SusaHao

"Oh, Susato...you know you'll always be a gallant, dashing lawyer in my eyes now!"

- Rei to Susato after the last mentioned asked Rei to find inside her heart to forgive her for failing as her lawyer during the brief recess.

SusaHao is the femslash ship between Rei Membami and Susato Mikotoba from the Ace Attorney fandom.

Canon
Susato and Rei's relationship is mentioned in the first episode of "The Adventure of The Blossoming Attorney", in which Susato is placed as an attorney to defend Rei, disguised as "Ryutaro", since women weren't allowed to represent in court, so Susato's father, Yujin Mikotoba, had disguised Susato as Naruhodou's "cousin", Ryutaro. Rei approaches to "Ryutaro" and "his" father while thanking "him" to represent her in the court while swearing that everything pinning on her was only a fabrication. Susato then introduces her as her greatest friend, who was born as the same year as her, and the one who worked in the same university research laboratory as Yujin, while she was helping him. Rei felt flushed on that time, and Susato asks about the reason of it. Rei, surprised by the sudden question, she answers nervously that "he" looked so gallant and dashing. Susato wonders if she had noticed about her at all. Nevertheless Yujin assures Susato that the disguise was working, and then Rei is seen very surprised about this, and pointed to Susato that she looked just like a male student from the Yumei University and then Susato felt relieved since all her work would be worthwhile knowing that. Still, while Susato revealed her true self, Rei points that Susato still looked dashing and finally Susato asks her to not look with flushed cheeks and doting eyes to her.

At first, Rei wonders if Susato really believed her, but Susato confirms this as she said she would believe her till the bitter end no matter what, and those words meant a lot to Rei, since she says this to Susato. As the bailiff called for the Defence, Susato asks to her father if he had assured not telling Rei about how it had came to that situation, since no lawyer agreed on defending her because the victim was a serial murderer. Yujin though answers her back that law wasn't his field at all, but he would still support his student.

When the trial starts, Auchi calls "Ryutaro" a country boy, and then Rei becomes overprotective saying that Susato was every bit as gallant and dashing as any of the attorneys of Tokyo, and she wouldn't let him making fun of her. Until Rei noticed her mistake, Susato warns Rei internally on being careful, and then Auchi doubts for a second wondering about the "her" Rei mentioned, but then he changes topic about the "tomboyish" lawyer being able to defend Rei. Susato then says internally how nervous she was as she said that she could understand what Naruhodou was through as she was on his shoes.

In the brief recess during the trial, Rei apologizes to Susato as she couldn't tell her about the toxin that was used to poison the victim. Yujin tries to comfort her pointing that she had a strong sense of responsability, but Rei denies saying back she was afraid of her failure coming to light, so she hoped to retrive the poison from the victim before anyone else. Rei asks Susato about what she said before the trial started, about her not having doubt about her innocence. Rei, feeling down, says she "betrayed" Susato by hiding crucial information from her, then Rei finally asks Susato to hit, throw, or drag her to the ground. But Susato denies that fact, since it was no better for Susato, as she doubted Rei for a moment about her commiting the crime, and then apologizes to her for the same reason as Rei, with the only difference that Susato thought she had failed as Rei's lawyer. Yujin tells both girls about how they learned a valuable lesson, about how trusting other people wasn't an easy task for them. Susato agrees, and asks Rei for finding forgiveness in her heart. Rei gets sad, but a second later smiles while saying that Susato would be always a gallant, dashing lawyer in her own eyes. Susato is moved at this. Rei says she was scared, because everything happened right in front on her, and she couldn't bring herself to speak up about that before. Susato again reassures Rei as she assures her she would prove that everything she said was true on court.

After revealing the details of the true killer, Menimeno, he goes out mad, as he still denied being the one who killed the englishwoman (the victim), as he waved his camera through the air by its cord, Rei stops him by working along with Susato for then executing the "Susato's Takedown", but she corrects with being the Ryutaro's one.

Finally, when Rei was declared innocent from the charges, she thanks Susato by saying that she was moved by all Susato did, saying she would start crying. Susato points that it wasn't easy for both, but they still managed it together, and adds that she was at the verge of tears at the end too. Rei thanks Susato again saying she was still there because of Susato, but Susato denies it, as she was the one who did wonderfully and she had to be the one to be congratulated at. Rei gets a bit angry at this, because she then asks Susato on leaving the formal, super humility nonsense, as both were friends, and equals. Rei reminds Susato about how they "knocked the wind out of [Menimeno]", and it felt good to her, and Susato also agrees, saying that it was something satisfactory to do. Rei then wonders if there was someone else to throw together, as she looked at Yuujin. He notices her gaze at him, as he hoped that he wasn't being looked by Rei, and then she apologizes about it. Susato then feels pleased to see Rei's smile, as she pointed it out internally, and then Susato says it was time to bid farewell to Ryutaro (since he has done defending Rei), but she would still miss him. Rei is seen sad at this, as she said that it was a shame since she wouldn't see him again.

Fanon
Due to The Great Ace Attorney being recently released, it's a rarepair in the fandom, but at the same time, the most popular femslash ship for both characters and the game, and in general, the most written for Rei and the second most for Susato. Rei is oftenly considered as a lesbian due to her behavior when she saw Susato (as Ryutaro), and even calling "him" someone dashing and gallant. Even so, after Susato reveals herself to Rei, the last mentioned still mentioned that Susato was someone "gallant and dashing", making Rei headcanoned as a "raging lesbian" to people, but there were others denying the fact.

It tends to be rivaled by RyuuSusa, which is Susato's most popular ship, and has a bit more following that SusaHao, due of Haori having limited appearances in the game. But their interactions are significant to the people who ship SusaHao, so it's rather popular for those who enjoy it. It can be shipped along with AsoRyuu. In arts, Rei and Susato are oftenly together along with Asougi and Ryuunosuke, but only in few times, as both tend to be drawn together with no one else around, only both girls. Susato is oftenly drawn as Ryutaro, and Haori is always keeping physical contact with her, like dancing, intertwining fingers, holding hands, etc.

It has one result if you find "Susato/Rei" in AO3, because Rei's japanese name "Haori" it's more known rather than "Rei", while it has 23 results in "Susato/Haori". Since the SusaHao name is more popular than "ReiSusa", there are no results for ReiSusa arts, only SusaHao or HaoSusa.

Quotes
The Adventure of The Blossoming Attorney "(...Rei Membami. Born the same year as I, and my greatest friend. Though unusual for a woman in our time, she works at the university research laboratory, helping my father. And sadly...she's the defendant in today's trial. Accused of committing a truly awful murder.)"

- Rei's introduction made by Susato as Ryutaro.


 * Susato (as Ryutaro)  – "Are you feeling alright? Since we started talking, you seem...well, to have become a little flushed."
 * Rei – "Oh my! Um...well...erm... It's just that... you look so gallant and dashing."
 * Susato (as Ryutaro)  – "Sorry?"
 * Rei – "And when I fall under your intense gaze, it... Well, it makes me feel rather bashful."
 * Susato (as Ryutaro)  – "(........ Goodness... I don't think she knows. She hasn't realised who I am.)"
 * — Rei explaining why she felt flushed to "him".


 * Rei – "WHAAAAAA?! Is, is that...? Is that you, Susato?"
 * Susato – "I'm so sorry I didn't say something sooner, Rei. It's just that—"
 * Rei – "NOOOOOOOOO! What are you doing? What's going on? What what what what what? That varsity uniform! That varsity cap! That varsity cape! That varsity badge! Look at you! You look for all the world just like a student of the Imperial Yumei University! A male student!"
 * Susato – "...I'm so glad you think so. It means all my preparations have been worthwhile. I woke at four this morning to make a start."
 * — Rei surprised about how "Ryutaro" was in reality her best friend, while Susato was relieved hearing that her disguise would work for the trial.


 * Rei – "But...women are forbidden..."
 * Susato – "Just for today, I'll be leaving my true self at the courtroom door. So that I can act as your lawyer."
 * Rei – "Oh, Susato... You'd go to such lengths for me?"
 * Susato – "Of course, you're my greatest friend. I just worry that I shan't be the lawyer you deserve."
 * Rei – "Oh no! I have complete faith in you!"
 * Susato – "Rei..."
 * Rei – "......... It's so strange though. I mean, you're such an accomplished judicial assistant already. And yet just because you're a woman... What a wretched reason! I mean, why shouldn't you be allowed in court?! ...You're so gallant and dashing!"
 * Susato – "Um...Rei...please don't look at me like that, with those flushed cheeks and doting eyes."
 * Rei – "Oh! I'm, I'm sorry. It's just...you really do look so dashing..."
 * Susato – "Y—Yes, you mentioned that once or twice."
 * — Susato willing to defend Rei disguised as a guy.

"(Rei... You're managing to put on a brave face in all this, but I can see through it. I've noticed how your shoulders are slumped and how you're trembling ever so slightly.)"

- Susato, internally worrying about Rei.


 * Auchi – "Tut tut tut. What a pitiful situation. Having been rejected by every lawyer in the capital, the accused [Rei] has had to call in a country boy. [Ryutaro]"
 * Rei – "How dare you?! Susato is every bit as gallant and dashing as any of your Tokyo attorneys! I won't have you making fun of her!
 * Auchi – "...'Her'?"
 * Rei – "Oh! Um, er..."
 * Susato – "(Please, be careful Rei...)"
 * Auchi – "Tsh huh huh... What an unrefined tomboy we have here. But I wonder...is your 'gallant and dashing' lawyer up to the challenge of defending you? His wide, skittish eyes very much suggest that he is not."
 * — Rei bursting out to Auchi after the last one called "Ryutaro" a "country boy" until she noticed the mistake and Susato internally warned Rei on being careful not to reveal her identity on court. Auchi meanwhile pokes fun at the "tomboy" lawyer on not being able to defend Rei.


 * Yuujin – "I think this situation has taught both of you a valuable lesson. Placing your unbridled faith in another is no easy task."
 * Susato – "...Yes, Father. That fact has certainly struck home. Which is why I can see more clearly now. So...Rei..."
 * Rei – "Yes?"
 * Susato – "Can you find it in your heart to forgive me?"
 * Rei – "......... Oh, Susato...you know you'll always be a gallant, dashing lawyer in my eyes now!"
 * Susato – "(Oh Rei...)"
 * — Rei forgiving Susato for not being able to defend her during the brief recess.


 * Rei – "At any rate, we really knocked the wind out of that horrid man! [Menimeno] And it felt so good!"
 * Susato – "Yes! It was satisfying."
 * Rei – "It really was! Isn't there anybody else we could throw together?" (gazing at Yuujin)
 * Yuujin – "I hope you're not looking at me, Rei."
 * Rei – "Oh! My! Goodness! No, of course not! OF COURSE not!"
 * Susato – "(Ah, there is it at last. Rei's lovely smile...)"
 * — Susato about how Rei was finally smiling as she joked on throwing Yuujin together.

Behind the Scenes

 * Nuri – "The character of Haori wasn’t originally in Mr. Takumi’s scenario."
 * Interviewer – "No?"
 * Nuri – "At first, the story featured Mr. Mamemomi as the only original character, but the story just seemed a bit plain compared to the first game. I mean, you had Professor Mikotoba, Sōseki and Auchi… only middle-aged men! (laugh) "
 * Takumi – "Originally, Professor Mikotoba was the defendant, and the story would be about Susato defending her father. So I had never thought about just having middle-aged men."
 * Nuri – "Still, I had to voice my opinion on that. It wasn’t just about having middle-aged men, but if Susato were to stand at the defense’s bench, I figured you could have a girl in the role Susato usually had, and bonds between Ryūnosuke and Asōgi shown in the first game, could then be changed into the bonds between Susato and Haori. And the friendship between those two could also help flesh out a new side to Susato. So I proposed adding a new character."
 * — Interview about Murasame Haori (Rei Membami)'s character, and Susato's bond with her.


 * Interviewer – "What can you tell me about Haori’s design?"
 * Nuri – "It's completely my own design as I imagined her to be. Someone who has always admired Susato. Someone who adores Susato."
 * Interviewer – "That’s why she has forget-me-nots in her concept designs, right?"
 * Nuri – "Yes, in flower language: “don’t forget me.” After seeing Susato in the first game, my image of her had changed into that of a bright, energetic girl, so character traits like braveness and gracefulness, traits I consider to be Yamato Nadeshiko, those traits were reflected in Haori’s design."
 * — Significance of Rei's design, and how Susato is influential on it.

Fandom
FAN FICTION



DEVIANTART



TUMBLR


 * hellshakeyuno. User dedicated to SusaHao's artworks.
 * hellshakeyuno. User dedicated to SusaHao's artworks.
 * hellshakeyuno. User dedicated to SusaHao's artworks.
 * hellshakeyuno. User dedicated to SusaHao's artworks.
 * hellshakeyuno. User dedicated to SusaHao's artworks.
 * hellshakeyuno. User dedicated to SusaHao's artworks.

PIXIV



Trivia

 * Rei's full name in japanese is "Haori Murasame", while in English is "Rei Membami". However, the japanese ship name tends to be used a bit more, forming "SusaHao" or "HaoSusa" instead of "SusaRei" or "ReiSusa".
 * Their shadows are seen in The Adventure of The Blossoming Attorney's cardboard at the beginning facing each other (with Susato dressed as Ryutaro.)
 * Whenever Rei appears in official artworks, Susato is always with her.
 * According to Kazuya Nuri (art director of The Great Ace Attorney: Adventures), Rei initially didn't exist in Shu Takumi's planned scenario for The Adventure of the Blossoming Attorney. The defendant of the case was in fact, originally going to be Yujin (Susato's father), with the story centered around Susato defending him. However, Kazuya pointed out that if Susato and Membami were friends, it would parallels the relationship between Ryunosuke Naruhodo and Kazuma Asogi, and so providing more character depth to Susato.
 * Also, Nuri mentions that Rei was designed to be someone who admired and adored Susato.
 * According to the Ace Attorney Wiki, in Rei Membami's personality section, it mentions that Rei has a soft spot for gallant men, which is why she was attracted to "Ryutaro Naruhodou" (Susato in disguise), who was the "gallant" young defense attorney who came to her aid, even after Susato revealed that it was her in disguise, which somewhat disturbed her.