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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On Those Orange Days... その オレンジの日々を...
It is now the depths of Winter in Neo-Venezia, and Akari, Aika and Alice together with Aria-shachou make their way back to ARIA Company after a freezing day's practice. It starts to snow, and they hurry inside, where Alicia and a roaring fire await them. To their surprise (and to Aika's horror), Athena and Akira are also waiting for them. Alicia goes to make some cocoa, and Aika asks Athena and Akira why they are here; she is surprised to discover that Akira is the one responsible for organising this meeting. The three of them are now so busy that they rarely see each other.
Athena asks the three trainees about their training, and on discovering that they train together, begins to shake. Worried, the three trainees assume that she's angry with them for not training with their own colleagues. It's not the case - and Akira tells Athena to stop laughing. Alicia explains that when she, Akira and Athena were trainees, they did exactly the same thing. She begins to tell them a story.
In a flashback, we see a younger Alicia and Akira. Under the pretence of spying on ARIA Company (and various other excuses), Akira kept Alicia company during her training (as Alicia was ARIA Company's only trainee, just like Akari). A younger Alicia was overjoyed. In the present, Akira is embarrassed by this turn in the conversation. Alice points out that that's just like Aika (who is similarly embarrassed).
In the past, it's a few months later. Young Aika has heard a rumour about an amazing undine who has joined Hime-ya's rivals Orange Planet, and is desperate to find out the identity of this undine. Alicia is laidback, as usual. Suddenly, another gondola crashes into them, and Akira leaps up angrily. The undine on it (or rather in it, as she fell over) is a rather dazed Orange Planet employee. Akira gets an idea; and decides to grill this stranger for the identity of the mystery Orange Planet star undine.
Over a meal, the undine introduces herself as Athena. Akira attempts to sweet-talk her into telling her about the amazing newcomer. Athena, however, is engrossed in entertaining Aria-shachou with a straw. She doesn't appear to know who it is, and continues to entertain Aria-shachou, with Akira's straw paper. Later, back at the gondolas, Athena prods Akira to sit up (or else the food will end up in her arms).
In the present, Alicia continues that Athena trained with them from then onwards. Aika comments that that's just like Alice (who is them embarrassed). Akari asks them whether they were able to meet the newcomer. The story continues. This time, the three are in the middle of training, and Athena appears hopeless at conversation and rowing, while Akira and Alicia seem much further ahead. Much falling over, dropping of paddles and crashing into bridges and other gondolas ensues. Back in the present, Athena is not paying attention, and is spinning Aria-shachou around on his cushion. Alice explains that Athena has always been a bit vacant, but Akira continues the story.
Back in the past, the trainees head out to the edge of the city. Akira suggests a canzone (singing) practice. Alicia is too shy, and Akira berates her. They eventually decide to play paper-scissors-stone, and Athena loses. They halt the gondola, and an embarrassed Athena gets up to sing. Which is quite an understatement, as the performance that follows draws Neo-Venezia to a halt, as people stop to listen to her amazing voice. Alicia and Akira are shocked into silence as applause breaks out behind them. Alicia grins and congratulates Athena, but Akira is annoyed - Athena was the amazing undine she'd been searching for, and it was canzone that she was famed for. She leaps up to strangle the again vacant Athena.
Back in the present, Akira is still a little irritated, but Athena insists it wasn't deliberate that she hadn't sung in front of them before. Alicia adds that from then on, Akira began to practise her singing; but Akira adds that she soon gave up, admitting defeat. Athena speaks up - Akira and Alicia were great training partners for her, as Akira's strength was conversation, and Alicia's was rowing (and Athena's was neither). Their training was happy, and she regrets that they never get to see each other as often as they did. Akira agrees. The group falls into silence.
Alice speaks up. She comments that someday, when she, Akari and Aika become primas, their happy training days together will also be over. She bows her head sadly. Athena says that all things must change with time; but that there are also many things she has now which she enjoys; working, and getting to know cute juniors. All three of the trainees are now embarrassed. Alicia agrees with Athena, and so does Akira - they were happy then, but they are also happy now. Athena continues, saying that true happiness can't be compared, things only happen once; but memories remain. Alicia advises them to enjoy things while they last. Akari, Aika and Alice are awestruck into silence, as Alicia gets up to make more cocoa. Outside, the snow continues to fall.
Later, Aika's voice echoes across the rooftops. She's yelling back at Akira (embarrassing comments are prohibited), while she's well out of harm's way. Akari is walking part of the way with Aika and Alice, to see them off. They begin to discuss their seniors, who are still deep in conversation back at ARIA Company, and particularly, how they seem to be so similar to the three of them. Aika senses that Akari's still thinking about their inevitable parting in the future, and chastises her (shaking Akari's head), saying that they'll meet tomorrow. That evening's conversation is still very much in Aika's mind too, although she's trying not to show it. With a cheerful goodbye, Aika and Alice walk on ahead, and Akari and Aria-shachou watch them go.
Watching them go tonight, however, is too much for Akari to bear, and she rushes up onto the bridge, keeping them in sight. She calls after them desperately, expressing her wish to see them tomorrow for all of Neo-Venezia to hear. Aika yells back at her, telling her to shut up; and Alice comments that they're both as loud as each other.
Akari returns to ARIA Company and looks in on the three older undines, enjoying their precious time together. She muses in her e-mail to Ai that things change in time, but that there are some things that will withstand the test of time; both are equally important.
New characters met: None
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