Aria the Animation #7: Doing That Wonderful Job…

Akira’s firm yet gentle teaching methods are on display. It’s what Aika is trying to emulate when she practices with Akari and Alice. Aika often says she’s a fan of Alicia, but it’s Akira whom she most admires. When the others mention how strict she is, Aika is the first to defend her mentor.

Like Aika, Akira is a competitive person. The first lesson of the day is how to help customers into the gondola. But when she picks up the newlyweds, he steps in on his own and upsets the boat. Then he spends the whole trip with his nose buried in a guidebook. Even if it’s the fault of his own bad attitude, Akira takes it as a personal failure. Despite all she did to make him relax and enjoy himself, he was ended up disappointed. It’s her job to give her customers the best experience and leave them with a pleasant memory of their trip.

Akira couldn’t let a customer go home unsatisfied. Even though the wife was happy, Neo Venezia wasn’t living up to what he’d been told about it. That’s why Akira agreed to let them sit in on the training. They got a behind-the-scenes look at how much work is necessary to make their fairy tale honeymoon a reality. It’s not something that could be seen in a guidebook. And also a way for Akira to redeem herself for not being good enough during the scheduled tour. No one else was blaming her, but she wasn’t satisfied with her own performance. Though not as obvious as running into a dead-end at high tide, she made mistakes that don’t pass her own high standards. She wants her students to be as strict with themselves as she is with herself, and to have the confidence to not let a mistake prevent them from doing their job. That’s why it was important for them to get out of the dead-end on their own.

Next week’s episode is Aria the Natural #16: Parting With That Gondola…