Chapter Text
It’s a chilly September morning. Even with a coat on, Kay feels cold. The wind blows eerily, causing the trees to rustle. She shivers, and clutches her bouquet.
She’s the only person at the cemetery. Not many people would come this early - it’s 6 in the morning. She wants to be alone right now.
It doesn’t take her long to find her father’s grave, even in the pale morning light. She visits it every year on September 20th, the anniversary of his death.
It’s a granite headstone, modestly tall and very generic. The inscription reads “In loving memory of Byrne Collin Faraday. March 22nd 1972 - September 20th 2012. A caring father, a good friend, and a dedicated prosecutor.” All of it is true, but the same message is inscribed on thousands of other gravestones. Kay thinks her father deserves something more unique.
She lays down flowers at his grave. She knows that each one of them has a special meaning - she did pick them out, after all - but she can’t remember what exactly they mean. There are far too many important thoughts in her head right now. But the meaning of the daisies sticks out in her mind: Keeping a secret.
She knows she should have told him already, but she never knew how to bring it up. But she promised herself she’d do it today.
So she sits in silence, preparing to talk. She likes to think her father can hear her, but she isn’t sure. She’ll just have to pretend that he can.
“Hey dad. I can’t believe you’ve been gone for ten years already.” Kay says, “I’ve been doing well. I still don’t really feel twenty yet, but I dunno if I’ll ever feel old. I'm still continuing the Yatagarsu, but I'm not sure if I'll do it for much longer. I'm thinking I want to try my luck at another career, but I'm not sure what.“
She goes on to recount the events of the last year. She brags about how Gummy got promoted to Lieutenant, recalls the time Mr. Edgeworth got wrapped up in another international incident, and tells stories of the magician whom she babysits. A knot forms in her stomach, she still hasn’t mentioned her. She takes a deep breath.
“Remember how you always made me promise, that if I ever got a boyfriend I had to bring him to you immediately? Well, I haven’t broken my promise.” Her voice is shaky. “But I thought you’d still like to know about my girlfriend.”
She feels a mix of catharsis and fear. Tears start to flow down her cheek, and she makes no effort to stop them. She doesn’t know if they’re tears of joy or sadness.
“Her name is Ema. I really think you’d like her, Dad. She’s studying to be a forensic scientist.“ Kay says fondly. “We’ve been dating for two months, but I think I’ve known for 3 years. But I’m still sort of figuring it all out, and that’s why I never brought it up. Because I was always worried I was wrong, and that it was just a phase.” She decides not to mention she was scared of what he’d think.
The dawn has finally come. It feels like a weight has been lifted off her shoulders.
“See you next year."