Work Text:
3/5/2010, Early Morning
Iwatodai Dorm
He never forgot.
Makoto got himself out of bed, and began to get himself ready for the day. But today was not just any other day.
Graduation Day.
Today was the day Makoto and the rest of SEES had agreed to meet up on before they fought Nyx. They went into the fight knowing that if they managed to win, their memories of the past year may vanish, so they tried to plant the seed in their minds as a failsafe. Against all odds, Nyx was defeated, but as they predicted, once the Dark Hour ended, they forgot everything.
But Makoto didn’t.
He’s gone about his life over the past month mostly normally, relieved that the Dark Hour was finally gone for good. Seeing all of his comrades act so distant to him hurt, but the alternative was everyone being dead, so he could hardly complain.
But he’s seen the way she looks at him longingly.
She never forgot.
She knows I didn’t either.
Even if she had forgotten, it would’ve been immediately apparent to her that she was no ordinary student, due to her mechanical body. Makoto had caught her staring at him multiple times, and she even spoke to him briefly at school a couple days prior. But they had yet to properly converse.
Makoto wanted to give her time, just as she wanted to do for him. But it had been so difficult to do, even if it was for the best. Maybe one day, once the technology advanced, he could extract the memories of February 2010 from his head, light them on fire, and throw them in a garbage can. Maybe light the garbage can on fire for good measure.
Nevertheless, today was the day they had promised to meet up, and a knock on the door as he finished getting himself ready confirmed the time had come.
“M-Makoto-san?”
“Come in, Aigis.”
Aigis entered the room and closed the door behind her for privacy. For the first time in over a month, she made proper eye contact with Makoto. “M-Makoto-san, I…”
Makoto put his hand up to stop her. He noticed her eyes were a bit watery. Choosing to leave the conversation for later, he spread his arms invitingly, and gave a soft smile. “C’mere, Aigis.”
Unable to bear bring away from him any longer, Aigis slowly made her way over to Makoto. She wrapped her arms around him, and he closed his arms to return the favor. Despite her body made of hard metal, she felt so soft in his arms.
It’s so nice to hold her again.
Aigis began to quietly cry into Makoto’s shoulder, so he tightened his grip on her and began to slowly rock her back and forth, speaking to her softly.
“Shhhh…”
“I’m here, Aigis…”
“Don’t cry…”
After a few minutes, Aigis had calmed down enough to stop crying, and she rested her chin on Makoto’s shoulder. The tears were a mix of sadness and joy, guilt piling up for leaving him alone for over a month, but also pure bliss of being able to be with him again.
“M-Makoto-san… you never forgot, did you?”
Makoto solemnly nodded. “Seems like you didn’t either.”
Aigis struggled to get the words out. “I-I remember everything… the Dark Hour, Tartarus, Nyx, our promise… I am s-so sorry I never approached you…”
“You don’t have to apologize, Aigis. I remembered too, so I’m just as guilty. You just needed time.”
After a few seconds, Makoto felt Aigis nod against his shoulder, which he took as her agreeing. He was thankful she didn’t need much convincing, but he’d be willing to console her for as long as it would take.
Aigis lifted her head to look at Makoto, their faces mere inches apart. “Today is the day we promised to meet up… do you think the others will remember, Makoto-san?”
Makoto grinned. “I’m sure they will, Aigis. We need to have faith in them. But we should be there to greet them when they do, don’t you think?”
Aigis smiled back at him. “I believe I have a good idea of where we are headed. Shall we go?”
Makoto let go of Aigis, but quickly re-grabbed her hand. “Let’s go. We wouldn’t want to miss our train, would we?”
3/5/2010, Morning
Gekkoukan High School
After the train ride, Makoto and Aigis made their way into the school, hand in hand. The halls were empty, as all of the students were in the auditorium for the ceremony. The pair chose to forgo the ceremony, opting instead to go to their special place, and wait for everyone else there.
It was a bit unsettling to think that this could’ve been the permanent state of the hallways, and the rest of the world, had they lost the battle. Completely devoid of any signs of life, never to be filled again. But they had won, so those thoughts could be discarded. Hopefully the garbage can had some space left.
Aigis was the first to speak, her voice echoing through the empty halls. “I must say, it is somewhat eerie seeing the hallways so empty. I am so used to seeing them filled with students.”
Makoto titled his head. “Eh, I kinda like it. Nice and serene. Besides, you’re all the company I need.”
Aigis felt her face go red. “M-Makoto-san… you are such a smooth talker. Where did you pick that up?”
“It kinda just happened over the past year. Trust me, I couldn’t hold a conversation for more than 5 seconds a year ago.”
Aigis giggled. “Well, even if that were still true, I would still love you regardless.”
Makoto felt a dash of red on his cheeks and rubbed his neck with his free hand. “Oof. Return to sender.”
The couple continued to make small talk along the way, eventually reaching the door to the rooftop. Makoto pushed the door open, relieved to see no one was there. He led Aigis by the hand to one of the benches, and the pair sat down next to each other, their shoulders brushing.
Makoto and Aigis allowed themselves to finally exhale, and it began to settle in: they had done it. They had won the unwinnable battle. The last month had been difficult for both of them, but now that they were together once more, all of the pain began to wash away.
The fact that they, along with the rest of the team, and everyone else in the world were going to have their lives so unfairly taken away with nothing that could be done was difficult to fathom. But SEES would never back down. Every member of the team had someone or something to fight for, and they would never turn a blind eye, no matter the odds.
Despite being told so many times that the battle was impossible to win, and being given an easy way out, it would’ve seemed wrong to everyone to give everything up right then and there. Now, they had won the battle, and everyone could finally move on with their lives.
Aigis looked out at the city, the trees and ground coated in pink. “This is my first time experiencing spring… I have heard many stories about Japan’s cherry blossoms. I admit I thought that their beauty was exaggerated, but… they truly are remarkable.”
Makoto nodded. “They are, aren’t they? This is my favorite time of year. The weather is just right. Not too hot, not too cold.”
“Is that so? Then I look forward to experiencing this weather over spring break.”
Makoto raised a finger. “Before that, even though the seniors are done, we still have finals next week. Have you been studying over the past month?”
Aigis averted her eyes from Makoto’s. “Ah… that may be something I have… neglected to do.” She looked over at him with pleading eyes. “Would you be so humble as to assist me in my studies this weekend?”
Makoto smirked. “Well, I can’t say no to that look. I was gonna help you out anyways, it’s a good excuse to spend time together.”
“Thank you, Makoto-san.”
Makoto felt a lightbulb go off in his head. “You know, I’ve still been keeping tabs on everybody since the battle. Shinjiro-senpai should wake up pretty soon.”
“Is that so? I am sure Kotone-san will be delighted to hear that. We will have quite the story to tell him once he comes to.”
Makoto huffed. “If he even believes any of it. He’ll probably just say, ‘Shut it, Aki,’ and then punch him in the gut.” The couple burst out laughing at that comment, enjoying the moment of happiness together. The type of moment they had missed so dearly over the past month.
Aigis had a difficult subject on her mind, but she didn’t want to ruin the mood by bringing it up. However, it would not be her choice to make, as evidenced by Makoto staring her down. “Everything okay, Aigis? You look like you have something on your mind.”
“A-ah… you caught me, Makoto-san. It is just that… well…”
“It’s okay, Aigis. Take all the time you need.”
Aigis gave herself a moment to clear her head, and then pressed forward. “W-when you went up to face Nyx by yourself, I was so worried that… t-that you would not return. Despite staring down Death itself… that moment was the most scared I was that night.”
Makoto reached out to put his arm around Aigis’ shoulder, and gently pulled her against him. Aigis rested her head on his shoulder, enjoying his presence. Makoto laid his head down on top of hers. The coolness of her headband felt nice against his neck. “Don’t worry, Aigis. I’m not going anywhere.”
Makoto felt Aigis nod against him. “And I am ever so grateful for that. I… I-I do not know how I could ever live without you. Y-you taught me what it means to ‘live,’ after all.”
Makoto responded by simply holding Aigis tighter, letting her know he was right there by her side. With that off their minds, the couple opted to simply enjoy each other’s warmth, basking in the sunlight and gentle spring breeze.
After a few minutes, Aigis broke the silence, speaking softly. “This is the world we fought to protect…”
Makoto chuckled. “I’d say it was worth it.” Mitsuru’s speech could be heard faintly in the background. “She’s a really good speaker, don’t you think?”
“Absolutely, Makoto-san.” Aigis paused for a moment. “When do you think they will remember?”
Makoto shrugged with his free shoulder. “Soon. We’ve already waited a month, I’m sure we can wait a little longer.”
“I cannot argue with that.”
The pair continued to listen to Mitsuru’s speech, which made for a nice backdrop to the serene atmosphere of the rooftop. Eventually, they heard the speech abruptly taper off, much earlier than it was supposed to.
Makoto mentally pumped his fist. “I think that’s our cue.”
Aigis smiled. “It seems they have finally remembered… we were right to believe in them.”
The footsteps of everyone could be lightly heard, making their way up to the rooftop. Aigis closed her eyes, choosing to take in the moment. “Makoto-san… what is next for us?”
A few voices could be made out now. Makoto closed his eyes as well. “I’m not sure, Aigis. But whatever it is, we’ll do it together. I promise.”
Their friends were due to burst through the door any second. With their private time waning, Aigis chose to make her declaration right there and then, though she didn’t care if the whole world knew.
“I love you, Makoto-san.”
“I love you too, Aigis.”
With that, the door burst open, revealing everyone’s smiling faces. They were all ready to move on, to live their lives they had fought so desperately to keep. Makoto, Aigis, and all of their friends were at last free from the shackles of the past year, ready to face whatever challenges life might have to throw at them. No matter what that might be, they all knew one thing.
Nothing is impossible.