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ARIA
Set in the early 24th century against the backdrop of the city of Neo Venezia on the planet Mars. No longer the barren red planet, Mars has been flooded, inhabited and is something of a tourist hub for those looking for rest, relaxation and a gondola ride – the primary mode of travel in Neo Venezia. The Undines are professional gondoliers, tour guides for the people passing through. Akari Mizunashi is an Undine in training and this is a piece of her story.
As winter melts into spring, Akari, Aika and Alice all continue to practice and set new goals for themselves. But Akari still feels like she isn't good enough to become a Prima. Will she or any of the girls ever be truly satisfied with their talents?
Someone has requested Akari for a gondola tour! An old woman with a kind smile says that she'd like to see a side of Neo-Venezia that only Akari can show her. Akari takes her to many unique spots, but the woman already seems familiar with them all...
A new vendor has opened up shop in Piazza San Marco, selling heart-shaped chocolates in glass bottles. Akari buys a bottle, and later goes to buy another, but by then, the patissier has mysteriously disappeared. Where did he go, and will he ever return?
Akari wants to help out more around the Aria Company, but she's only a Single. So Alicia suggests she try her hand at working on a Traghetto! A Traghetto is a ferry-style gondola run exclusively by Singles. Will Akari be up to the challenge?
Athena and Alicia both have wonderful talents, but what about Akira? For that matter, what about Aika? Aika gets discouraged, thinking that maybe she doesn't have any natural talent, but Akira has an old story to tell that might lift Aika's spirits.
Akari can be a bit clumsy and makes plenty of mistakes, but it seems like Alicia never gets angry with her. Alice makes it her mission to see how Alicia handles Akari's faults, and to see if it's true that no matter what, she never scolds Akari.
Akari and Alicia are going to visit Anna, the woman who trained with Alicia in the early days of the Aria Company! Many memories will be shared on this visit, including how the Aria Company itself was first founded.
Alice and Athena are going on a picnic! Alice chooses a date and makes all sorts of elaborate plans... but Athena gets overloaded with work, and can't come. Athena tries to chase after Alice to apologize, but trips and falls - and somehow loses her memory!
Alice has just graduated from middle school. She feels confident, and excited about what's to come. And then, Athena suggests that they finally go on the picnic that they've been planning for so long. Alice's world is about to change...
Akari, Aika and Alice decide to partake in an old Manhome tradition, Moon-watching. Aika secretly invited Al to their get-together, but he hasn't shown up yet. Aika goes to look for him, but she has no idea what surprises the night has in store.
Alice is so busy now; every waking moment is full of appointments and work. Though she enjoys the life she has now, she still misses the time that she spent with her friends. It's starting to feel like she might never see Akari and Aika again.
As Akari and Aika leave for practice one cold winter morning, Aika has something to tell Akari. The two of them can't practice together anymore... As if that shock weren't enough, Alicia has something important to say as well.
Over the years, the Aria Company has changed. First it was Grandma's Aria Company, then it was Alicia's, and someday, it will be Akari's Aria Company. But that day might come sooner than Akari expected. Will she be ready for the future that lies ahead?
