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[ He can see that in her, too. In the way that she smiles, and the way she plucks up her courage. He could never ignore that. He's seen that countless times in his friends, facing their darkest fears, their darkest selves, and choosing to accept themselves and move on anyway. Acceptance ... even of that which you think can't be accepted.

Yu's expression softens, and he reaches out to grasp her shoulder. ]

I know. You're strong, Athena. If anyone can pull through, it's you. [ He lets go, tilting his hand to start them walking again. ]

Still, if you want to talk about what happened, I'm here. You're not alone. Remember that, alright?

[ oh, no. that's so touching. athena easily cries, and tears start to fall from her blue eyes. how dare you make her cry, yu narukami!!!

she tries to smile, but she can't hold back her sobs. it's not because she's sad, but her heartstrings have totally been tugged. it's great to know who her friends are. ]

You're— [ SOB. ] You're a true friend, Yu.

[ Oh no...

In the end, Yu sighs. Athena... she's so expressive with her emotions. Maybe he should have expected this...?

Without any hesitation, he reaches out, gently gathering her into his arms. ]

You've been a true friend to me too, Athena. Ever since we met. I'm grateful for you. I'm just glad I can be here for you, too.

[ o- oh... a hug????? she was not expecting that. she was stiff when yu had embraced her, but she relaxes immediately and rests her head on his chest.

and then she remembers kissing him. not just kissing him, but passionately kissing him.

and she opens her eyes wide, and she jumps away. ]

Ha ha...! Y- Y- Yes, definitely! I'm your true amiga, and you're my true amigo! Danke schoen!

[ He looks a little surprised at the suddenness with which she springs away, their passionate kiss the furthest thing from his mind. It hadn't meant much to him, after all. (Only two book kisses had, and those had been backed by other feelings.) But he respects her space, and lets her go, his smile turning a little crooked at the sprinkling of other languages. He props a hand on his hip and tilts his head a little, at least guessing that she feels awkward, though not actually clueing into the reason. ]

Sure. Come on, that ice cream isn't going to eat itself without us, right?

Yeah!

[ and she stiffly walks past yu, though at least she's smiling?!?!?!? everything's fine. she's thinking too much. and she's secretly thinking and hoping that widget doesn't blurt out what she's currently thinking. she can already be embarrassing enough, she doesn't need widget to add to what she's already feeling. ]

Oh, but I meant what I said, okay? You're a true friend.

[ Well, alright. He joins her as they resume their walk to the ice cream shop. ]

You too. [ In a weird way, he feels better about what he has to tell her now. Like... he was right to trust her. ] Just promise me you won't laugh at what I have to say. [ He says it with some humor. ]

[ being a psychology expert, she already knows that people who start with "ok, but don't laugh..." are about to tell a funny story. still, she doesn't look at all ready to laugh. she keeps her poker face on. ]

You can count on me. I'm good at hiding what I'm feeling.

[ ATHENA, THAT'S NOT HELPING!! ]

[ He gives her an odd look, and then...

... bursts out laughing, though for Yu that's a quiet sound even so. ]

That's not... you don't have to do that. It's probably a story that deserves to be laughed at, anyway... I don't want you to hide how you feel.

H- Hey, don't laugh!

[ SHE IS SO OFFENDED RIGHT NOW. ]

But if you want me to laugh at you, then I'll totally do it!

Sorry, sorry! [ A few more chuckles. ] That's just so like you. I don't want you to laugh or anything! Just ... be yourself, Athena. That's all I've ever wanted you to be.

[ He'll just lead them to the ice cream shop after that, keeping up a steady stream of safer chatter. And since the ice cream is on him... ]

What can I get you, anyway?

[ jesus christ. yu. it's unreal how you can sound so romantic. athena just stares at him for a few good moments before she starts walking again. shake it off, cykes. just shake it off. ]

A croissant a la mode!

[ you asked. ]

[ It comes naturally.

He gives her a look of some small uncertainty at that as he steps up to the counter. ]

Do you think they have that...?

[ But he places the order nonetheless, relieved when the girl behind the counter doesn't seem perturbed by it. He places his own order for a plain cup of vanilla ice cream. ]

Your tastes are pretty varied, huh?

[ she looks back at the sign from outside. not that she can read what it says now, but...! ]

I just saw it outside and thought it looked good. It's worth a try, right?

[ He laughs. ] Adventurous, too. Then again, I guessed that from a night spent camping out in the library. Too bad that didn't turn anything up, huh...?

[ Yu pays once their orders are ready and hands Athena hers. ] Come on, why don't we find a table?

Tell me about it. [ she sighs and walks further into the cafe to find a table. ] It's so difficult to find information in this place.

But I guess things like these don't come easy. It's the same back at home.

Not without significant risk. [ Said somewhat quietly. He's been thinking about taking the fight to CERES, but he knows the cost of doing so... ]

What was it like back home? [ Asked as they manage to find themselves a table and sit down. ]

As normal as it can be! [ she says with a confident grin. that's a lie, though. nothing about athena's version of los angeles is normal. ]

People committing murders, boss and I defending them, [ oops, she forgot about apollo. ] magic shows on the side...

... you and your boss defend people who commit murders? [ Kind of blinking at her. He has a feeling there's more to that than what it sounds like. ]

Oh, no! No, no— [ she blinks a couple of times. was it something she said? probably. ]

We defend people who are in need. But I'm pretty sure my boss has had a client before who was guilty, though...

And I'm pretty sure he did the right thing.

[ That gets Yu to grin. ]

I don't doubt that. Who is your boss, anyway?

Phoenix Wright.

Do you know him?

Oh, sure I do. We met back in Ardeo's volcano. He wanted me to put some pants on one of my Personas.

[ why do you say it so nonchalantly? ]

Pants...? [ wait, she doesn't know a thing about yu's. persona yet. ] Persona? What?

[ Because that's how he does everything.

He looks slightly taken aback at this, though. ]

You don't know...?

[ A beat. ] You don't know. Huh. I guess I just figured you somehow would. Where do I start...?

[ He rubs a hand over his mouth. ] It's my power. It's ... like magic? [ No it's not. ] I can summon certain beings to help me in battle. It's how I fight. I don't know how I never told you.

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