Chapter Text
The ancient Greeks had many words for love. Aegis had only known about one, the idea of love between two romantic partners. That was her first exposure to the word “love”, and its myriad truths. But it was Fuuka who told her about the other forms.
What she held for Makoto was Eros, the love between partners. One which begins externally and reaches into the inner depths of a person. Into some deeper spiritual truth. Sexuality and lust giving way for a deeper more intricate appreciation of a person.
Philia was what she felt for her friends. Junpei, Yukari, Mitsuru, all of them. A feeling of belonging and brotherhood amidst the chaos of the world. Those who had overlooked her mechanical joints and stilted voice and loved her for the girl she was.
Then there was Philautia, self love. One which cultivates within the self, the regard one holds for their own happiness. This was one she struggled to grasp. It was only until she entered school that she even considered her own appearance. But she’d learned to be at peace with her differences.
Each a form of love, each one a string which pulled at her heart in a different way.
What then, made her feel devoid of all of it.
Makotos death, and the acceptance of it, had not been soft. The closer she got to experiencing emotions like a human the less she understood it. There was a gnawing from within. A void which nobody could fill. Eating away at her very being like rust through iron. Like acid chewing and boring its way into her papillion heart. Making each step slow and sluggish. Making her mind lag and slog into the depths of her newfound emotions. Was this sadness? Was this the same dreaded feeling that her friends carried?
Surely not, they could live productive lives without being slowed step-by-step. In their short time as roomates Yukari seemed far from bogged. She’d sing to her radio and make dinner in the kitchen. Talk about her classes and enjoy every drop of life she could drink. While Aigis just, went through the motions. Sitting on the edge of their couch with her legs idly swinging for hours on end. Not even contemplating just…existing. Feeling grief wrap around her soul in such a cold way.
Yukari tried to remedy it. Insisting the robots cold, sterile room needed some “sprucing up”. Buying a secondhand chair and bookshelves, a vase for fresh wildflowers, things to make the place seem less like a laboratory. But that did little to warm her. She had nicer things to look at, as she stared away the hours of her infinite existence, but nothing to stop it.
There had to be something within her she could fix. Something she could pull out and toss away that would rid her of these tortuous thoughts. A loose bolt or a wire connected where it shouldn't. Something within her power and not at the hands of an almighty universe she was unable to satisfy.
July 14th, 2:34 AM, was when she found the answer.
Kneeling on the floor with her fingers clasping wires and cords. Pulling out and examining her insides. Comparing it to the mental files of her own blueprints. Everything was where it should be. Everything was..frustratingly normal.
With her wires tossed on the ground like an uprooted tree, tangled on the floor and slinking beneath her stilt-like legs, Aigis didn't feel like pulling her organs back into herself. She could lay here in this vacant tomb from now until the heat death of the universe. And she’d still have no answer.
Her fingers ghosted up her flayed chest. Feeling the hum of her own electric pulse beneath. Trailing through the wires until she reached herself, her heart, the key of her existence. Artificially grown sapphire layered with nano-scale engraved quartz and gold, capable of storing petabytes of information in a fraction of the space.
But now, it was simply the last vestige of her time with Makoto.
How he’d pressed his fingers against its surface. Engraving his soul, his genetic code into its glass-like structure. Proof of the love they had shared. Oh she’d never forget it. The way his eyes shone against the glow of her heart, trailing kisses across her cold cheeks, rough fingertips seemingly digging into the very essence of her existence-
Steam rose from within her. The artificial coolant tears which pooled in her eyes had dripped onto her heart. Hissing and evaporating the second they hit the hot surface of her machinery. She’d been overheating, yet didn't have the will to stop it. It was only then that her systems made sense of it all…
Her purpose was to protect Makoto. Forever.
Makoto was dead. Yet she remained.
She was a machine without a purpose. A device gone obsolete. There was no way around it. Even if she had that desire to live and thrive as a human would there was still the nagging fact that she lacked a directive.
Makoto was dead. Yet she remained, despite it.
Her fingers pressed into her heart. Mind torn between whether to replicate the path Makoto traced long ago…or to press with enough force to shatter it completely. If Makoto was gone, and she should be too-
She stopped before her fingers grazed her soul…
……The path Makoto traced.
Aigis touched it gingerly.
His DNA. His genetic code. All of it, eternally etched into the crystal of her soul. His genes. Dark indigo hair and eyes, pale skin, type O blood. Every single drop of his existence was held within her heart. Makoto had been cremated soon after his death. His mind and body reduced to nothing but inert ash and bone fragments. What she held now was alive. Maybe not technically alive…but yet-
2:34 AM ticked in her mind.
The time she realized her directive. Her new purpose.
Makoto would live again.
He had to live again.
Aigis managed to quench her own overheating before it could warp her chassis. The hum of her fans filling the room. Hands swiftly moved to fix what she had undone. Returning her body to a state more conducive to this kind of tampering. Her room had a surplus of spare parts. From individual chips and screws to entire limbs and face plates in case a part couldn't be repaired. She couldn't care less about combat, all that ran through her mind was the new directive. Buzzing between her auditory sensors as she pulled apart the plates around her hips. Clearing backup weaponry and making room within. Moving heat sinks to somewhere more fitting for this new task, stringing sets of sterile tubes and sensors tuned for chemical composition and protein identification.
Makoto would live again.
She could protect him again.
————
Aigis felt noticeably lighter that morning. Her mind clear. Her body swift and flexible. Her feet almost gliding across the floor as she made tea for the two girls at the table. Cut and trimmed Assam tea, best steeped right below boiling. Yukari liked hers on the paler side, without sugar but plenty of milk. While Mitsuru preferred the bitterness of a long-brewed black tea. Served pure and dark, always watching with a keen eye to make sure no sugar touched her brew.
Mitsuru had been ever-present in their lives since Aigis and Yukari agreed to move in together. Hell, she even footed the electricity bill to make up for Aigis living there. Aigis might not consume food, but her daily chargings took up more power than Yukari used in a week.
“…I don’t see how you can drink such bitter tea straight” Yukari spoke, watching Aigis hand them the cups “At least soften it with some milk. It just coats my mouth and-blegh.”
The redhead just smiled, sipping from her cup “Bitterness is a flavor to be embraced, not avoided. Like a pure dark chocolate or the bite of wild greens in a salad…”
Kirijo and Takeba continued their mild argument. The squabbling background noise as Aigis tidied up. Disposing of the tea leaves and putting away the milk. Though with some trepidation, she ate a sugar cube. Aigis lacked taste buds or the ability to pick up scents, but her mouth could read tactile sensations. Feeling the cube crumble and dissolve on her tongue.
“-Aigis?”
The blonde jolted around “yes Mitsuru?”
She took a second look at Aigis. Currently lacking any clothing, the changes she made to her body were on full display. Yet completely imperceptible to anybody besides her and Mitsuru, the one most familiar with her functions besides Fuuka.
“You’ve made changes to yourself, haven’t you?” She squinted, trying to pinpoint what exactly was different. The stitching of her vinyl torso-cover? The arrangement of her leg gears perhaps?
“Yes I have made adjustments, if that is satisfactory.” Aigis put her hands over her waist. A silent admission of guilt, or trying to hide the exact nature of it. “I have adjusted the position of my lower heat sinks to better optimize airflow and cooling In warmer conditions.”
It wasn't a complete lie. Only one of omission.
Mitsuru thought on it. Humming to herself. “I know you are capable enough to make repairs as you see fit, I don’t see why it would be an issue.”
The mechanical girl smiled “thank you Mitsuru-San.”
Aigis walked back to her room without much fanfare. They hadn't noticed yet. Even without clothing. She could safely keep it a secret until she knew beyond a shadow of a doubt this “experiment” would work. A month or so, give or take, was all she needed.
She would have to tell everyone though…such a thing would be difficult to hide after long. Her school studies would have to be upkept, same with her obligations to the Kirijo group. But neither of those would get ahead of her foremost priority.
Caring for this little spark of Makoto. The tiny remnant which grew within her.
———-
August 10th, 11am, the day Aigis decided to tell the truth.
Everything was going perfectly. Her body's new apparatus functioning just as it should. No issues or signs of harm. Waking up from her brief charging period, she could hear muttering and the click-clack of keys from across the apartment. Though slowly, Aigis walked towards her.
Yukari had a welcome respite from classes. Sitting in their shared living room amidst a spread of papers and textbooks, trying to make sense of the words within. Aigis approached with trepidation. Not wanting to startle the girl. She knew this kind of news wouldn't come easy.
“Good morning Yukari-San, how have your studies been treating you?”
The brunette slumped against the couch “ugh it’s been brutaaal” she groaned “I’ve got so much shit to catch up on, stupid history class.”
A beat of silence. Only the scratch of pencil on paper filled the air.
“Yukari, may I talk with you?” Aigis took a seat on the other end of the couch.
The girl looked surprised “oh, yea of course!” She closed the textbooks, reaching up her arms to stretch “gives me a break from all this junk.”
A laugh escaped the mechanical girls lips. The news wouldn't be easy, she wasn't even sure if Yukari would believe her…
“Yukari-San, there is something very important I must discuss with you. I do not know how you will react, but whatever you may think, know those feelings are valid-“
“What’s with all the formalities?” Yukari scoffed “we’re friends, you can tell me anything.”
Here goes nothing
“…I have started the process in the middle of last month. Not because of the instruction of anybody else, but because it was my choice. Ever since the death of Makoto I have felt…wrong. Broken, like a machine lacking a purpose.”
“Purpose?” Yukari said “Aigis you have a purpose, we’ve told you over and over again.”
There was a pause. Yukari rolling back what Aigis had said.
“-wait…process? What process?”
Aigis put her hands over her waist. Closing her eyes and hiding her face beneath the bangs of her hair. As if to hide herself from the inevitable.
“….I have begun the process of cloning Makoto. Last month I modified my body, I am the apparatus from which he will be born. Before his death Makoto burned his genetic code into my papillion heart, my very being…and now I will use that to bring new life into this world.”
Yukari…laughed. Wide eyed, stuck between disbelief and complete and utter shock.
“Cloning?” She paused, the word repeating again and again. She was done with the part of her life where insane shit like this was normal. There wasn't the need for shadows or a giant building or a time loop. “Cloning. Aigis, are you serious?”
She nodded.
“You know that won’t bring him back…” Yukari felt it. Heat building in her chest and shoulders. The sticky tar of grief igniting and bursting into anger which swirled within “You know nothing will bring him back! He’s dead! He! Is! Dead!”
Aigis stayed put. Even as Yukari rose above her. Hitting her palm against the couch in anger. Just barely hiding her hot tears bubbling beneath her eyes.
“We were all finally starting to get used to our lives without him!” She wiped her hand across her cheek “A-and now you think you can just bring him back to life?? You think that’ll make it alll better don’t you??”
“Clones do not contain the memory of their original. This child will-“
“-Oh great like that's even better! Having a little mini Makoto crawling around!” The rush of a migraine stalled her thoughts. Sharp, erratic breaths only broken up by crying, stifled down and shoved into the pit of her heart.
“Where is he…” Yukari spoke. Voice suddenly monotone, turning away from the girl.
“He is here”
“Where is he Aigis…” her voice was practically a growl.
The mechanical being put her hands over the belt. Titanium fingertips pressing into her body. No longer a solid chassis like before, her body appeared to have some give to it. Though only around the waist. Everything else was as before. Solid metal. Built to kill.
“I told you Yukari, he is right here.”
Uncanniness. That’s what broiled inside Takeba's mind. Looking at the once familiar body of her friend. A body she knew as being solely mechanical, iron and steel and gunpowder and wire, and now there was life. Human life growing within. The genetic copy of the boy who gave her life so much meaning.
“…If I’m dreaming… can I wake up…?” Yukari muttered under her breath. Clawing at her face, trying to tear herself away from this horrid new reality.
“Yukari-San you are not drea-“
“-SHUT UP AIGIS.”
She flinched. Aigis, normally near-invincible, flinched like a scared child being reprimanded. Covering her body to protect it from harm. Guarding the precious thing within while the rest of her tensed up. For the first time, Aigis felt fear towards her friends. The feeling lingering even as Yukari stormed off.
Yukari threw herself into her room, scrambling for the flip-phone buried in her bedsheets. This wasn't some dream. Some labyrinth of impossibility. She had to tell the others.
After a moment of waiting she could hear the line pick up at the other end. Mitsuru clearing her throat, with the hum of a cafe behind her.
“Good afternoon Yukari, how has your day been-“
“Mitsuru I-“ Yukari yelped out. Covering her mouth as she tried to steady her own thoughts. Making sense of the mess that had been thrown at her “- we need to hold a meeting. All of us, all of SEES.”
“Has there been shadow activity? Haven’t detected any-“
“-It’s about Aigis. S-she did something and I don’t know what to do…”
There was hesitation on the other end of the line. The sound of cups clattering and silverware shoved aside. “Has she harmed anybody? Are you in imminent-“
“No no it’s not that. Aigis is acting perfectly normal-“ She held her tongue “-s-she’s acting perfectly calm. I'll explain it all later. Just bring Akihiko, Junpei and Fuuka to your place as soon as possible.”
Mitsuru hung up soon after. Leaving Yukari in the empty hun of her room. She knew Aigis could hear every damn word they said. Her sensors tuned to frequencies completely outside human hearing. Yet she did not barge in and argue, or try in any way to prevent the meeting. She wasn't one to cause arguments. Nor accelerate them. Preferring to let her friends come to a conclusion while she waited by the sidelines.
The brunette got her things together. Jacket, bag, phone, notebook. Slamming her bedroom door behind her as she left. Making eye contact with Aigis for a split second before she left their space. She hadn't noticed it in the moment, only halfway down the hall, but Aigis was crying…
———-
There was an air of tension before Yukari arrived. Running a couple minutes behind the others of the group. Her absence leaving space for theories and anxieties to stir amidst the group. Mitsuru at the head of the table, idly toyed with the bracelet on her hand, mulling over the vagueness of her last conversation with Yukari.
“So you guys know what it’s about? Ooh are we going on a trip or somethin’?” Junpei, of course, broke the silence with humor. Leaning back in his chair to stretch his arms “-haven’t been anywhere cool since I was a second year. I’d love to go swimmin’ in Okinawa, laying out on the sand with Chidorita-“
“-Yukari-San told us she’d explain it, but it’s regarding Aigis. That's as much as I know.” Mitsuru spoke up. Cutting off Iori and his lengthy tangent.
“Do you think Aigis is struggling mentally? I mean after he…died…” Fuuka spoke of him in hushed tones. As if to avoid stirring the grief which had settled long ago.
Akihiko sighed, adjusting and re-adjusting the bandages on his hands “she’s taken it worse than most of us, that’s for certain-“
His words were cut off by the sound of a door slamming open. Hurried footsteps and exhausted gasps. Yukari looked as if she had ran most the way there. Trying to catch her breath as she took her seat by the table. Tossing her belongings to the side, all except a notebook.
“S-sorry I-huff-Missed the train and had to-hff.”
“Hey hey slow down Yuka-tan, it’s chill, don’t sweat it.” Junpei seemed less inconvenienced than the rest, but his smile seemed to warm up Yukari.
“-thanks Iori…”
All eyes were on her. Waiting for Yukari to spill the truth, what they’d all waited to hear.
“Thank you all for coming on such short notice” she spoke “look, I don’t really have any easy way of saying this. Aigis and I were talking earlier today. She told me to keep it secret…but-ugh..I just had to tell you guys.”
“What is it?” Mitsuru asked. Patience wearing thin.
There was a pause. Yukari trying to figure out what the hell to say. Better rip off the bandaid, she guessed.
“Aigis told me she is cloning Makoto…”
The realization. The emptiness that permeated everything around her. No gasps or shouts just, stunned silence.
“She has to be lying” Mitsuru buried her face in her hands “there is no reason or way for-“
“Aigis doesn't lie!” Fuuka spoke up “She omits things, but never a direct lie. S-she’s telling the truth.”
“Frankly it would be better if she was lying” Mitsuru mumbled under her breath “what proof has she given you? Something like that is incredibly complicated, the kind of apparati and technological advancements that would make it possible are decades beyond what we have. How could she have gotten it?” Mitsuru looked at Yukari “-do you know where the clone is? Is it hidden in her room somewhere?”
The brunette only laughed. A nervous one, slow and twitching with anxiety.
“Well…uh..that’s the thing…” Yukari said “…look I don’t know how to say this but like, I think…she’s the apparatus? That’s what she told me at least, that she ‘modified her body for the sake of cloning’”.
Mitsuru looked on wide-eyed. Mind spinning with any damn explanation for the mental slap-in-the-face Yukari just told her. Getting up from her seat and anxiously pacing back and forth. Heels clicking on the ground.
“So it’s inside of her…God what the hell was she thinking.” Akihiko spoke, filling the silence left by Mitsuru and her shock “how did she even get his DNA?”
“I’m not sure” Fuuka mumbled “she told me one time about how he touched her papillion heart, she might have recorded his genetic code when it happened.
Yukari nodded “I think she mentioned it once. I wasn't sure she was being literal.”
The thought of it made her sick. Eyes staring at the wood grain of the table, memories ringing through her empty mind. Memories she had tried to bury long ago when the abyss was conquered. Once vocal, Yukari now sat in silence as the team argued around her.
“Human cloning is illegal in Japan right?” Fuuka looked worried “w-will we get in trouble? What about the Kirijo group?”
“It is…and that’s what scares me” Mitsuru looked off, deep in thought “under law Aigis is property of the Kirijo group, regardless of her level of sapience. So there’s no way to shift blame.”
“Is there any way to convince her to…give them up?” Akihikos voice trailed off.
“You’ve seen how strong Aigis is. She’s built for combat, that’s her only purpose.” Mitsuru sighed “any attempt to change her mind would end badly, to say the least. But I doubt the clone will make it past a few weeks. If it’s even viable at all. I say we just let time run its course.”
Akihiko and Fuuka nodded in agreement. As morbid as it seemed, both knew that human bodies and machines weren’t exactly compatible. The girl had seen Aigis from the inside, seen the wires and batteries which filled her body cavity. A place nobody would think was conducive to creating a new life.
“But what if they do live?” Junpei spoke, no longer keen on just watching his friends argue. Lacking any of the dread or anger the others did.
Mitsuru sighed “Then we will figure it out from there.”
———-
Junpei didn't know what made the rest of the team so upset. Even after the meeting he could practically feel the weight of their anger pressing onto him, expecting him to conform.
The idea of a cloned Makoto was weird, sure. He’d seen plenty of films with that as a plot point. But that didn't make the clone himself scary. He’d just be any other baby, devoid of the memories Makoto once held, hell he might not even have the same personality. As far as Junpei was concerned that little baby was as normal as any other. Chubby and dumb and full of love. He didn’t deserve to be hated.
Maybe it was a bit early to give gifts. But Junpei knew Aigis was in a rough spot. The least he could do was bring a smile to those artificial cheeks, and maybe a few goodies. He and Chidori had spent their rare off day on a day trip to the countryside. Enjoying the vast trees and slow pace as much as they could. Something there had caught his eye, and he knew it would make a perfect gift.
“Ai-Chan! It’s da-man!!” Junpei excitedly knocked on the door. Trying to hide the gift behind his back.
There was a short delay, followed by the tap of metal feet against hardwood before she opened the door.
“Oh Junpei-Kun!” Aigis looked surprised. But not disappointed. Smiling from ear to ear "I didn't know you were coming over, did Yukari invite you?”
“Nah I just wanted to stop by. Things have been craaazy lately. Thought I could help cheer you up” Junpei scratched the back of his neck “look…I know you’re going through a lot. I don’t wanna get into it all but-“
Junpei held out his gift. A small toy sheep. Its body made from loose curls of cream wool, while its head and dangly legs were knitted from dark yarn. Each stitch was done by hand, with all the love in the world. It’s beady little eyes stared up at Aigis, as if it was begging to be held.
“-I got you a little somethin’!” Junpei smiled “I know it’s technically for the baby, but still. Got it from this little textile place in Inaba, it’s made of real wool and everything! ‘Least I could do when my best pal is expecting.”
Aigis reached out, tenderly holding the stuffy in her hands. The same hands which could reduce it to a burnt pile of ashes, tipped with metal and gunpowder residue, felt the soft curls of its wool. The give of the yarn and how it moved between her hands.
“It is wonderful Junpei” Aigis smiled, eyes close to tearing up “out of curiosity, why a sheep? Was it because a sheep was the first cloned animal?”
“Oh uh-“ Junpei looked away in embarrassment “-I didn't know that..…is that bad?”
“Not at all” Aigis hugged the wooly friend “I know humans sometimes say they ‘count sheep’ to help with sleep. Now the child will have his very own sheep to count!”
She moved the sheep’s head up and down with her finger.
“Baaa! That is what sheep say, correct?”
Iori couldn't help but laugh. Giggling along with Aigis, making sheep sounds at each other while the other apartment tenants walked by confused.
“Look Aigis, I know Mitsuru and Yukari and the others aren’t a big fan of what you've done. But just know I’ve got your back, and the clones back…prolly shouldn't call him ‘the clone’ but-“
“I appreciate it greatly Junpei-Kun” Aigis looked to the side “…the others dislike my decision, but I know they will warm up to them in time. I will raise this child as my own son, because he will be just that. My son.”
Aigis held the little sheep closer. Feeling the softness against her cheek, the only part of her body sensitive enough to appreciate it.
“I do not have a name for him yet. But I will find one for him soon. Right now he is just my son, my child.”
Junpei couldn't overlook it. The way Mitsuru talked about it made it seem like Aigis was foolish, like this was some mistake that had to be reprimanded. Seeing how seriously she took it. The reverence she held for the unborn, made him question of Mitsuru really knew the whole story, or any bit of it at all. Changing her mind would be a pain though. She hardly budged on anything.
Junpei left the apartment complex with her words lingering in his mind. Strolling past strangers as he wrapped his mind around it all. The concept of a mechanical body rearing a human. A clone no less. Was something ripped from the old manga he used to find on the dustier shelves at Gekkokan, so unnatural and unsettling…
Ok, truthfully it wasn't that deep. That was less important than Junpei's more pressing concern. How he was going to cement himself as the best uncle.
“..Step one, get the kid a bike” Junpei muttered to himself “Step two, teach the kid how to fish. Step three, buy him those cool light-up shoes…
————-
Yukari was stuck between a rock and a hard space.
Look, the whole “your best friend who happens to be a war machine is carrying the clone of your dead best friend” thing is one hell of an idea to wrap your head around. But there was some feeling of remorse. One that only came to light after the blind rage she had felt settled.
Aigis was still her best friend. She couldn't just…abandon her. After all she’d done for Yukari, for the team. All she had sacrificed in the abyss. She owed her something. Even if that was a simple kindness.
She’d spent the afternoon after classes making dinner for herself. Nothing extravagant, just some chicken and veggies with rice. Normally she’d use chicken breasts for a dish like this, but the local shop only seemed to have chicken drumsticks. She’d make do with it.
“Hey Aigis, have you been stealing my food?”
Yukari knelt in front of their shared fridge. Well really it was just hers. Aigis only ate for the sake of experiencing texture. She lacked any true taste receptors, only touch and temperature. While she could identify compounds via scent and taste, Mitsuru had explained it wasn't truly analogous to human senses. Aigis would eat during social situations or whenever she had to blend in. Besides that, she’d get the occasional bubble tea or frozen fruit, but that was simply for fun. Now it seemed as if the mechanical being had gained an appetite.
Granted it wasn't very much. A stray piece of fish here, some leftover rice there. Some raw cabbage or pickled radish. But it was odd that Aigis had begun eating regularly at all.
“I apologize Yukari-chan” Aigis spoke, sitting idly “the child requires nutrition that my body cannot create or attain normally. So I must extract the needed proteins and chemical compounds from food.”
As objectively confusing and existentially terrifying this whole situation was. Yukari just, laughed.
“Aww you’ve been having cravings” that sentence wouldn't be weird if Aigis wasn't a damn robot, but it was still cute.
“Cravings?” Aigis looked confused “I am simply keeping up with their developmental needs.”
“I know, it’s just kinda…” her voice trailed off. The joke seemingly going nowhere “…anyway. I can start getting food for you if you’d like. Just let me know what you need.”
Aigis sat idly while Yukari made dinner. Rice steaming in the cooker, some chopped veggies cooking in a pan. The only thing left was deboning the chicken legs.
“Ugh they always seem to run out of chicken breasts” she hissed, clumsily trying to pull the raw meat off the bone “wish we had an oven, wouldint have to tear all the meat off the bones.”
She had set the useable meat in the pan with the veggies, sizzling against the hot steel. While the bones were tossed aside for later disposal. Only, when Yukari reached over for some paper towels, she noticed the bones…absent.
“May I have these? It seems you are not utilizing them” Aigis held the chicken bones in her hand. Raw and grey. Still slimy from the residual meat.
“You…you can’t-” she paused “-well, you’re not human, I don’t see why not.”
There was a crunch. So loud it made Yukari jolt up. Without hesitation Aigis had bit into the chicken bones. Eating them with very little difficulty. Biting into them as if they were a piece of fried dough, and chewing until they were reduced to shards of bone and marrow.
Yukari nearly gagged at the sight. As much as Aigis looked human, as much as she acted human, Yukari still had to remind herself her roommate was…built differently.
“Thank you Yukari-Chan, the calcium and proteins these contain are very valuable. I hope you enjoy your dinner.”
The girl turned away. Absentmindedly stirring her meal. She didn't feel very hungry anymore.
——
There was a confusion which hung around her head now. How exactly to move forward, how to deal with the new chapter of her friend's life. Those first days of September were a blur. Going through the motions of the day, while not really being there. Mulling over what to do. What to say. How to approach it all.
Her plan previously was to get through high school, find a decent college, and figure out her degree from there. It seemed like Aigis had a similar plan. Well, until the whole baby thing. Would Gekkokan even allow her to continue going here with a baby on the way? She shuddered thinking about all the gossip that would spread. Yukari knew about the schools hidden websites, she had seen Aigis mentioned once or twice. But she feared the website would be all over her announcement.
What would Aigis even do after they were born? It wasn't like she really needed a job, or a college education for that matter. Her mechanical prowess meant she was guaranteed a position amidst the Kirijo group and any anti-shadow operations. Her mind kept wandering off to those ‘what ifs’ and far flung futures.
Sitting in-between class sessions with her eyes staring out the window, Aigis was only two seats away from her with her head in a textbook. Diligently scanning each page. With some trepidation, Yukari approached forward.
“Hey Aigis…” her words trailed off. Unsure how to untangle the mess of thoughts in her brain.
“Oh, hello Yukari.” Aigis looked up from her book “how have you been today?”
“Good…I’ve been good” Yukari leaned against a nearby desk. It took her a moment to steady herself. “look, I just wanted to say I’m sorry for everything.”
“Sorry? Yukari you have nothing to be sorry for” Aigis smiled “it’s a confusing matter, I don’t blame you. I apologize for surprising you with the news.”
Yukari paused, toying with the hem of her skirt “…look, how about we bury the hatchet? Just forget about our argument, I want to help you the best I can Aigis, you’re my friend, and I hate that I let my emotions get in the way of that….”
The brunette looked around, making sure nobody was listening to them. Last thing she wanted was to spill her friends secret in the middle of class.
“….more importantly, I don't want you to be alone raising your kid. I’ve got your back, alright Aigis?”
She could see the gears, metaphorical and literal, turning in her friends mind. One of her hands ghosting down the buttons of her uniform, resting on her waist and feeling the warmth there.
“Thank you Yukari-Chan. I am happy to bury the metaphorical hatchet” she smiled, reaching out a hand and touching her arm “I know he will appreciate your presence in his life. Someone strong and resilient like you.”
The last sentence weighed heavy on Yukari. Not in a bad way. It was just…a lot. The future responsibility her and Aigis had to bear. God she’d have a baby in her apartment soon enough, so much for sleeping in late on Sundays and staying up late watching dramas. Even if she wasn't the one taking care of it.
—————
November 19th. The Kirijo house opened its windows for the late morning. A crisp breeze rolling through the windows, smelling faintly of firewood and salt. Partly cloudy sky giving way to the breezes of autumn. Leaves still lingered on the branches, but it was far from the bright orange and red hues which painted the town at this time of year.
All was set and ready for a Sunday brunch. Mitsuru checking over the small buffet which she set up in the mansions dining room. Toasted sourdough, fresh butter and honey. Fruit and almond pastries stacked high in a tower, only outcompeted by the floral centerpiece. A dazzling firework of roses and eucalyptus stems held within a cloisonne pot. In the kitchen nearby, poached eggs and rice stood warmed on the back burner, a kettle of boiling water just starting to whistle for tea.
The brunch was a gift to her friends. She’d been absent as of late, caught up in corporate affairs. So a casual meal shared between friends was the perfect thing to stir the spirit.
Yet she couldn't deny its secondary purpose. They all knew of Aigis and her cloning ‘project’. Something she had been awfully secretive about since they last discussed it. Mitsuru had hardly seen the machine. Though, it was clear her opinion about the clone was becoming the minority….
Junpei, Fuuka, Akihiko and Ken had arrived before Aigis and Yukari. Sitting on the couch one room over while Mitsuru and one of her assistants prepared the meal. Keeping a keen eye on the conversation between them. They had been telling Ken all about what was happening, catching him up on the past few months.
“…so Aigis really is going to have a baby?”
Fuuka smiled “I’m just as shocked as you Ken-kun, but I’m happy for her.”
“It’s kindaaa freaky” Junpei laughed “but it’s also kinda cool. Like when can you say you’ve met a clone?”
Ken seemed off put by the clone idea, but his mind quickly went elsewhere.
“Do you think Aigis would let me play with them? I know it won’t be for a while, but I can’t wait! Ooh maybe I could teach them soccer!”
“Soccer? Pfft-“ Junpei scoffed “clearly you don’t know taste kid. Baseball is the superior sport. It’s got everything, the strategy of the field, the daring bolt towards the bases-“
“I’ve watched a baseball game. Sure it’s fun, but archery is so much cooler. It’s all about skill and accuracy, not just slinging a bat and rolling around in dust.”
Junpei was cut off by a familiar laugh. Yukari and Aigis walking into the room, Takeba rolling her eyes at the boys exaggerated display. She and Aigis seemed to have dressed for the occasion. Takeba donning cream colored pants and her off the shoulder sweater. While Aigis finally had a new item of clothing. An auburn patterned dress with a knitted long sleeve over it. The conversation stalled for a moment. Everyone simultaneously realizing just how…human Aigis looked. They all knew what was going on but none of them suspected it could be so…
..Well there was no hiding it. Aigis very clearly had a baby bump.
“What are you all staring at? Is there something on my shirt?” Aigis seemed to notice the attention. Looking down at her sweater and trying to find a reason for the oddity.
“Oh uh, hello Aigis” Akihiko was the first to speak up “you look great, that new sweater must be nice.”
Junpei grabbed him by the shoulder and jostled the boxer around, trying to make things less awkward “what’s up Ai-chan! ‘Bout time you showed up, we were just talking about what sport the kid should play. Of course there’s only one right option-“
“-boxing” Akihiko spoke “it’s a true sport. One of the oldest in the world. I’d be happy to teach your son when he’s old enough.”
Aigis shook her head in response “No. Mixed martial arts and boxing have a high rate of concussions. I will not be letting my son engage In such dangerous activities.”
Amidst the arguing Kirijo finally walked in. Drying off her hands with a towel and letting the guests know that brunch was ready. Any joy that Aigis had was almost immediately ripped from her face. Replaced with pure, almost shocking distaste. Seldom did Mitsuru see Aigis get so angry. Not even in combat. But her presence had switched up her mood.
Nonetheless, she continued on.
“Brunch is in the dining room” she bowed her head “Please serve yourselves.”
The sight of the SEES team together at last brought warmth to her heart. United for the first time in months. Even if they were…less than neat. Swarming the table like hungry fish, picking and choosing from the wide array Mitsuru had prepared.
Sitting at the head of the table she watched each member take a seat around her. Fuuka and Junpei grabbed a little bite of everything. The latter resisting the urge to bite into the pastries. Yukari was far neater, getting a simple plate of rice and eggs with some tea. Though Akihiko had stolen most of the eggs. Preferring to pile his plate high with eggs and lean sausage. Ken mimicked his meal, though with some jam and toast for variety.
Aigis, however, was a confusing sight. Her plate consisted of some rice and a bit of poached egg with fruit, nothing too outlandish. Yet the fact she ate at all confused Mitsuru.
“Thank you Kirijo-Senpai for the meal. I appreciate it greatly.”
Mitsuru did not respond. Just sipping her tea and waiting for somebody else to talk. Though it was a long wait before Junpei finally decided to speak. Voice slightly muffled through a mouthful of pastry.
“-mmm this is good! Where’d you get the recipe?”
“Oh uh- it’s from a cookbook my father owned. Almond paste croissants, they’re harder to make than you think.”
Kirijo could have gone on and on about the intricacies of French patisserie and the folding of a perfect croissant, how she’d been learning to cook more, but of course Aigis had to be brought up again. This time it was Fuuka. Smiling as she chatted with the group.
“So what are you going to do about school? It won’t be long until you’ll have your hands full.”
“I can continue my studies in other ways, my mental capacities mean a traditional education isn't as important. As long as I am of use to the shadow operatives, I will be successful.”
Junpei made a frown “aww we won’t be able to see you in school Ai-chan, I’ll miss having classes with you. But I guess you got bigger fish to fry.”
“Ooh if you ever need a babysitter I could try and help!” Ken looked eager “I can’t work at any stores around here, but I can make some extra money that way!”
Aigis smiled “I would appreciate that greatly Ken.”
“Aww you’d be such a good older brother Ken” Yukari smiled “an honorary big brother-“
“-Aigis” Kirijo interrupted “why are you eating? You aren’t built for that.”
The girl did not respond. Yet she did not bend to her will. Eyes focused, shoulders stiff in a defensive posture.
“It is for the child. I am capable of it now” Aigis responded sharply “there is no cause for concern.”
Moments like these were like fire to her icy demeanor. Aigis was a killing machine. The thought alone sobered Mitsuru up enough to back down. Yet she couldn't just…accept it. Venom still lingered in her voice, barely below a whisper.
“You did something very foolish Aigis…you have wasted your potential”
Only Akihiko and Fuuka, who were sitting closest, could hear what she said. But the widening of their eyes made it abundantly clear to the others. Besides Aigis, who could detect every syllable that came out of her mouth. The girl never showed strong emotions with her face. But the glare Aigis gave towards Mitsuru was sharp enough to cut right through her. A look she had only given to Ryoji, someone she knew was dangerous.
At this moment, Aigis had enough reason to believe Mitsuru was a threat.
Mitsuru couldn't stand it. Wordlessly getting up from her chair and storming off to some unknown part of the house. Ignoring the eyes that followed her, the hushed whispers, her own mind screaming at her to do something besides running.
“-Wait, Mitsuru-“ Akihiko got up as she left the room. Trailing behind her through the maze that was the manor “-Mitsuru we need to talk, please.”
Far from the others, with Akihiko closing the door behind them, Mitsuru felt trapped. She trusted Akihiko with her life but in the moment her anger began to broil beneath her skin. Cracks showing in her icy exterior. She slumped down on a nearby chair. Nails clawing into her knee.
“Mitsuru, I know you and Aigis aren’t on the best of terms now. But I think you need to look past it-“
“Look past what?” Her voice was sharp, acrid “what she’s done is insanity. There’s no way around it.”
Akihiko sighed. Leaning his body up against the wall. The ache of his muscles keeping him grounded amidst this mess. Mitsuru staring daggers like him, his friends two rooms over chatting, he felt almost detached from his body.
“That kid isn't going to have any of Makotos memories, he won’t act like him. Hell, I don’t even know how much he’ll look like Makoto…” he sighed “as far as I’m concerned, that’s his son.”
“His son…” Mitsuru looked away, the idea making her stomach turn “he was too young to be a father-“
“-we were too young to be fighting a damn war! We both know that shit. We’ve been through so much, Aigis has been through so much…can’t you at least give her this? Can’t you just let her be happy?” Desperation seeped into his voice, ending in a slight smile.
Kirijo hid her face beneath her hand. Not wanting to shift her stance, but fearing a further confrontation.
“This won’t make her happy-“
“How do you know?” Akihiko fired back “how do you know what will or won’t make her happy?”
“-She’ll be living under my roof. She’ll be working for my company…”
“I know that. If she’ll be working for you, the least you can do is support her son.”
Akihiko left the room soon after. Looking back at Mitsuru before closing the door behind him. The click of a shutting door was like a judges gavel. A finite sentence.
Mitsuru held strong to her beliefs. She’d just found stability amidst it all, she finally found a place in her life that she was happy with. But Aigis had to throw a wrench in it all. Kirijo had to live with the fear that the government could find out. That at any moment all the credibility her and her legacy held would be ripped away. The second the government attempted an audit, an investigation into her doings, Aigis would be locked away once more.
Yet…why did everyone else seem so welcoming?
She could hear them in the other room. Having some conversation about the child’s hobbies. How Aigis would teach them art and music, show them the beauty of nature. Promises of a mother to her unborn son. The rest of SEES talked with the same excitement. Counting the weeks before they could meet the child. They had all really gotten over their unease so quickly? Was the fact that an anti-shadow weapon had conceived a child no longer a shock?
“Oh, I don’t think I have told you yet, but I have decided on a name for him” Aigis smiled “it was Junpei-kuns idea. I had looked at many other names, but Mitsuo is the name that fits.”
Iori smiled and pumped his fist “yess! Told you my idea was the best!”
“Mitsuru permits me to use her last name on legal documents, since I have no official last name. So he shall be Mitsuo Kirijo.”
The news stirred up a great deal of excitement. Joy and optimism that felt so alien to Mitsuru. So…unthinkable. Given the scenario at least. Watching them all from the distance of the doorframe. Aigis walked a thin line. She was a creation, a manufactured product. Yet in law and mind she was like Mitsuru's sister. Why couldn't she just be happy. Content with the new life her pseudo-sister brought into the world.
Christ, she needed a cigarette.