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Zero escape routes, four girls circling the hot springs in search of whatever disturbed them, two idiotic friends whom Makoto plans to inflict much worse pain on than whatever Mitsuru’s “execution” entails (assuming they make it out of this sweltering death trap alive), and one very pale-looking Akihiko.
In summary, their odds of survival are somewhere between abysmal and nonexistent.
“Dude, what the hell are we gonna do?!” Junpei whispers harshly to Makoto. Putting aside that this is around the fifth time Junpei’s asked that question or some variation thereof, Makoto has absolutely no clue how to respond. They’d escaped Fuuka and Yukari by hiding where the steam was particularly opaque, but with Mitsuru and Aigis still on the other side of the hot spring, there’s no way they’ll make it to exit without getting spotted. The wind could change at any moment and blow their cover, too, adding another layer of pressure to an already precarious situation.
Dismissing the possibility of using whoever speaks up next as a human sacrifice, Makoto wades a bit closer to the edge of the steamy cloak. There’s a rubber duck bobbing about in the water; it could make for a good distraction, but going after it would take them outside of the safe zone. “I need that rubber duck,” he says, turning back to face the rest of the team. Akihiko seems to realize his intent first, Junpei second, and Ryoji—well, he’s looking a little too red in the face to muster a reply.
Akihiko steps forward courageously. “I’ll get it,” he volunteers, monumental gravitas coming from those three simple words. Junpei, meanwhile, breathes a sigh of relief at not having to do it himself. Coward.
Makoto shakes his head. “No. I’m the leader, so I’ll take the risk.” He turns his attention back to the rubber duck, and, with skills honed through many a Dark Hour spent in Tartarus, he creeps almost noiselessly forward in pursuit of his target. Everything else falls out of focus, only the plastic waterfowl just a foot or so away from him mattering now.
Seizing his chance, Makoto lunges forward and grabs the duck. He internally celebrates his victory…
…for all of a second, before he sees Aigis coming around the rock face.
Makoto’s blood turns to ice.
Aigis’ stealth abilities outmatched everyone in SEES put together, and any shot Makoto had at hearing her was thrown out when the tunnel vision kicked in. All he can do now is watch helplessly as she makes eye contact with him. Time seems to stand completely still, a few seconds stretching into eternity.
“I-It was all Ryoji and Junpei’s idea,” Makoto eventually stammers, barely having the presence of mind to keep his voice low. “I didn’t know you’d all be coming in, I swear.” He stares pleadingly at Aigis, her expression remaining unchanged. The lack of reaction is somehow even more terrifying than one of anger or disgust. “Aigis, please—” Makoto tries one last time, though he isn’t able to get out any more before Aigis shushes him with a finger to his lip.
“I will handle this.”
The adrenaline makes it hard for Makoto to recall much of what happens next, only that he and Akihiko somehow escape with their heads still attached to their shoulders. Junpei and Ryoji’s screams served as a fine incentive not to turn back.
“Yuuki, you don’t look well. Did you get enough sleep last night?”
Mitsuru was one of the first things Makoto saw in the morning. He hesitated to respond to her inquiry, but nodded after a brief pause. “I’m okay, Kirijo-senpai. Just anxious.”
Mitsuru raised her eyebrows in concern. “About what? Is it still bothering you?”
“Umm…” Makoto could think of multiple responses to her question, but decided to just make something up on the spot. “... I dunno, I just feel like I didn’t see everything there is to see here.” Mitsuru’s expression softened a bit. I guess there is a little bit of truth in what I said, Makoto thought to himself.
“That’s understandable. Well, you can always revisit Kyoto in the future, so it’s nothing to worry about.”
“Mhm.” Makoto nods again. “Thanks.” Mitsuru leaves the inn’s lobby, leaving Makoto sitting lonely. He was supposed to leave soon as well, but there’s a certain android he hasn’t seen this morning yet. But he hadn’t exactly worked up the courage to go and look for her either, so there he was, tapping his foot in anxiety. Then again, he didn’t doubt that Aigis would try to confirm his location at least once before they left. That made him feel better.
“Makoto-san.”
Makoto flinched and quickly turned around to see Aigis. A few months ago, he would’ve said something like “ Whoa!” or “ Huh!?” , but he’s gotten a little used to her doing that by now.
“Good morning, Aigis-san…”
“Good morning.” They stared at each other for a brief moment, but Makoto spoke up shortly after. “Can I talk to you about something?”
“About last night?”
“Yeah, exactly.” The boy opens his mouth to say, “ How did you know? ” but closes it again. He knows the answer to that question. “First of all, thanks. For saving me, I mean.”
“There is no need to thank me. I simply knew that you weren’t the type of person to engage in such inappropriate behavior.”
“I’m guessing that kindness didn’t extend to Junpei and Mochizuki-san?” Aigis nods. “That’s fair…” Makoto scratched the back of his head before looking at Aigis again. “But that’s not the only thing I wanted to say. I have a question, too.”
“Oh? Feel free to ask me anything, Makoto-san. I will answer, as long as it is within my capabilities.”
“Right.” Makoto stands up, feeling a bit awkward not being at eye-level with her. “Okay.”
“... Why are you so nice to me?”
Aigis freezes. “ Why am I so nice to you…? ” She repeats. A few memories flash through her mind. Their meeting at Yakushima, namely. She blushes a little bit– she didn’t think anything of hugging him in public those months ago, but in retrospect, that might’ve been a bit much. Oh well.
“Yeah. I’ve just been wondering. I haven’t really felt like this since… I don’t even know how long. Probably since my parents died.” He sighed. “You don’t need to answer this if you can’t. Like you said, only if it’s within your capabilities.”
“W-Well…” For the first time, Makoto heard Aigis stutter. He had been wondering for a while now whether or not that was actually possible. “I’m afraid it’s not.”
Makoto frowned, turning his face a little bit so Aigis wouldn’t see it completely (it didn’t work). “That’s okay. I wasn’t really expecting an elaborate answer.”
“Wait.” Makoto flinches, surprised by the firmness of Aigis’s voice.
“I might not have an exact explanation as to why protecting you is so embedded into me, into my core, but I want you to know this: I do not need a reason to be your companion. You are my friend. ” Aigis subconsciously holds her hand near her chest, where her heart would be, if she had one.
Despite that, she still felt warmth. The warmth of someone precious to her within her mechanical body. That was worth fighting for.
Aigis hadn’t even realized she was closing her eyes in deep thought; when she opened them back up, she saw Makoto, eyes wide open.
“... Really?” There was a brief pause between him opening his mouth to speak, and the words actually coming out. In contrast to Makoto’s delayed question, Aigis would nod almost instantaneously.
A handful of emotions flashed through Makoto’s head– surprise, relief, but most of all: happiness. Unwillingly, these emotions conveyed themselves as a pink tint on his cheeks, something Aigis noticed– and smirked at
“That’s… great.” He smiled earnestly, a tinge of sheepishness that Aigis also detected. “Thanks.”
And Aigis smiled right back. “Of course.”
“Well,” Makoto stood up, gripping his luggage. “Time to go.” He started walking, Aigis following shortly after.
“Let’s sit together on the train. I want to talk with you all the way home.”