(Special someone…) he repeated in his mind. His smile slowly disappeared as his thoughts started taking off in a new direction. He could easily describe Susato as his trusted assistant and close friend, of course, but…could it be possible that she had become something more to him? Someone he could see himself sharing the rest of his life and career with? Someone…he could marry?

(Ah…! Slow down, Ryunosuke! Don’t get carried away!) Without thinking, he placed a hand on his forehead and grabbed his temples, and was soon met with an icy stare and a gloved hand grabbing his wrist. “Ah, s-sorry!” Instantly, he put his hand back where it was and resolved not to take it out even partially until he was back indoors.

Special someone… This wasn’t the first time the thought had entered his mind, but…would it be practical to enter a courtship with his own judicial assistant? There were no laws against such a thing, as far as he knew, either here or in Japan, but would it be proper? Would anyone object to it or find it strange? Would a judge find it problematic for future trials? And most importantly, what would she think? Would she be comfortable being known as his “special someone”? For that matter, would he be comfortable with that title? Even if it was mostly used by children, he had to admit it had a rather nice ring to it.

(Special someone… Special someone…)

“Special…someone? Who is that, Naruhodo-san?”

“Agh—!” (Do my lips still move when I think?)

“I’m afraid so, Naruhodo-san,” she answered with a giggle.

“Haah…”

Now he was faced with a new problem – should he try and come up with a bluff about what he’d meant by those words, or consider sharing his true thoughts with her? He wasn’t sure how well he could pull off the former, but the latter sounded a bit improper, to say the least. She did seem to be in a better mood now, but even so, if he were to suddenly bring up the subjects of courtship or marriage, it would sound like something straight out of the blue to her! The question now became one he had often dealt with in the courtroom: What was the most prudent way to continue forward? His eyes darted between her and his lap as he pondered.

Suddenly, his questioned was answered when he noticed her smiling warmly at him again. He could almost hear her saying through her expression, “You don’t have to answer if you would prefer not to.” And once again, he could feel the warmth inside him that was somehow ignited by her smile, melting away every worry and care that had plagued him. With his mind now put at ease, he decided upon a solution that would let him express himself honestly to her – rather than discussing the subject of courting her, he would simply express his gratitude for all she had done for him. She deserved it several times over, after all. There was no harm in letting her know how much he appreciated her as a judicial assistant and friend, was there?

“S-Susato-san… I… Th-That is…” She looked at him intently, waiting patiently for him to gather his thoughts. He cleared his throat and tried again, “I…just wanted you to know that I…I’m very grateful for everything you’ve done for me. I mean…truly, very grateful!”

She giggled and tilted her head cutely. “How nice of you to say, Naruhodo-san.”

He took a deep breath, now feeling grateful to the cold weather for making his cheeks flush so that Susato was unaware that she was making him blush. His words gradually started to flow better as he continued, “I…really owe a lot to you. You saved me from a Guilty verdict…you helped me grow as a defense attorney…and you’ve provided so much help and moral support for me along the way. I…” He glanced at her for a short moment. “I feel very blessed to have someone like you in my life.” His eyes popped open as he realized how that last part could be easily misconstrued. “Erm… As a friend, I mean! Ha ha!” He took another glance at her and saw that sweet smile again. (That was a close one…)

“Hmm…” she answered, sounding just as pleased as she looked. “I appreciate that, Naruhodo-san. Truly!”

His fingers tapped inside his coat pockets as he wondered what he should say next, or if he should say nothing at all. He’d already told her all he had to say…or at least what he felt comfortable saying. Should he leave it at that, or add a few more words of gratitude? She surely deserved more than that much, didn’t she? But what could he possibly add to that without venturing too close to the borderline of confessing his love? And for that matter, was he even sure he was in love with her, or was this just a passing fancy? Bringing up the subject without 100% certainty could lead to disaster…

He thought for a moment before finally deciding to leave well enough alone. Besides, Susato had been completely silent for the last few seconds, so it was probably safe to assume that she wasn’t hoping for anything more. If she was, then she surely would’ve—

“Was…that all you had to say, Naruhodo-san?” she asked curiously.

“Uh...!” His body tensed up as he struggled to come up with an answer. And just when he thought he was home free! Now what was he going to say?

“Ah… I…”

“…”

She looked away for a moment, closing her eyes. What Ryunosuke saw next, he would never forget as long as he lived – as she opened her eyes and looked directly into his with a peaceful, inviting smile, she appeared to him like a sunrise in human form, dazzling him with its beauty, brightening the world around him, and filling him with the warmth of the morning sun. Once again, her expression seemed to speak to him, saying, “I know you have more to say…but you may feel free to take your time saying it.” (Could it be…?) he wondered. (Does she know what my true feelings for her might be? Does she… Does she feel the same way?)

And then he heard another voice – it was his own this time, or rather, the voice of his instincts, speaking the same words he had heard many times in the past, especially in court. Words that had never led him astray. Words that had often given him just the push he needed to make it through to the victory he’d been striving for. Words that, when he chose to listen to them, had made all the difference in his life: “This is it, Ryunosuke. It’s time to move forward.”

His doubts melted away once more, giving way to numerous new feelings – excitement, anticipation, gratitude, disbelief, and overwhelming joy. Could this really be happening? Could a day that had been so dreary become one of the best days of his life? Or perhaps the best? Was this the day fate had chosen for him to discover his ultimate soulmate? His “special someone”? Before, he might have laughed at the thought of it, but could it really be possible? Was it no longer just a fancy? Was this woman…his destiny?

All he knew for certain was that his instincts had already spoken their peace, which could only mean one thing: There was no going back from here. The only question now was, how should he take the first step in this unexpected journey ahead of him? He took one more deep breath and thought carefully about what to say.

“…”

“…Do you…remember what I told you…the day you offered to go with me back to Japan…as my judicial assistant?”

“Yes,” she answered with enthusiasm. “I remember those words quite well, in fact: ‘With you by my side…no trial would seem too daunting. Together we can take on the world!’”

“Yes, that’s it!” He knew there was a bit more to what he had said, but this was hardly the time to worry about details. “I… I’m…” She gazed at him with the eyes of a child listening to a fascinating story. “I’m starting to believe that…maybe…those words have taken on a new meaning since then. Th-That is… I…”

He looked down toward his hands, which no longer had one bit of coldness left in them. “Um… Do I have permission to take my hands out for just a moment?” She looked toward his hands, then back up at him…and gave him a silent nod.

In one quick motion, he took out his hands and gently placed them around hers. Lifting them up slowly, he looked directly into her eyes. “I love you…Susato-san. You’re the sweetest, kindest, most admirable young woman I have ever met. You’re…truly very beautiful, inside and out!” She gazed at him silently, still holding her gorgeous smile. “Perhaps…if you’re interested, we can be by each other’s side in a different way? Perhaps we could…take on more than just trials in the courtroom together? I’d… I’d be truly honoured…!” He took a moment to admire the warm light that seemed to be shining directly on him from her lovely eyes.

Unsure of where to go next, he waited in silence for a moment before suddenly letting go, tucking his hands back into his coat, and turning himself forward. “That was…all I had to say.” He was overjoyed to have finally gotten these words off his chest, but now he wondered if he might have said the wrong thing, or picked the wrong time to say it…or how he could even be sure one way or the other. But just then, he heard a sigh from Susato that seemed to blow these worries away, followed by a light giggle that slowly grew louder. His muscles tensed up as she opened her mouth to speak. (Here it comes… The final verdict…)

“I…”

His heart skipped a beat.

“…would be truly honoured as well, in that case...”

(…Did… Did she really…?)

“…Ryunosuke.”

(She… She just called me “Ryunosuke”!)

He felt her hand on his lap. “I’ve had the thought cross my mind occasionally, too…especially since that day.” He slowly turned toward her, giving her his full attention. “I…knew you were only speaking to me as a friend and colleague at the time…but there was still a part of me that wondered…if there was even a small chance that those words might be prophetic… A sign of things to come... If perhaps…there could more between us than a close friendship and a shared passion for justice.” She giggled with a wide grin. “I…always felt so silly when I let myself entertain those thoughts. But now…”

She found the part of his coat containing his hand and gently grabbed onto it. “…I see that my intuition was right…once again.” Her warm smile returned as she looked deep into his eyes, making his smile grow like a rose unfolding in the sun.

“Was it…everything you were hoping for?” he asked.

“Hmm… Yes, it was.” They gazed at one another for a few seconds, although it seemed more to them like a few hours. “Well…” she added, dropping her smile and touching a finger to her chin, “That is, until you lost your nerve and put your hands back in your pockets. That part was a bit unexpected.” They shared a nervous but hearty laugh.

He looked down for a moment, then back up at her. “I’ll…try to do better in the future, then…”

She closed her eyes and sighed contently before looking him in the eyes once more, and finally, she spoke the words she’d only been communicating through her warm smile until now. “I love you as well…Ryunosuke.”

He looked into her shining eyes and returned her smile again. “It seems as if my intuition was right as well, then,” he whispered. “I truly am blessed to have someone like you in my life…Susato.” He gasped lightly as the shared warmth between them suddenly became a fire burning deep inside them. At that moment he knew this would be a day he would never forget – the day when a moment of warmth sparked the beginning of a lifetime of pure joy.

(Hmm… So this is love, is it? A feeling this warm could bring us through even the coldest of London winters…)

Their special moment lasted for another minute or two until Susato quietly broke the silence. “It’s getting rather late, Ryunosuke. Shall we head back now?”

He nodded. “Yes, let’s.” They rose from the bench together, still holding their mutual gaze. Ryunosuke began shivering a bit as the coldness caught his attention again.

“Ah--!” he shouted lightly, quickly straightening himself. “I almost forgot to make it official, ha ha!” He pulled his hands out once more and gently took her hands again. Focusing intently on her eyes, he asked her tenderly, “May I have the honor of courting you, Susato?”

She gave a heartfelt smile and answered plainly, “Yes, you may.”

His heart and soul filled with warmth as he pictured the romantic endeavours awaiting him and his incredible new lover! What adventures would they share as a couple, both in court and elsewhere? Where would they travel together? What engaging conversations would they have about their likes, dislikes, and interests? What did the future hold for the two of them as they took on the world together? Just the thought of it all lifted his spirits to heights he’d never known before. All he knew for certain was that they had much to look forward to as their separate lives became one life shared between them.

His thoughts turned to the present as he began wondering what he should do next. His plans for beginning a courtship with Susato had stopped short of anything beyond gaining her approval, unfortunately. “So…um…” he muttered, looking away awkwardly. “Do you suppose we should…do something to signify our courtship?”

“Hm… What sort of something, Ryunosuke?”

“Um… P-Perhaps…”

“…”

“…Perhaps a kiss?”

She jumped back a bit in surprise. “Kiss?”

“Y-Yes! Only a short one, of co--”

She pulled her hands away and placed them on her hips, giving him a dissatisfied glare. “If you think for one moment that we are going to do that before we have had at least three outings…!”

“Ah, s-sorry! I…guess I got a little ahead of myself there!”

She responded with a huff. “Honestly, you men…”

(I must be sweating bullets right now…) he thought. (I sure hope it doesn’t freeze.)

She softened her expression and spoke quietly, “You needn’t worried about that, Ryunosuke.”

“Huh?”

“Sweat doesn’t freeze in this sort of weather. You’d have to travel somewhere much colder for that to happen.”

“…”

“Haah… I did it again, didn’t I?”

She giggled loudly. “I’m afraid so.”

He scratched the back of his head for a moment. Looking at her apologetically, he asked, “…Perhaps a hug, then?”

She nodded and stepped closer to him, her smile becoming warm again. “That I will gladly accept.”

As they fell slowly into a loose but heartfelt embrace, Ryunosuke began to feel as if, somehow, everything was right with the world. But even it wasn’t, he felt more prepared than ever to face whatever challenges lie ahead for him. No…not for him. For them. With this courtship, they had become one singular force for good in the world, whose strength, wits, and passion would make them practically unstoppable!

(Perhaps it’s only wishful thinking,) he thought, staring at the snowflake-filled sky above him, (But I’m beginning to think that perhaps…miracles do happen.)

5th December, 10:15

Sholmes’s Suite

The door creaked open as a half-frozen Ryunosuke shivered his way into the flat, holding tightly to a warm-faced Susato. Looking at them, one might have thought they were drawings in a children’s book depicting the difference between cold and warm.

“Good heavens!” Iris shouted, jumping back and placing her gloved hands on her cheeks. “Is Runo all right? He looks like a walking iceberg!”

“He’s all right,” Susato answered calmly. “He just needs a moment to warm up by the fireplace.” She turned to him. “And perhaps a few blankets as well. Will that help?”

He nodded slowly, teeth chattering loudly.

“Well, I hope you’re happy now.” Iris grumbled as she crossed her arms. “Your tea and cookies are stone cold, and I baked over three dozen cookies, so you won’t be getting any warm ones for quite some time! Honestly…what were you thinking?” She glared at the two of them as they hobbled their way to the fireplace.

“W-W-Well…” he began. “I-I j-j-just n-need…needed a bo…a bobent t-to…”

Susato chimed in with a sad smile, “I’m afraid we’ll have to wait until he’s completely thawed out before he can answer properly.”

“R-R… *ACHOO* Right…” Susato pulled off his coat as he gently sat on the floor, inches from the glowing fireplace.

“Well, I hope he stays a bit closer to home the next time he wanders off,” Iris huffed. She turned to Ryunosuke and added, “And I also hope you don’t expect me to be your nursemaid while you’re recuperating from your cold. Hmph…” She walked off with a pout, leaving them with their plates of cold tea and cookies.

Susato went to hang up their coats and fetch some blankets as Ryunosuke sat waiting for the fire to put an end to his shivering. He heard her gentle footsteps as she approached him and draped several blankets over him. Her presence next to him seemed to add to the warmth he felt from the blankets. She sat down on the couch next to him before placing a hand on his shoulder and rubbing it tenderly. He gave a quiet sigh in response.

“We seem to have left a bee in Iris-chan’s bonnet, hm hm!” she quietly remarked. They chuckled softly.

He gazed at the small dancing flames in front of him, smiling as they warmed his face. Turning to see the glowing face of his “special someone,” he admired the reflection of the fire in her eyes. (It was worth it,) he thought to himself.

THE END

#toy story #rex #spongebob squarepants #my little pony #spike #ace attorney #the great ace attorney chronicles #ryunosuke naruhodo #susato mikotoba #iris wilson #fanfiction #will there be a drawing of this in the future?#you'd better believe it 😉

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