Aria Episode 2

(and i am so flooded away by your awesomeness, Alicia-san <3. Let me be your apprentice too!)

This episode started with an email to Ai-chan as the whole Aria company was resting. Akari had woke up in the morning, realising that the whole house was flooded. She went in shock as the rest of the company woke up (aka Alicia & President Aria) but was told that it was an occurance of Acqua Alta (high water). This was was a time where the whole town started to rest as nothing could be done anyway. Alicia then had to leave for a Gondola meeting and she reminded Akari to buy some food for President Aria.

As the town was in Acqua Alta, they decided to walk. As they walked, they got lost to the wrong street. the rain suddenly appeared, leaving our Akari and Aria stranded as they hunted a shelter. At the shelter, Aria noticed that there was a black cat peeking from the window. It was in fact Himeya, the president of another shipping company that is called Himeya (the name of the cat. It seems that the animals were like figurehead symbols of the company). In fact, Aika popped out from the window and asked Akari why she was here hiding from the rain.

They were then invited into the house, where we realise that Ailka was actually Himeya’s heir and everyone treated her respectfully because that was her position in the hierachy. She found it uncomfortable though, as she fetched some food for Himeya. They went into the same room that Himeya was at and were engaged in some talk. Aria, with his famished stomach, stole the food that was given to Himeya. Himeya did not want to eat it, especially after Aria had drooled on it..(eww..)

While chatting, we realised that the cat was actually a symbol of assurance of the company. For example, Himeya’s aquamarine eyes were considered to be that form of stability. A new character then came barging in, scolding Aika for being lazy and asked her to train in the high water conditions. She was Akira, a professional undine that was also one of the “three fairies” (Alicia is one of them too). She started to go on a bombardment of every single activity that Aika did, including the time where they rowed Ai-chan around for free when they were moving along the river. Aika could not take her taunts anymore and in a fit of anger, rushed out and shouted that she would be joining the Aria company. Akari quickly followed her, not wanting to stay in the tiger’s den for too long.

They went over to the Aria company, where Aika prepared fried rice for dinner. As they finished dinner, they went up to the bedroom, where Aika continued to complain about Akira’s overbearing behavior. Aika also mentioned that it was four years ago that she left home once. That was then she met Alicia (still a “single” – single glove means apprentice) who passed by the area and asked Aika how she was. Aika tried to ignore Alicia, but her shoe dropped into the water and Alicia offered to ride her around to cheer her up.

It was then she decided to be an undine, because to her, Alicia was someone she looked up to and was a special existence. She lamented that if she was not Himeya’s heir, she would already came over to Aria. In the morning, a booming “IS. ANYONE. HOME!” came through from outside the house (we all know who by now). Akira threatened to sink Aika in the Neo-Adriatic Sea if the two of them did not come out by the count of 10. Man, i love taking a line out of context.

She had came to bring Aika back. However, Akira and Aika continued to squabble, and a comedic act between Alicia “my my” and Akira’s extreme annoyance at her doing it brought about some amusement to my face. I must say that I could fully understand why Akira was annoyed by her childhood’s friend’s easy attitude to life, considering that she seemed rather serious all the time. As Akira chased Alicia around with “not allowed!” as Alicia continued to giggle and say “my my” , they went through into the room, where Akira proposed a race. If Aika lost to Akari, she would have to come home. If not, she could do whatever they liked.

They moved out of the house and commenced their race. Suddenly, Aika asked Akari to go to a different narrow lane in the river. She was actually there for the walnut bread, because Akira actually liked the bread there. She bought it, hoping to appease Akira later because she was going to quit. She knew that Akira was simply doing it so that her pride would still be there if she chose to return. Akira was the only person that treated her normally like a person and Akira was actually really kind, contradictionary to her comments about her being overbearing.
Changing scenes, we see the waiting Akira and Alicia talking to each other. Akira mentioned that Aika was a very kind and nice girl as well. Akira said that if Aika chose to leave in this race, she would follow her as well. That was showing how strong their bonds were together as friends.

As they reached back, Aika said that she quit the race, eliciting a huge response from Akira. Before Akira could go Watagashi on her, she shoved the walnut bread at Akira, appeasing her. As they sat down and chatted and ate, Akari saw the interaction between the two, and wished that she was able to be so frank with Alicia one day…

Pretty nice episode again. A very simple interaction between the main characters, and we realise a bit more about Aika’s background, as well as the two sides of Akira. Akira is really a very likeable character for now. Akari is pretty normal for probably the main character, a hardworking type and Alicia is just the angel. Waiting to watch episode 3 later.

Screenshots below: