大切な人 ;

First thing of notice is that Makoto turns and looks up right in the direction where Aigis eventually appears later in the opening. This feels pretty deliberate to me, because it happens right as we hear the lyrics: "Til you see me on the other side of stars".

And what do we see reflected in Aigis' eyes?

Makoto, alone during the Dark Hour.

It's also worth noting that when Aigis first appears, she takes a battle stance, almost as if she's getting ready to shoot an enemy. It's only a couple of frames later that we see her expression change to one of realization and worry, and her stance shifts into reaching out for Makoto.

This contrast between Aigis' nature as a weapon and her growing humanity is also shown in the way her eyes are drawn.

While the P3R opening focuses on the machinery inside her eyes, in this new opening we focus on the emotions reflected in her eyes and in the object of said emotions: Makoto.

During this sequence, we hear these lyrics: "No matter how far (no matter how far), How you go (how you go)" which perfectly fit the visuals of Aigis reaching out for Makoto.

Lastly, once we pan to Makoto, we hear: "How long it may last." He is on his own and when he summons his Persona, the one to come is Thanatos, symbolizing that he is getting closer and closer to Death.

The next day, he borrows a few Christmas-themed magazines from Bunkichi and Mitsuko. He doesn’t know what he should go for, so he decides to go for a little bit of everything.

And so, Makoto gets to work.

First, he enlists the help of the most reliable person he knows.

“Christmas, you say?”

Makoto nods, reaching for his cup of tea.

“Yeah. I thought it’d be nice to do something together before the fight, and since Christmas kind of flew under-the-radar, why not do it right?”

“I see. It’s true we were all too preoccupied to think much of it, and it would be a nice change of pace,” Mitsuru agrees, thoughtful. Her eyes meet his over the border of her teacup, a smile playing on her lips. “I must say, you never cease to surprise me, Yuki. I never took you for the kind to care about Christmas.”

He looks away.

“I’m not.”

Mitsuru arches an eyebrow at that. “Oh?”

“…Aigis told me she has never celebrated Christmas before. That’s where I got the idea,” he admits, hoping it sounds less revealing than it does in his head.

“How thoughtful of you, Yuki. C’est magnifique!” Mitsuru chuckles, setting her teacup back on the table. “Very well, leave it to me. I’ll secure the tree and the decorations, as well as an appropriate menu. It may be late, but let’s make this an unforgettable Christmas for Aigis and for all of us, shall we?”

Makoto smiles back, relaxing. Now that Mitsuru is on his side, his plan suddenly seems more attainable.

“Let’s.”

Next, he recruits some partners-in-crime.

“Dude?! Who are you and what have you done with Makoto?”

“Junpei-san…” Ken mutters, shaking his head.

“Christmas, huh? And Mitsuru agreed to it?” Akihiko ponders, crossing his arms over his chest. “Alright, count me in.”

“I’m in as well,” Ken says, sheepishly scratching his cheek. “I’ve kind of missed it. Celebrating Christmas, I mean.”

Junpei pumps his fist up in the air, looking more excited than Makoto has seen him in a while.

“This is gonna be the best Christmas ever! Leave the decorating to Santa Junpei and his Reindeers, Makoto!”

Akihiko and Ken looks less than impressed at that.

“…His reindeers?”

“Please tell me he doesn’t mean us…”

With a chuckle, Makoto leaves them to it, shoulders considerably lighter now that he has their help.

By the time he sets-out to recruit his assistants, both of them already know all about it.

“We’ve been wondering what you’d like us to help with, Yuki-kun,” Fuuka tells him.

“If you want us to keep an eye on the guys, just say the word. Who knows what the dorm will end up looking like if you leave all the decorations to them,” Yukari adds with a playful eye roll.

“Actually,” Makoto starts, taking a hand to the back of his neck despite himself, “I had something different in mind.”

“Now I’m even more curious!” Fuuka giggles. “What is it, Yuki-kun?”

Truth be told, Makoto has kind of been dreading this moment. He knows there’s no way that what he’s about to say will sound like a normal, friendly gesture, but he has gotten this far and he can’t afford to get cold-feet now.

He steels himself, holding back a sigh.

“…This is going to be Aigis’ first Christmas, so I was wondering if you could help her find something appropriate to wear. I’ll pay for it.”

As expected, the girls don’t seem to miss it. Yukari’s eyebrows shoot up so high that they almost disappear into her hairline. Meanwhile, Fuuka just stands there gaping at him, her mouth forming a perfect o.

Makoto thinks nothing could possibly be worse than this.

Well, except maybe Nyx.

Maybe.

Yukari seems to get over it first. She clears her throat, shifting her weight from one foot to another.

“Y—you mean, you want us to take Aigis shopping?”

“…Yeah.”

“W—we’d be happy to! Right, Yukari-chan?” Fuuka chimes in, clasping her hands.

“…Duh!” Yukari gives him a thumbs-up. “You’ve come to the right place, Mister! We’ll find Aigis the cutest clothes.”

They—thankfully—leave it at that, but Makoto can practically feel the knowing look they exchange as soon as he turns his back on them.

…Oh, well.

He guesses there is no avoiding it, either way. After seeing him go through all this trouble, it wouldn’t take a genius to figure out that he—

“Woof!”

With a start, Makoto raises his face to find Koromaru trotting towards him.

“Woof, woof!”

He kneels down, smiling.

“Hey, there. I haven’t forgotten you, if that’s what you think.” He scratches Koromaru behind the ear, right in the spot he knows he likes. “…I have a special mission for you.”

“Woof?”

Makoto’s smile widens.

“Something only you can do, Koromaru.”

They only have a week to prepare, and they do so quietly and discretely.

Or, well, as discretely as they can muster.

Somehow, the only blunder happens one afternoon when Makoto and Aigis come back from school and run into Junpei messing around with a Santa hat and its matching beard.

It is entirely to Junpei’s credit that Aigis doesn’t seem to find this weird at all.

When January 30 finally rolls around, Makoto does his part, making sure to stall Aigis to give everyone enough time to prepare the dorm.

“Aigis, would you mind giving us a hand with the Student Council today?”

The Student Council never meets on Saturdays, but Odagiri and Chihiro were happy at the idea of getting more work done—especially if it meant doing him a service.

“I’d love to, Makoto-san,” Aigis says, just like he was hoping she would. “Please, lead the way.”

“Oh, Yuki-kun, Aigis-san. Come on in, we've been expecting you,” Odagiri welcomes them. As per usual, he is standing at the front of the classroom, arms crossed across his chest.

Aigis politely bows as Makoto closes the door behind them.

“Thank you for having me.”

“We're the ones who should be thanking you, Aigis-san. We appreciate you being willing to help us,” Chihiro says, standing up to properly return Aigis' bow. “Please, take a seat.”

As Chihiro guides Aigis through the different tasks, Makoto walks over to Odagiri.

“I owe you one,” he whispers, smiling at his friend.

Odagiri grins.

“Don't even mention it.”

The sun has just begun to set when they start towards the dorm. As if on cue, his phone vibrates with an e-mail from Yukari.

‘Everything’s all set! You two can come home now :)’

‘Thanks. We’re on our way.’

Makoto breathes a sigh of relief, pocketing back his phone. He risks a look at Aigis, deliberately schooling his expression to not give anything away. Luckily, Aigis isn’t looking at him; her stare is set on the ground, her lips curled up in a smile filled with contentment.

The same smile she tends to wear every time they walk home together, Makoto notices, his chest swelling with fondness.

“Surprise!”

When Makoto opens the door to the dorm, a mix of greens and reds greets them; their friends gathered at the centre of it, dressed in their best clothes.

Brightly coloured lights hang on the walls and garlands on the counter; the glass-panes are decorated with wreaths and stockings, and both the dining and coffee tables are covered in various dishes.

A big Christmas tree wraps up the scene. It stands proud and tall before the bulletin board, a Jack Frost doll at the top in place of the usual star.

“Everyone…!” Aigis gasps, her face lit up in surprise. “This is…”

“Absolutely amazing, ain’t it?” Junpei grins, gesturing around them. “I swear we’ve put the Paulownia Mall to shame right here!”

“Someone told us you’ve never celebrated Christmas before, Aigis…” Mitsuru starts with a chuckle and a meaningful glance at Makoto.

“…So we all figured there was no time like the present,” Akihiko continues, nodding so enthusiastically that his Christmas hat almost slips off his head.

“It’s a good chance for us, too,” Ken adds, eyeing Akihiko with amusement.

Fuuka giggles. “That’s right! We didn’t get to celebrate Christmas together last year, after all.”

“Woof, woof!”

“Merry January Christmas, Aigis!” Yukari cheers, walking towards them to link her arm with Aigis’. “Let’s get you all dolled up now, yeah? You come with us, too, Mitsuru-senpai, Fuuka!”

“You should go get changed too, dude!” Junpei tells Makoto, handing him a Christmas hat. “And you better put this on, you hear me? I even got Kirijo-senpai to wear one, so no buts!”

“Maaaaaan what’s taking them so long!”

Akihiko shrugs. “Beats me.”

“I guess it would be nice if they could be a little faster,” Ken mutters, “Yuki-san didn’t even take ten minutes.”

Junpei jumps to his feet, marching towards the stairs.

“I’m gonna go get them! We… can’t just…”

Hearing him trail of, Makoto looks up just in time to see Yukari and Fuuka walking down the stairs with Mitsuru in tow.

“Sorry for the wait, everyone!” Yukari grins, turning back to call over her shoulder, “Come on, don’t be shy, Aigis!”

“Um, r—right…”

Makoto’s heart gives a start. Before he even knows what he’s doing, he’s getting up, his feet carrying him towards the sound of her voice.

When his eyes land on her, that very same heart suddenly starts pounding.

Aigis is beautiful, he has always known that. But tonight, dressed in a long-sleeved gold dress that brings out the striking blue in her eyes, she is so ethereal that it’s almost painful.

“Whoa, Ai-chan…” Junpei manages, just barely. Makoto can empathize.

“When Yukari-san and Fuuka-san insisted we went shopping, I wasn’t expecting this,” Aigis admits, flustered. “Don't I look… odd?”

“Of course not, silly! You look beautiful. Right, Yuki-kun?”

“…Yeah.” It comes out sounding a little choked, a little breathless. So Makoto clears his throat and tries again, eyes locked with Aigis’. “…You look beautiful, Aigis.”

Her face brightens, a rosy hue taking to her cheeks.

“Well, then… I’m glad you think so, Makoto-san.”

Junpei looks from one to the other with raised brows.

“Uh, did I miss something or…?”

Yukari promptly elbows him in the side.

“Hey, are you all done over there?” Akihiko calls back from the couch, clueless. “I thought we were supposed to take a picture together!”

“Huh? Oh, yeah! I almost forgot!” Junpei snaps to attention, a grin quickly spreading across his lips. “Since Ai-chan wasn’t there for the last one, I thought it’d be cool to take another group picture!”

“That’s a great idea, Iori,” Mitsuru approves, walking to Yukari’s side. “A lot has changed since then. It’d be good to have a picture of us as we are now.”

“Senpai…” Yukari perks up, smiling up at her.

“In that case, I’ll print a copy for each of us,” Fuuka offers, adjusting her Santa hat.

Together, the five of them walk towards the Christmas tree, where they’re joined by Akihiko, Ken and Koromaru.

This time, when the timer goes off, they’re all looking at the camera—genuine happiness on their faces.

The rest of the night is a blur of laughter and great food, courtesy of the Kirijo Group.

Everyone seems determined to make the night last for as long as possible, but after the second Christmas cake, things naturally start to quiet down.

Mitsuru, Yukari and Fuuka are sharing a cup of green tea, while Akihiko, Ken and Junpei passionately discuss which Christmas-cake flavour deserves to be number one in the hearts of the Japanese population.

Meanwhile, Makoto and Aigis are sitting together with Koromaru, just enjoying each other’s company.

Wise beyond his years, their loyal companion chooses that very moment to spring to action.

“Woof, woof!” He barks at Aigis’ feet.

“Oh! It seems Koromaru-san wants to go for a walk.”

“I’ll join you, Aigis,” Makoto says, sending Koromaru a grateful glance that earns him another bark.

No one seems to suspect anything and, luckily, they all seem too cosy to volunteer to join them, so the three of them set out into the cold January night.

“Woof, woof!”

“Koromaru-san says that he would like to take a different route tonight,” Aigis translates. At Makoto’s nod, she chuckles and bends down to scratch Koromaru behind the ears. “Lead the way, Koromaru-san!”

“Woof!”

“Koromaru-san seems more motivated than usual tonight,” Aigis muses. “I wonder if the belated holiday cheer has gotten to him as well.”

“…Perhaps,” Makoto agrees, holding back a smile.

He knows exactly where Koromaru is taking them and why, of course, but he is not about to tell her that he has one more surprise in store for her.

He wants to see the look in her eyes when she sees it.

If the dorm took Aigis aback, Paulownia Mall positively leaves her awestruck.

She rushes forward, looking around her to take it all in. The snow-patterned banners and yellow lights hanging from the ceiling; the snowflake lights dancing across the walls and floor.

From what Makoto can remember, the only things missing are the Christmas trees and the ‘Christmas’ sign above the fountain, but the latter has been replaced by a ‘Welcome’ that does the job just as well.

“This is beautiful…! I didn’t know the mall could be decorated like this,” Aigis marvels. “I wonder what the occasion is.”

Makoto knows the answer to that, too. While Tanaka refused at first, muttering something about foolish, sentimental boys and ridiculous ideas that would only waste money, Makoto knew that he would get it done—if only to show that he could.

He keeps that to himself, a half-smile tugging at his lips.

“…Who knows?”

Aigis giggles and takes a hand to her heart, gaze darting around them.

“…Whatever it may be, I’m deeply grateful for it.”

Makoto’s smile broadens, warmth spreading across his chest.

“Do you want to take a look around, Aigis?”

“I’d love to!”

“Woof, woof!”

Both of them turn to find Koromaru hanging back. Three other dogs have come to join him, and they’re all excitedly wagging their tails.

“You can go play with your friends, Koromaru,” Makoto tells him, and Koromaru gives another bark before the pack heads towards the back of the mall.

“I wonder if Koromaru-san brought us here so we could look at the lights,” Aigis wonders, looking after him.

“…Maybe,” Makoto allows, eyes twinkling. “Let’s go, Aigis.”

She nods, her grin pleased.

“Yes!”

Together, they walk by the shops, stopping here and there to see the different shapes projected by the lights. When they get to the Crane Machine, Makoto wins Aigis a Jack Frost doll. So intrigued is she by the mechanism and its odds that she insists to try it herself, and they walk away with five more dolls to their name. Makoto can only hope that Elizabeth may have some obscure use for them.

Through it all, Makoto has to make a conscious effort to keep himself from staring too long at Aigis and the emotions flitting across her face; the curiosity, the joy, the wonder. They all tell a different story, and he finds them all just as captivating.

It seems unthinkable that Aigis would have once looked at all of this with a blank face, and not for the first time, Makoto is grateful for the change.

She looks so much happier now, and that alone makes him happy in turn.

Once Aigis is satisfied, they sit down on one of the benches by the ‘Welcome’ sign. An amiable silence wraps over them like a blanket, and Makoto would’ve closed his eyes in contentment, if it weren’t because he catches a glimpse of Aigis’ hands—one laying on her lap, the other on the bench right between them.

Within his reach.

Makoto swallows, shifting slightly. The temperature has dropped and he forgot his gloves, but he still takes his hand out of his pocket.

He rests it on his leg, aimless—hesitant.

Tomorrow, they may face the end of the world as they know it. Somehow, the thought of that seems far less scary than the possibility of ruining this.

Of ruining them.

Before Makoto can make up his mind, Aigis breaks the silence, raising her head to look up at the ceiling.

“I… am glad that we got to spend time like this before tomorrow, Makoto-san,” she says, almost like she can read his mind. “Now more than ever, I am certain that I want to do my best. I want to see a future where you are all smiling like you did today.”

Makoto smiles, leaning forward to get a better look at her face.

“What about you, Aigis? Did you have fun today?”

“Yes! It was wonderful.”

He allows himself to relax, then. If Aigis enjoyed herself, then the day was a success.

“I’m glad. I had fun, too.”

Aigis’ expression softens.

“I wish… I could always… with you...”

He blinks, his heart stuttering.

“Aigis…?”

She locks her gaze on him.

“Makoto-san… There’s something I want you to have. A gift, if you may.”

His brows furrow lightly and Aigis hurries to shake her head.

“It’s nothing much, really! But still, I’d… I’d like you to have it. Please.”

She is looking at him with an intensity that leaves him caught in her eyes, unable to do anything but nod dumbly at her. At his agreement, relief seems to wash away the nervousness on her face.

“Thank you!”

Aigis reaches inside her pocket. Then, she gently takes his hand in hers, dropping something inside it and wrapping his fingers around it. When she lets his hand go, Makoto takes a look and finds a screw sitting on his palm.

A charred screw.

His eyes widen.

“That’s one of my parts that had to be replaced after I collapsed at the Moonlight Bridge. I asked Mitsuru-san to have it sent to me,” Aigis explains, confirming his suspicions. “I… have grown since then. I’m not afraid, and I won’t give up… I’ll get up back up, no matter how many times it takes. I’ll fight by your side and protect you. This is the proof of my resolve, and I want you to have it… It’s… It’s a part of me.”

Makoto can only stare at her—at the way a blush takes to her cheeks; the way she absent-mindedly tucks her bangs away from her eyes, suddenly unable to meet his.

That is just fine with Makoto, because he is finding it increasingly hard to school his expression into something less, well, this.

Into something that won’t spell out to her that he is more than a little in love with her.

He looks down at the screw resting on his palm, floored and aching.

Truth is, Makoto has been wondering about it for a while now.

Ever since he met her, Aigis has helped Makoto discover so many wonderful things; about the world, and especially about himself. She has made him feel so many things he didn’t even know he was capable of feeling.

That’s why he poured his heart into offering her the best Christmas he possibly could. For once, there was something tangible that he could do for her, and he jumped at the chance to do it.

He meant to thank her for everything she has done for him.

But this…

Makoto closes his fingers around the charred screw.

Somehow, Aigis keeps giving him more and more of herself, without ever asking for anything in turn.

He has been trying to follow her example. He really has.

But, the truth is—

…There is something I want more than anything.

“O-oh yes… Umm…” Aigis fidgets a little in her seat, still not meeting his eyes. “Of course, if I had known we were celebrating Christmas today, I’d have gifted you something more useful, Makoto-san.”

“No!”

She snaps her head to look at him, startled by his outburst. He is surprised, too, but for once, Makoto doesn’t try to hold himself back.

“Makoto…san…?”

Wordlessly, he reaches out and wraps her in his arms. Aigis gasps against the crook of his neck and his heart starts beating so fast that he can barely hear himself think, but he figures that’s just fine.

He doesn’t want to think. He just wants to be here, in this moment.

With her.

“…Thank you, Aigis,” he says once he finds his voice. “I’ll treasure this. I promise.”

Slowly, timidly, she hugs him back.

“I… Okay,” she whispers, melting into him.

She holds him just as fiercely as he is holding her, nuzzling her face in his neck, and it occurs to Makoto that perhaps he isn’t the only one who has been holding back.

“You know, Aigis…” He leans back to look at her, lips curling up. “I’ve been thinking a lot, lately… about what I’d like to do once we’ve beat Nyx.”

She tilts her head to the side in that endearing way of hers, and his smile widens.

“Is that so?”

“Yeah. Honestly, I’ve never really given the future a lot of thought, but… I think there’s one thing I’m sure of.”

He lets his forehead rest against hers.

“…I want to be by your side, Aigis.”

He has known it for a while now. Ever since the raw panic he felt when they found her broken on the Moonlight Bridge, without any means to know if she would be fine. Maybe since even before then.

Maybe since his eyes met hers on that pier and his heart seemed to set itself in motion.

“M—Makoto-san…?” Aigis whispers with a thread of a voice, and Makoto chuckles, feeling impossibly light.

“…I want to be with you. Always.”

And just so his intentions are clear, he ducks his head and kisses her.

It’s his first time kissing anyone and he doesn’t really know what he’s doing, but he doesn’t let that deter him.

More than anything, he’s just glad it’s with her.

When they break apart, Makoto finds Aigis looking at him in a daze.

“…Merry Christmas, Aigis,” he whispers, voice warm with joy.

Aigis reaches out, lovingly brushing the bangs away from his eyes as a smile blooms across her face, brightest than any Christmas light could ever hope to be.

“Merry Christmas, Makoto-san.”