Aria AU syls

Hikawa Sayo wasn’t relieved that morning when she got a notice that her tutoring senior is changed, again.

Himeya is the biggest Undine Company available in Neo-Venezia, a change like that might happen often, but not as often as two months in row. Sayo didn’t mind it at first, but to set up schedules and starting the training regimen with her senior Undine from zero, it is a hassle.

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It’s been a policy there in every Undine Company to get a tutoring senior—a Prima Undine, the gloveless, independent Undine—for any Pair (Undine who's wearing a pair of gloves) or Single (Undine with a single glove) Undine. The senior will oversee the junior’s training in a set of months or years. Then, as the senior finished on evaluating the junior, the said Pair or Single will be allowed them to have a promotion test.

Sayo has been aiming for quicker promotion test ever since her younger fraternal twin sister, Hikawa Hina, an Undine from Orange Planet, is already promoted as a Prima.

Prima Undine is the highest position in Undine job hierarchy, allowed the Undine to be paid as an independent tourist guide throughout Neo-Venezia. Pair or Single could only able to guide a tourist within their senior’s supervision, hence a Pair or a Single Undine unable to act freely.

If a Prima Undine is well-known enough with their great talents or skills, The Gondola Association will regard them as one of Three Water Fairies - the prima-donna of Undine as a whole. Three Water Fairies got a load of job from time-to-time, like, the ‘celebrity’ of guides of Neo-Venezia, can say that they are busy almost every day.


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Sayo scrunched her forehead, blinking once again as she saw the notice on the public Himeya Company board this morning, past the fellow Single who’s coming and going to see whether they got a delivery job or paired practice.

Her new senior’s name is very familiar – this person is one of Three Water Fairies belonged to Neo-Venezia with the moniker of ‘Sunny Rhodonite’




“Eh? That’s impressive, Sayo-chan! You’ll be training under Himeya’s Water Fairies!”

Sayo felt somewhat strange to hear a congratulatory message from the other two Singles whom she acquainted with.

After that notice of senior change, Sayo asked the reception desk whether she could see the Prima right away. As Sayo has expected, though, the Prima is busy for the remainder of the day and she could only be able to meet her tomorrow.

Sayo then moved on with her usual solo practice with gondola across the town when she happened to meet her colleagues from Aria Company during lunch time -- Maruyama Aya and Matsubara Kanon.

Among three Undine companies, Aria Company is the smallest company with only three employees. Being small, however, it doesn’t mean that Aria Company is there to be underestimated. Aria Company also housed one of Three Water Fairies by the moniker of Rosen Maiden. Aria Company also voted by the Gondola Association for the company with greatest hospitality among the three.

The turquoise-haired girl wondered at times how come she can be acquainted with the two training Singles from Aria Company, which is already two-thirds of the company employee. Was it from their joined schedule of Traghetto—grand canal ferry crossing? Or was it because Aya just come and greeted her?

It isn’t relevant right now - what Sayo should do is to ask for opinion since the two of them are training with one of the Three Water Fairies as well.

“That means you’ll be training under Sunny Rhodonite? I haven’t seen her in person, but I’ve heard that she’s so wonderful!” Aya clapped.

Sayo haven’t seen the person in flesh as well - all she have heard is mostly rumors. Three Water Fairies already meant to be wonderful, worth of their names as the Best Prima Undine in the whole tourism industry of Neo-Venezia.

“Is … training under Three Water Fairies is that impressive?” Sayo asked.

“Well, Chisato-chan is strict …” Kanon chuckled. “I do think some might think of it as something prideful but … I don’t think so.”

To put in the other way, it DOES something to be prideful about. There might little to no chance to be trained under one of the Three Water Fairies, then again it would be a waste if turned out they are not a good teacher. Sayo is looking for a place where she could gain experience, not a place where she could boast.

“Or she’s scary like that Water Fairy from Orange Planet?” Aya tilted her head. “But it seems to be a rumor, too. I never hear of any seniority abuse in Undine business.”

Thinking of the name ‘Sunny Rhodonite’, it is nowhere scary, though. It’s rather … too bright? Maybe this said Prima is cheerful and bubbly?

Sayo can only hope that she won’t get transferred again, not anymore - she won’t become a Prima Undine at this rate if this continues.

--


Because the reception desk asked Sayo to come from 8 AM the next morning, Sayo came as early as possible to the appointment spot: the waiting lobby belonged to Himeya Company.

Sayo is the type to show up even earlier than the appointed time, but she makes sure that she’s not waiting restlessly while sitting in wait. The Single continued her study about Prima Undine and specifically more about Three Water Fairies.

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Three Water Fairies - Three Prima Undine with outstanding performances, happened to belong to a three different company. ‘Three Water Fairies’ is an honorary title, the Maiden of Water will become a symbol of Neo-Venezia Undine and will be the center of attention during festivals and such.

The known Three Water Fairies as of now are: Aria Company’s Rosen Maiden, Orange Planet Company’s Rainfall Diva, and Himeya Company’s Sunny Rhodonite.

These moniker is to reflect each other Prima’s, given by their tutor as one of a promotion gift--


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“—Good morning! I’m sorry, did you wait for long?”

Sayo lifted her face from drowning in the world of book to seek someone who’s greeting her. A gloveless Undine dressed in Himeya winter uniform like others, with a flowing brown hair down to her back.

Himeya Company doesn’t ban any accessory use, though the regulation said for anyone not to dress up needlessly – the inverted bunny earrings that the Prima wore, and how the Prima has her hair highlighter took Sayo’s attention right away. The Prima is fairy tall, her eyes marred with mint green color, and she has a cattish smile on her as if it is her own trademark.

Seeing how Sayo observed her intensely should be a bit comfortable as she fidgeted, “Umm. You’re Hikawa Sayo, right? The one who’s transferred to be my junior?”

“And you’re, err, what should I address you, Senior Water Fa—“

“Oh! No need to be so formal! Just call me Lisa!” the Prima blurted. “My name is Imai Lisa.”

“Then, Imai-senpai?”

Lisa dropped her shoulders, “It’s still a bit stiff but … okay then.”

Sayo took away her book in her bag and stood up from her seat, “When can we start with the training?”

“About that, I’m sorry that I have a customer this morning,” Lisa seemed apologetic. “Though, you can follow me.”

Sayo tilted her head at that remark, she wasn’t sure. “Follow? You mean-“

“Yup, join me and my customer,” The brunette nodded. “Don’t worry, Prima’s gondola is big!”

“I know that. But I’d be a bother—“

Sayo was not prepared for a friendly gesture, not to mention it is coming from one of respected Three Water Fairies. Her senior Prima just grabbed her gloved right hand and pulled her away.

“Now, now. Come on! I don’t take a ‘no’ from my kouhai!” she winked.

--


When Sayo asked whether Lisa needed help or anything, Lisa told Sayo to sit and face the customer while Lisa is rowing the gondola and doing the tour. The customer will sit facing the north, while Sayo occupied the opposite space, busily jotting her notes.

This would be the first time Sayo saw a Prima at work this up-close. She might already see Prima several times in training videos and books, but this will be the one and only chance for her to observe.

Lisa welcomed the guest to the gondola one by one cheerfully. Her customer is two girls taking on a trip to Neo-Venezia (Mars) from Manhome (Earth). After remembering their names, Lisa helped the girls up on the boat.

Sayo noticed that there’s nothing out of ordinary with how Lisa treated her customer – it’s like all that’s engraved in the handbook to a tee. Lisa also introduced Sayo to the customers, saying that Sayo is her junior in training.

Her smile, her sophisticated speech when talking, her friendly gesture to make customer feel comfortable, Lisa’s way of explaining each and every corner of places also concise and easy to understand - there’s nothing odd about it.

What’s so special about Three Water Fairies then? What’s so good about ‘Sunny Rhodonite’? Sayo squinted to find anything ‘different’.

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It’s when they are halfway on the trip, the two customers are rather busy fiddling with their cellphone while Lisa continued with her guide.

There’s still a few places to go before they stopped at Piazza San Marco, the customer’s chosen destination and Sayo felt that the customers are not respecting the Prima at all.

Sayo looked up to see Lisa didn’t voice anything for the customers to pay attention to her explanation, also her smile doesn’t falter. Lisa doesn’t have a sign of forced smile or a hint of annoyance whatsoever.

“Sayo?”

Sayo blinked when their eyes met. The customers watched Sayo’s direction as well.

“Y-Yes, senpai?”

“Can you please give our customers the bag behind you? It’s right inside the compartment~” Lisa ordered. “You can take one for yourself too if you want.”

Sayo turned to see a small compartment behind where she seated. The Single opened the box to reveal several wrapped plastics filled with chocolate chip cookies. The plastics itself are still warm. The sweet scent wafted out instantly as Sayo brought the wrapped plastics out.

Was all of these store-bought? They are going out pretty early before cake shops are open, when Lisa have her time to buy such things?

Lisa has slowed her rowing pace. The turquoise-haired Undine looked over her senior to see Lisa gestured her to stand up and give the cookies to the waiting customers.

‘Smile, Sayo. Smile.’ She could heard her senior whispering. She tried to.

“What is this, Undine-san?” one of the customer asked.

“It’s my own baked treats.”

Lisa answered. Sayo was surprised to know that it is handmade cookies.

“It’s a waste if you don’t enjoy Neo-Venezia to the fullest while you’re not breathing in the air, taking in the scenery, and eating something sweet, don’t you think?”

The customers looked at each other before back at the Prima, who’s continuing the journey with a hearty chuckle to herself. Then they shortly looked away, embarrassment was there on their faces, Sayo could see it.

Meanwhile, Sayo couldn’t help to be stunned—astonished, nothing can describe her burst of amazement inside.


---


“Oh? So this is your first time riding together with a Prima?”

They settled at a restaurant nearby Piazza San Marco after saying farewells to the customer from earlier.

Lisa insisted for them to take a break for a bit and enjoying her favorite Gelato there and Sayo couldn’t say no (for the second time of the day). Sayo ordered the same thing as Lisa’s, Matcha Gelato, since she didn’t know what to order.

“Yes, it was my first.” Sayo nodded.

Lisa scratched her cheek. “I hope I’m not setting a bad example to you, though.”

“Quite the opposite, actually,” the turquoise-haired girl said. “I … never think that there’s a way to reprimand customers like that. I’d only think to yell at them for not respecting the tour guide.”

“I was thinking only to give the cookies, but I do think it would be the waste for them to not enjoying Neo-Venezia while they are at the tour.”

Sayo blinked at that, “Not because they disrespect you as a guide?”

“Isn’t it up to the tourist to do whatever they want to do? It’s not like I need to be respected or anything~” Lisa waved it away. “I simply want them not to regret anything for entrusting my service. They should enjoy Neo-Venezia to the fullest and I hope I can be that Undine whom delivered them to know such paradise.”

It was /that/ simple, and Sayo just realized it.

It’s not about thinking to be the best by scores or any grades; but to be able to embrace everything in your way to success.

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“Sorry, did I answer it wrong? It’s my first time to have a junior, so-“

“Ah, no. It’s alright, senpai.”

“Can you be a little lax, though, Sayo? Calling me with ‘Senpai’ … it, it feels a bit weird, haha.”

“Then, Imai-san?”

“That’s fine by me.”

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And that is the path of ‘Sunny Rhodonite’, one of the Three Water Fairies of Neo-Venezia.