Moé Moé Rabu

In her letter to Ai, Akari says that it is another hot day. Akira decided to have a barbeque for lunch and has invited everyone. Akari arrives first and Akira wonders where Alicia and Athena as she thinks that if they arrive late there will be nothing left to eat. Whilst Akari helps Akira setup, Alice turns up, carrying a plate of meat and exhausted from the heat. Since Alice has arrived, Akira decides that they should start without the others. Akari wonders if that is ok but Akira says it is fine. Thus Akira starts cooking with the two girls watching her, but then Alicia and Athena arrive. As Akari greets the two, Alice and Akira are swaying in sync which surprises Akari. Athena sees that its fun and decides to join then, but is swaying in the opposite direction.

With everyone starting to eat, Aika decides to show up and with a new hair style. As Aika walks past Akari with her hair flowing, Akari is staring at Aika which Aika asks her what’s wrong. Akari comments on her hair being pretty and it being different. Alicia says that its very pretty as well and says that Aika looks like a goddess. With that, Aika thanks Alicia and is really happy. Continuing to eat, Aika says to Akari that a wish of her’s is granted and to be praised by Alicia makes her really happy. She says that it makes her excited to see her new self. With that Akira interrupts to say that the meat needs to be turned over. With that Akira mentions somehting to Aika which kind of makes her a little surprised to hear. But with that Akira goes back to Athena who is eating Akira’s piece of meat. A little later on, Akira brings out a plate of onigiri to make her famour grilled onigiri. With everyone gathered around Akira, Aika is at the other grill eating by herself. Suddenly, Akira smells something odd and wonders what it is, when she looks over at Aika, she sees that her hair caught on fire. With that, Akira grabs the tablecloth and puts it over Aika’s head to put out the fire. Aika on the ground with the tablecloth over her head, Akira slowly takes off the tablecloth and everyone is shocked to see the result. Aika tries to laugh the whole situation off and excuses herself from the group, which Akari and Alice chase after her. Akari and Alice eventually find Aika sitting by herself crying. Aika wants to know what they want which Akari replies that they want to be by her side.

The three are now in Aika’s bedroom with Aika on her bed sobbing. Akari says that it will be alright and that her and Alice will give her a new hair style. Aika says that its not necessary but Akari disagrees and says that she is in a serious mood to help her. Seeing the look on Akari’s face, Aika accepts their help whilst Alice and President Aria are scared. Just as the two were about to start, the burnt part of Aika’s hair falls off which makes Alice and Akair panic. Aika asks them what is with the reaction but the two don’t want to answer. Thus Aika says its ok to cut it now that this has happened. With that, Alice and Akari start on cutting Aika’s hair. After a while, they finished and give Aika a mirror to look at, and her response was that she wasn’t happy. But the two don’t give up and try tying Aika’s hair in different styles. Even with different styles, Aika still isn’t happy but the two try to cheer her up. Aika slowly turns around and thanks them. Alice thiks that they disappointed her but Aika says they are wrong. She wanted a new hair style and wanted to be like Alicia. She admits to herself that her wish to look like Alicia was impossible for her and that she is a fool to think so. Although Alice and Akari try to cheer her up, Akira appears behind them and says it was impossible for for to be like Alicia. They wonder how long Akira has been standing there, in which Akira replies a little while since the 3 of them did not return, Alicia and Athena had jobs to attend to which left her by herself. Akira says to Aika that isn’t she glad that even a monkey can look cute. Aika responds in asking her what she just said, before the moneky remark, which Akira reiterates that she will never be like Alicia. As she stated before, even if you wish it means nothing. With tears in her eyes, Aika keeps staring at Akira and Akira states again that she is not like Alicia. With that, Aika runs out and yells that she hates Akira. But Akira blocks off Aika with her leg against the door. Akira tells Aika to listen well and says that Aika is herself and that she is not like Alicia or anyone else. With that Akia starts crying and Akira hits her on the head and says that is it whilst leaving the three in the room.

The next day, they are having a barbeque again. Akari asks Akira where Aika is which she replies that she will be arrive soon. Although Alicia asks where the ingredients for the barbeque are, Akira says that they’re not needed. Aika shows up suddenly saying its ok since it was her fault. Everyone is surprised to see Aika’s new haircut, and Akari in her usual clumsy manner say that it looks wonderful. But Aika respnds to her with her usual “embrassing lines are not allowed”. Alicia says that it looks wonderful and it is very like her. It makes Aika happy and she thanks Alicia and with that everyone starts eating. In Akari’s letter to Ai, she says that Aika indeed found her new self, with Ai replying that although there isn’t a photo, she would be surprised to see the new Aika. She also says that its sound very exciting to find your new self and would like to try a barbeque next time she comes to Aqua.

Preview:

Finally the Aika episode where she cuts her hair! I was wondering when they would do this episode but it would’ve probably been better if it was done earlier in the series. Though it is a shame to see her hair shorter, I rather liked it flowing like that, but the short hair does suit her none the less. The best part of this episode was when Akari and Alice were preparing to cut Aika’s hair with Akari saying she was in a serious mode. It sounded very unlike her and to see Alice scared, thats a first. This episode is based on Navigation 31 from Volume 7. A few additional parts were added but it remained intact. Also was quite surprised to hear Euforia as the opening again, guess they played Undine only for eps 16 and 17 since it was a more fitting setting. Next week we have two stories!

Also recently I listened to the ARIA ~Piano Collections~ Stagione (Stagione means Seasons in Italian) and it is absolutely beautiful. Although I have heard all the tracks throughout the series hearing them in full version is nice with particular songs split for the various seasons. it may seem that I will have to purchase this album sometime in the future.