Official art. There’s something in the look between them…

1-4
Phoenix: A boat rental shop. Closed for Christmas it seems. I guess a murder taking place on one of the boats won't be good for business, either.
Maya: Boats... I've never ridden on a boat.
Phoenix: Really? Well, how about we go out on one when the trial is finished?
Maya: Hey, good idea! You bet!

What's that if it isn't Phoenix asking Maya on a date? It’s unreasonable to expect any ‘romantic relationship’ at this point, but already they are obviously enjoying each other’s company enough to go out together outside of work hours and food outings.

1-5
Maya is away doing the spirit medium training. It's totally obvious how much Phoenix is painfully missing Maya. He won't take down the Steel Samurai poster she put up, even though the clients give him weird looks, he doesn't feel like taking any cases since she's away, and rejects them all, he doesn't even feel like working, he only even takes Ema's case because it reminds him of Maya and her situation before with Mia. Even this early in the series, it’s obvious how closely emotionally attached Phoenix is to Maya, and how he pines in her absence.

Phoenix: It's been two months since Maya left the office... Two months without a single trial. I've had offers... But none I took. That is... until the day that girl showed up.
Phoenix: I'm sorry... I'm afraid I'm not taking cases right now.
...
Phoenix: Look, I'm not accepting any new cases.
Phoenix: I'm sorry, but you'll have to try elsewhere.
...
Phoenix: But...
???: Please, you have to help! I- it's my sister!
Phoenix [sees the shadow of Maya]: ...!
Phoenix [backflashes to Mia's death scene where Maya was helplessly caught in the situation]: (Maya...? Could it be...?)
Phoenix: ...
Phoenix: Okay. I'll hear you out.

Phoenix: There's a poster of the Steel Samurai on the wall. Maya stuck it up here on the day she left. I didn't have the heart to take it down.
Ema (smiles): ...
Phoenix: I do sometimes get strange looks from the clients, though.
[quotes?]

GAME 1 SUMMARY of their developing relationship, non-romantic

By the end of game 1, although there is little basis to support a romantic relationship at this point in time, an exceptionally strong bond and level of dedication has established and developed between them throughout the game, laying the foundation for further development in later games.

Phoenix was under no obligation to stay and defend Maya in 1-2 but something about her compelled him to do so. Initially Phoenix may have stayed with Maya after 1-2 because she was Mia's sister, but by the end of 1-4 it's obvious he appreciates her as Maya in her own right.

Maya, for her part, by 1-4 is showing intense dedication to Phoenix. When Phoenix is going to be tasered by von Karma she leaps to take the taser instead of him and attempt to save the evidence, [managing to salvage the vital bullet, but knowing she'll get electrocuted in the process.] When she is unable to help him in the trial via channelling Mia, she instead sacrifices herself, fully aware that by disrupting the trial she will definitely be held in contempt of court and jailed, which must have been a terrifying proposition, but she is willing to do this to help Phoenix. She leaves after 1-4 only because she is determined to complete her training specifically so she can come back and effectively help Phoenix.

Phoenix obviously doesn't want Maya to leave, as evidenced by his rush to the train station despite his hungover state.Throughout 1-5 it's made clear that Phoenix is chronically missing Maya, and doesn't even have the heart to take cases except for the one exception that reminds him of Maya.

2-1

Maya: What!?
Maya: I thought you said you got your memory back!
Phoenix: (At that moment,)
Phoenix: (everything really did come back to me...)
After his amnesia, it is significant that it's seeing Maya in particular which makes Phoenix suddenly remember everything..
[more quotes here]
Phoenix:
(This is Maya Fey, my assistant.)
(That's right... I have so many unforgettable memories about her.)
(For example...)
Maya:
Earth to Nick! What's wrong?
You keep staring at me! Don't tell me you've missed me?
Phoenix:
Uh, well, yeah I suppose I have.
I feel like I haven't seen you in ages.
Maya:
Oh?
Well, I'm back now. So it's
time for us to create new
memories together!
Phoenix:
Alright. Sounds good.

2-2

Maya has only one condition before she takes her first channelling client. Seeing Phoenix again! It’s obvious how much he must mean to her.

Grey:
so she gave me one condition before accepting my request.
Phoenix:
A condition...?
Grey:
The condition is you, Mr. Wright.
Grey:
She said that she wouldn't do the channeling without first seeing you again.
Phoenix:
Me...?
Grey:
And that is why I've searched you out!
You want to see her too, don't you!?

This speaks volumes of Maya’s strong attachment to Phoenix already. Maybe she anticipated something might go wrong. And had to see Phoenix again before she died or whatever.

- Phoenix: But she went back to her hometown to undergo more training.
Grey: Ah, yes, I heard. It must be lonely for you.
Phoenix: Wh-What!? Wait... I'm not...!

What exactly has Maya been telling Dr Grey?

-Whilst Pearl’s fairytale notions of Phoenix and Maya’s perfect romance are obviously somewhat deluded, it’s unlikely she would have seized on these notions without a grain of truth sparking them. Maya must have frequently praised Phoenix in front of Pearl , just like a person talking about their loved one. This is not difficult to believe, since we already know that Maya said a lot about Phoenix while in Kurain.
In Morgan Fey's words: "I have heard much about you (Phoenix) from Mystic Maya."

-There's starting to be some hints of, at the very least, Phoenix starting to form a strong emotional attachment to Maya. Normally, when he works on a case and visits the detention centre etc. even if it's a friend like Edgeworth, he's quite composed and controlled. However, any thought of not being able to save Maya from the murder charges, he rapidly becomes quite discomposed like we never see him get when visiting any other client in the series.

2-2
Phoenix:
I'll be back later, Maya.
In the meantime, please make
sure you prepare it, OK?

Maya:
Huh? "It"?
What is "it"?

Phoenix:
The document requesting
me to be your attorney,
of course.

Maya:
...!

Maya:
But...

Phoenix:
What's wrong?

Maya:
Are you sure?
I mean, I'm guilty!
I'm a murderer!

Phoenix:
No one's decided that yet.

Maya:
But I did! I killed that
person... with these...
two hands...!

Phoenix:
That's enough, Maya.

Maya:
It's hopeless! If you defend
me, you'll lose, I'm sure...

Phoenix:
Stop it!!! *emotional sound effect*

Maya:
...

Maya:
...Help me...

Maya:
Nick, help me...
I'm scared...

Phoenix:
Don't worry, I will.
When is the trial?

-Phoenix is pretty upset:

-A joke, but interesting:

PRESENT (TO MORGAN)
*** Maya Fey profile *********************** * *
Morgan: * Good sir! * *
Phoenix: * Y-Yes!
* * Morgan: * When did you...
* * Morgan: * take a hidden picture of * Mystic Maya!?
* * Phoenix: * Wh-Wh-What!? * Wait... It's not like that at all!
* * Morgan: * It is unforgivable! * *
Phoenix: * Ow-ow-ow! * (Why did she slap me?)

-Phoenix: (M-Maya! Maya's in there!)

Phoenix is very concerned when they hear a gunshot from where Maya is, he immediately breaks the imposingly heavy door down.
Phoenix: It doesn't seem possible, but I managed to break it pretty badly. When we want to do something bad enough, people can do the most amazing things.

-Obviously Phoenix is far more emotionally charged than usual over this trial. Observe his reaction to presentation of 'incriminating evidence' towards Maya.

Gumshoe: Uh... You're kinda scary today, you know, pal?

...Judge: A-Alright. Just, please stop glaring at me like that...

-Phoenix wouldn't settle for less than total aquittal in Case 2-2, since he believed in totality in Maya’s innocence, rather than the easier option of justified self-defence.
Phoenix: We will accept nothing short of complete acquittal!

-Pearl : Oh wow…It's like a beautiful fairy tale! That earnest look shining brightly in your eyes... It must be true love…
Phoenix : (Takes a blow) Wh-What!? (Why am I being boiled into a bright red lobster by this little kid!?)

-When Lotta Hart speaks badly of Maya, it really must hit a nerve with Phoenix:

[Present Maya Fey profile]
Lotta: Now, this kid -- I think she needs to be taught some manners.
Lotta: This here's her second time in the stew, right? My Pa woulda slapped me straight!
Phoenix: Y-Yeah...
Lotta: Ya know what they say, if there's a second time, there's bound to be a third, and a fo-
Lotta: OW!
Lotta: Nngh... Ya didn't have to slap me. I get it, I get it. Sorry...

Where else in the trilogy does he slap anyone, let alone a woman? He's really defensive of Maya.

2-3
Although these comments are obviously intended to be jokes, Maya [and the authors] are unlikely to include such allusions without them having some vague conceivable basis in fact.

Maya : "I'll ride on Nick's back and jump out of the lion's mouth!"

Maya : I wish I was an animal tamer! Nick! Nick! Lie down! Roll over!!
Phoenix : When this case is over, I'll roll over for you all you want .

-Some of Maya's reactions to characters' discussion of romance are interesting:

[Talking to Max in detention centre]
Max [to Maya]: Hmm, you haven't been truly in love, right
Maya: [The expression is key here. Shocked, nervous face]
Umm...

[no denial]
Max: When you are truly in love with someone...
you'd be jealous of their mirror because it traps their image inside.
Maya: [she keeps up the same nervous, shocked sprite, which is contradictory to her words now] Aww. Don't you think that's sweet of him, Nick?

[It's not her 'happy' or 'enthusiastic' body language like we might expect here.]

-Trilo: Hah! You don't have a clue about things, do you sweetheart?
Maya: Eh? [shocked sprite]
Trilo: Waiting like this is part of being in love.
Maya: How so?
Trilo: If you had a clue, you would know that waiting is such sweet, wonderful tourture. When your body aches for your partner's love... That's one of the best parts!
Maya: [shocked sprite]
Umm...
Y-Yeah... I..I knew that...
Phoenix: (Poor Maya... She's so red, she looks like a vine ripe tomato!)

Also notice Phoenix isn't so thrilled with Max at the beginning, who is the only person Maya has shown genuine attraction to, apart from, er, Regina. "Absolutely cringe-inducing" :) Just worth noting

2-4

-Phoenix’s reaction to Maya being kidnapped alludes to just how strongly he is attached to and cares for her.

Phoenix:
Maya!
Where are you!?
Are you hurt!?

? ? ?:
Come now.
Don't fall apart on me yet.

Phoenix:
(Th-This... No!
This can't be!)

? ? ?:
Now that I have your
attention, Mr. Attorney,

? ? ?:
I have a modest proposal for
you.

? ? ?:
If you do what I require, then
I will return to you your
valuable "item" unharmed.

? ? ?:
...What is this called again
in your fancy lawyer terms?

Phoenix:
..."Kidnapping for ransom"...

? ? ?:
Yes, that's it.

? ? ?:
This is a kidnapping.

Pearl:
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!
Mystic Maya!
Mystic Mayaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!

Phoenix:
(M-My sight... Everything's
fading away...)

Phoenix:
(Maya... Maya...
Maya's been kidnapped!)

? ? ?:
You there?
Mr. Wright, are you there?

Phoenix:
H-How much!?
How much do you want!?

? ? ?:
Very good, Mr. Attorney.
I'm glad you have such a good
grasp of the situation.

Phoenix:
Hurry up and state your
condition! And then return
Maya –

Cash strapped Phoenix is so desperate to save Maya he immediately commits to paying any price to ensure Maya’s safe return, and even takes the case of a murderer for her sake. The concept of Maya being kidnapped is so terrifying to him that he’s almost blanking out and the rest of the world is fading. This illustrates a significant level of shock and trauma due to his obviously exceptionally strong emotional attachment and affection for Maya.

-It’s also notable that deKiller was actually able to determine exactly which person to kidnap to ensure Phoenix’s complete co-operation. Obviously the strong bond between them [as more than just ‘legal assistant’] has become obvious even to the outside world.

-Despite the fact the fact that Maya is kidnapped, imprisoned in a cellar and starved, it’s obvious that she found the strength to continue by focusing her thoughts on one thing: Phoenix. As evidence, she even passes the time by drawing a picture of him. The writers draw great attention to the picture, by continuously reminding the player about the remaining piece of 'evidence' and revealing it in the end credits to maximum dramatic effect when the player's attention is no longer preoccupied with solving the case. Thus they must have meant its contents to carry considerable significance, although it does follow the slight undertones of obliviousness the writers hint at between the pair, that Phoenix never actually sees this interesting 'evidence.'

-While superficially a ‘save the princess damsel in distress’ style plot, Maya reveals her extreme dedication and self sacrificial attitude towards Phoenix, demanding that he not get the guilty Engarde the innocent verdict to save her, but willingly permits Phoenix to risk her life rather than forcing him to act highly unethically and violate his moral and career ethics. Her belief in Phoenix and her dedication to his being enabled to do what’s best for him, justice and his career, endures even when greatly increasing risk to her own life. In short, she’s willing to sacrifice herself for Phoenix’s sake. This speaks volumes of exactly how much Phoenix must mean to her. [And if her willingness to sacrifice is only 'sibling' love, why is she so embarrassed about admitting it?]

-Phoenix calls Maya ‘the person closest to me’, whilst not evidence of a romantic relationship, it’s overwhelming evidence of the strong relationship between them.

Phoenix: ... I can't even protect the person closest to me.

-Phoenix is so concerned about Maya and somehow delaying Engarde's guilty verdict that even when the entire courtroom audience begins to demonise him and the judge think's he's low enough to hire an assassin, he continues for her sake

Phoenix: "This is to save Maya... This is to save Maya...
Even if the whole world turns against me, this is one fight I can't give up on."

He's so committed to Maya that despite his moral and career nightmare of defending a known murderer he stalls to the last.

Phoenix: "Maya...
Maya... What am I supposed to do?"

Phoenix: "Maya... I'm sorry..."

-When Phoenix thinks he has failed, and that Maya will be killed, his emotional breakdown is so extreme that a custom sprite was required to be drawn for it. To summize, this is the only relationship in the game which actually requires a custom sprite to handle the character’s [Phoenix’s] unique emotional reactions.

GAME 2 SUMMARY

Although it's unreasonable to suggest that Phoenix and Maya are actively in a romantic relationship during game 2, the writers have begun to introduce some highly interesting undertones which at least open the players' mind to the possibility of their future relationship. Pearl's insistence they are a couple is obviously intended to be merely humorous, but it is a very strange kind of humour to include if the writers felt it was completely based on an irrational proposition. Why suggest the possibility of such a scenario, even as a joke, repeatedly to the player if the writers had no intention whatsoever of this possibly being partially true?

Phoenix's intensely strong dedication and attachment to Maya is repeatedly made abundantly clear, and she is canonically established as 'the person closest to him.' He even gets a corrupted version of a 'princess in distress' style plot, [which stereotypically end with winning the romantic affections of said damsel and riding off into the sunset.] Maya's attachment to Phoenix is blatantly emphasised, particularly with all the attention the writers draw to her picture of the one thing on her mind.

The writers make it obvious that Maya is no longer just the vulnerable 'younger sister' she was when Phoenix took her case in 1-2. Maya is revealled as powerful and well-known in spirit-medium related circles with a reputation and career in her own right. She chooses to stay with Phoenix because she likes him, not because she has no better alternatives.

3-2
Pearl is mad that Phoenix has taken Ron Delite’s case, since he is prime suspect as the thief for Kurain’s, and by extension, Maya’s, sacred urn, accuses him of betraying Maya, says she'll never forgive him, and leaves in anger. He fears the same reaction from Maya, but even an incident like this doesn’t shake her trust and dedication towards him.

Phoenix: [This is going to be ugly]
...

Phoenix: And what about you...? Are you okay with me taking Mr Delite's case?

Maya: Y-yeah. I'm fine, Nick. I believe in you.

Phoenix: ...
*sniffle*
I think I'm going to cry.

Despite the fact that Maya is the victim in this case, she still supports and trusts Phoenix, indicative of a strong amount of dedication and trust she invests in him. This is not lost on Phoenix, who is so obviously moved by her dedication to him that he becomes quite emotional and is nearly reduced to tears.

-Maya:
Hey, Nick! Get a load of this!
Hey, are you listening to me!? You can clean the toilet later! This is important!

Phoenix:
*sigh* What are you freaking out about now?

Maya:
Hee hee.
Today will be the last time you talk to me that way!

Phoenix:
Huh?

Maya:
We're about to hit the big time!

Phoenix:
"Big time"? And what do you mean by "we"? You don't mean you and me are...?

This is an obvious allusion to Phoenix briefly considering her to suggest marriage or something in a similar vein.

It’s comedic, but the very fact that Phoenix had subconsciously entertained that thought indicates there is something between them.

3-2
-

Maya: [Mad emotional] NICK! What’s going on? Who is this woman?
Phoenix: Wh – Why are you spazzing out on me?
Maya: [slightly embarrassed/taken back] What? I just thought it would be more dramatic if I got all worked up, that’s all.
Pearl: Mystic Maya! You shouldn’t let him off the hook so easily!

Maya is obviously deliberately overreacting, but there must be some original basis to her reaction from this particular angle, though she obviously won’t admit it. She actually seems somewhat embarassed at her outburst, which hints she wasn't fully pretending. Phoenix seemingly doesn’t fully accept her explanation that she was acting either:

Phoenix [in head] : Please, Pearls, don’t say anything that will needle Maya further!

Maya's sprites in reaction to Phoenix imply she's kind of sheepish. It's kind of like '[Oh oops, how did I let that slip? Rapid cover-up..] Oh nothing, nothing! *embarassed*' Certainly not the 'It's okay Nick' or the 'Aww I was just having fun' reaction.

- Desiree is explaining how she fell in love with Ron Delite after he saved her from some robbers.

Maya [moved to tears]: Wow. That's a great story.

Desiree: That's why I fell in love with him like I did.

Phoenix: *sniff sniff*

Th-that's so romantic.

I'd fall in love too, I guess.

Maya: Nick, I hope you'll do the same for me if I ever get taken hostage...

Doubly ironic, because in case 2-4, Phoenix did indeed go to similar extreme lengths to try and save her when she was taken hostage. And the discussion is in the context of love.

Phoenix: [With Maya, that possibility always seems to loom in the not-too-distant future *gulp*]

3-3

Phoenix enters Tres Bien, alone, after Maya has begun working there

Maya [offscreen]: Welcome. Bee-avenue

Phoenix: Wow. What a cute voice.

Maya: Oh. It's just you, Nick.

Phoenix: M-Maya! <discomposure!

Maya: Well? How do I look? [in maid costume]

Phoenix: ...

Maybe you should quit being a spirit medium.

In other words, this implies he must think she looks good in it! [Since there's no other way of rationalising away what he said.]

-Godot: You know, seeing you squirm like that reminds me... of a certain coffee's bitter-sweet bite.
Phoenix: What kind of coffee has he been drinking?!?
Maya: It's not coffee, it's love! It's love that's bitter-sweet.
Phoenix: (hearing Maya say that makes her seem wise all of a sudden...)

-During the testimony of Furio Tigre, when Maya got scared of him, she hid under the defense table. Phoenix told her, (I'm not sure if these are the exact words) "Hey, don't go under the table, Maya! Unless there's space for me in there too!"
(Don Tigre roars in court)
Maya: Aaaaahhhhh! (disappears)
Phoenix: (Don't hide under the table, Maya! ...Unless there's room for me down there too!)

3-5

CASE SUMMARY

There are obviously many extreme parallels between case 3-1 and case 3-5. In 3-1, Phoenix believes in ‘Iris’ to the point of irrationality, even in the face of damning evidence, even going to such extreme irrationalisations as eating the poison bottle evidence. Mia asks why? ‘Because I’m madly in love with her!’

In 3-5, Phoenix may be defending Iris as a lawyer, but though he believes in her as a person, his loyalty only runs so far until the point where it must conflict with his utter belief in Maya. Even when he assumes it’s Iris on the stand, he refuses to believe anything she says which might connect Maya to the murder. As soon as allegations connecting Maya with the murder surface, Phoenix ceases his professionalism and priority of getting his client, Iris, declared innocent, and clings irrationally to his utter faith and belief in Maya, ignoring any evidence or opportunity to get Iris declared innocent. Phoenix rapidly becomes highly emotional and irrational, much like in 3-1, clinging utterly to his belief in Maya despite all evidence to the contrary and no evidence whatsoever of her innocence. Only the 3-1 ‘Iris’ trial correctly parallels this attitude, Phoenix even briefly doubted Edgeworth in the face of evidence [‘the bullet doesn’t exist’] in 1-4. It’s perfectly clear that the attitude brought on by his love for Iris in 3-1 has now been transferred to Maya, even when it is delaying Iris’s innocent verdict!

The writers provide a second obvious parallel. In 3-1, Phoenix eats the poison bottle, a stupid and irrational attempt to save ‘Iris’. 3-5’s symbolic parallel is Phoenix attempting to cross the burning bridge, despite his utter terror of it previously, but this time it’s an attempt to save Maya, the person who now evokes such irrational and stupid ‘love’ based attempts.

CASE EVIDENCE

-Maya’s reaction to Phoenix’s lingering ‘interest’ in Iris is not supportive [as we’d expect in a totally platonic ‘sibling’-style relationship, since she usually supports most of his endeavours] and could be interpreted as jealousy.

-After the murder, it was obvious Phoenix’s first priority was unlocking the cavern to save Maya. [In fact, we suspect he was only so pleased to see Iris because he thought she could open the cavern .]

Phoenix:
Iris!
I'm really glad to see you!

Edgeworth:
Godot managed to mobilize
the police by claiming a state
of emergency.

von Karma:
Not him again.

Phoenix:
Never mind him! We've gotta
hurry and unlock the Sacred
Cavern...

Iris:
I'm sorry, Mr. Wright! It's my
fault someone so important
to you is locked in there...

It is obvious he was desperate to see Maya was okay:

Edgeworth:
Let's hurry to the Inner
Temple then.
...I'll see you later, Wright.

Phoenix:
*HOLD IT!*

Phoenix:
Wait, Edgeworth!
I'm coming with you guys!

Edgeworth:
...

Edgeworth:
Sorry, Wright.
I can't allow you to come
with us.

Phoenix:
What!?

Edgeworth:
I hate to be the one to break
it to you, but...

Edgeworth:
...Maya Fey is in a rather...
delicate position.

Phoenix:
What do you mean by a
delicate position...?
Edgeworth:
...

Edgeworth:
This isn't simply a rescue
operation, Wright. It's also
an investigation.

Edgeworth:
That being the case... we
can't allow members of the
public to interfere.

Phoenix:
C-Come on, Edgeworth... <emotion!

Edgeworth:
If anything happens, you'll be
the first to know.
...Please understand, Wright.

Phoenix:
But it's Maya!

Phoenix was so desperate about Maya he was dropping all his professionalism and even trying to ignore the usual legal and criminal investigation protocols. And he obviously knew that Edgeworth knew how much Maya meant to him.

Even Iris couldn't make him feel better.

Iris:
Mr. Wright!

Iris:
All that matters is that
Mystic Maya is rescued,
correct?

Phoenix:
I...

von Karma:
Listen to the voice of reason
for a change, Phoenix Wright.

Edgeworth:
From now on, consider anything
beyond Dusky Bridge to be off
limits.

Edgeworth:
We'll be going now...
Excuse us.

Phoenix:
...

He wasn't convinced.

-Near the beginning of the case:

Pearl:
You'd do anything for Mystic Maya, right? Even walk over burning coals, right!?

We assume at the time this is Pearl’s fairytale notions, but later in the case, Phoenix does indeed attempt to cross the burning bridge to save Maya, despite the writers making it abundantly clear how petrified he was of crossing it earlier.

Later, after the case was solved, she repeats the phrase, obviously the writers felt this would serve as emphasis that her notion was actually not so deluded after all.

3-5 TRIAL

Phoenix may be defending Iris, but its clear his prime loyalty still remains his utter belief in Maya, and from the start he refuses to believe any allegations ‘Iris’ makes against her, even when they would support him rapidly getting Iris an innocent verdict.

Phoenix:
(It seems like a reasonable story at first...)
(But... there's one thing that is completely impossible.)
(The very idea of Maya stabbing someone...)
(That alone is impossible! Which means...)
(...this faulty testimony must contain another contradiction in it somewhere.)

3-5. Phoenix is supposed to be defending Iris. He is loyal to his client to a point, but only up to the point where that loyalty conflicts with his loyalty and belief in Maya.

Phoenix: (I don't want to believe it, but I don't think my logic is failing me...)
(...Iris is trying to pin the murder on Maya!)

Any mention of Maya and his veneer of rational professionalism and evidence-based contradictions is replaced with a significantly emotional response and evidence of his unshakeable belief in Maya. This was not his usual ‘belief in his client’ as he was defending Iris, however he was obviously freaking out over the concept of Maya possibly being found guilty of murder, rather than the fact that this would easily prove Iris innocent.

Just some of Phoenix’s emotional responses taking over in reaction to Maya:

Phoenix:
Sh-She's naming...
MAYAAAAAAAAA!?

The mere concept makes him freak out entirely.

Iris:
And then I cleaned up the
area to try to protect her.

Phoenix:
*OBJECTION!*

Phoenix:
Th-That's ridiculous!
Maya could never do
such a--

Judge:
The defense will refrain from
commenting until the
appropriate time.

He doesn’t even have a rational, evidence based contradiction, but the mere concept of Maya doing something like that is ‘contradictory’ for him. His emotional attachment is obvious.

We can speculate that Dahlia has observed Phoenix’s ‘irrational’ utter belief in Maya and how his attitudes to her so blatantly parallel his attitudes to ‘Iris’ when he was ‘madly in love with her’ and believed in her despite murder accusations in 3-1. Dahlia draws an obvious conclusion:

'Iris':
Mystic Maya...
She's your girlfriend,
isn't she?

Phoenix:
...!

Notice Phoenix makes no attempt whatsoever to object or deny, even in his head.

Phoenix is so emotional, he’s having trouble speaking:

Phoenix:
S-So then you...

Phoenix:
Y-You're saying you
s-stabbed Maya!

---

Phoenix:
*OBJECTION!*

Phoenix:
That's not like her at all!
Maya wouldn't stab a French
fry with a plastic fork!

His objection is completely irrational and has no basis in rational evidence, but his faith in Maya is so strong he objects anyway. And where exactly did this irrational belief despite the evidence ever occur before? When he was in love with Iris in 3-1.
---

Phoenix:
Ugggh...
NOOOO WAY!!

Not very professional.
---

Dahlia:
...the murderer who actually
snuffed out Misty Fey's life
was none other than...

Dahlia:
...your darling little Maya!

Phoenix:
*OBJECTION!*

Phoenix:
R-Ridiculous!
That's nonsense...

[Totally irrational objection with no basis in evidence or contradictions.]
--

Dahlia:
Are you sure about that?
...Just think about it.

Dahlia:
There's even evidence
supporting these facts,
isn't there?

Phoenix:
What...!?
What do you mean?

Phoenix:
Wh-What is this so-called
evidence!?

Phoenix, whose lawyers’ professional case revolves around evidence, not only disbelieves any evidence supporting the ‘Maya as murderer’ theory, but has seemingly even forgotten that such evidence and roles of evidence in cases even exist! Phoenix has obviously become completely irrational and is clinging to Maya’s innocence with his irrational emotional belief, only correctly paralleled in case 3-1 where he was in love with Iris. Even evidence against Edgeworth [‘the bullet doesn’t exist’] made Phoenix doubt Edgeworth’s innocence momentarily in 1-4, but Phoenix’s belief in Maya is so strong that anything but her complete innocence is incomprehensible.

---

Dahlia:
So, what do you have
to say now... Feenie?

Phoenix:
Ooooh... Uuuuuhhhh...

The emotional toll is obvious.
---

Godot:
They just finished removing
the locks from the Sacred
Cavern.

Phoenix:
That's great!

Phoenix:
What about Maya?

[All he cares about]
Godot:
...

Godot:
There was a woman
in the cave...

Judge:
Was it Maya Fey...?

Godot:
It was the accused...
Sister Iris.

Phoenix:
Huh...?

Dahlia:
Don't look so surprised.

Dahlia:
...I locked her in there
yesterday. I just got finished
telling you that.

Phoenix:
So... what about Maya?
Where is she?

Godot:
...

Godot:
There was no one else found
inside the Sacred Cavern.

Phoenix:
N-No... It can't be...

Dahlia:
I told you, didn't I?
She's dead.

Phoenix:
No...

Phoenix:
Noooooooooooooooooooooooo
ooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

-This is the largest breakdown in the trilogy. As many ooooos as can fit on the screen.

The ‘total emotional breakdown’ sprite, which didn’t appear in game 1, was produced only for when Phoenix thought he’d lost Maya to deKiller in game 2, and makes its return here.

ie. Phoenix’s attachment to Maya is so strong, his total emotional breakdown when he thinks she is dead actually gets a custom sprite used for this purpose!

-When Phoenix and Diego figure out the case, you might assume Phoenix would be pleased to achieve vengeance on Dahlia, or want to exact revenge, but the only thing he cared about at all was the return of Maya.

Phoenix:
It no longer matters!

Phoenix:
I don't care whether you
win or lose anymore.

Phoenix:
The only thing I want...

Phoenix:
...is for you to come out of
Maya's body right now!

CREDITS

-Despite the fact that he originally objected to the torturous Special Course, Phoenix manages to complete it for Maya’s sake, evidence of his continued dedication to her. His attitude to Maya during the course was obviously favourable enough to impress Pearl’s high standards too.
Pearl: Mr Nick really is Mystic Maya’s knight in shining armour! He even completed the entire Special Course!
I’ve heard there’s a special Ultra Course. I might make reservations as a nice surprise for the pair of them.

Apollo Justice Timeline:
At the end of Game 3, Maya expresses how she will continue to be manager at Wright and Co. in addition to being Kurain Master, she has no intention of leaving him. Obviously this scenario was disrupted by the disbarring, but it is entirely plausible that a relationship could have developed before or during this time.

Phoenix is extremely cryptic about his life and motives to Apollo, so it is highly significant that a strong canon reference to Maya still escapes to Apollo despite Phoenix’s cryptic illusions, namely the fact that she has sent him at least 100 DVDs [certainly not skimping on her gifts!] and that Maya has convinced him to write reports on every single episode. Since Phoenix never was much of a Steel Samurai fan during the initial trilogy, obviously it’s his enduring dedication to Maya herself which compels him to continue such a task. Also, this is canon proof the pair are still obviously in close communication, since TV show reports would surely be the tip of the iceberg of the friends’ interactions.

Maya’s absence on-screen is more for the writers not wanting to bring back the old characters for the purposes of the plot [and the fact Maya would need 26-year-old sprites], rather than the fact she has ‘abandoned’ him. Phoenix is frequently absent in locations unknown to Apollo and even Trucy. Also he could plausibly have spent significant time in Kurain in the last 7 years. Since the Kurain elders and associated branch families actually drove Misty Fey to leave due to ostracism over being a ‘fraud’, the same attitudes and Phoenix’s generally ‘fraudulent’ public perception could speculatively lead to the pair being less open about their relationship, or delaying it until Phoenix’s name is cleared. Furthermore, it’s canon that males in Kurain generally live elsewhere to work, so Phoenix’s absence would not even be perceived as unusual.

Another theory is that Phoenix and Maya have not explicitly admitted their feelings for each other, due to Phoenix not wanting to damage Maya’s Kurain Master career with the negative connotations of his fraudulent public image, although the opportunity is perfect now that Phoenix’s innocence is proven.