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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That White Morning... その まっしろな朝を...
It's late night on the 31st day of the 24th month of Aqua's year - New Year's eve. Akari is sitting at her kotatsu with Aria-shachou, awaiting the night's festivities. As she tells Ai in her e-mail, it's her second New Year's Eve on Aqua; and it's freezing. As they prepare to leave (Aria-shachou having some problems with his hat!), Akari continues to dictate her feelings to a distant Ai. She mentions that here on Aqua, she celebrates Christmas with her family and New Year with her friends (it's the opposite in Japan). Finally, Akari leaves ARIA Company with Alicia and Aria-shachou, and they make their way to San Marco Square to celebrate New Year with the others. As they leave, a spacecraft enters Aqua's atmosphere.
Neo-Venezia is totally dark, save for the light pouring out of San Marco Square. The sky is alight with spacecraft, carrying tourists. Lantern-lit gondolas spread out over the water. Through the crowds milling towards the centre of the city, a small figure makes its way.
In the square, Akatsuki and Woody await them; and it's not long before Akari, Alicia and Aria-shachou arrive at their table. Akari continues her e-mail at the table, finishing with a wish that Ai could see Neo-Venezia at New Year. Ai heartily agrees, as she appears from beneath the table, giving Akari a shock. Alicia admits that she knew about this, and that Ai's arrival was meant to be a surprise for Akari. Ai is to spend the night with them.
Akatsuki asks Akari who Ai is, and Ai guesses at Akatsuki's identity. She tells Akatsuki and Woody that she knows them because of Akari's e-mails. Akatsuki is flattered as she talks about his good looks and important job, then is angered when she describes the less attractive points of his character. Akari's e-mails may now be landing her in some kind of trouble. The party livens up with the arrival of Akatsuki's brother. Ai is overjoyed - it's three people she's now met from Akari's e-mails. Akatsuki's older brother gives Ai a bag of Neo-Venezian glass beans - a symbol of good luck and prosperity. They explain that eating beans at New Year is a custom here too (as well as in Italy). Akatsuki's older brother (manhandling Akatsuki as usual) states that they're a present for getting along with Akatsuki, but is then embarrassed when Ai calls him oji-san (a name for older men). Akatsuki, of course, finds this incredibly funny, but not for long. His brother leaves.
Next, Aika and Akira arrive, alongwith Al. Aika's surprised to see Ai. Akira asks who Ai is - and more of Akari's e-mail comments land her in trouble when Ai calls Akira the 'demon instructor' and asks Al about the nature of his feelings for Aika. Aika stops her before it goes too far (yup, something is going on!). Al, however, is unconcerned and happily plays with Ai and Aria-shachou. Akari comments that it's wonderful meeting people from e-mails - it's like meeting the characters of a novel. Aika quickly forbids her embarrassing comments; and yet another person arrives. This time, it's Grandma, shortly followed by Alice and Athena with Maa-shachou. That makes six people that Ai has met.
As Grandma is ushered to the table and Akatsuki asks who she is, Aria-shachou runs off into the crowds. Ai follows him, and Akari joins in, despite everyone's dismay. The two girls chase Aria-shachou into the empty streets of Neo-Venezia, eventually losing him. They follow his paw prints, and come across a strange sight across an empty canal; old buildings and an empty landscape, and lots of cats. Akari suddenly remembers the encounters she's had to do with cats, specifically being the link between the past and the future. She realises - it's Aqua, as it used to be. Suddenly a bell rings, and the vision is gone. Ai muses whether this is proof that Aqua has accepted her.
Hearing Aria-shachou's voice, they turn and realise they're lost; but luckily, Ai dropped her glass beans as they went, and these now light the way back to San Marco Square. The others ask them where they've been, but they smile at each other and tell them they've been to Aqua. Aika and Alice are puzzled. Alicia however, asks Ai if she's brought something to discard, and Akira explains that it is a custom in Neo-Venezia to throw something at midnight. Akari adds that undines throw their hats. Ai decides to throw her favourite red ribbon, which she wore on her last visit to Aqua.
A cheer goes up - it's almost midnight. Everyone stands up, and Akari tells Ai that she should say, 'Auguri Buon Anno!' (Italian for Congratulations, Happy New Year!), then begins to meditate on the year that's just gone. The countdown begins (in Italian, nonetheless!) and the view zooms out to show the square fully packed with people, as the clock strikes midnight. A shower of hats, scarves and other items mingle with the confetti in the air, fireworks light the sky, and the celebrations begin in earnest (during which Akatsuki and Woody demonstrate their musical skill, and Maa-shachou gets very excited).
Much later, the sky has become lighter. The square is now empty, except for our small group, who sit at the water's edge. Akatsuki, Woody and Alice are fast asleep, and Akari and Ai awake. Ai turns to see her older sister, carrying a little baby. She's come to pick Ai up. Akari coos over the baby (and Alice wakes up). Ai tells her that the baby's name is Aqua. Aqua calls out - she's extremely interested in Aria-shachou. Ai's sister explains that she wanted to see Aqua's first sunrise with her.
Looking up, the sky brightens further and the sun appears over the horizon. The scene suddenly becomes a brilliant white. The group (aside from Akatsuki and Woody, still fast asleep) discuss their hopes for the New Year, and Aika promises Alicia (rather than Akira!) that she'll work hard. Akari however, is content to close her eyes and feel the warm rays of the sun as it changes Aqua into a white world. Alicia comments that how colourful this brand new year will be depends on them.
Ai's sister decides it is time to return to the hotel. After everyone has said their goodbyes, Ai and her sisters leave. As the sun continues to rise, Akari, Alicia and Aria-shachou make their way back to ARIA Company by gondola. They talk about Ai's sister and the little baby. Akari says that it's a joy to bring a child along, and Alicia agrees, adding it's wonderful to have new family members since the last time she and Ai's sister met. Akari doesn't immediately take the hint, but is embarrassed when she realises that Alicia is speaking about her. They wish each other a Happy New Year. As a flock of white birds wheel overhead, Akari wishes a Happy New Year to those who created Aqua, those who live on Aqua, everyone on Aqua and those watching; may the new year be filled with happiness.
New characters met: Ai's older sister and baby sister, Aqua.
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