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It's a beautiful day, Kotone thinks. The gentle spring sunlight, the cherry blossom petals carried on the breeze—she didn't have the chance to enjoy the smaller things during February, knowing her sole objective was just to survive until today, so now's as good a time as any. It's the last opportunity she'll have, after all.
As much as that thought pains her, Kotone understands that this needs to happen. She knew what she signed up for when she sealed Nyx, her essence serving as the keystone for a golden gate entombing Death; all throughout the last month, her tread grew unsteady, and even just staying awake took its toll. She couldn't feel the chains binding her petrified form to the seal, but they slowly suffocated the life out of her nonetheless.
She's always tried to look on the bright side of things, so Kotone can appreciate feeling reinvigorated in her final moments. For one thing, her limbs aren't numb anymore, so she has enough strength to wipe away the tears from Aigis' eyes. The sensation of Aigis grasping her hand and holding it close is as comforting as it is agonizing for Kotone, knowing her own grip will betray her again any minute now.
"It'll be okay," Kotone reassures, for both of their sakes. The way Aigis' expression shifts sends a pang through Kotone's chest, and she recognizes that her heartbeat is starting to slow down. It's not painful, and she doesn't feel panicked, which is nice. Her biggest fear—assuming she even made it this far in the first place—was that she'd die with an agonized look on her face, leaving her loved ones to wonder if she suffered before she passed.
With that burden taken off her conscience, Kotone's vision blurs. Her eyelids flutter, and she tries to keep them open long enough to get one last look at her beloved's face. She succeeds, and with Aigis' human visage burnt into her retinas, Kotone relents by closing her eyes, understanding that's how they'll stay. She always knew Aigis was destined for a happy life, and if it has to be without her, so be it.
"You must be tired..." Aigis whispers, so much fondness packed into four simple words. "Please get some rest... I'll stay right here with you."
Kotone vaguely registers the voices of her friends in the distance. She doesn't know how much longer she can hold on, but if she can't greet them alive, Kotone knows another way to convey her feelings. It's simple, yet never fails to raise the spirits of those who see it.
So, Kotone smiles. She's suddenly so very tired, and it's weak because of that, but it's a smile nonetheless. She hopes Aigis knows how much she cherished their time together, and that all of her friends will find the same fulfillment she has in this moment.
One moment, she's still attached to her physical form, and the next, Kotone stands up. The seal is calling; Ryoji bought as much time as he could for her, she realizes with gratitude. As she takes her first few steps towards eternity, the doors to the rooftop burst open, and Kotone turns around to see Junpei, Yukari, Fuuka, Mitsuru, Akihiko, Ken, and Koromaru all pouring out. Exhaustion and relief are written all over their features, and after a moment's rest, they all start off towards Aigis in a more relaxed fashion.
Another smile couldn't hurt. As the wind begins to carry her away like the cherry blossom petals, Kotone grins at them from ear to ear, matching the joy on Aigis' own face.
I had a good life, Kotone thinks, before everything fades to white.