On the rooftop of the dormitory where the SEES once resided, Yukari Takeba looked over the beautiful sunset that casted over the building. Yukari sat on the concrete floor with her knees close to her chest, getting lost in her thoughts. She, alongside the rest of her friends, had only just recently escaped the imprisonment of the dormitory. With the crisis over, everyone was moving on with their lives. For Yukari and her friends, they resolved to truly live, to cherish the gift of life left behind by their dear friend. Thinking about her beloved friend made Yukari's heart sink. Despite how much she knew that moving on was the right thing to do, it nevertheless was difficult for the young woman. With a deep sigh, she pulled out her evoker and stared at it, thinking back to everything that led up to this point.

"Yukari-san?" A voice called out. Yukari turned back and saw it was none other than her robotic companion, Aigis. Yukari rolled her eyes and as she then smiled at her friend.

"Cmon Aigis, you don't need to refer to me like that. Just Yukari is good with me, okay?" Yukari said as Aigis returned her smile and stood beside her.

"Understood. Force of habit, one might say. May I join you?" Aigis asked as Yukari nodded and patted the spot on the ground next to her. Aigis sat beside Yukari as they went quiet for a bit. If it were anyone else, Yukari would have hated the quietness, finding it awkward. But with Aigis, it strangely felt nice.

"Honestly, I'm glad you came up here." Yukari said as she turned to look over at Aigis. "I thought I wanted to get away from everything for just a short while but it just… felt lonely."

"I would not want you to feel lonely, Yukari. I'm glad my company could provide you with a method to counteract the feeling of loneliness." Aigis said as she met Yukari's gaze and returned a smile back at the woman. Seeing that smile warmed Yukari's heart but it also made her experience a wave of guilt to wash over her. Yukari's smile fell as Aigis was quick to notice this, giving her a concerned look.

"Aigis… I'm sorry." Yukari simply said as she looked away from her companion and looked at the sunset once again.

"Why are you apologizing? I don't understand." Aigis said as Yukari couldn't help but weakly chuckle at that.

"Why shouldn't I apologize? I almost brought the end of the world once more, throwing away everything we all worked so hard to achieve. All for what, because I wanted to see… well… him again? It's not right… let's not forget how awful I treated you too." Yukari explained as she frowned. "How can you just… not hate me?" Yukari asked with sincerity.

"I could never hate you, Yukari. You are my friend and it would hurt me to have hostile feelings directed towards you." Aigis told her as the robot girl scooted closer to Yukari. "If anything… I would say that I admire you."

"What?" Yukari asked with a shocked look on her face. "How could you possibly admire me? Did you not hear everything I said?! There isn't… there's nothing to admire about me." Yukari said as Aigis shook her head.

"I disagree. I have always admired how passionate you can be when you believe that what you are doing is the right thing. You follow your heart with conviction, to the point of trying to bring back our leader despite the consequences it would have brought. While I ultimately disagreed with your decision, I nevertheless admired how far you were willing to go. How you live by your heart is what I wish to one day be able to do for myself." Aigis finished as Yukari tried processing what her companion had said.

"Regardless, what I did was still wrong. And it especially doesn't excuse how I treated you!" Yukari yelled angrily. But she then had a look of regret on her face as she was quick to pull it back with the emotions. "I'm sorry… I'm not mad at you, just myself. I just wish that, above all else, I treated you better. I should have never let my jealousy get the better of me." Yukari said as she started wiping her eyes. Not wanting Aigis to see her, Yukari started having her back face the robot instead, hiding the view of her face. "S-Stupid rooftop… so dusty."

"I do not hold resentment towards you, nor have I ever resented you in the first place. Yukari… please, look at me." Aigis requested.

"B-But… ugh. Fine." Yukari agreed as she turned back around to face Aigis. A tear was running down her face as Aigis wiped it away with one of her metal fingers.

"Having regrets is part of being human, correct? It is something I struggle with too as I learn to become more human." Aigis said as her eyes became downcasted. "I have… many regrets. Regrets from the day we lost him. Regrets of how I wish I could have done more. Regrets of how much I existed without ever truly living. It is not easy to live with regrets."

"Aigis…" Yukari trailed off, listening to every word her friend was saying.

"That is why I feel such a strong connection to you. You and I both feel regret, that we could have done more. But I have learned that, to truly live, we must work to move on. I want to live, Yukari. More importantly, I want to do it by your side. I want to learn to follow my heart the way you do. You… made me very happy when you offered me the privilege to be your roommate." Aigis said with a big smile on her face. She was practically beaming as Yukari couldn't help but think Aigis looked so beautiful.

"Tch… you think too highly of me, you know that? It should be less about you learning from me and more about me learning from you! You already follow your heart, silly." Yukari said with a chuckle as her smile came back to Aigis's delight. "You made the decision to live as a human again despite how much pain you felt. You made the decision to do what our leader would have wanted. You listened to what your heart was saying, the heart of a human. You got that? The way I see it, you're already living life better than I am." Yukari said.

"Even if that were true, I still believe I have much to learn. Also… even if there was no knowledge to be achieved, I would still want to be with you." Aigis explained. Aigis then had a look of uncertainty on her face as she suddenly seemed shy to Yukari's surprise. "Yukari… why did you decide to ask me to be your roommate? I have nothing I could feasibly give you besides protection but it is unlikely you will need my kind of protection at school." Aigis asked as Yukari grinned.

"Really? You have to ask that? Aigis, we're friends. Heck, I would even say that we're… you know? Best friends?" Yukari said, muttering that last part but Aigis was able to hear it as she looked surprised.

"Best friends? My understanding of best friends is that it is a deeper connection between two individuals, a connection that exceeds that of normal friendship. Is that correct?" Aigis inquired as Yukari just laughed.

"You got it. After everything we've been through together, both good and bad? You're my best friend, Aigis. So it only makes sense to ask you to be a roommate! I… I want to learn how to live better with you by my side too." Yukari said as Aigis slowly leaned in and wrapped her arms around Yukari for a hug, throwing the former SEES member off.

"H-Hey!" Yukari whined with a blush.

"From my understanding, it is customary to hug those you care deeply about, yes?" Aigis asked as she pulled back and smiled at her friend. Yukari just rolled her eyes, the blush still prominent on her face.

"W-Well… yeah. I just didn't expect it!" Yukari exclaimed.

"Did you not enjoy it? I very much enjoyed the closeness but I apologize if I had made you uncomfortable with the physical contact." Aigis explained as Yukari groaned.

"No, it's not that. Just… not something I'm used to with hugs. But from you? It felt… nice. Hey, I want to try that again." Yukari said as she pulled Aigis back into the hug and brought her arms around the robot girl's body, Yukari resting a chin on her metallic shoulders. She smiled contently as Aigis returned the hug and closed her eyes, happily smiling as well.

"Thank you for allowing me to continue being part of your life, Yukari." Aigis said.

"Yeah yeah… I'm happy to have you be there with me too. I wouldn't have it any other way." Yukari said as the two went back to admiring the sunset together. The girls later walked away from that rooftop for the final time, closer than ever.


Several months had passed since that day. Yukari and Aigis had long since moved into their new dorm room together and the two had been inseparable ever since. One day, Yukari had the idea of inviting Aigis to the archery club, hoping that she could become a new member. In Yukari's mind, it was the perfect way for Aigis to make new friends. When Yukari had brought her robotic companion with her to the club to ask about Aigis joining though, she was turned down. Yukari, for a lack of a better word, was pissed.

"What do you mean we're full?! You've been complaining ever since school started that we've been lacking members, Hana!" Yukari yelled as the older girl known as Hana kept glancing at Aigis who just looked concerned for Yukari.

"Listen, we're just… can I talk to you in private, Yukari? Please?" Hana asked, trying to grab Yukari's hand to guide her to another spot but Yukari was having none of it as she stood her ground and continued with her intense glare that made the fellow member of the archery club sweat drop.

"If you're gonna spat out some bullshit excuse then the least you can do is tell it to the both of our faces!" Yukari shouted, both Hana and Aigis being taken aback by the fact the girl had swore. Hana then just rolled her eyes and crossed her arms, looking directly at Aigis.

"Listen… we have an image to uphold, alright? You seem like a nice girl and all but ehh… you just don't seem like a good fit. I'm sorry but I'm not going to budge on this. I don't know why Yukari is even trying so hard with you when it's clear as day that you're just a weirdo." Hana said with a shrug. Aigis slowly nodded in response as Yukari was balling her fists together.

"I understand. Thank you for your time." Aigis said but Yukari was quick to interject.

"No Aigis, don't thank her! This isn't right!" Yukari insisted as she turned her full attention to Hana. "How dare you insult her like this! What gives you the right to decide who joins and doesn't join this club?! Aigis is my best friend and I'll be damned if some spoiled brat just thinks she can treat her like dirt when I'm around!" Yukari yelled once more as she got up into Hana's face. "You better apologize." Yukari said, her tone coming off as threatening as it brought a bit of a chill down Hana's spine.

"O-Or else what, huh?" Hana said with a shaky tone. "I can't do anything about it anyway! The other members also think she's weird! She wouldn't fit in! End of story!" Hana insisted. In response, Yukari started swinging her hand and she almost slapped Hana right in the face. But thanks to Aigis's lightning quick reflexes, she grabbed Yukari's wrist and stopped her right before her hand made eye contact. Hana fell to the ground in a panic as she gazed up at Yukari with an offended look.

"Tch… you're lucky she stopped me. You know what? I quit." Yukari declared as she threw her training bow into the ground.

"Quit?! You can't quit! You're our best archer! We need you, Yukari!" Hana insisted as she got onto her knees and made a praying motion. Aigis frowned as she looked at Yukari.

"Yukari… please reconsider. You have been with this club for a long time. It is not worth losing your friends simply because I did not belong." Aigis said as Yukari shook her head and smiled back at her.

"Friends? Please, not with them. Anyone who decides to treat you like this is no friend of mine." Yukari explained as she looked down at Hana and frowned. "Truth be told… I never cared much for how you and the others looked down on people, treating the archery club like only the popular students could join. Best of luck finding a new member because I'm done with this nonsense. Let's go, Aigis." Yukari said as she grabbed Aigis's hand and left the field. On their way back to the dorm, Aigis couldn't help but ask as she still had a look of guilt over her face.

"Are you sure about this, Yukari? You loved archery. It feels wrong to have you leave a club simply for my sake." Aigis explained as Yukari kept her smile onto her friend.

"I couldn't be more sure about this. It's true that I do love archery but that doesn't mean it's worth being around bullies like them. I just… couldn't let you take that treatment." Yukari said.

"It appears you are quite overprotective of me." Aigis observed as Yukari felt her cheeks redden.

"Y-You don't have to just point it out so bluntly like that! Geez…" Yukari trailed off with an embarrassed look. Aigis giggled with a smile in response.

"It makes me happy that you feel so strongly towards me. I wish to be overprotective of you as well. If I were to hear anyone treating you poorly, it would make me very upset and I would seek to stop it. After all, you're my best friend." Aigis said it was Yukari's turn to laugh.

"You're sweet, you know that?" Yukari pointed out. "You know what? Let's see about joining the drama club! Maybe we'll have better luck there?" Yukari suggested as Aigis nodded in response.

"That would make sense. I recall you mentioning in previous conversations that you had a passion for acting. I believe it would be suitable for you. I hope I will be able to join as well to be by your side." Aigis said as the two left to try out for the club. Luckily, they were accepted as Yukari took her first steps towards becoming an actress.


"Yukari? May I ask for your assistance?" Aigis had asked as she came into the dorm room one day after class. Yukari was relaxing on the couch and using her phone when she looked up to her friend.

"Sure. What's up?" Yukari asked as Aigis went over to sit besides her friend.

"I was recently approached by a boy. He had blurted out a romantic confession and he wishes for me to get back to him with a response soon." Aigis explained as Yukari perked up in interest with the conversation.

"Oh wow… umm… do you like this boy?" Yukari asked as Aigis was quick to shake her head.

"I have no attachment to him and I lack interest in changing that. I simply do not understand why he would have such feelings for me and I also do not know how to properly reject him." Aigis said as she looked over to Yukari. "Do you have a suggestion on how I handle this situation?"

"Just tell him how you feel. It won't do you any good if you start making him think you have interest in him and get his hopes up. Also, what's this about you not understanding that someone could have feelings for you? That's just silly." Yukari said as she gave a look of concerned.

"I just never thought I had possessed traits that would make others feel towards me in that way. It is unfamiliar territory for me." Aigis explained as Yukari just sighed and scooted closer.

"Well, you do possess those traits! You're one of the sweetest girls I've known and you're beautiful to boot! You're kind, thoughtful, and you protect those you care about. The way I see it, it only makes sense you're getting guys asking you out!" Yukari said as the robotic girl started blushing. This really took Yukari by surprise as she didn't even know if Aigis could properly blush. Every day, it seemed like Aigis was becoming more human to Yukari and it just amazed her.

"The boy who confessed to me said very similar things, such as beauty and being sweet." Aigis said as she started twiddling her metallic thumbs together. "I felt nothing hearing such things from this boy. But… When I hear you tell me these aspects of my character, it… makes me very happy. It gives me this warm feeling in my chest that I cherish deeply." Aigis said as she was beaming with a grin. Yukari's heart melted at the sight as she returned the expression as best as she could.

"I'm glad it makes you happy, Aigis. I mean what I said."

"Yukari… I wish to return the favor."

"Hrmm?" Yukari was confused as she tilted her head to the side. "For what? I didn't do anything."

"You made me very happy, showering me with praises from your heart that truly felt genuine. I wish to do the same by expressing my thoughts about you." Aigis said as she rested a hand onto one of Yukari's hands. This made the brunette blush but she didn't pull away. Instead, she looked into Aigis's eyes and felt like she was getting lost into them.

"Y-You don't have to do that… but… umm…" Yukari trailed off, remembering to swallow as she wasn't even sure what she was saying anymore. "I… I would like to hear it." Yukari requested as Aigis nodded.

"You are very kind and thoughtful. You lose your temper often to others but I only find it endearing. You're as passionate as ever and always take my well-being into consideration. When I am with you, I feel safe. I feel as though everything is well and I gain a similar desire to protect you. I… care deeply about you, Yukari. Being with you, I never felt more human in my entire life. With you, I do not feel like a machine. I feel like… I am experiencing emotions I did not know was possible. Feelings of… infatuation." Aigis explained as Yukari was listening carefully to every word Aigis was saying. It meant the absolute world to her and her heart was beating fast.

"Aigis…" Yukari was unknowingly leaning closer, feelings she wasn't aware she had possessed was coming to the surface as the bond she shared with Aigis was growing ever stronger.

"You have taught me so many things, Yukari. So many things… but what I cherish more than anything else from all that I learned was that… that…" Aigis lost her voice as she was leaning closer as well, the two interlocking their fingers together.

"What? What is it…? Please tell me…" Yukari begged.

"That… that I could love. I am in love with you." Aigis managed to get out as the two were leaning their foreheads against each other.

"I can't believe… I never would have thought…" Yukari tried speaking but she would keep losing her voice. All she could do was to keep staring at Aigis, a goofy smile on the brunette's face as Aigis returned the smile with glee. "I love you too… after all this time we've been together, I know without a shadow of a doubt that I feel this way about you. Heh… I can't believe this is actually happening, that this is real…"

"Is this what is referred to as a dream come true?" Aigis asked as Yukari giggled in response.

"It sure is."

"…"

"…"

Lost in each other's gazes, the two girls came together in a slow, tender kiss. Time seemed to stop for the both of them as two best friends came to the realization of their true feelings. For Yukari, she never again felt alone. For Aigis, she never felt more human. For the both of them, they experienced truly living.