Work Text:
Now that Will Powers’ murder case concluded, Global Studios went back to making more Steel Samurai. But the show was still being canned regardless, they already announced the new show, The Pink Princess. This weekend is going to be the series finale, which Maya restlessly reminded Nick about. She got in contact with Penny and Cody as well. Cody is just as upset as her about the series ending and Penny is very closed off, afraid to spoil the finale. But she hadn’t hit up her oldest Steel Samurai loving friend just yet.
Maya met this person on a random Steel Samurai forum post about two years ago. They were making a passionate defense post for the Evil Magistrate, trying to argue that he is not just pure evil, but a rather sympathetic villain who the Steel Samurai will redeem at the end of the series. She found their passion for the Evil Magistrate interesting, if a little funny and they have been chatting online since then.
Well, Maya is certainly curious if they will end up being correct about the series finale. Although she definitely didn’t consider the Evil Magistrate in any way redeemable. After making sure that Nick didn’t particularly need her for anything, she dropped down on the old office sofa, phone in hand.
SamuraiLov4r: heeeeeeyyyyyy u here
While waiting for a reply, Maya looked over to Nick. He was cleaning right now. A very rare sight, that Nick would ever actually clean the office. But Maya knew that it would end up looking like a pigsty in a couple days anyway. Maybe even later today. Nick’s office was like a pigsty magnet. She watched Nick organize the papers on his desk before she felt her phone buzz.
Signal Red: Yes, hello.
SamuraiLov4r: so like
series finale
this weekend
HYPED LIKE HELL!!!!!!
Signal Red: Yes, me too.
I just hope I get to watch the premiere.
SamuraiLov4r: WHAT
as your oldest mutual samurai fan friend
if you do not watch the premiere
you have lost fan privileges
i mean its the SERIES FINALE
THE ENDING
Signal Red: I know, but I have work.
And as much as I’d like to, I cannot neglect it in favor of the Steel Samurai.
I can always see a rerun or download the episode.
This week has been hectic.
SamuraiLov4r: oof i feel that
but like come on youd really miss the premiere
of the show finale? :(
Signal Red: I’ll try not to, but no promises.
SamuraiLov4r: what kind of work needs you to go in on a saturday too btw
Signal Red: Busy work.
SamuraiLov4r: ill have to try very hard to not spoil you
Signal Red: Yes, please.
SamuraiLov4r: so do you like
still believe in evil magistrate redemption
like you’ve been campaigning since like
season 3?
Signal Red: Of course I do.
The series finale is the perfect opportunity for the Steel Samurai to finally redeem the Evil Magistrate.
We have already learned about his tragic backstory, that his parents were kidnapped and killed by his neighbouring country when he was a child, thus leading him to take revenge on Neo Olde Tokyo.
SamuraiLov4r: ok but like
can you really say revenge is sympathetic
Signal Red: You are missing the point.
It’s not about revenge, it’s about the Evil Magistrate’s love and care for his family.
The Steel Samurai will redeem him by making him see that revenge is not necessary.
That the best way he can honor his lost family is by honing their good name and that his parents wouldn’t want him to be a monster for their sake. Ultimately, he lost his family, but that doesn’t mean he wouldn’t be accepted anywhere else as family. All he needs is to change his ways. The Steel Samurai and his allies will welcome him with open arms.
SamuraiLov4r: ok yeah how many times have i already heard that essay
Signal Red: It’s the series finale! This is the best conclusion for the Evil Magistrate.
The Steel Samurai always delivers Great Justice. Delivering that to his ultimate nemesis as well is the perfect conclusion for the finale.
SamuraiLov4r: well we will see how that goes :P
if you end up being wrong and the evil magistrate doesnt get redeemed ill laugh so hard
because literally ever since ive known you youve been campaigning that the evil magistrate is a sympathetic villain and everyone has been trying to argue u about it
literally the biggest hottake in the fandom
Signal Red: It just makes sense. It’s what the Steel Samurai stands for. Everybody deserves Justice, even his sworn enemy.
SamuraiLov4r: ok so like maybe he doesnt redeem him but captures him
makes him one of his servants
what about that
Signal Red: The Steel Samurai has no servants and we both know that.
SamuraiLov4r: i was just kidding lol
you are way harder to tease than when we first started talking :(
Signal Red: I am wise to your ways. 😎
SamuraiLov4r: OMG A REAL EMOTE
your power has grown
i am scared of you
Signal Red: You should be.
“You are staring at your phone really intensely.” Nick remarked as he went on to clean the mess on the coffee table from last night’s burger takeout.
“Well duh! Steel Samurai fans must unite for the series finale! Remember?” Maya asks as if she didn’t tell Nick about it at least twice a day. “I already talked to Cody and Penny about it. They are also super excited. Now I’m talking to my friend from the forum about it.”
“As if I could forget.” Nick flatly replied, not even looking up from scrubbing at the table with the cleaning cloth. “It’s all you’ve been going on about for the whole week.”
Because of course she was. She won’t have Nick forgetting the series finale to her favorite show on her watch, regardless of how much of a geezer he may be who has no idea about the Steel Samurai.
“I never saw you clean the office before.” Maya absently said, propping up her elbow on the sofa, lying sideways.
“Well, I have to eventually. Since we don’t have any new clients for now, I might as well get this done.”
“You cannot abstain from watching the series finale premiere with me on Saturday by the way.” Maya fixed him with her best glare. Nick shrugged. “Yeah, yeah, I know. I wouldn’t do that to you, since you are really pumped up about this whole show.”
“But you know the extent of what that means!”
He blinked, for once looking away from his cleaning to look at Maya. “Um… what do you mean?”
“I mean I am going to drag you out of bed at eight in the morning, sharp! No sleeping until noon! The premier starts at eight! Also remember that we need snacks too!”
Nick made a noise sounding like a strangled pig before going back to cleaning the grease stains off the coffee table. “I guess this office will be a mess again after Saturday…”
“Your guess is probably right.” Maya grinned slyly before rolling over to her stomach on the sofa and turning back to her phone.
SamuraiLov4r: ok but like im hyped for the finale but im also super depressed
Signal Red: Why?
SamuraiLov4r: WDYM WHY
THE STEEL SAMURAI IS ENDING
ITS THE SERIES FINALE
ITS OVER
MY FAVORITE SHOW SINCE I WAS A KID
IS ENDING 😭😭😭
Signal Red: Well, considering the scandal with Global Studios earlier this month, I am surprised they are even making a series finale.
SamuraiLov4r: i mean yea but they already canned the show anyway right
i mean they were supposed to have like 2 or 3 more seasons before the series finale
Signal Red: While yes, it is unfortunate they had to cancel the following seasons and rush the finale, as long as it is at least a semi-satisfying ending for the series, I can accept it.
SamuraiLov4r: i guess so yeah
i NEED TO KNOW who the steel samurai secret admirer is
you know the season 3 finale
somebody just barely helped him escape from the evil magistrate from behind the scenes
and has been sending him LETTERS wishing they could partner up
Signal Red: It’s also been hinted that they have been watching the Steel Samurai from the sidelines ever since.
SamuraiLov4r: yeah that too
i just really hope they will come forward in the finale
it would be so good if the steel samurai could end with a nice ship
Signal Red: I am more concerned with how they will conclude the Evil Magistrate’s character arc than shipping.
SamuraiLov4r: ofc you are you magistrate worshipper
Signal Red: I don’t worship him, I just find him to be the most interesting character in the franchise.
I’d hate for him to become a wasted potential just because the series was shortened.
SamuraiLov4r: i know, i was just pulling your leg
its so funny when you get super defensive over him :P
you finally fell for a trap of mine
Signal Red: … I should have seen this coming.
SamuraiLov4r: not so wise to my ways now are you ;P
Signal Red: I plead the fifth.
SamuraiLov4r: LMAO
Maya got up from the sofa, she was getting hungry. Even though they only had lunch a couple hours ago. Nick and her both knew that her stomach dealt in mysterious ways. She would eat the office whole if she could, honestly. She could never get tired of eating. There was just simply a fine line between eating for pleasure and eating because she needs to eat.
In the fridge, she found remains of the frozen pizza from a couple days ago. It should still be good enough to eat and even if it wasn’t, it would be a shame to let something as heavenly as pizza go to waste. Nick will probably throw it out if it stays in here any longer, anyway. So Maya took the two lonely slices from the fridge, slapped them on a plate and put it in the microwave for two minutes.
She turned her attention back to her phone while the microwave hummed next to her.
Signal Red: In any case, at least they already confirmed the Pink Princess will be airing by spring of next year.
SamuraiLov4r: i guess thats something
The Pink Princess from the looks of it was a totally different show and Maya still wasn’t sure if it would compare to the Steel Samurai, but she had hopes.
Signal Red: You didn’t hear the rumors?
SamuraiLov4r: ?
what rumors
Signal Red: People theorize that the Pink Princess is related to the Steel Samurai and it will be a sequel to make up for the show’s cancellation.
SamuraiLov4r: hey if they wanted to make up for canning the show then they wouldnt can it in the 1st place
or they would call it something like
steel samurai 2
why would it be a sequel if the title character is someone completely different
Signal Red: I do have a theory about that.
The microwave beeped next to Maya and she took out the slices of frozen pizza and sat at the dinner table. As much as she wanted to lounge on the sofa and eat it there, she felt she should at least try doing Nick a favor by not dirtying the sofa right as he is trying to clean the office.
SamuraiLov4r: i hate your theories because 9 out of 10 times your theories are correct and it feels like you are spoiling the show because you have secret outside information and you refuse to share your source
but yes pls spill the beanz
Signal Red: Listen to this: What if…
The Pink Princess is the Steel Samurai’s secret admirer? Then it would be perfectly plausible that she is related to him and that her show will be a sequel.
SamuraiLov4r: OMG SHUT UP
THATS THE MOST IMPOSSIBLE THEORY YOU EVER HAD
theres no way that will be the case
Signal Red: But can you prove it won’t be?
SamuraiLov4r: well do you have any plausible proof for your theory
Signal Red: My proof is that there are still a lot of loose ends in the show and regardless of what we would prefer to see in the finale, the fact is they cannot tie everything up in one last episode.
So the perfect way to solve that? A sequel.
And who else should be the protagonist of that sequel if they can’t make it be the Steel Samurai, but the character who has been very closely involved with the Steel Samurai since Season 3.
SamuraiLov4r: ok but hear me out
people have been theorising about the steel samurai secret admirer for YEARS
and if we assume they will make an appearance in the finale
theyd really spoil their identity by making them the pink princess and not a completely different character?
Signal Red: But that’s exactly it! By making the Pink Princess the protagonist of their next show, they are throwing people off her trail. Nobody would assume a character who has been a mystery for years would end up being the main character of the new show they announced before the finale even aired.
SamuraiLov4r: exactly nobody would assume that except you
remember your theories are only correct 9 out of 10 times
there is still the benefit of the 1%
and i predict this is a theory of yours that will FLOP
Signal Red: We’ll see about that…
SamuraiLov4r: now hold on im eating and cant have my phone greasy
Signal Red: lol.
SamuraiLov4r: ………… did you just say lol
Signal Red: I did.
SamuraiLov4r: you really are learning omg
if i dont watch out you will reach my level
Signal Red: 😎
SamuraiLov4r: pls stop using emotes its scary
Signal Red: Good.
Maya kept enjoying her pizza. Despite it being at least three days old, it still tasted perfectly delicious. Just proof that pizza doesn’t have a real expiration date and leftover pizza should never be wasted. As she kept devouring the pizza with an almost concerning speed, she saw another popup on her phone.
Signal Red: Anyhow I think I need to go. Things to take care of.
Maya swallowed the rest of her pizza and hastily wiped her hands.
SamuraiLov4r: byeeee plsss try to see the premiere :(
Signal Red: I will, but no promises.
That reminded Maya that she absolutely needs to drag Nick out shopping for snacks after he’s done cleaning the office.
Maya wakes up to her alarm at 7:30 am. Technically, still 30 entire minutes until the series finale, but chances are it is going to be hard to drag Nick out of bed and she does not want to waste a single second. The premiere starts at 8 sharp and she needs to be sitting at the TV at 8 sharp.
She jumps up from the sofa, stretches a little bit, then prepares her favorite Steel Samurai hoodie that she got specifically for this occasion. She could take a shower but that would take too much time. The Steel Samurai awaits.
After she dresses in her hoodie, she heads to the kitchen and finds the popcorn that Nick left on one of the shelves, dropping it in the microwave. The hum and the popping fill the entire office.
She quickly dashes back to the sofa where she left her phone.
SamuraiLov4r: getting ready to watch
what are you doing
She could try to wake up Nick while the popcorn is in the microwave, but she’s worried about leaving them in for too long. It happened already. She absolutely cannot have the popcorn burn on the Steel Samurai’s season finale day.
While she waits by the microwave, her phone buzzes in her hand.
Signal Red: Getting ready to work.
What.
No, Maya can’t have that. Who’s she going to geek out to about the episode after she finishes watching? She can’t do it with Nick. Though there is Penny and Cody, she hasn’t known them for as long as Signal Red.
SamuraiLov4r: you wont even try to watch the premiere? :(
Signal Red: I’m sorry, but work starts at eight.
SamuraiLov4r: curse your job for starting exactly when the premiere does
i smell conspiracy
Signal Red: You may be onto something.
SamuraiLov4r: im making my bff watch with me
Signal Red: Are they a fan too?
SamuraiLov4r: no but im making him watch anyway
Signal Red: Fair enough.
Oops, she shouldn’t forget the popcorn. Maya quickly stops the microwave before she accidentally burns the popcorn again. Then she opens up the bag of munchies they also bought yesterday, gets the biggest bowl she can find and pours the popcorn and munchies together. She checks her phone. 7:40 am. She needs to hurry up, only 20 minutes left.
Signal Red: In any case, have fun watching. No spoilers please.
SamuraiLov4r: yea ill try to survive somehow
pls text me when you are done with work
Signal Red: I will.
Alright now, enough stalling. She needs to wake up Nick. The fact that he stayed at the office with her to watch is admirable, she can’t deny.
But she will still drag him out of bed, since he is clearly not awake yet.
She barges into the singular bedroom in the office that she never questioned why it was even there in the first place, she assumed it was for guests. Or maybe Mia used the office as her apartment. Not important, what is that she needs to drag Nick out of that bed that he is so soundly sleeping on right now.
Not subtle at all, Maya yanks the bedsheets off and scrambles up next to him, shaking his shoulder. “Come on Nick! The premiere is almost starting!”
Nick reaches for the blanket that’s not within arm’s reach anymore, eyes still closed and makes a whimpering noise.
“Nick, come on! There’s only 15 minutes left!” Maya shakes him a bit more vigorously.
He blinks very groggily at the digital clock. “... Maya ‘s not even eight yet…” He grumbles sleepily, turning over on the bed. But no, Maya won’t have that, she tightly grasps on his left arm and starts pulling on him. He weighs more than he looks. “We need to be sitting in front of the TV by eight!”
Nick groans and rolls on his back, blinking up at the ceiling. “Gimme a minute…” He murmurs finally.
Satisfied enough, Maya gets the snacks from the kitchen and drops on the sofa, turning the TV to the appropriate channel. Of course the premiere hasn’t started yet, there is a toilet cleaning ad playing right now.
“Hey, toilet cleaner! This is your kind of stuff Nick!” Because Maya will never let him live down his obsession with cleaning the toilet. Nick only lets out a tired groan from the other room and Maya is almost about to get up to try to drag him out of the bed again before she can hear sheets shuffling. Good, he’s finally moving.
Maya excitedly sits on the sofa, trying her best not to touch the snacks until the premiere starts. She checks her phone, five minutes left.
“Come on Nick! It’s almost starting!”
“I’m just getting dressed, hold on!” She hears his voice from somewhere.
“Well, get dressed faster!”
After what feels like way longer than five minutes, Nick just barely makes it right as the opening starts playing. Maya carefully props the bowl of popcorn and munchies between them.
“So what are we watching?” Nick asks as he grabs some munchies from the bowl.
Maya has to try her best to not look offended. Maybe Nick only forgot because he clearly hadn’t had his morning coffee yet, but this is all Maya’s ever talked about for the entire week and he just casually forgets what it is?!
“It’s the Steel Samurai series finale! You know!”
“Oh yeah… They are making the Pink Princess after this right?”
“Yep!” Maya nods, not even taking her eyes off the TV.
“I’m still surprised they are even going through with it…”
Honestly, Maya was kind of surprised too. She still didn’t believe the Pink Princess could have any connection to the Steel Samurai, but she holds out hope that it will be at least half as good.
But right now that doesn’t matter.
The episode starts with the narration recapping the last one and Maya is entirely glued on the TV as the finale starts right where the last one left off.
They both just watch quietly since Maya knows she can’t really nerd out with Nick. The final episode is a one hour special and Nick falls asleep thirty minutes in. Maya kinda wants to get mad, but in the end she considers the fact that Nick actually went to buy snacks with her for this and got up at eight for her and it’s not like Nick is really a Steel Samurai fan, so she gives him some slack and lets him sleep as she continues watching the rest of the episode.
Signal Red: I have watched the episode.
SamuraiLov4r: OMG FINALLY
ive been dying to tty about it cause my bff literally FELL ASLEEP
and he isnt even a fan anyway
Signal Red: Clearly your ‘bff’ has no good taste.
SamuraiLov4r: omg ikr
Signal Red: Anyway, I am severely disappointed.
SamuraiLov4r: why
is it because the evil magistrate died
i mean he kinda had a redemption like you always wanted
Signal Red: Ending his own life is hardly a redemption! They didn’t give him a single chance to redeem himself! He just gave up his life out of guilt!
SamuraiLov4r: but hey he ended up being sympathetic
Signal Red: The Steel Samurai couldn’t even properly save him and they won’t even try to address his guilt over that!
SamuraiLov4r: like you always wanted him
Signal Red: Obviously he would be very torn up about this!
SamuraiLov4r: wow youre really mad over this huh
Signal Red: The one thing I did not want is for the Evil Magistrate’s character to be wasted like this and they did him a complete disservice!
SamuraiLov4r: i mean i dunno
he kinda got redeemed
at least he died a good person
right?
Signal Red: I suppose… at least there is that, yes.
SamuraiLov4r: anyway
I CANT BELIEVE URE NOT TALKING BOUT YOUR THEORY LITRLY BE OMING TRUE
Signal Red: Which theory?
SamuraiLov4r: THE PINNK PRINCESS
IN TH E POST CREDITS
HOW DID YOU KNOW
BUT ALSO LIKE THE PINK PRINCESS WAS THE STEEL SAMURAI SECRET ADMIRER
WHAT
???????????????
Signal Red: I suppose my theory predictions prevail. 😎
SamuraiLov4r: 9 out of 10 times correct fr
o no you are using emotes again
but anyway literally cant believe you predicted that
Signal Red: It’s really not that surprising, if they cancel the show they might as well live with the opportunity to make their next show a sequel.
SamuraiLov4r: do you think they planned on making the pink princess the steel samurai secret admirer or
Signal Red: I believe it was most likely somebody else and it was a last minute change with the show’s cancellation.
For all we know, they may not have even revealed their identity in the Season 5 finale like this.
SamuraiLov4r: ok true
but omg i cant wait for pink princess now
how will they continue the story with the evil magistrate now dead
he was the no1 threat of neo olde tokyo
SamuraiLov4r: based on your silence im guessing youre still sulking over that
ok look i get it doe why youd be mad
as long as ive known you youve been banking on the evil magistrate being sympathetic
yknow him giving up his life had me very shocked like
i didnt expect hed actually do something NICE for neo olde tokyo yknow
Signal Red: Well, yes I expected he would be redeemed. But I am very disappointed they stripped him of a full character arc by having him die.
SamuraiLov4r: at least he died a hero
right
?
Signal Red: Yes, there is that…
I can’t entirely be mad about this, but I still have the right to be disappointed.
SamuraiLov4r: you should totally make a post about this
i bet everyones gonna be shocked that the biggest hottake you had
actually turned out to be kinda true
Signal Red: I cannot take this victory. The Evil Magistrate wasn’t given a chance to grow, so it doesn’t count.
SamuraiLov4r: tbf i dont think it was ever gonna happen in the way you expected
like the evil magistrate was
evil lol
he did too much bad yknow
Signal Red: But he could have improved if he was given the chance. But he wasn’t even given that.
SamuraiLov4r: yea when you lay it like that
i guess it was kinda disappointing
they musta rushed the ending
like the final battle was so rushed you could tell
Signal Red: They did, clearly. I just hope they will learn from their mistakes since they are making a sequel anyway.
SamuraiLov4r: maybe there will be a new sympathetic villain for you to obsess over!
Signal Red: I was not obsessing over him.
SamuraiLov4r: you just went on a full angry rant about them killing your fave character who was a sympathetic villain
Signal Red: … Touché.
Maya wondered to herself if she could make Nick a fan of the Pink Princess. Though, considering it will be a sequel for the Steel Samurai and Nick is a boring old person, the chances aren’t very likely.
Not like she won’t try to get him to watch anyway.
SamuraiLov4r: im totally gonna force my bff to get into pink princess
even if its a sequel
Signal Red: I wish you the best of luck with that.
SamuraiLov4r: thx, hes so boring so
i gotta get him in with the trend
duty as bff
alsooooo
Signal Red: Yes?
SamuraiLov4r: you bet theres gonna be so much steel princess fanart now
NEW SHIP AWAKENED!!!!!!
Signal Red: I refuse to discuss shipping.
SamuraiLov4r: booo
youre so boring :(
you never wanna talk about ships
Signal Red: I do not watch the show for chlichéd romance.
SamuraiLov4r: its not clicheeeddd
itll be cuteeee
youll see
Signal Red: I suppose I will.
SamuraiLov4r: im already a steel princess shipper
wholeheartedly
i already shipped them before she was even revealed
Signal Red: Anyway, I have things to take care of now. I have to go.
SamuraiLov4r: you arent trying to escape from the ship discussion are you
Signal Red: Of course not.
I am not like that.
SamuraiLov4r: YOU WILL NEVER ESCAPE FROM THE SHIPS!!!!!
SamuraiLov4r: damn it youre already gone :(
The hour was nearing 10 pm and Maya was getting ready to sleep when she heard an unexpected buzz from her phone.
Signal Red: Are you still awake?
Huh… Maya was always usually the one to first message Signal Red and she never got a message from them late at night like this. They kind of already figured out each other’s schedules over the years, more or less. She memorized the times they wouldn’t be available.
So she couldn’t help the sudden spike of worry that struck her.
SamuraiLov4r: i was just about to crash but yea
whats up?
Signal Red: Can we talk?
SamuraiLov4r: yea sure
Signal Red: It is kind of serious.
SamuraiLov4r: well thats okay
i can do serious too
She just stared at the appearing and disappearing chat bubble for what felt like a long time, the worry continuing to linger.
Signal Red: Did you ever go to bed
thinking you don’t want to wake up in the morning?
What.
Maya was used to being the moral support for Nick when he’s feeling down, usually during a case or something but…
This was…
… out of her league.
SamuraiLov4r: um are you okay?
Signal Red: … No.
SamuraiLov4r: what happened?
She watched again as the bubble kept appearing and disappearing. A sudden anxiety filled her; she really wasn’t equipped for something like this. She has no idea how to deal with her own insecurities half the time, how do you make someone with intrusive thoughts feel better?
Maybe she could ask Nick about it. But on second thought, he probably wouldn’t know much better than her either and she wouldn’t want to wake him up.
Signal Red: … A lot of things happened.
I am sorry, I am having a very hard time in my life.
I just wanted to talk to someone.
And you are easy to talk to.
But I won’t bother you with my problems.
SamuraiLov4r: nono its okay like
im very bad at cheering people up when theyre down but
if you need to talk i can listen
Signal Red: That’s alright… Thank you.
Maya sat up on the sofa, back arched against one of the pillows. She couldn’t help but notice her hands shaking as she held her phone and watched the bubble appear and disappear again and again.
She has been online friends with Signal Red for two years now and even if their friendship mostly consisted of nerding out about the Steel Samurai daily and she didn’t know them on a very personal level…
Hearing that they were very down emotionally was still hard. It made something painful well up in her chest.
She kinda wishes she could just rush over to them right now and give them a big hug. Wherever they are.
… Whoever they are…
Signal Red: I feel like everything I’ve ever known in my life was a lie. Like I don’t even know who I am anymore or what I am supposed to do. How am I supposed to go on? How do I just… wake up in the morning and keep moving? How do I keep up with life that just goes on and on? I feel like I just want to run away from everything to finally put a pause on all these things that I can’t keep up with.
Okay that was a lot and immediately Maya doesn’t know how to respond to that. She had days when she felt very down on the low end, when she felt like she was completely useless and incapable. Heck, she still can’t channel spirits properly in spite of being a spirit medium because she’s been neglecting her training.
But her problems felt very trivial right now in comparison to what Signal Red is feeling and she doesn’t know how to help them.
SamuraiLov4r: youre a very nice person
from the time ive known you
i know it may not be a lot and we only talked through a screen for all the time weve known each other but i mean it
thats who you are
Signal Red: Am I really though? You don’t really know me. The kind of person I am.
Alright, that was starting to sound more familiar. The feeling when she thinks she is just a nobody, a worthless, useless, talentless person. She is supposed to be a spirit medium and yet she can’t even do that one thing.
But Nick is always being nice to her and telling her that she is doing a good job just by being there.
SamuraiLov4r: im sure you have friends out there who really appreciate you
even if you dont know it
you should hold onto your friends at all times
my bff always helps me feel a lot better when im down
if you have someone like that you should hold them close
Signal Red: I am not very good at socializing. I don’t even know if I truly have friends out there. They are acquaintances at best.
Welp this is just getting worse and Maya doesn’t know how to fix it.
Maybe a change of topic.
SamuraiLov4r: did you lose someone you love?
is that why you are upset?
Signal Red: … I suppose you could say that.
Well as much as Maya did not like to think about it, this was a very familiar territory and a very fresh one too.
SamuraiLov4r: yeah ive been there
something like that happened to me too a few months ago
it just feels like you are all alone and have no one left to lean on right?
Signal Red: … Yes… like that.
SamuraiLov4r: well
even when you feel all alone
you never know
you may have somebody who will always be willing to be by your side
my bff is like that for me
i know that no matter how down bad i get he can always pull me out of it and i try to do the same for him in return
i am certain you must have someone like that too
maybe its someone you know very well and have no idea how much they care about you and how much they are willing to be there for you
like i said you should hold them close
i am sure there are plenty of people you are very important to
and you are important to me too
even if its just through a screen we are still friends
Signal Red: … Maybe… Maybe I do know someone like that…
SamuraiLov4r: great! then maybe you could try talking to them? maybe they could help you feel better
Signal Red: … I don’t know… Perhaps some other time… not right now. It’s very late anyway.
Yeah, that was a fair point. It’s the middle of the night.
Plan B.
SamuraiLov4r: do you have someone with you right now?
Signal Red: No, it’s just me and my dog.
SamuraiLov4r: then maybe you can walk your dog? would that help you feel better?
Distractions can help people feel better, right?
Signal Red: … Maybe… I can try. Yes, maybe that will help.
SamuraiLov4r: ok cool! hope you have a nice walk with your doggie! pls write back to me after you get back?
Signal Red: I will… Thank you for talking to me.
SamuraiLov4r: no probs! if you need me to listen ill always be here
As much as Maya would like to actually go to sleep, she just couldn’t relax. Even though she had no idea how long a dog walk could even take because it’s not like she ever had a dog she still wanted to wait for Signal Red to write back.
To be sure that they’ll be okay.
She really wishes she could physically be there for them right now.
Maya felt herself sweat under her blanket. It must be very hot, she tells herself before remembering that it’s the middle of winter and it shouldn’t be hot. Maybe if she just got a cold glass of water she would feel better.
Should she wake up Nick? But Nick wouldn’t really be able to help either, probably. She just settles for going to the kitchen to get that water. She finds an ideal cup and the sink tap feels like it is way louder than the ordinary. Everything seems to be amplified when it’s nighttime.
She sips the cool water which surprisingly helps her nerves, then she hears closing footsteps from the dark and- oh well it looks like she didn’t need to wake up Nick after all.
“Maya? You’re still awake?”
“Um… yeah. You know. Tough night.”
“Oh, don’t I know it…” He murmurs, leaning against the counter next to Maya and folding his arms.
As good chance as any, Maya thinks. “Nick, how do you help someone feel better if they are really down?”
Nick gives her a slightly concerned, little surprised look. Then his expression shifts into something Maya can only describe as…
… pain.
“I wish I knew, Maya…”
Oh, right.
That’s when it clicked.
Nick must still be upset after Mr. Edgeworth’s trial.
Maya was worried about Mr. Edgeworth too.
And Signal Red.
And Nick…
“Why are you asking though?”
“Well… you know, my internet friend Signal Red. They’re having a hard time.” Maya gulps down the rest of the water and fiddles with the cup. “I guess it’s a hard night for everyone…”
“... Yeah… I guess…”
Nick sighs, then gently pats her shoulder. “Go to sleep Maya, okay? You’ll feel better.”
“Yeah…” Maya nods and settles back on the sofa while Nick disappears into the other room. But she couldn’t sleep no matter how hard she tries. She keeps rolling around and the thoughts keep swarming in her head.
She wasn’t sure how much time passed before she heard her phone buzz again and she grabbed it so swiftly it almost slipped out of her hands.
Signal Red: I’m back.
I think I feel a little better now.
SamuraiLov4r: oh thats good.
i was kinda worried
Signal Red: … You’re actually awake?
SamuraiLov4r: um
yeah
i
kinda
couldnt sleep
Signal Red: I am so sorry I disturbed your night.
SamuraiLov4r: no its okay
im glad you told me
and im glad you feel better now
Signal Red: Well… yes, thank you for the help.
SamuraiLov4r: np ^_^
ill always be here if you need me
Signal Red: But I don’t want you to lose sleep over me.
SamuraiLov4r: yeye ill go to sleep now
dont worry your head about it :P
good night!
Signal Red: Good night and thank you again.
It feels like forever since she’s been at the office. Well, it was only six months, not even a full year but it feels much longer than that. She really missed hanging around with Nick and helping him out.
Though her return to LA didn’t go entirely smoothly, there was that whole murder in Kurain Village that she was accused of. Then she found out Aunt Morgan was the one trying to frame her to make Pearly the Master.
This past month has been very hard on her.
But Nick helped her through all that as well, like he always does.
She is so lucky to have Nick.
But she’d be lying if she said she didn’t worry about her solely internet best friend. Kurain had no cell phone signals so she couldn’t talk to Signal Red for six whole months. Considering that she did not leave them on the best note, she couldn’t help but somewhat worry.
SamuraiLov4r: heeey so i gotta go back to my home village for a while and we dont have any cell phone signal over there so i wont be able to talk while im there
good luck to you with everything and remember im sure you have a bunch of friends who care about you a lot ^_^
That was six months ago. Maya really hoped they were doing okay even without her.
SamuraiLov4r: hiiiii
guess what
i came back a few days ago
hows it going
As usual while waiting on a reply, Maya stalked Nick.
Oh, Nick is sleeping on his desk right now.
That kind of made sense.
After Ms. von Karma whipped him until he passed out in the middle of the court just a few days ago he’s been complaining a lot about his body aches. Maya considers drawing on his face before deciding to spare him… for now.
And he is lucky anyway because as usual Signal Red is quick to reply
Signal Red: Hello.
It is good to hear from you again.
I missed you.
SamuraiLov4r: awww i missed you too ^_^
im sorry i had to leave when you werent doing well
are you feeling better now since then?
Signal Red: I think so.
SamuraiLov4r: hey thats great!
Signal Red: You were right, back then.
I have friends who… who can help me and I should not forget that.
I should hold them close.
It is thanks to my friends that I found myself again and that includes you too.
So thank you for all your help.
Without you, I’m not sure where I would be right now.
SamuraiLov4r: aww
im glad i could help
even doe i kinda suck at cheering people up
im so happy to hear you got better
sorry that i was away when you needed me
Signal Red: No really, don’t be.
You helped me a lot already.
I really appreciate it.
I don’t know if I am ready to return to my everyday life. I feel I still need some time off. But… I believe I can return now. Once I am ready.
SamuraiLov4r: yeah you should take your time
everyone needs a bit of time off
especially if you are burnt out
i would know my bff burns himself out like all the time with work
Signal Red: Yes, I used to do that too. I do not think I can entirely let that part of myself go, since I simply enjoy working. But now I know I need to stop sometimes when necessary.
SamuraiLov4r: well im really glad you got better even without me
now
i need to tell you a big problem too
Signal Red: What is it?
SamuraiLov4r: I COULDNT WATCH A SINGLE EPISODE OF THE PINK PRINCESS SINCE I LEFT HOME
AND I HEARD THEY ARE ALREADY AIRING THE SEASON 1 FINALE
Signal Red: … I almost thought you were being serious.
SamuraiLov4r: WDYM
IM VERY SERIOUS
I BET YOURE ALL CAUGHT UP AND KNOW EVERYTHING
Signal Red: I am not actually, I have been busy with other things.
SamuraiLov4r: ooo then maybe we could like
try binge watching it at the same time
or something
so we dont get ahead of each other
Signal Red: I don’t think you would have the patience to wait for me, since you would obviously watch the episodes faster than I can.
SamuraiLov4r: shoot youre right
Signal Red: But I do not mind that, just please no spoilers.
SamuraiLov4r: yea i can do that
ill probably die inside a lot being unable to nerd out to you
but
i can do it
Signal Red: Thank you for your patience.
Now I’m sorry but I must go.
Very busy.
SamuraiLov4r: yea just push yourself again ok?
Signal Red: I will remember that now.
Maya has been spending more and more time with Nick this past year. From getting kidnapped, to her mother’s murder at Hazakura Temple just a few weeks ago, Maya just… didn’t want to go home. She wasn’t even sure if she really wanted to be the Master of the Kurain Channeling Technique anymore, but even besides that…
She just wants to spend more time with Nick.
Nick was still her best friend.
But she had another best friend too, for five years now at this point and…
Well she has been thinking about this for a while. Maybe after five years…
SamuraiLov4r: um hey… i have a serious question.
Signal Red: What is it? Are you alright?
Maya found herself smiling at the immediate concern.
SamuraiLov4r: yea im okay just…
ive been wondering about something for a long time now
Signal Red: What’s that?
Maya had to pause. Here it was. What if they say no? Is this a good idea? They’ve been friends for so long and so many times she wishes she could finally do this, but… what if it doesn’t work out?
… No.
Maya swallowed all the second thoughts and insecurities. Maybe she didn’t know Signal Red very personally yet… but yet was the key word. She wants to know them better. She’s known them longer than she’s known even Nick.
Maya’s fingers typed almost on their own.
SamuraiLov4r: would you ever want to meet in person?
Signal Red: what
Okay maybe that was too direct.
SamuraiLov4r: i mean… we’ve been friends for such a long time
five years now
and…
you are one of my best friends
but i want to know my best friend in person
so if youd ever want to as well…
you think someday we could meet face to face?
She watched the chat bubble appear and disappear and suddenly feared that this may have been a bad idea. Maybe she shouldn’t have asked. Or waited a few more years.
Signal Red: I don’t know… it’s very complicated. We do not know how far away we are from each other and… obviously I know you must be younger than me. I don’t want to make you uncomfortable with our age difference. Besides I am
I am not
I am not a social person.
I don’t know… I need to think about this.
That was… an understandable response. Maya couldn’t deny, the idea was daunting, but at the same time…
SamuraiLov4r: hey its okay
maybe we can give it some time but
we can try in the future you know?
if you want though no pressure
also i am old enough to be independent
That’s one way of saying you are a young adult, right? Now Maya was wondering about how old Signal Red must be.
SamuraiLov4r: i mean im young but
im not a kid or anything
She didn’t get any replies, which kind of worried her so she quickly added:
SamuraiLov4r: i just want to meet you because i know you must be a very nice person from the time ive known you
and i want to get to know you more personally
dont you?
Signal Red: I will need to think hard about it. So I ask for your patience in making this decision, please.
SamuraiLov4r: yea thats totally ok!
maybe i can just tell you where i live?
yknow so we kinda have an estimate of how far away we are from each other?
Signal Red: Yes, I think that’s fine. That would make matters easier.
SamuraiLov4r: i live in the us
you?
Signal Red: Yes, me too.
That’s a pretty good start already.
SamuraiLov4r: oooo which state
?
Signal Red: California.
SamuraiLov4r: WHAT
ME TOO
REALLY
Signal Red: That’s… an interesting coincidence…
This was just getting better and better. They were in the same country, same state. California is huge but that already cuts down a lot of distance.
Maybe this is actually happening after all. Probably not anywhere in the near future, but it’s something.
SamuraiLov4r: okokokok
can you
tell me which city or
is that too much
Signal Red: … I’d… rather not, if that’s alright.
SamuraiLov4r: then how about i tell you and you tell me how close you are to me?
Signal Red: If you are comfortable with sharing it.
Well, Nick is a lawyer. If anyone tracks her location or something, he can always protect her. This was for a good cause.
SamuraiLov4r: i live in la
los angeles
how close are you to me
Maya waited for a reply for what felt like forever and when Signal Red still didn’t reply, she asked instead.
SamuraiLov4r: you still there?
Signal Red : I live in Los Angeles, too.
SamuraiLov4r: WHAT
ME TOO
HOW
WHAT
WHAT
Maya almost dropped her phone. She felt her heart accelerate. There was no way, out of all the cities in California-
This must have been the craziest coincidence in her entire life.
SamuraiLov4r: WHAT IF I LIKE
PASSED BY YOU ON THE STREET
AND I NEVER KNEW IT WAS YOU
OMGNBGDFHGDFJKGDFSBDSFBVNSDVB
DSFJBSBGKNBGF
Signal Red: While this is indeed a… remarkable coincidence, you do realize Los Angeles’s population exceeds millions? The chances of us ever accidentally meeting on the streets before is truly an impossible coincidence.
SamuraiLov4r: ok fair but
LIKE ARE WE DOING THIS
FOR REAL
????????
Signal Red: I will need to think about it.
I also need to find the time.
I can’t believe we actually live in the same place… I do not believe in chance or anything of the sort but… this feels like an impossible coincidence!
SamuraiLov4r: IKR OMGJFKBGDFJKGSDFG
Signal Red: At least if we do want to meet, we are very close to each other.
But I do need to consider it, so I ask for your patience please.
You have been one of my closest friends too and… I would be lying if I said I do not wish to get to know you in person. You have helped me a lot when I needed it. But you are the only person who I closely know on the internet, so this is a first for me. I need to… prepare myself for this. As much as I would like to get to know you better too, this is very daunting.
SamuraiLov4r: o yeah i totally get that
well!
whenever you are ready
i’d love to meet up ^_^
would love to finally know who you really are
Signal Red: I will let you know when I find the time and the… courage for this.
SamuraiLov4r: take your time!
im very excited!
talk to you later!
Signal Red: Yes. Goodbye, for now.
“Just take care of yourself, if you feel like something is weird either call me or come back right away and if the guy looks weird either call me or come back right away. Okay?”
“Don’t worry Nick, I know what I’m doing!” At least this time she does.
“Yeah, I just don’t want another Shelly de Killer or Hazakura temple, you know?”
“Yeah, yeah, I know.” Maya couldn’t entirely blame Nick for worrying, she was a little nervous about the whole meeting.
“Alright, have fun. Bye.”
It took about a month before Maya heard from Signal Red again. They agreed to meet up at an equally close park at exactly 2 pm, now that Signal Red was free from work for today. Maya asked Nick for a bit of cash which he provided after a little nagging and she got a bus ticket. Hopefully her remaining cash will be enough to buy that new Steel Samurai Artbook in that one book store that she’s been seeing everywhere on the internet.
Maya walked to the station and got on the bus about 30 minutes before the meeting. If all goes well, she should make it to the park on time. She made sure to pick a safe seat right next to a window, buckled her belt and the bus started.
Most of the passengers were kids no doubt on their way home for school. Wow, Maya has never felt so old before.
SamuraiLov4r: im riding the bus now
are you on the way?
Signal Red: I’m in my car.
SamuraiLov4r: you have a car? :o
damn i could have had you pick me up :(
Although that would kind of take away the element of surprise from the meeting.
Signal Red: I hardly ever offer carpooling even for my friends. Sorry.
SamuraiLov4r: aww
mean
but wow you even have a car
my bff doesnt have a car
how old are you really
youre giving me 2nd thoughts about meeting
i mean what if youre a creepy 40 year old man
Signal Red: Excuse me, I am not creepy and I am not that old.
SamuraiLov4r: uhuh how much older are you than me
Signal Red: Well, I know I must be at least a few years older because unlike you, I have a job.
SamuraiLov4r: hey i have a job too!
its just kinda a part time job
i mean i help out my bff with work
Signal Red: Well unlike you I have a full time job.
SamuraiLov4r: boo
Signal Red: Anyhow, I must drive now. See you soon at the park.
SamuraiLov4r: bye see ya
Maya pocketed her phone and leaned back on her seat as the bus ride continued.
The bus made it in 30 minutes, give or take because of course traffic needs to be taken into account. But checking her phone, she was only 5 minutes late. Signal Red probably already made it to the park. Maya really wondered what Signal Red’s real name may be. She’s about to know.
The park was rather devoid of life, which wasn’t very surprising on a weekday afternoon like this. Maya saw no sign of Signal Red, the only sole person she saw was…
… Mr. Edgeworth?
He was just there, sitting on a bench, arms and legs crossed. Weird, Maya wouldn’t picture him as the kind of guy to just… leisurely sit in an empty park on a weekday afternoon. Mr. Edgeworth was more like the kind of guy who sits over work 24 hours a day in Maya’s eyes. But oh well, she might as well say hi while she waits.
“Hey, Mr. Edgeworth!”
He jumped a bit, probably not expecting Maya’s cheerful greeting. She was used to this, it happened with Nick a bunch of times too. “Ah, hello Maya.”
“Whatcha doing here alone?” She inquired, leaning a bit closer to him.
“I’m waiting for someone.” He said tersely, looking off into the distance away from Maya.
“Huh, funny. Me too. Can I sit?”
“Of course, go ahead.”
Maya sat next to Mr. Edgeworth on the bench and for a little while, they both just sat there in awkward silence. “Are you on a case with Detective Gumshoe or something?” It took Maya only a second to realize that was a stupid question, since this park doesn’t look like a crime scene or anything. She just never knows how to break the ice with Mr. Edgeworth.
“No, I’m not here for work, for once.”
“Oh.”
Back to silence. Mr. Edgeworth always said he’s bad at small talk, didn’t he? Well, Maya sure can see that now.
They both just sat there, not talking or looking at each other and Maya wondered what was taking Signal Red so long, since it’s been 15 minutes past 2 pm now. If they were coming by car then shouldn’t they have arrived before Maya?
SamuraiLov4r: im already here
are you on the way?
Just then, right as Maya pressed the send button, she heard a buzz. But it was not coming from her phone.
It was coming from Mr. Edgeworth’s pocket right next to her.
It felt like time moved in slow motion as Mr. Edgeworth pulled his own phone from his pocket. Maya felt like her heart may just stop right then and there.
The two of them both stared at their phones for what may have been at least a minute before looking up at each other, both with a wide eyed expression on their face.
Time seemed to go from slow motion to no motion at all.
Maya just kept staring into Mr. Edgeworth’s steely grey eyes, he stared right back at her. Then slowly, she found her voice and quietly broke the long silence.
“... Signal Red…?”
“... Samurai Lover…?”
They both blinked at the same time.
Then Maya couldn’t help it.
She laughed.
She laughed hysterically.
Because of course! Who else would it be! The Steel Samurai lover, the sworn defender of the Evil Magistrate, the person who would leave her with paragraphs of angry and passionate rants on the show. She should have known! She’s always known Mr. Edgeworth was a huge Steel Samurai fan, it should have been obvious from the start.
“Man! When you told me you lived in LA too, it should have been a dead giveaway! Of course the huge Steel Samurai and Evil Magistrate fan with the overly formal texting style who lived in LA would be you! I really should have-”
Maya’s laughing died down and the smile on her face turned into a frown when she noticed Mr. Edgeworth. He wasn’t looking at her, in fact his face suddenly looked like he was in physical pain or something. He clutched his elbow so tight, his knuckles went white.
Oh…
“Um… sorry…” Maya said sheepishly. “I wasn’t laughing at you or anything, it’s just-”
“No, it’s fine.” Mr. Edgeworth looked back at her and even Maya could tell he was struggling to scold his face. “I am just… surprised, too. I suppose.”
He’s lying. Maya can tell immediately. Though why exactly he was lying, that, she couldn’t tell.
They sat there in very awkward silence and suddenly Maya felt like she’d done something very wrong, but she couldn’t place it. “I’m sorry if I upset you.” She tried, but Mr. Edgeworth just shook his head again. “Don’t be, it’s… not that.”
Not that?
“Then… what-”
“Nothing… it’s nothing.”
Mr. Edgeworth was acting really weird, that was obvious straight away but Maya really couldn’t put a finger on it. Maybe she shouldn’t push it for now.
“It’s funny we’ve known each other for so long, but at the same time we didn’t know each other. You know?” Maya gave a tight smile. Mr. Edgeworth on the other hand still looked like he was in pain and was doing a very poor job of hiding it. It made a knot tie in Maya’s gut. “Yes…”
Maybe it’s time they stop talking about this and change the topic. “So uh… do you… want to go get some ice cream or something? It’s really hot today.”
After a pause, Mr. Edgeworth nodded slowly. “Alright.”
Mr. Edgeworth led her to where he parked his car and this constant feeling of wrong wrong wrong kept lingering in Maya’s gut.
This was actually the first time she got to ride a car. Mia never had a car, neither did Nick and Kurain only had a train. She would have gotten excited about it if it wasn’t for this gut feeling of wrong that still wouldn’t go away.
Mr. Edgeworth paid for their ice creams, even if she insisted she brought cash herself. She got strawberry, he got vanilla. It really was such a hot day today so the ice cream felt very good. But it did no good in distracting her from Mr. Edgeworth himself.
He was acting very aloof and distant. Though when is Mr. Edgeworth ever not aloof and distant? But no, this did not feel the like usual Mr. Edgeworth aloofness.
This felt…
Wrong.
Wrong wrong wrong wrong wrong wrong
“Um… Mr. Edgeworth?” She tried timidly. “... Are you… okay…?”
There was a pause. Mr. Edgeworth looked at her with a perfectly stone cold face which no doubt hid hundreds of emotions. “I’m fine.” He said quietly, going back to his ice cream. It didn’t even look like he was enjoying it, it looked more like he only ate it so it wouldn’t melt and make a mess.
“I know you’re not.” Maya said a little firmer, frowning. “If you don’t feel like sticking around, we can leave-”
“No!” He quickly interrupted and it was the first time all day that Maya saw a hint of emotion slip through his mask before he put it back on again. “I mean… if you don’t want to-”
“No it’s not like that!” Maya quickly shook her head. “I really meant it when I said I want to know you more personally! Even if I didn’t know it was you-… I can’t believe one of my best friends was you all along, but-… but I don’t mean that in a bad way!”
“Really?” Mr. Edgeworth looked at her with genuine surprise. “You really don’t… don’t think any less of me after everything?”
“Of course I don’t! Why would I…” Maya trailed off, only just registering what he said. “What do you mean… after everything…?”
Mr. Edgeworth didn’t reply, he only turned back to his half melted ice cream. As Maya finished up her own remaining ice cream, she tried to figure out what Mr. Edgeworth was talking about, thinking back on all those conversations they had over the years. Why would Mr. Edgeworth assume Maya thinks less of him just because they were friends on the internet for all those years?
She got to know a very different side of Mr. Edgeworth that she never personally knew before. It’s likely that many people were entirely unaware of that side of him. She really thought of him as a great friend and it is still incredible to her that Mr. Edgeworth had such a soft side that he kept hidden from everyone.
But that’s nothing to be ashamed about. So why would he think…
And then…
It suddenly clicked.
A certain conversation sometime very late at night over three years ago. Maya’s eyes widened. She looked back up at Mr. Edgeworth again, but he didn’t return her gaze.
She quickly wiped her sticky hands on her napkin and took out her phone from her pocket. Surely, she can scroll back even that far away. She briefly caught Mr. Edgeworth’s gaze from above. He probably realized she was connecting the dots.
It took a few minutes before she finally found the message. She slid her phone across the table for Mr. Edgeworth to see.
Signal Red : Did you ever go to bed
thinking you don’t want to wake up in the morning?
Mr. Edgeworth looked at the phone for a few moments before he looked away, crossing his arms. His expression looked scared, insecure. Like he was trying to shield himself from something.
That was… back in December of 2016. Shortly after Mr. Edgeworth’s trial for murder. She should have realized it right then and there… “Mr. Edgeworth…”
“... I had no idea that was you… I couldn’t even imagine it.”
“You mean…?”
“I told you all my problems… everything I was struggling with… thinking you were stranger.”
Oh… so that’s it.
Of course, Mr. Edgeworth hated being vulnerable in front of others. He was always trying to project this stoic facade of complete control, even when he was struggling with a lot on the inside. She’s known this for a long time now and yet…
“I’m so sorry I intruded…” Maya quietly said.
“No, that’s- that’s not it at all.”
“Huh? Then… what do you mean?”
Mr. Edgeworth took a deep breath, seemingly trying to gather his thoughts. His eyes still remained on the table before them, not locking with Maya’s. “That night, three years ago… I assume you can figure out why I was in such a state.”
Of course, it was that trial. The truth of the DL-6 incident.
“I felt lost. The person I looked up to all my life was revealed to be my father’s true murderer. Wright saved me, showed me how wrong I was about everything I ever thought I’ve known in my life… I couldn’t face any of you. I was afraid… ashamed. I thought… After all I’ve done, I thought you would think less of me. I thought you and Wright would only see me as a weak, cowardly person if I ever told you about all my deepest insecurities and fears. That’s what I saw myself as. That is why I never confronted you or Wright directly.” Mr. Edgeworth finally looked up at her, a solemn softness in those steely grey eyes that Maya probably never saw from him before. The stone cold mask from just a few minutes ago was entirely gone, making space for the myriad of emotions. “But I now know that was not the case at all. You weren’t intruding, Maya. In fact, the things you told me three years ago helped me become who I am today. Even if you did not know who I was back then, the things you told me mean a lot to me… I suppose I owe my life to both you and Wright…”
Maya eventually found her voice, as weak and shaky with emotion it may have been. “I wouldn’t have ever judged you. Nick wouldn’t have either. It’s okay to not always be strong, Mr. Edgeworth. In fact… I think telling people about your fears is what actually makes you strong, not weak.”
“You were right, you know. You told me I should hold my friends close. It was my friends who saved me when I felt like I was drowning in a sea of endless darkness. That was all thanks to you… I found my courage. Maya, I don’t know how I could ever thank you for what you’ve done for me.”
Maya couldn’t help but feel a little abashed. She blinked away tears that collected in the corners of her eyes. “Come on, I didn’t do that much… I was just… saying things.”
“And you saying things was exactly what I needed in my lowest moment.” Mr. Edgeworth spoke with a small smile on his face.
It was nice to see him smile. Maya smiled right back. “Well, I was just being a friend.”
“Thank you, Maya. I feel lucky to have both you and Wright by my side.” And they will definitely stay by his side too, as long as possible. Maya was certain Nick would say the same if he was here. “But I do have a favor to ask.”
“Yeah? What?”
“May I ask you that we please keep my… identity between us? I really value my privacy and anonymity on the internet. I’d rather not many people learn about it. Wright included.”
“Sure. I can keep your secret… Signal Red.”
Mr. Edgeworth’s smile grew a little. It really was so nice to finally see him smile after seeing him so upset ever since they came out here. “Now come on!” Maya bolted out of her chair. “We gotta check out the brand new Steel Samurai Artbook in the bookstore!”
Maya and Mr. Edgeworth spent the rest of the afternoon in the mall. They went to the bookstore which, as Maya suspected, had the newly released Steel Samurai Artbook on stock. Maya was just barely a few dollars short from buying a copy for herself.
“Um… Mr. Edgeworth…?”
It was as if he could immediately guess what she was going for. “Oh no.”
“I’m only a few dollars short for a copy…”
“No.” Mr. Edgeworth’s deep scowl immediately told she should not be attempting this. But she will go for it anyway, this is completely brand new off the shelf Steel Samurai merch. There’s no way she could pass this up.
“Pleaseeee can you spot me? Just five dollars? Please?”
Maya had an intense staring contest with Mr. Edgeworth before he finally gave in with an exasperated sigh, rolling his eyes. “Alright, if it’s just that much… tell Wright to pay me back.”
“Thanks, Mr. Edgeworth!”
They looked at the various other Pink Princess and Steel Samurai mangas for what must have been at least an hour before they paid for their copies of the artbook. Then they went to grab something to eat and after they checked out a few more stores in the mall, they walked around the city before the sun was starting to set and Mr. Edgeworth agreed to drive Maya back to the office.
“Thanks for the ride, Mr. Edgeworth and thanks for hanging out with me today.”
“Thank you for inviting me. I… had a good time.”
“We are definitely going to marathon the Steel Samurai and the Pink Princess movies next time at your place.”
He smiled. “Alright, I’ll take you up on that offer as soon as I find the time.”
“You’d better, or I’ll keep bugging you about it!”
“Good night, Maya.” Mr. Edgeworth said in a suspicious attempt to change the topic. But Maya was tired anyway after such a long day, she gave in easily.
“Good night, Mr. Edgeworth!” Maya turned around for the office, before she remembered something and turned back. “Oh, right! One more thing!”
“Hm?” Mr. Edgeworth was about to sit back in his car, he turned around towards Maya again.
Quickly before he could even see it coming, Maya all but lunged at Mr. Edgeworth, tightly wrapping her arms around his torso. Mr. Edgeworth let out a soft oof above her. Even without being able to see his face, Maya could tell he was probably too stunned to say anything. After a few moments however, she felt a pair of arms gently, tentatively wrap around her in turn. It was so obvious this gesture was very unfamiliar territory for Mr. Edgeworth, but that’s okay. This will do. “I’ve been wanting to hug you for a long time, you know. I always felt like you needed it.” She mumbled into his waistcoat. “I will teach you how to give and receive hugs next time we meet!”
She heard Mr. Edgeworth’s soft, breathy laugh. He laughed! That was half a success. Maya pulled away a few seconds later. “Okay, but really good night, Mr. Edgeworth!”
“Good night Maya, and… thank you. For everything.”
She watched as he drove away with that super good looking red sports car of his before entering the office. Quite frankly, she was super wiped out, but she had a lot of fun. Before all this, she never could have imagined spending an entire day with Mr. Edgeworth could be this fun.
Nick was watching some news on the TV when she entered. “Hey, I guess you had a good time?” From the way he smiled at her, Maya was certain she was probably beaming. “Yep!” She dropped on the sofa next to him.
“Well, I’m glad you had a good day. Who was your friend, by the way? You wanna share the secret identity with me?”
She could, but… she promised Mr. Edgeworth.
It will be their little secret.
“Nope! It’s a secret!”
“You’re not helping my worries here, Maya.” Despite saying that, Nick was still smiling.
“Don’t worry Nick. He’s just very self conscious about his online identity and values his anonymity.”
“Alright, I’ll take your word for it… but if this guy ever hurts you, I’ll be seeing him in court!”
Maya giggled. “Sure, Nick… oh and by the way, we both bought copies of the Steel Samurai Artbook, but I was 5 dollars short so… you are now 5 dollars in debt!”
“Wh- Maya! ”