About ARIA * The Manga * The Anime * The PS2 Game * Characters * Aqua * People
ARIA the ANIMATION * ARIA the NATURAL * ARIA the OVA ~ARIETTA~
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During That Warm Holiday... その ほかほかな休日は...
The episode opens with yet another e-mail from Ai. She guesses quite correctly that winter is approaching Aqua - the morning is cold and white, and Akari is having some difficulty getting out of bed. It's cold even in Akari's room - frost has gathered on her window. Nevertheless, before long she's out practising with Aika and Alice. All three are frozen. Taking a break, all three complain about the temperature; Akari places her cold hands on Aika's face to warm them. Aika boldly states that undines should not be afraid of the cold (but she hates it too).
Arriving back at ARIA Company, Akari discovers Alicia cleaning out the fireplace ready for winter. Alicia suggests a trip to collect firewood, and the three set out on a gondola to a forest outside the city. The leaves have nearly all fallen, forming a carpet on the ground, and the cold wind blows through the trees. As Alicia and Akari collect sticks from the ground, a white *thing* floats out before Akari's face. Alicia tells Akari that this is a yukimushi, a snow bug. She continues to explain that the yukimushi hide under leaves and in tree roots during the rest of the year, and come out at the end of autumn; disappearing as winter begins. Lots of yukimushi appear around them. Akari's yukimushi follows her... it likes her! She tries to flick it away, but it stays. Alicia suggests taking it with them, as the yukimushi will be in the city soon.
Later, Alicia and Akari are at the market, stocking up food for the winter. Akari's yukimushi is now sporting a pink bow. They meet Akatsuki in the street. He's busier than usual, as keeping up Aqua's temperature is much harder during the colder months. He's overjoyed by Alicia's comments about the importance of his job. On their way home, Akari spots a poster advertising an onsen, a hot springs resort. She's never been to one before. Alicia suggests they visit one on their next holiday.
Later, Aika is excited to hear Akari's news. Both Aika and Alice want to come also. Akari asks what they should bring, and Aika answers dreamily, Alicia... she's more excited that they're going with Alicia, than the fact that they're going to an onsen. Sunset approaches, and Akari is on her way home. She meets her friend the postman in the canal, and he offers her a hot drink. She sits down and tells him about the trip to the onsen. Above them, smoke unfurls from the many chimneys in the city. The postman comments that dusk during winter makes one homesick. Akari thinks it's a pretty sight.
Night has fallen and Akari is back at ARIA Company. She watches happily as Alicia lights their fire. Alicia brings out a basket of wool and offers some to Akari, and proceeds to teach her how to knit a scarf for Aria-shachou.
Some days later, the yukimushi have arrived in the city. Aika, Akari (with her yukimushi) and Alice, however, leave the city on a gondola with Alicia, Aria-shachou and Hime-shachou - they're off to the onsen. Aika has organised the trip. An island appears up ahead, with a grand but old-looking house upon it. Opening the door, two onsen workers welcome them and direct them to their apartment. Aika, Akari and Alice hurry out onto the balcony, from which there is a lovely view of the surrounding sea.
Alicia suggests going downstairs to the hot spring. They make their way to the changing rooms. Akari is more than a little nervous about sharing a bath with strangers. Alicia hands her a basket for her clothes. Alice and Alicia go on ahead into the bath, and Aika hurries after them. Akari doesn't want to be left behind, and falls flat on her face. Aika leads the way down the staircase into the grand hall... it's completely flooded. Aika explains that the old couple who own the house converted it into an onsen, and that it's crumbling down, but special. Akari describes it as a house from a fairy story (immediately incurring Aika's wrath towards embarrassing comments).
Relaxing against a door, Akari is surprised when it opens behind her. The corridor beyond is dark and uninviting. Alicia calls her over. Later, they drink ice coffee in the changing rooms (while Aria-shachou has his neck massaged on a massage chair!). Heading back to their apartment, a meal has been prepared for them. Aika is overjoyed - no hard training - no nasty seniors - Alicia!
The next morning, Akari wakes up at the kotatsu, a small heated table. Everyone except Alicia is asleep. Akari feels guilty for resting when she should be training, but Alicia tells her that that's the magic of onsen. Akari is beginning to really like winter, especially the onsen - Aqua's gift of nature. A sleepy Aika wakes up to chastise yet another embarrassing comment. Alice immediately decides to go for another dip, and the others follow.
Back in the onsen, Alicia leads the way through the door that Akari opened previously by mistake. She heads off down the dark corridor, and the three girls follow somewhat nervously. Alicia opens another door and light spills into the corridor... the girls hurry out into a ruined ballroom, open to the sky and the sea. Akari can't resist the temptation to swim, and Aika and Alice join in. They have fun, and finally tired out, look up at the sky. Alicia appears above them with some peach drink, a local speciality.
Later, back upstairs, there is a knock on the door. Their guests have arrived - Akira and Athena, with Maa-shachou (poor Aria-shachou!). Aika is suddenly depressed for some reason, but is soon having an energetic game of table tennis with Akira. The others watch, but Akari is distracted by the yukimushi outside. She heads out onto the balcony. Alicia joins her, and comments that the yukimushi are heading back to the trees, but that they will return next winter. Akari bids farewell to her yukimushi, and suddenly the sky is filled with millions of the white creatures. Alicia and Akari watch as they leave. Alicia tells Akari about a legend, that when the yukimushi leave, the first snow will fall. They head back inside. Akari writes another e-mail to Ai, telling her of Aqua's wonderful winter. Outside, the snow begins to fall.
New characters met: a snowbug
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