Chapter Text
???, March 31st, 2010
“Well, you all certainly got here faster than I expected.” A woman in blue sat in Igor’s usual spot, her eyes combing over the members of SEES.
Aigis blinked. The key should have taken them back to the present, but instead…
“Who the hell are you? And where the hell are we?” Junpei was exhausted, barely able to lift his sword. The other members of SEES were similarly exhausted, but still raised their weapons, ready to fight. Distrust was clear on their faces. Metis was the only one besides Aigis to not react in such a way, striding across the room to join Elizabeth on her side of the table.
“Sister? What are you…” Aigis held up her hand, indicating for the other members of SEES to stand down. “What is going on, Elizabeth? Where is Igor?”
“My master is quite impressed with you all, but what we have to talk about… is just for us.” Elizabeth giggled, opening the compendium in front of her and flipping through it, eyes quickly scanning to find the page she was looking for. When she found it, she ran her hands down the paper reverently. “He knows what I’m doing, of course. And for that matter, so do I!”
The rest of SEES was confused, unsure of even where they were. Metis, however, seemed wistful, watching Aigis. Aigis similarly did not understand, but she knew something was very, very wrong. “And… What are you doing, Elizabeth?”
She closed the book suddenly, the noise of the massive volume echoing throughout the Velvet Room. “Why, what some of you have been trying to do this entire false day! Have your cake, and eat it too!” She laughed to herself, standing from the table. “You know, that is such a peculiar phrase. Would it not make sense to eat your cake? What is the point of having it, if not to-”
“Get to the point already!” Yukari spoke up, clenching her bow tightly in her hands. Aigis glanced at her, giving her a look to try and calm her down. Yukari nodded, slowly, in understanding, but the tension didn't leave her shoulders. Or her bowstring.
Elizabeth only laughed, staring at Yukari with interest plain in her eyes. “My, I thought you of all people would want to hear what I have to say. Was that not what your fight was about? Wanting her back?”
Time seemed to slow, sharp intakes of air from their side of the room leaving Aigis feeling weightless. None were willing to speak, to challenge what Elizabeth said. That what she said was impossible, that they had already seen what Kotone was doing, what she had been fighting alone all this time.
It was Ken who spoke first, the high pitch of his voice still booming in the then silent room. “W-who are you talking about? You can’t mean…”
Elizabeth grinned widely, her eyes nearly shining with golden luminescence. “Why, Kotone, of course.”
—
Monday, April 12th, 2010
“Man, I can’t believe it’s already the first day of school. They oughta let third years have at least another week…” Junpei yawns, as if to prove a point.
Fuuka follows closely beside him, wearing a mask to protect from spring allergens. “But then we’d miss the opening ceremony, Junpei.”
“Didn’t you already get your fill from the, like… whole extra month we snuck in during March?” Yukari laughs, holding her bag loosely in her hands. “Though… I guess you’re right. Feels like the rest of March flew right by.”
“Yuka-tan… You get me!” Junpei leans over to try throwing his arm around Yukari’s shoulder, which she neatly dodges. Junpei stumbles spectacularly, eliciting several laughs from some of the students gathered by the gate.
Gekkoukan looks much the same as it usually does, the sakura trees near the entrance a gorgeous pink, their petals scattering onto the ground. Students file past the slow moving trio, oohing and ahhing at the cherry blossoms. Friends call out to each other, groups huddle around and inside the school gates.
It all feels so wrong to Yukari. It’s here that they fought their final battle, the one that decided the fate of the world. It’s here that Tartarus had sprung, like a spiny thorn lashing out at the sky. It’s here that…
A glimpse of blonde hair among the pink and green, alone underneath one of the cherry blossom trees. There is Aigis, holding her hand out as if to wait for a flower to fall into her hand.
Yukari breaks out into a jog, calling out to her. “Aigis! Hey!”
She turns toward Yukari, a somber expression on her face that relents to a small smile. “Hello, Yukari.”
Aigis looks much the same as she ever had; at this point, it would feel wrong to see her outside of her usual Gekkoukan school uniform. Yukari isn’t even sure if she had any other clothes beyond the uniforms and her light blue dress.
Junpei catches up to the girls, panting. “You- Haah, you’re way too in shape, Yuka-tan.” Junpei takes in a moment to suck in a breath, stretching to his full height. “You still running around all night?”
Yukari smacks Junpei’s arm, giving him a glare. “Don’t say that kind of stuff in front of the other students. You’ll give them the wrong idea.” She turns her attention back to Aigis, who is holding a single petal in her hand, examining it closely. “...Have you seen the cherry blossoms fall before?”
“Oh, yeah, I guess she wouldn’t have.” Junpei adjusts his hat, batting at the falling flowers.
Aigis affirms this with a shake of her head before meeting Junpei’s eyes. “Where is Chidori? Did she change her mind on coming to school with everyone?”
“Oh, uh, she said she’d be coming in early. Had a problem with the dress code, apparently.” Junpei rubs the back of his neck. “Guess with Senpai graduating, we won’t be able to get away with as much this year, huh?”
Yukari groans, well aware of just how many ‘liberties’ Mitsuru had given the members of SEES. “Here’s hoping the next Student Council President is decent. It’s gonna be hard for them to fill Mitsuru’s shoes, that’s for sure.” At the very least, without an apocalyptic threat, they won’t have to be up till midnight every night.
Fuuka finally catches up with everyone else, walking over and throwing her arms around Aigis in an embrace. Aigis giggles at the sudden affection, returning it readily with a hug of her own. “Are you keeping well, Fuuka?”
“Pollen is pretty high, but I’m keeping on top of it! Don’t want to miss so much school again this year.” Fuuka adjusts her mask, and Yukari and Junpei cringe at the statement. While Yukari is certain Fuuka would be safe with the other members of SEES, particularly Aigis, present at school, she is also well aware that Fuuka has few good memories of the spring of her second year.
“Yeeeeeah, let’s not jinx it.” Junpei shrugs, twisting his body to stretch before suddenly freezing in place, staring off toward the school. A huge, stupid grin breaks out on his face as he suddenly begins running toward the school entrance.
Chidori has just left the front doors, coming down the steps with a dour expression, but it brightens considerably upon her spotting Junpei. Junpei stops a few feet away from her before he tentatively reaches out a hand. She takes it, covering her face with her other hand as she laughs..
“They’re still nauseatingly cute.” Yukari glances at Aigis, surprised to find the mechanical girl frowning in contemplation at the two of them.
“I think it’s lovely! I’m glad they decided to try dating again.” Fuuka glances at the other girls. Noticing Aigis’ expression, she shuffles her feet, casting her gaze down in a nervous display.
Yukari shifts awkwardly, the lingering question in the air too uncomfortable to address directly. “D-did you already talk to Mitsuru about-”
“I did,” Aigis interrupts, seemingly ready for the question. “It is taken care of. I will report to the homeroom teacher on the mornings she can not attend and bring back the materials she needs.” She lets the few flower petals in her hand go as they dance, intertwined in a whirling rhythm, to the ground.
Yukari lets out a sigh of relief that she didn’t know she was holding. “Good! I knew she’d take care of it.”
Aigis says nothing, watching the approaching pair of Chidori and Junpei, hand in hand. Junpei is blushing profusely, while Chidori seems nonplussed, nodding her head in greeting to both Aigis and Yukari. “Good morning.”
“Morning! Did you take care of that dress code… thing?” Yukari’s question results in an intense scowl from Chidori, though she quickly guesses it is not directed at her.
“No. I did not. The student guideline clearly states that accessories are permitted should they not be disruptive. Mine are clearly-” Junpei squeezes Chidori’s hand, and she glances up at him before taking a deep breath and trying to calm down. “I’m sorry. I will simply have to find something else to wear.”
“Hey, I’ll help you find something, Chidorita!” Junpei laughs, and Chidori manages a small smile in response.
Yukari sighs internally. No matter what she thinks of the incessant PDA, she does have to admit that they’re good for eachother. Despite their clashing personalities, there’s no friction to be found. Maybe it’s true about opposites attracting… The thought makes her smirk, considering her other friends' relationships.
Chidori glances between the other three girls, then to the school gate. “Where is the brown haired girl? Is she not coming to school today?” Aigis flinches, and Yukari instinctively reaches out to hold her shoulders. Chidori turns back to them, and seems surprised. Fuuka fiddles with her hands nervously, not meeting Chidori’s eyes. Chidori glances back up at Junpei. “Did I say something wrong?”
Junpei looks uncomfortable, his gaze rapidly switching between the four girls. He sighs. “Uh, we can talk about it later. We should get to the opening ceremony.” As if on cue, the warning bell sounds, dispelling the awkward mood. They file into the school, joining the rest of the throng as they make their way to the auditorium.
—
The rest of the morning passes uneventfully. Junpei cheers when he finds out he shares a homeroom with Chidori, and Yukari is quietly thankful that she could be with Aigis. Fuuka finds herself in Junpei and Chidori’s class as well, and they talk excitedly about their luck. Aigis only has eyes for her own name and one other, and she smiles widely when she locates ‘Kotone Shiomi’ in the same class as her own.
The classes themselves are dull, but Yukari is honestly not sure what she expected. The magic promised by their final year of school never seems to manifest, the subjects just more of the same but harder. She recognizes a few of the members of the archery club in her classroom, but when she's invited to lunch, she elects to stay behind with Aigis. Even if her friend doesn’t eat, she knows she doesn’t want to be alone.
Yukari taps the side of her bowl of instant ramen. While she’s well and truly sick of the school's options of bread, she didn’t have the energy to make herself something last night. She glances up at Aigis, who is gazing out into the courtyard from her seat, eyes affixed on the school gate. “Does… anyone stay with her, when you’re at school?”
Aigis flicks her eyes to Yukari, before just as quickly returning them to the window. “Mitsuru has offered the services of an on-call caregiver, should we need them. We have not needed them so far, but…” Aigis taps nervously on the desk. “It… frightens me, being away.”
“She’s… okay, right?” Yukari has not seen Kotone since the day they found her, two weeks before like some sort of miracle, asleep in her bed. Like she never left, like they never cremated her, like they had never added the final date to her family’s memorial.
Aigis clenches her fist. “She… has her good days. She sleeps, usually restfully. It just worries me with how infrequent those good days are.”
Yukari reaches out to take Aigis’ hand, and Aigis clasps it with both of hers. Their eyes meet, and Yukari can almost see bags under her friends’ eyes, as absurd an idea as that is. “You don’t have to do this alone, y’know. Fuuka and I can always come by and help, okay?”
Aigis hesitates, and simply nods in response before turning her gaze back to the window. Yukari takes that moment to peer into her bowl, delighted that it’s nearly done, before a voice interrupts her. “Yukari?”
She tilts her head back to the classroom entrance, spotting Fuuka entering with her mask down and bento in hand. Yukari smiles widely. “Hey, roomie. Was just talking about you.”
Fuuka smiles back, looking thoughtfully at Aigis before pulling an empty chair around to sit with the two of them. “Only good things, hopefully?”
Yukari laughs, breaking apart her chopsticks and pulling back the lid of her ramen. “Of course. Promise. Are Junpei and Chidori joining us?”
“No, uh-” She giggles. “They kind of got into a spirited conversation about the rules of baseball. I couldn’t really follow, so I decided to join you both! If that’s okay.”
“More than okay, obviously. Chidori likes baseball, huh? Junpei really lucked out.” She glances at Aigis, who only spares the smallest wave to Fuuka before turning away again
“I got the impression it’s less that she’s interested and more that she’s interested that he’s interested.” Fuuka smiles widely, before gasping exaggeratedly at the instant ramen. “Oh, Yukari! You should’ve asked me to make you something last night! I didn’t realize you would have to eat instant.”
“Oh, you don’t have to do that. I was just feeling a bit lazy, that’s all.” Her refusal has nothing to do with Fuuka’s cooking abilities. On the contrary, she’s improved by leaps and bounds since the first time she got to work in the dorm kitchen, her experimental instincts reined in to a much more moderate degree. But ramen is cheap, and Yukari has yet to receive a callback from any of the casting agencies she had contacted. They had some savings left over from the frankly ludicrous amounts of money they had earned over the year they spent fighting in Tartarus, but Yukari is insistent on keeping her share in savings for college.
“It’s no trouble at all! It would just be extra portions of what I make for myself, unless you wanted something else.” Fuuka opens up her bento, revealing spring rolls and rice.
Yukari has a difficult time arguing with Fuuka’s smile, not to mention the frankly delicious smell wafting through their small corner of the third year classroom. “Okay, fine, but-”
Aigis suddenly shoots out of her seat, vacating the classroom with such speed that it causes Yukari to let out a yelp of surprise. Several of her new classmates jump as well, papers flying about the room as Aigis exits without even bothering to shut the door behind her. Both Fuuka and Yukari are left with their mouths agape, staring at the door she left through.
“...What in the world has gotten into her?” Yukari wonders aloud, glancing around at the students now looking at her.
“I… I don’t know. Should… we go after her?” Fuuka hesitates, glancing at her food and idly toying with the lid.
Yukari shakes her head, which elicits a sigh of relief from Fuuka, clearly not thrilled at the idea of trying to catch up with Aigis. “She can take care of herself. If she needs us, she’ll call, right? Not like there’s anything she can’t handle.”
“...Do you think she saw something out the window?” Fuuka stands, walking around the desks to peer through the glass. Yukari watches her, starting to work on her noodles, while Fuuka simply shakes her head. “Nothing out of the ordinary… Just students eating lunch outside.”
“Maybe she just recognized someone. You know her eyes are better than ours.”
Fuuka doesn’t have a response to that, simply smiling nervously before beginning to eat.
—
Lunch is nearly over, and Aigis has still not returned. Yukari is starting to get nervous, texting Aigis several times with no response. Fuuka is also silent, the well of conversation running dry under the searing heat of Aigis’ sudden absence. Yukari toys with her choker, wondering whether she should call Aigis and see if everythings alright. The door to the classroom opens, and Yukari sits up to call out, but is disappointed to find it’s just another classmate returning from lunch.
“Maybe she went home to check on Kotone,” Fuuka offers the best explanation she can, and Yukari can only make a noncommittal hum in response.
“If that’s the case, she won’t be back until next period.” Yukari lifts up her phone, intending to text Aigis one more time, before she catches some whispering between a huddled group of students and the recent arrival.
‘I thought… died…’
‘...coma…’
‘...our class?’
‘...now…’
The voices are too hushed for her to make out much of anything, but Yukari has a tight feeling in her chest. Rumors like those were all too common last year, during the height of the Apathy Syndrome cases. Students winding up outside the gates, vacant eyes mercifully turned from the sun. Couples clutching each other in alleyways, locked in a joyless embrace. She shivers a bit, taking deep breaths to try and calm herself.
It’s over, okay? The shadows are gone, and so are The Lost. We won, Kotone made sure of that.
She blinks back into the present, realzing Fuuka has taken her hand after apparently noticing her apprehension. Yukari manages a small smile in response. “S-sorry. I just…”
She trails off, and Fuuka squeezes, smiling softly at her. “I know.”
The door to the classroom opens again, and neither of the girls pay it much mind. Yukari continues taking her breaths, trying to settle her nerves, and Fuuka focuses on Yukari, rubbing the back of her hand soothingly. Neither of them hear the person coming up behind them until they finally speak. “Hey, guys.”
Yukari nearly screams, and Fuuka squeaks, as both whip around to the sight of Kotone, hand in hand with an extremely happy Aigis. Yukari immediately jumps up, throwing her arms around Kotone and nearly knocking her over. Were it not for Aigis laying her hands on Kotone’s back to keep her aloft, she very well may have. Yukari pulls back when she realizes what she almost did, wiping away the tears that sprang up suddenly. “I didn’t think you were coming today…!”
“I almost didn’t… I started feeling a little better and thought I’d come see everyone!” Kotone smiles widely. Now that Yukari has a good look at her, Kotone’s clothes are somewhat disarrayed, her ribbon tied haphazardly and her hair a mess. Yukari begins to fuss with the ribbon, causing Kotone to blush. “Hey, it’s not that bad…”
“It’s pretty bad.” Yukari laughs, focusing on retying the ribbon. She catches Aigis watching her out of the corner of her eye, her fingers twitching as if trying to follow Yukari’s movements. She seems… sad, watching Yukari do this. When Yukari finishes, she indicates the desk beside Aigis. “Here, we made sure the teacher gave you a good seat.” Mitsuru’s control over the Kirijo group lends a lot of liberties to Kotone’s enrollment, which her friends are more than happy to take advantage of.
“Thank you, Yukari~. You’re my favorite…” Kotone does not waste a single moment before plopping down in her chair, letting out a satisfied sigh.
Aigis peers curiously at Kotone, then takes her seat at her own desk, scooting it closer to Kotone’s. “I thought I was your favorite.” This statement earns her giggles from Fuuka and Yukari, who start tidying up the desk in preparation for the end of lunch.
Kotone lays her head down on the desk, closing her eyes. “Ohhhh, well, of course you’re also my favorite...” She reaches out her hand blindly and lays it on Aigis’ desk, who immediately takes the hand into her own.
Yukari smirks, conceding that she’d probably have to end up taking notes for Aigis at this rate. She turns to Fuuka. “You heading back to your class?”
Fuuka nods with a smile, seemingly much happier with Kotone present. “Yes! I’ll let Junpei and Chidori know Kotone is here, and maybe we can all do something together after class?”
Yukari glances at Kotone, who already seems to have already fallen asleep at her desk. “Well… we’ll see on that one.”
—
“Geez, Ko, thought you weren’t gonna make it!” Junpei leans against Kotone’s desk, having made his way straight here with Chidori and Fuuka after class.
Kotone laughs, her grogginess seemingly clearing up at the final bell. “What, and leave you unsupervised? As if.” She glances at Chidori, who is standing awkwardly beside Junpei. Kotone raises her eyebrows, then gives a cheeky grin, holding out her hand to shake. “Chidori, right? We never really properly met, even at the… Uh, well, it’s nice to meet you!”
Chidori hesitates for a moment before slowly reaching out to take the hand. “Like-ah!” She gasps quietly when Kotone begins shaking her hand rapidly. “...Likewise. I’ve… heard many good things about you.”
“Oh~? We should talk about those some time.” Kotone leans back in her chair, stretching. “Okay, so, Paulownia mall, right? We gotta do some karaoke! Or, wait, maybe the arcade?”
Aigis rests her hand on Kotone’s shoulder. “Maybe we should take it a bit more slowly, Kotone.”
Kotone glances up at Aigis, a pout on her face. “Fine~”
“Sucks we’re not all living together again this year; that would make plans a whoooole lot easier.” Junpei rubs the back of his neck. “What are they gonna end up doing to the dorm anyway?”
Yukari glances around the classroom. Most of the students had filed out, happy to get the first day of school over and done with. Most of the clubs had not begun activities yet, this being the first day, and recruiting wouldn’t begin in earnest until next week. She turns her attention back to everyone. “Mitsuru told me that they’re running some tests before they figure out what they want to do with it.”
Fuuka nods in confirmation. Mitsuru had worked diligently to keep both Yukari and Fuuka in the loop in the last couple of weeks since the incident. “The whole building is structurally unsound after everything that happened. They’ll likely have to rebuild it from scratch.”
Chidori stares at everyone blankly, then turns her attention to Kotone, who seems similarly disinterested in the conversation. “I like your barrettes.”
Kotone grins, leaning over to look to focus all her attention on Chidori. “Thank you! I like your…” Kotone suddenly gasps, causing Aigis to jolt and stand from her desk. “Where’s your headband!”
“They wouldn’t let me wear it to school. It’s ridiculous.” Chidori’s expression darkens, neither girl seeming to notice as Aigis slowly slides back down into her seat.
Yukari tentatively lays her hand on Aigis’ back, leaning over to whisper. “Are you okay?”
Aigis shakes her head, staring down at her desk and whispering back. “I do not know.”
“C’mere, let's talk for a sec.” She walks over to the window as Aigis watches her with a puzzled expression on her face, glancing at Kotone as she continues talking animatedly to Chidori about accessories.
After a few more moments of hesitation, she stands, joining Yukari by the window. “Is everything alright?”
“That’s what I wanted to ask, Aigis.” Yukari examines Aigis’ face, the girl twitching nervously everytime Kotone begins speaking. She had never seen her friend doing this badly, even before Kotone’s return, when they fought each other for the future… As well as the past. That feels like a long time ago… But it’s only been a couple of weeks. “What’s going on with you and Kotone?”
Aigis flinches, her hands dropping to her side for a few moments as she stands up straighter, seemingly self conscious of the attention. “There is…. I simply…”
“It’s… It’s okay, Aigis. She’s okay.”Yukari reaches out to touch Aigis’ arm, trying to grant her just a small amount of reassurance.
Aigis nods, brushing the tips of her fingers against Yukari’s hand in acknowledgment. She continues nodding, more forcefully, as if trying to banish negative thoughts. “I am just afraid that…” She glances at Kotone, who is talking excitedly to Junpei about some arcade game she wants to try. She turns back to Yukari, her expression sullen. “I am afraid that this is all just a dream. That she is not really here, and I will soon wake up.”
Yukari opens her mouth to speak up, to try and assuage her friend’s fears, but Aigis continues before she can.
“I am so afraid that when I arrive home tonight, I will find our bed empty, my ribbon tied by my own hand and not hers. And I fear that when I go to bed tonight, I will wake up in front of the seal with everyone, with Kotone still hanging from it.”
Yukari can see the tears at the edges of Aigis’ eyes, but Aigis reaches up to brush them away into the fabric of her hands before they get their chance to fall. Yukari grips Aigis arms tightly, forcing her to look into Yukari’s eyes. “Aigis, I promise you, this is real. You’re here, okay? She’s here. She’s not going anywhere.” Yukari leans in to hug Aigis, and Aigis tentatively returns the embrace, as if unwilling to accept the warmth. “Have you… told her how you feel?” Aigis shakes her head into Yukari’s shoulder, and Yukari sighs. “Talk to her, okay? She’ll understand. You know she will.”
The pair pull away, Aigis again brushing her tears away into her hands. She smiles at Yukari through the tears, about to say something when another voice suddenly breaks into their quiet moment. “Are you alright, Aigis?”
Kotone is suddenly beside them. Yukari glances over at Junpei and Chidori walking out of the classroom together, with Fuuka waiting by Kotone’s desk and watching the three of them with a concerned look on her face. Yukari speaks first, as Aigis seems either unwilling or unable to answer. “She’s… She’s feeling a bit under the weather today.”
“Hey, me, too.” Kotone laughs, but her expression is… difficult for Yukari to get a read on. Sad? Kotone leans in closer to Aigis. “Can we talk?”
Aigis freezes, glancing between Kotone and Yukari and back again, her hands fidgeting in the same way as they had when she pantomimed tying ribbons. “If… If you’d like.”
Kotone looks meaningfully at Yukari, and she gets the hint and walks over to join Fuuka, smiling all the while. “C’mon, let's give the lovebirds some space, ‘kay?”
“Oh, uh, right.” Fuuka seems a bit flustered at Yukari’s choice of words, but follows after her readily. Kotone and Aigis both watch them as they leave, not starting their conversation until Yukari has already begun to shut the door.
She and Fuuka stand awkwardly in the hallway outside the classroom, unsure of what to do. They hadn’t really finalized any plans, and Junpei and Chidori have already disappeared to god knows where. Yukari sighs, leaning against the wall. Fuuka takes up position next to her, clutching her school bag in both of her arms.
The silence stretches on at a snail's pace. It’s not that Yukari doesn’t have things she’d like to talk about; on the contrary, she’s been greatly enjoying getting to know her new roommate over the last couple of weeks. Both of them, however, seem more concerned with their friends, and neither wish to break the silence with small talk. Yukari sighs dramatically, fussing with her hair.
It’s Fuuka who speaks first, much to Yukari’s surprise. “Aigis doesn’t seem to be doing too well.”
“...No, she really doesn’t.” Yukari glances at Fuuka, then at the classroom door. “I guess I can’t really talk, though. Kotone’s passing… really messed me up.”
An understatement of the century, as far as Yukari’s concerned. It felt like all the growth she had the previous year was gone the instant they found Kotone on the rooftop, all those resolutions she made for herself dying alongside her best friend. If it wasn’t for Mitsuru’s gentle words and presence, she’s not sure how she’d be doing now.
Aigis, though… Aigis’ emotions have been seesawing up and down since January. Her emotional breakthrough and persona development, her relationship with Kotone progressing, and then Kotone’s death all taking place in the span of a single month. She had spent more time mourning Kotone than being able to properly love her. And now…?
Fuuka rubs her hands, as if trying to keep them warm even in the conditioned air of the school. I really ought to pick out a nice light jacket for Fuuka to wear… She always seems so cold at home. Maybe even some light gloves? I wonder if…
“Did the Kirijo Group finish those tests they were talking about performing on Kotone?” Fuuka’s voice breaks Yukari out of her thoughts, casting her mind back to her last talk with Mitsuru.
Of course Yukari has to be the point of contact with the Group. After all, she has daily phone calls with Mitsuru, reassurances about one another's conditions as well as their friends. Yukari spares a quick glance around at the sparsely populated hallway to ensure they wouldn’t be overheard before answering. “I know that they were talking about it. They did all the usual medical stuff, but Mitsuru said that so many of the scientists are still relearning about the Dark Hour and persona and shadows that any real tests like that would have to wait…”
“And Aigis was insistent that she not be made to stay there.” Fuuka finishes Yukari’s sentence. The mechanical girl was very, very upset at the idea of Kotone being treated as a test subject, and insisted on her being released as soon as the medical tests came back green. Kotone’s narcolepsy and general fatigue, though…
“Yukari, are you doing alright?” Fuuka is suddenly closer to Yukari, her hand on her arm, her big gray eyes staring up at Yukari with all the warmth she had come to expect from her friend.
She can’t help but blush from the close contact, reaching over with her other arm to pat the hand before brushing it away gently. “I’m not sure what you mean.” Yukari smiles in demonstration, making a sweeping motion around her. “I mean, Kotone’s back, everyone’s safe, the… problems are gone. Everything's… good.”
“But are you good?” Fuuka doesn’t try returning her hand to Yukari’s shoulder. Instead, she adjusts her facemask, pulling it back down over chin. Her eyes are determined, locked onto Yukari, and Yukari can’t help but marvel at the transformation she has had over the past year. Where once she was non-confrontational to a fault, now stands a woman who knows how and when to push.
The smile drops from Yukari's face immediately and she sighs, glancing at the door Kotone and Aigis had retreated behind. “It’s all happening so fast, y’know? I was grieving that girl for nearly two months, and then she’s just… back, and we’re at school together and…” She can feel the tears forming at the edges of her eyes, and she closes them, hard, hard enough that she sees stars swirling on her eyelids. “I want to ask her about it. Ask how she’s feeling, if she’s doing alright, but… what if it just makes it worse? And, god, Aigis… I don’t need to make things harder for her anymore.”
Fuuka’s hand returns to Yukari’s arm, and this time, Yukari doesn’t brush it away. She reaches over and grasps Fuuka’s hand before turning to face her friend. Her eyes open, and it takes a moment for her to refocus, but she finds Fuuka staring up at her with a contemplative expression, her nose scrunched up as she thinks to herself.
Yukari can’t help but giggle at this affectation. “What? Did I say something funny?”
“No, it’s just…” Fuuka sighs, reaching over to take Yukari’s other hand so that she’s now holding both of them. “I know I didn’t support you and Mitsuru in the Abyss, but… You can talk to me any time, Yukari. Even if SEES is disbanded, I’d like to think we’re all still a team.” Fuuka smiles, a gesture so bright and blinding, Yukari cannot keep her eyes open as she shuts away the tears.
“Yeah… Yeah, we are. I’ll remember that, okay?” She squeezes Fuuka’s hands tightly. They are still cold to the touch, but Yukari relishes it, the cold keeping her centered as she takes a deep breath, calming herself. When she opens her eyes, Fuuka is still smiling up at her, as if the moment before had been put on pause just for Yukari to appreciate it. The blush comes unbidden, and she reluctantly releases Fuuka’s hands, lacing them in front of herself instead. “Hey, do you want to…”
The door to the classroom suddenly opens, Kotone and Aigis stepping out hand in hand. Aigis is smiling softly, and Kotone is looking a bit more cheerful, which warms Yukari’s heart and helps to calm her rapidly retreating anxiety.
“Hey you two! Thanks for waiting up.” Kotone glances at Aigis, who returns the look with a nod. “Uh, we’re going to take a rain check on hanging out today, okay? Tell Junpei and Chidori we’re sorry. Aigis and I are just gonna head home.”
Yukari grins, happy that Aigis seems to have told Kotone at least a little bit of her anxieties. “Well, fine, I guess we’ll just have to deal. But you’re buying me something when we do end up going out, got it?”
Kotone laughs, a warm one that delights Yukari’s senses. The kind Kotone only shares with her friends. The one Yukari kept mistakenly hearing throughout the dorm all March. “Oh, you couldn’t stop me! You wouldn’t imagine the kind of money the Group is throwing my way.” Kotone squeezes Aigis hand, and when Aigis turns to face her, she leans over to steal a kiss. Fuuka and Yukari both blush from the PDA, looking away.
Aigis laughs softly, her own cheeks now red, then turns back to Yukari. “Thank you for talking to me, Yukari. You are a good friend.”
Happiness bubbles inside of Yukari. She’s happier than she ever could have expected she would be, hearing that from Aigis. “Hey, we gotta keep each other in check, you know?” They share a knowing glance, reflecting each other's smiles.
Kotone leans in to hug Fuuka, bouncing happily as she does. “Hey, we gotta do that tech club this year, okay? I bet we can get Junpei in on it if we promise to play his online game with him!”
Fuuka giggles, returning the hug with unrestrained giddiness. “I’m so glad you’re back, Kotone.”
Aigis and Yukari freeze, glancing at the pair, but Kotone just laughs. “You couldn’t keep me away if you tried. I’ll see you both later!” She retakes Aigis’ hand, leading her away, and Yukari and Fuuka are quickly left alone again. They both look at each other, and after a moment, begin to giggle.
“I really can’t picture school without her.” Yukari stretches. She suddenly remembers what she was about to ask Fuuka, before the pleasant interruption. “You wanna grab something to eat on the way home?”
Fuuka smiles softly, the both of them beginning their walk toward the front entrance. She adjusts her mask back over her face. “Well, I had some leftovers I thought I’d cook into a meal. I’d love to make you something!”
Yukari considers the offer for a moment before smiling happily. “Yeah, okay, that does sound a lot better than Wuck. Let’s do that then. But I’m helping too!”
The previous dark mood of the day begins to dissipate, driven away by the laughter of the two as they walk into the warm spring air.