Work Text:
After the defeat of Nyx, Aigis and Kotone Shiomi were the only members of SEES to remember the battle. The others couldn’t remember a thing—not the Dark Hour, not anything that happened during or related to it, not about their Personas… nothing. Not even Aigis herself.
As the days of February wore on and they still showed no signs of remembrance, Aigis was beginning to fear that they might never recall what they’d all been through… what had brought them all together and forged their bonds with each other.
“Don’t worry, Aigis,” Kotone said with her usual easy smile. “They’ll remember in time.”
In time… in time for their decision to meet on the fifth of March. Graduation day.
Aigis and Kotone walked side-by-side on the streets of Iwatodai, the air warmer but not yet hitting spring temperatures. Not that it bothered Aigis either way—she couldn’t feel cold—but she would prefer the climate to stay comfortable for Kotone.
“If you believe they will, then I am certain it will be true,” Aigis said, meeting Kotone with her own smile.
“Haven’t been wrong yet.” Kotone suddenly slowed to a stop, breathing heavier, eyes shutting. “S- sorry, Aigis… I… just need a second… to catch my breath.”
“Of course,” Aigis said, clasping her hands before her. “Whatever you need.”
Kotone pressed an arm to the brick wall next to her, bending forward as she took steady, slow breaths. Kotone… ever since the battle with Nyx, she’d seemed more tired. Aigis didn’t think it odd at first—after all, after what they’d done, she’d done, it only made sense that Kotone would be a little worn out. She would get better soon enough.
Only… she hadn’t gotten better. In fact, Aigis felt that she was certainly getting worse. Kotone was a girl who had always been full of energy and excitement, a bright smile on her face to meet everyone with. It was no wonder so many at Gekkoukan High were “interested” in her… after all, didn’t Aigis feel the same?
But lately, Kotone, who had always been so early to rise and get ready for the day, struggled to get out of bed in the morning. Too much physical stress resulted in moments like this—the girl needing to stop and take a breath. Where she was once attentive and alert in class, it wasn’t uncommon to see her fall asleep at her desk or otherwise about to do so.
She even looked different—her skin was pale and sallow, her eyes underlined with dark bags. She did not look well. But despite this, whenever Aigis asked if she was alright, Kotone always said the same thing.
“I’m fine!” Kotone said, straightening out her back. “Let’s keep going!”
Aigis’s lips pursed with concern. “Are… are you certain?”
Kotone gave a confident nod. “Yep!”
They began to walk again, Aigis hovering closer—she wanted to be near in case Kotone needed help, knowing that Kotone would never ask herself.
“You still have not told me where we’re going,” Aigis said. “It is getting dark out.”
Kotone’s sly smile brought definition to her dimples. “It’s a surprise!”
Aigis considered asking for further information but decided not to—Kotone was one whose mind rarely changed when it was made up. After all... even being told of the imminent end of the world and being offered peace before death was something she’d refused, fully believing they could defeat what could never be defeated. Aigis loved that indomitable spirit... loved Kotone.
Aigis unconsciously glanced away. Why was she embarrassed? Aigis might not have said it outright in words, but Kotone was too smart not to have realized how she felt, not after all the conversations that had ended in Aigis fleeing before she would be forced to admit her feelings.
Kotone... she was kind not to mention it, kind to remain Aigis’s friend despite that one-sided desire. Kind to indulge her in touching Aigis’s Papillion Heart, forever leaving her mark... even now, if Aigis closed her eyes, she could feel the genetic information burned into the Heart’s memory. It felt... warm. Warm in the way that Kotone made Aigis feel.
“Daydreaming?” Kotone asked, leaning forward and trying to peek at Aigis’s face.
Aigis jumped a little, suddenly reminded of her place in reality. She looked at her friend and said, “Something like that, I suppose.”
Kotone tilted her head. “About what?”
Aigis looked down. “...It was nothing important.”
Kotone stood straight again, a softness overtaking her features. “Aigis... it’s always important to me if it’s you.”
Aigis’s eyes widened, and she looked at Kotone. Kotone reached her hand out, holding onto Aigis’s. That alone wasn’t especially unique—their bond had deepened, and Kotone was fond of casual displays of affection... something that could, unfortunately, lead to plenty of untoward rumors around school. Although most were just idle, if annoying, speculation—Kotone was too well-liked for most to consider actually starting any insidious rumors about her.
However, while the gesture wasn’t unique in itself, Kotone’s expression and the tone of her voice were. She rarely showed such solemn sincerity.
“I... was daydreaming about you, I suppose,” Aigis admitted. If she had blood to flow to her cheeks, she was sure they would’ve been blushing. “I was... recalling when you touched my Papallion Heart.”
Kotone’s hand tightened on hers. “That’s really sweet, Aigis.”
As they continued walking, the sky grew dark... and Aigis eventually realized where they were going. Gekkoukan.
“Kotone-san? Why are we coming here so late?”
“Because I snuck the keys out of Mitsuru-senpai’s room,” Kotone said, holding up a ring of keys.
“Won’t we get in trouble?”
Kotone grinned with a shrug. “Only if anyone sees us.”
Kotone unlocked the front gate and entrance doors to the school in short order, leading the way into the dark halls. It was... strange seeing them that way. Aigis was used to seeing Gekkoukan High in only two ways—the bustling hours of school time and the twisting, eerie hallways of Tartarus. Now, it was like it was stuck somewhere between those two states....
“This takes me back,” Kotone whispered, glancing around. “Before we met you, we came in here one night looking for a ‘ghost....’” She chuckled, the sound sweet and light. “It was actually just Fuuka—she was stuck in Tartarus.”
“Yes, she told me the story once,” Aigis said. “It was remarkable that she survived on her own for so long.”
Kotone gave a crisp nod. “She’s a lot stronger than she looks, that’s for sure. Alright... up the stairs now.”
The two went up the stairs to the second floor. Kotone had to briefly stop to catch her breath before they continued up the staircase, and Aigis realized they were heading to the roof.
“The roof...?” Aigis said.
Kotone flipped through the key ring, looking for the one that went to the roof access door. “Mhm.”
She found it, slipping it in and unlocking the door before pushing it open. They stepped out onto the breezy rooftop.
Aigis had never seen it at night before. They walked together to the bench Aigis always liked to sit on, watching over the city.
Seeing it like this was a completely different experience—lights glittering on buildings, reflecting in the water like bleeding watercolor paint. Faint stars could be seen above, and the wind towers loomed like silent, protective sentinels.
“This is... this...” Aigis said, but words failed her.
“I knew this was your favorite spot,” Kotone said, her voice quiet. “And I thought, ‘What’s a new way for her to see her favorite view with me?’ Do you... like it?”
Aigis smiled. “It’s... beautiful.”
Kotone’s posture appeared to relax, revealing a tension Aigis hadn’t noticed until the moment it was gone. “I’m glad. I... I wanted to make sure this would be a good memory for you.”
Aigis looked at her, raising her eyebrows. “You mean for us?”
“Right—for us,” Kotone said. “I... I need to ask you something, Aigis.”
Aigis blinked. “Oh?”
Kotone rubbed the back of her neck. “It’s... something kind of serious.”
Aigis turned to face Kotone, taking her hands in hers. “I vowed that I would always be here by your side, that I would protect you... and you can ask me whatever you want. I am here for you, Kotone-san.”
Kotone looked down. “Last month... when we would spend time together, sometimes it sounded like you were about to say something, but... but you’d leave or interrupt yourself before you did.” She raised her eyes, looking into Aigis’s. “Aigis... what was it you wanted to say?”
Aigis felt her mechanical joints lock up. “I... I....”
A crease formed on Kotone’s lips. “I− I think I already know what it is, but... but I want to hear it from you. I want to hear you say it in your own words.”
“Kotone-san… but… I− I can’t.”
“Why not?” Kotone stared at her, something almost pleading in her eyes. “Aigis, no matter what, I’ll always be your friend. And I… I need to know. I need to know if what I feel here is… is real.”
Aigis dropped her head, shutting her eyes. “Kotone… I… care for you. Deeply. I do not have a heart in the way humans do, but it aches for you regardless. It is so painful… but I don’t want it to go. I… love you, and I am sorry.”
Kotone was quiet for a moment… then a smile grew on her face, tears at the corners of her eyes. She made a sound that was half a chuckle and half a sob. “I was worried you’d say that.”
The words felt more agonizing than anything the Shadows, or even the avatar of Nyx herself, had done to Aigis.
But the pain did not last long, as Aigis’s artificial senses were soon overwhelmed by a new sensation… Kotone leaning forward, Kotone… pressing her lips to Aigis’s?
Aigis pulled back from shock, sure that she had somehow misinterpreted what her eyes and simulation of touch had told her… but no. As Kotone shyly pulled back, her cheeks flushed, it was clear that Aigis had understood correctly.
Kotone had… kissed her.
“Sorry—maybe that was a little too sudden,” Kotone said with a nervous laugh. “I’ve… never really done anything like that before.”
Aigis’s shock was greatened by the anxiety Kotone showed so openly—the girl was so entirely unflappable, so capable at taking everything in stride… but perhaps it was because that was what she wanted others to see. So, if Aigis was seeing this side of her… it was only because Kotone wanted her to. To see the genuine self under her mask.
“You…” Aigis said, her mind still failing to process. “I am… sorry. This… doesn’t make sense.”
Kotone giggled again, shaking her head. “Aigis, I had half the boys I talked to in this school ready to throw themselves at my feet to go out with me, and in the whole time we’ve known each other, I’ve never had a boyfriend. Did you seriously never consider that I just… wasn’t interested in them in general?”
“But… aren’t you… supposed to be?”
“Well, I guess some people might think that,” Kotone muttered with a shrug. “But they’re wrong. Love is… it’s something that can happen between all different kinds of people, really. Opposite genders, same genders….”
“I… had no idea,” Aigis confessed, feeling quite a good deal embarrassed. Clearly, she had much more to learn about the intricacies of relationships. “I never even considered that you could….”
Kotone laughed. “What? Love you back?”
Aigis’s mouth dropped open. “You… do?”
Kotone raised her hand, placing it against Aigis’s cheek. “Of course I do—even before what happened at the Moonlight Bridge… I knew you were more than just a machine. And since we’ve met, I’ve seen you grow into one of the kindest people I’ve ever known.”
“Kotone-san….”
Kotone smiled apologetically. “Sorry—too sappy?”
Aigis finally allowed herself a genuine smile. “No—I think it is just the correct amount. And, um… can we… do… that again?”
“Do…” Kotone trailed off. “Oh! You mean kiss?”
Aigis nodded. “Yes. That.”
Kotone let out a breathy laugh. “I think I’d like that.”
The two leaned forward again… this time, Aigis was prepared for the moment of contact. She didn’t know how her sense of touch compared to that of a human, and perhaps whatever influence her Persona had had on her allowed her to feel what she shouldn’t have been able to. The feeling of Kotone’s lips pressed to hers was delicate and soft, and yet filled with so much more longing than Aigis expected… that, and something about the kiss felt almost… sad.
Kotone stepped back first that time. “It kinda… tingles,” she said.
“What?”
“Kissing you. There’s just a little charge or something.”
Aigis felt a storm of worry cloud her thoughts. “I’m sorry—were you hurt?”
“Oh no, no,” Kotone said, shaking her head. “It was… I liked it. I think I liked it because it’s… it’s not something anyone but you could do.”
Kotone stepped forward, pressing her body against Aigis’s. Aigis, almost without a thought, put her arms around her, holding her close.
“I wish this could last forever…” Kotone said, her voice muffled against Aigis.
“A sad truth of life is that nothing ever can,” Aigis said.
“I know. After everything we’ve been through, everything we’ve all faced… I know that more than anything. That’s why I had to make sure you knew.”
“What do you mean?”
Kotone closed her eyes. “Don’t worry. It’ll be fine, Aigis… trust me. Life isn’t always easy, and… and when things get hard, I want you to remember tonight. Remember me. Remember that… that things can get better.”
Aigis stood before the gravestone of Kotone Shiomi, unsure of what to feel now that she even allowed herself to.
It was a calm spring day in the cemetery. Light clouds briefly crossed over the sun, and birdsong filled the air. The season reminded Aigis so much of her… of that life and vibrancy, potential and promise.
She could still recall the day of the fifth perfectly—her sitting on the bench on the roof, Kotone laying her head on Aigis’s lap as Aigis rested her hand on top of it. Telling her that it was alright to sleep when the others finally remembered everything, came to meet as they had agreed to….
Aigis was glad to know that Kotone at least heard their voices before she was gone—that she knew what she’d done for the world would be remembered by those who most mattered to her.
There was nothing to be done—nothing left. Kotone had burned away all she had to defeat Nyx, to save them all. It was remarkable that she’d held on so long.
Not that it made the pain sting less. It had been… quite the mess in the aftermath. Metis, the fights, the Great Seal and Erebus… but there was closure in it all. And slowly, Aigis allowed herself to feel again.
The first thing she knew was that she would never stop missing Kotone Shiome. Some would call it naivety, childishness, but Aigis knew deep in her soul that Kotone had been the only one she’d ever love in such a way.
Standing above the grave of that love, it was only now that she understood why Kotone had done what she’d done on the rooftop that night, which felt so long ago now. She gave Aigis that memory, confessing what she felt only when she knew Aigis felt it too. Kotone wanted to go into her afterlife with no regrets… and she wanted to do the same for Aigis.
Maybe it hadn’t totally worked—Aigis felt that she would be grappling with wishing she’d said something sooner, that she’d had more time with Kotone before the end. But… she knew that Kotone would never want her to blame herself. Somehow, that made it hurt more.
Aigis crouched down, pressing her hand to the stone and closing her eyes, focusing on the genetic imprint left in her heart. In a way, it was like Kotone would always be with her. And she would—Aigis would carry her love with her until her own end, whatever form it took and however long in the future that would be.
“Thank you, Kotone,” Aigis whispered. “I am… sorry that I could not protect you. But I have a new purpose now, and I think that, in a way, you have helped me realize it.”
The stone was, of course, silent.
Aigis bowed her head. “I love you, Kotone. I always will. And I miss you.”
The sun emerged from behind a cloud, warming Aigis’s back… funny. It almost felt like a hand.
She stood. “I will keep visiting you when I am able. Mitsuru-senpai has already suggested an idea that I think you’d like—every year on the fifth of March, we will all return to Iwatodai, no matter where our paths lead us. We will remember you and share the love that we held for you. It will be just like how it was… when we were all together.”
Aigis smiled.
“You being gone has made me think a lot about my future. I know that I will most likely outlive our friends. That’s why I wish to make my own promise to you. Even when they are gone, I will still return to see you that day. Even if time wears away your marker, I will remember this spot. I will always be by your side, Kotone Shiomi.”
The warm breeze began to pick up, making the trees' leaves rustle. Aigis turned, walking away.