Chapter Text
The one thing that Miles Edgeworth wanted more than anything was to leave the city.
It had grown stifling, and while that was where he had lived his entire life, it was wearing on his psyche, bordering on overwhelming. Which is why, at twenty-four, he'd decided to move. It'd be a good change of pace, his father had suggested, you can just as easily continue your studies there .
Tempting as it was to simply leave all on his own, he knew there was no way he was going to go by himself, leading him to his current predicament.
"Miles Edgeworth," came the clipped voice he knew all too well, "we've arrived. Please keep your foolishness to a minimum, little brother."
The scholar sighed. Franziska has taken quite a liking to teasing her "little brother", despite being only sixteen herself. Never a dull moment, living with her. Life in Himawari Village will prove to be no different, at least in that regard.
"I'll be sure to keep that in mind," he jests, falling back into their own familiar banter.
The day was bright, even this early in the morning. Looking out the window, both siblings saw an expanse of fields, the sun shining brightly through the clouds. Franziska's eyes widened at the sight. As intimidating as the young girl seemed, she was just that: a child, still allowed to marvel in the wonders the world had in store for her. Miles knows that Franziska could use the break, after touring the country performing in her troupe’s newest ballet.
"I'll take care of her, father", Miles had said, bidding him farewell before stepping onto the train and into his new life, "I promise."
Now, a small smile makes its way onto his face as he looks at the aforementioned plains. Seeing the rows of sunflowers that make up the village's namesake, he allowed himself to feel a sense of astonishment, at least for a moment. Right before pulling into the station, he catches a glimpse of some of the quaint cottages in the city's outskirts.
It’s a small little village, reputable for its secluded nature and idyllic atmosphere, far better suited to do quiet, peaceful studying than the loud and often crowded city. The houses are smaller, and there’s more room to breathe. The rolling hills and mountains in the horizon leave the two passengers speechless.
The air feels cleaner as they step off the train. The man at the ticket booth greets them with a smile and a "Nice to meet ya, pal!"
After asking for directions to the townhouse they had visited about a month earlier, they were finally ready to set off and get settled in.
Franziska takes a deep breath and sighs looking towards her brother with a determined glint in her eye. Growing up all too familiar with a look like that, he knew it seldom meant anything good.
"Last one to the house has to unpack all the boxes, brother!" She finally says before speeding off down the nearest hill, leaving Miles to scramble after her.
Most people in Himawari are early risers, he notices. Shopkeepers are opening their doors, turning their signs from "closed" to "open" and waving at the young man as he dashes past.
Miles is panting, making sure that the strap of the lone bag he hoists onto his shoulder doesn't fall. Not for the first time today, he thanks his past self for having the oversight to send what little belongings they carried with them to the apartment a day in advance.
He runs after Franziska, who screams and laughs with glee at the thought of besting her brother as they make their way through the town square. Even at this time of day, the sun having only made its appearance an hour before, the plaza is bustling. Merchants set up their wares, and villagers start making their short commutes to work, either by bike or on foot. Some turn their heads, interested at the sight of the newcomers. Some even wave, shout various forms of "Good morning" or even just "Welcome!".
He can tell life in the city took a toll on his teenage sister, and he's grateful that they both found a calming, welcoming environment to rest. Being a prodigy in the world of ballet is no easy feat, and Miles is all too familiar with the scrutiny his sister is placed under time and time again. Seeing her now, free to be the little girl she was never allowed to be all those years ago gives him peace of mind. Despite all their teasing and bickering, there is no one else he'd rather take into this new life with him.
—
Just outside the town square is a decently sized house. On the bottom floor is a bakery, with an apartment on the top floor. The bottom floor is split into two, with the bakery and kitchens at the front and a small living space in the back.
It's not much, but to Phoenix Wright, it’s home.
Business is good this early in the morning, as the primary school teacher comes to get their breakfast and a good cup of coffee, the locksmith gets her usual order, and young students pitch in to share a few cinnamon rolls before heading off to classes for the day. There aren't many school days left, as summer is approaching quicker than the townspeople anticipated.
The same regulars have been coming here since Phoenix was a kid, before the store was passed onto him by his mother. He knows them all by name, and most of their orders. There's Diego, who usually orders a latte and goes on his way, taking the first train to his job writing for the news in the next town over. Gumshoe, who never turns down a good swiss roll in the mornings, and Maya, who stops by to grab tea and chat, joking around and gossiping about the customers who come to her sister's store just down the street. She talks about what types of flowers they pick, and muses on who she thinks they’re for.
Sometimes they talk for hours, Phoenix running in and out of the kitchen and listening to Maya's ramblings about everything from the biodiversity of the village flora to her favorite book series, occasionally adding his own comments as he makes batter for the next loaf of bread. He treats her like his own sister, seeing as the Wrights and the Feys have been close family friends for years, and enjoys the company she brings in the mornings.
Today is no different when it comes to the customers, but one thing in particular makes this morning stick out in his mind. The new tenants of the apartment upstairs are set to arrive today, moving into the old studio that used to house his mother’s paintings. Whatever didn’t get donated to the local gallery stayed in Phoenix’s small flat downstairs, and it’s not like he uses the extra space. His mother would’ve wanted him to move on eventually, and since her passing a year ago he decided it was about time he put it to good use.
He’d only seen the father of the two tenants, having been too busy catering for an event at the town hall to properly show the two around on their visit a month ago, but from what he could tell, they seemed like good people.
After a few hours in the shop, he’s fallen steady into the rhythm of baking, prepping different types of batter so that all he needs to do is place them in the oven. No grand scale events today, so he should have time to properly welcome his guests.
Phoenix hears the familiar tinkling of the bells at the door, dusting his hands off and turning around to greet whoever’s entered, and stops.
“You’re Mr. Wright, I take it?” says a man, followed by a younger girl. He looks about Phoenix’s age, and yet his hair is an unmistakable silver. His voice has a sort of lilt the baker can’t quite place, but it’s obvious that this man is from the city. He’s distinguished, albeit flushed, most likely from the spring warmth that’s already bleeding into summer heat, these days.
“That’d be me, yeah,” Phoenix replies, a little breathless himself, falling into that old familiar habit of putting his hand behind his head, scratching at the back of his neck nervously. “Please, just call me Phoenix- and you are…?”
He strides across the bakery to the counter, the girl in tow, holding an outstretched hand in his direction, and Phoenix returns the handshake. “Miles Edgeworth. A pleasure to make your acquaintance.” He motions to the girl at his side. “This is-”
“Franziska Von Karma,” the girl cuts in loudly, “I am Miles Edgeworth’s big sister.” The girl looks no older than Maya, with short, cropped metallic blue hair. He decides not to mention the obvious contradiction this presents.
“She will be living with me, for the time being,” Miles continues, “I have all the necessary documents to facilitate the rental process, however I do need your signature for a select few, as the landlord.” He fishes around in his messenger bag, taking out a pen and a small stack of papers. “You can sign these now, if you’d like.”
“Sure thing, I can help the two of you unpack too, it’s no trouble.”
With the documents signed and ready to be filed away for safekeeping, Miles and Franziska take the stairs up to the second floor, and Phoenix flips the sign at the door from “Open” to “Closed”.
—
They spend the rest of the morning unpacking and moving furniture, engaging in easy conversation all the while. Phoenix learns that Miles is a scholar, studying legal theory in order to become a law professor, following in the footsteps of his father. He learns of Franziska’s ballet career, hearing about the countless shows that she’s starred in. Miles and Franziska learn the story behind their new home, and Franziska asks to see some of the paintings that were left behind. Despite the grief that seeing them brings, he promises her that he’ll show them the ones in his apartment, feeling a mix of joy and sorrow building up in his chest. Phoenix mentions something about his great grandfather being a defense attorney, but not saying much more about a man he barely remembers, if at all.
In the afternoon, once most of the boxes are emptied and the furniture rearranged, the three go downstairs to take a well needed break.
Phoenix hears them before he sees them. The only people allowed into the bakery after hours, and the only ones with spare keys. Voices belonging to none other than Mia, Maya and Pearl Fey, owners of the Fey and Co. Florists. They’re engaged in lively conversation, smiling and laughing all the while. Mia says something about Pearl breaking another family heirloom and Maya tilts her head back, cackling loudly. Pearl looks grumpy at first, albeit not for long. Soon enough, she’s giggling with her cousins, growing into full blown laughter.
It’s Pearl, perceptive as she is, who notices the newcomers first. She waves energetically at them, her face lighting up even more.
“Mr. Nick!” she shouts, then looks behind him at the other guests behind him. “Are these the people coming to live with you?” she asks, a curious look crossing her face.
“Heya Pearls! Yep, they just got here a few hours ago, I was helping them set up.” He smiles, stepping aside for the siblings, “But I’ll let them introduce themselves.”
Mia gets up from the counter first, walking towards them and stretching out her hand. “Mia Fey. I own a flower shop just down the street,” she motions to the other two girls seated on bar stools.
“That’s Maya, my little sister. She’s a bit of a handful, but she’s the one to call if you need a bouquet that means something.” She looks towards the girl in question, smiling fondly as the younger girl waves, shouting “Nice to meet ya!”.
“You’ve already met Pearl over here, she’s our cousin. She’s shy at first, but you won’t find a better botanist here in Himawari.” The youngest Fey blushes at the praise, but stammers a “Nice to meet you” in response.
Mia shakes Miles and Franziska’s hands as she continues, “Phoenix over here is like family. You’ll probably be seeing us here often, but it’s good to meet you too.” She smiles again, this time warmer and more enthusiastic. “Welcome to Himawari Village. We hope you make yourselves at home.”
“Thank you.” the older of the two responds politely. “I’m Miles Edgeworth, and this is my sister, Franziska. It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance.”
“Alright, then it’s settled!” Maya says, clapping her hands together and nodding, “Why don’t we offer you two something to eat? The best way to get to know someone has got to be through their stomach!”
—
A meal, of course, must have all the right ingredients, but one that is often missed is company.
With the Feys and the Wrights, it seems such a component is never forgotten. They erupt into familiar conversation over steaming bowls of soup, a quick meal Mia and Phoenix prepared with whatever was left over; a mix of meat, noodles and vegetables with spices that gave it that extra burst of flavor. The sun has long since set, the lights that are still on making everything seem golden, the Feys and Phoenix catching up, making sure the guests felt welcomed. Franziska took a while to warm up, but soon enough she was talking with Pearl about the romantic ballets she’s starred in, or with Maya about their shared love of novels- although their taste in genres differed. Miles, on the other hand, was quieter, nodding along as the others talked. Every so often, he’d ask Phoenix and Mia about what it was like growing up in the village, listening as the two swapped stories in joyful reminiscence.
They talk late into the night, the newcomers quickly growing familiar with the group’s rapid banter and seemingly endless energy. As the florists say their goodbyes, Phoenix closes up shop and excuses himself, leaving the siblings to get some shut-eye. Both go through their nightly routine, a comfortable silence stretching between them as it always has.
Looking out the window, Franziska’s eyes light up yet again as she tugs at the sleeve of her brother’s sleepwear.
“Miles, look!” The young girl whispers in awe, dropping the “older sister” facade in her excitement. “The stars are far brighter here! I don’t think I’ve seen anything like this before…”
As he looks outside, he notices that the stars are, in fact brighter- he reasons it’s due to the lack of light pollution compared to the tireless city, alight with an artificial glow at all hours of the day. Miles walks closer to where the younger girl is standing, transfixed at the beauty above them as he leans on the windowsill. He, too, had never seen such a sight, mesmerized by the large expanse of sky above them. He is left speechless, for there are no words to describe the emotion welling up in him for the first time.
After a few moments of admiring the horizon before them, the two stargazers take their leave to their own respective rooms, ready for a restful sleep after such an eventful night. Thoughts of warm welcomes and reassuring first impressions fill their minds as their first day in this new life comes to a close.