Aqours Chapter 20

The Numazu Snow Festival!

Chika laments the lack of snow during a sunny winter.

Story 1

Chika: Yoshiko, have you ever done a rain dance? Yoshiko: Wh...What? That came out of left field. Hanamaru: Chika, don't tell me you're trying to get in on the act, zura! Yoshiko: Don't call it an act! Yoshiko: Ahem. I have indeed performed several rain-summoning rituals. Riko: You have?! Chika: What about snow? Can you make it snow, too? You: Snow? Kanan: Hmm? Chika, are you wanting to see some snow? Chika: Totally! I mean, it's winter! Spring has blossoms, summer has beach time, fall had colored leaves, and winter should have snow! Japan has four seasons! Chika: But... but... For the past two weeks, it's been so warm and dry... there hasn't even been rain in Uchiura. It's like it's not even winter! You: This is supposed to continue over the next few days. They even issued a dry-air warning. Riko: Does it not snow much in Uchiura? Ruby: Not really. And when it does, it never amounts to much. You: The few times I remember them forecasting snow, we ended up getting rain. Mari: Why ask for snow when we could be cooking? Sukiyaki! Hot pot! Tomato hot pot! Hanamaru: I vote for sukiyaki! Dia: If it doesn't snow, that's fine with me. Big snowfalls just disrupt everyone's daily life. Not to mention, car accidents are more likely if it melts and refreezes. Chika: *Groan* That's true... But like... YOLO, right? Wouldn't you like to see Uchiura covered in a blanket of silvery snow, just once? Riko: Y-YOLO... You: Hmm... If I'm being honest, I'd like to see it too. A pure white Uchiura and a freezing black ocean... That'd make for one cool winter scene. Chika: I know, right? Ruby: I remember waking up as a little girl and being so excited to see if it snowed as I opened the curtains... And every time, I got nothing but disappointment. Hanamaru: Me too. I always wanted to build a big snowman, so I'd put prayers for snow up at my family's temple, zura. Kanan: Did it work? Hanamaru: Nope, zura. I'm sure the gods and Buddha were trying to teach me not to rely on them, but to work hard for what I want. Kanan: Work hard to make it snow? The powers that be are being kinda unreasonable... Yoshiko: What's impossible to the gods or Buddha is but a trifle to Yohane. Chika, I swear to you, I will make the snow rain down in Uchiura! Chika: Praise be to the mighty Yohane! Riko: Snow, or rain... Mari: Chef Mari would love to see a snowy Uchiura, too. Allow me to pitch in and make Chika's heartfelt wish a reality. Chika: Mari! Dia: What're you planning? Don't tell me the Ohara family has some kind of weather-controlling technology, too? Mari: Oh, don't be so suspicious. Even we can't control the weather... but we can bring it. Ruby: Bring us? As in, truck in snow from somewhere? Mari: That's right! Mari: My family's hotel chain has locations in places that see lots of snow. I'll have them bring the snow they'd normally clear to us! Chika: Ooh! We'll get to play in honest-to-goodness real snow! Dia: That sounds much more realistic than summoning it with magic... but can you actually make it happen? Hanamaru: How can humans make it snow though, zura?! Yoshiko: Nrrrgh! I won't be outdone by mere mortals. Mari! We shall see who covers Uchiura in a blanket of white first! Mari: Okay! Either way, Uchiura's going to look a lot different this year. Riko: Let's see, if Mari gets her way, we will definitely be able to say that "snow has come," but... Where exactly would you PUT it? Chika: Uhh... The school? Dia: Bzzz! Wrong! That would cause a huge commotion. Chika: Aww, but everyone would be so happy! You: What about the shore in front of Chika's house? Then all the guests could enjoy it too. Chika: Oh, that'd be cool! Kanan: No, you can't. That beach isn't your property. Chika: Shoot, you're right. Hmmmmmmmmmmm... Chika: Wait, I've got it! Give me one second! You: Chika? Chika: I'm back! And I don't just have a place to put the snow, I've got a plan to use it, too! Kanan: Whoa, really? What do you mean, use it? Chika: They're having a winter festival at the shopping district, and my sister Mito's been trying to think of a plan for the kids' area. Dia: A winter festival... I do recall something like that being in the works. Chika: Yup. So I thought maybe they could use the snow Mari wants to truck in, and I called and asked... Chika: And they said they'd love to have snow in the kids space to make it extra special! The kids' space will become an Aqours production. How cool is that?! Riko: That's great! If we did get snow, it'd be selfish to keep it all to ourselves. If snow is that rare here, all the local children should get a chance to play in it. You: An Uchiura festival with real snow... What an exciting thought! Mari: Now that I know it's going to be used in a festival, I'll really need to step up my game! Hanamaru: I wanna build snowmen with the kids, zura! Ruby: I want to make some snow bunnies. Yoshiko: Yohane shall prepare for the snow-summoning ritual while we wait for Mari's snow. I predict that snow will blanket all of Shizuoka on the day of the festival! Dia: It's all well and good to be excited, but remember that we're in charge of the kids' space now. We need to make sure it's safe as well as fun. Kanan: You're right. Now, let's figure out what to do with all the snow! Chika: I can't wait. It's going to be a silvery-white dream come true!

Story 2

Kanan: We need to come up with a plan for the kids' space before the snow arrives. Anyone who has an idea, raise your hand! Dia: Snow games that are fun for little kids... I would think that they'd be excited just to touch real snow. Chika: Me, me! I want to have a snowball fight tournament! You: That's not bad! That's like, a standard snow game. I bet the kids will be totally into it! Riko: Hmm... Can we do it, though? We don't really have enough room to be throwing snowballs, and it'd be bad if we hit one of the stores nearby. Chika: Oh, that's true... Rats. Hanamaru: Snowmen! We should build lots and lots of snowmen, zura! Ruby: Hanamaru, can I build a snow bunny to ride on your snowman? Hanamaru: Sure! Yoshiko: An army of snowmen and snow bunnies overtaking the shopping district... 'Twould be a sight that epitomizes pure madness. Not bad at all. Hanamaru: It's not supposed to be scary, zura! Ruby: What do you want to do, Yoshiko? Yoshiko: To build a throne worthy of my greatness! A frigid silver-white crystalline seat! Riko: Snow sculptures, huh? That's another common snow game. I wouldn't mind making something! I've never done carving or sculpting, but I could make something simple. Mari: You'd like to try sculpting, Riko? That's so cool! The snow festival has your artist's soul burning passion. I see! Chika: I bet you could make a masterpiece, Riko. Something we could put in a museum! Riko: N-No way! That's never going to happen! You: We could all make something and have the kids make their own sculptures on the day of the festival. What do you think about that? Mari: Good idea! And we can let them take home whatever they create! That'd make it even more exciting. Ruby: I'd be so happy for them if they got to play with snow at their own houses! Riko: I guess the snow would last longer if it was put in the freezer. Yoshiko: I’ll use my magic to turn their sculptures into living snow marionettes. Hanamaru: Cursed Yohane snow puppets, zura? Yoshiko: Why do they have to be cursed?! Kanan: Let’s not forget snow huts. We could build some, put little lights inside, and crawl together. Ruby: Aww, snow huts! You’re supposed to be able to toast mocha inside them, right? I’ve always wanted to eat mocha toasted in a snow hut… Kanan: It doesn’t HAVE to be mocha, but… sure. Yoshiko: You’re really looking forward to playing in the snow yourself, aren’t you, Ruby? Ruby: Ack! Hanamaru: What were you saying about a snow throne, Yoshiko? Yoshiko: Urk! Kanan: Okay, to review, we’ve got snow sculptures, snow huts… Hmm? Kanan: A snow slide… Dia, isn’t this your handwriting? Dia: Err… Yes. Kanan: *Chuckle* Dia: W-What is it?! Kanan: Oh, I can just tell that you’re looking forward to the snow too. Next time, write it confidently in the middle with big letters, not just a tiny note in the margin. Dia: If I join in the madness, we’ll never get anything done. Kanan: C’mon. You can let your guard down when you’re with us. Kanan: Anyway, a slide sounds cool! It’ll be a ton of fun and I’m sure the kids will love it. Dia: When I was little… I always wanted to slide down a snow slide. Kanan: You did? Dia: Yes… Ruby wasn’t the only one who would wake up disappointed that it never snowed. Chika: Oh my gosh… Snow! It’s real snow! You: Holy smokes! It’s so… so white! My feet sink right in! You, Chika: Wheeeeeeeeeee! Riko: Chika, You! You’re gonna slip if you run around like that! You, Chika: Whoa! Chika: Hey… Falling doesn’t hurt! You: But it’s c-c-cold! This really is snow! Kanan: The two of them are frolicking around like dogs. Ruby: Eek! It’s so cold… *Huff* *Puff* Hanamaru: Ruby, your fingers are red and raw! Yoshiko: Why don’t you have gloves? Ruby: I-I thought it’d be a shame if I didn’t actually get to touch the snow… Yoshiko: Stop acting like a fool and put some gloves on. Here. Dia: I’m speechless. Look at all this snow… I can’t believe you really pulled this off. Mari: But of course! Mari Ohara never goes back on her word. Kanan: Okay, let’s get to work! We have a ton of stuff to get done. Is everyone ready? Together: Yeah!

Story 3

Chika: Scrape, scrape, scrape... I can't even describe how great it feels to be sculpting snow. I could get used to this. You: I never thought I'd see the day where I'd get to make snow sculptures. The closest I've ever come is doing woodblock carvings in art class. Riko: Me too. I'm not sure how it'll turn out, but it's definitely a lot of fun trying to shape the snow with my own two hands! You: What're you making, Riko? Riko: I'm trying to make a bird with its wings spread. Chika: Wow! Isn't that really difficult? Riko: Yeah. I don't know if it'll really look like a bird in flight, but regardless, I have to be very careful making the wings. They're delicate. Riko: You, is that a boat? You: Yup! It's a mini version of my dad's ship. The little details are tough to capture, but I'm putting my love of all things marine into it to make her a fine vessel. Riko: *Giggle* I can't wait to see the finished product. What about you, Chika? What're you making? Chika: A mikan orange! Riko: You sure do love mikan oranges, Chika. You: Hmm... I dunno, isn't it a bit long and thin for an orange? Chika: Heh, heh, heh. When I said "mikan orange," you two pictured the standard kind you can get anywhere, didn't you? Riko: Is this not a normal one? Is it some kind of rare variety? Chika: This is indeed a mikan orange… slice! You: A slice! Chika: I’m carefully crafting every little fiber and crease in the white snow, to breath new life into it, and transform it into a soft, juicy mikan orange slice! Chika: I swear, as a mikan orange connoisseur, this snow shall be reborn as a mikan orange! You: You’re really fired up… Riko: I can almost see orange flames rising up from Chika’s back… Oh, but Chika, aren’t you being a little rough? You’re going to break it. Chika: It’s all good! Mikan oranges are tougher than you- Chika: …Ack! You: Eep. Riko: *Sigh* I tried to warn you. Dia: Is this high enough for the snow slide? Kanan: Hmm… I think it should be a little higher, so that people can enjoy the ride a little more. Let’s pile up a little more snow. Kanan: Upsy-daisy! Dia: Oof! Ah… *Sigh* I can’t believe how heavy snow can be. To think that people who live in snowy regions are forced to work this hard every winter… Kanan: You said it. Imagine hearing on the news that it’ll be piled up over a meter right outside your house… That’s hard work for elderly and out-of-shape people. Dia: Hurgh… Hnnnngh… *Huff* *Huff* *Huff* Kanan: Get the lead out, Dia! C’mon, we’re almost done! Fight! Fight! Dia: Kanan… You’re doing twice as much work as me… How are you not out of breath? Mari: Wow! The snow mountain slide is done! Dia: No, we’re still… Hey! Mari, where have you been?! Mari: I’ve been walking around, checking on everyone’s progress. Mind if I take this baby for a test slide? Of course you don’t! Kanan: Checking progress? More like walking around playing, I’m sure… Mari: Let’s slide! Mari: Waagh! Dia: Mari? Kanan: What happened?! Mari: M-My leg is stuck… Urgh… I can’t pull it out! Kanan: Whoa, she’s sinking! I thought we packed it nice and hard. Guess we got overconfident… Kanan: If wed let any kids slide in that state, someone could have gotten hurt. Nice work, Mari! Dia: Putting yourself in harm’s way to ensure safety… Mari, I didn’t realize how dedicated you were to this winter festival! Mari: Nnngh… I appreciate the compliments, but first… Somebody get me out of here! Help! Ruby: Snow hut number three is all done! Yoshiko: They’re only big enough for one, but I think they’re perfect just like they are. Ruby: Let’s try to build a bigger one next. One that can fit three people! Hanamaru: Can we take a break first? I’m beat, zura. Yoshiko: Good idea. My arms are getting worn out, too. And hey, we’ve got three perfectly good snow huts. Let’s rest inside them! Hanamaru: Yay! Pardon me! Yoshiko: No one’s inside… Ruby: *Giggle* It’s nice and cozy in here. Hanamaru: It’s oddly comfortable, zura. Ruby: Isn’t the proper term for this style of snow hut “kamakura?” Why is that? Hanamaru: There are various stories. Apparently the act of worshipping the water gods during Little New year was once called “kamakura,” zura. Hanamaru: People would pack snow high enough for someone to fit inside, dig into the center, and make an altar inside. Yoshiko: Neat. So in other words, since we’re inside our own kamakura snow huts now, does that make us gods? I do feel like my magic power is being enhanced. Hanamaru: Just your imagination, zura. Yoshiko: Ah-ha. If I perform a snow summoning ritual now, while my magic power is filled to the brim, it’s sure to bring about a good result! Yoshiko: I’ll draw a magic sigil in the ground and light a candle in the center. Good thing I always bring my ritual gear wherever I go! Ruby: Yoshiko, if you light a candle, won’t your hut melt? Yoshiko: Not from this tiny little flame. Now, let us begin! Spirits of the snow! Hear my voice, and send down a blanket of frozen white petals! Hanamaru: Yoshiko, your roof is melting! Yoshiko: Huh? Guwaaaah! Ruby: Yoshikooooooooo! Hanamaru: We’re too late, zura… Yoshiko, are you okay? Yoshiko: That wasn’t what I meant when I said “send down snow!” Sheesh!

Story 4

Chika: It's finally the day of our winter festival. You think we'll get a lot of customers? You: Sure we will! Heck, did you see all the people who came just to watch us set up? Riko: I think more people are talking about this than anything else at the festival. Dia: Thank goodness. I was worried it would all melt, but it looks like we're okay. Hanamaru: The slide's so big, zura! Yoshiko: I see you combined a bunch of slopes with all different angles. You really went all out. Kanan: We figured it wasn't very artistic to just pile it all into a mountain shape. We went through some trial and error, but thanks to Mari, it's rock-solid. Mari: It was worth risking my life for! Ruby: Wowie! I want to slide, too... Chika: Oh, it's already time. The Numazu winter festival is underway! Chika: Want me to take your picture? No problem! I'll take your camera, and you stand in front of your favorite snow sculpture. N-No, those are mikan oranges, not beans... You: Chika's taken up the mantle of photographer. Riko: Most of the people who want a picture are taking them in front of the sculptures. You: I can't get over your bird, Riko! It's so lifelike, I keep thinking it's really going to fly away. You're such an amazing artist! Riko: I, umm... What about you, You? You said your ship was hard to make, but it's so realistic. I think more people have taken pictures in front of it than any other. You: *Giggle* You think so? Thanks! I sent a pic to my dad, and he said, "It looks just like the genuine article!" You: I was worried for Chika when she broke her mikan orange slice, but I'm glad she fixed it in time. Riko: I thought she was going to be so upset, but it seemed like breaking it fueled her creative fire even more, and she started making multiple copies! You: The cute snowman and snow bunnies are popular, too. And almost everyone's stopped to sit in Yoshiko's snow throne and played around doing funny poses. Riko: It'd be so wonderful if everyone left today with happy lasting memories. Chika: N-No, that big round one is a mikan orange, not a daifuku... Kanan: Attention, everyone! Please form a single file line for the snow slide starting here! Mari: The Supremely Fantastic Super Snow Mountain Slider is already packed! Dia: Where did you come up with such a ludicrous name? Mari: This isn't just snow, it's our blood, sweat, and tears. In fact, you could call this slide our child. How sad would it be if our own child didn't have a name?! Dia: Well, I can't say it's a tasteful name, and I didn't bleed or cry while making it, and Kanan and I did 90 percent of the work... Mari: Dia, it's not about taste, or who contributed the most. It's about how much heart you put into it. Dia: Drop the serious act. i haven't forgotten that you slacked off most of the time! Kanan: I'm coming down! Dia: Oh, right! Go on... Kanan?! Kanan: Wheeeeeeeeeee! Mari: Ah, ha, ha, ha! Great sliding, Kanan! Dia: I didn't expect you to be sliding with the children... Kanan: Aww... Dia, are you jealous? Dia: Huh?! O-Of course not... Mari: Dia, the next slider wants to ride with you! Kanan: Don't keep her waiting! C'mon Dia, get a move on! Dia: H-Hey, don't push me! Ruby: It's almost cooked. Just a bit longer... Hanamaru: Ruby, we're almost out of seaweed for wrapping the mochi, zura. Ruby: We'll be fine. There's plenty more in my backpack. Yoshiko: I couldn't believe my eyes when you got out that mochi and your charcoal grill. How badly have you been wanting to do a snow hut mochi roast? Ruby: I was afraid this would be a once-in-a-lifetime chance I wish I could've actually done it inside the hut, though. Yoshiko: Well, even if you had, we didn't build them big or strong enough to withstand the heat. They're barely big enough to crawl inside while you eat the mochi. Ruby: It's bubbling! Okay, wrap it in seaweed, pour on some soy sauce... Here you go. Be careful, okay? It's hot. Hanamaru: Mmm... That roasted mochi and soy sauce smells so good, zura... I'm getting hungry. Yoshiko: Geez, Zuramaru. Your stomach is so easily distracted. Yoshiko: Err... Hanamaru: Heh, heh, heh. Yoshiko: Wipe that smirk off your face! You: It's all over. The day sure went by fast. Hanamaru: Too bad it didn't end up snowing for real. Yoshiko: *Grumble* The one time I wish we'd get precipitation, and nothing. Dia: Still, we got to do a real snow event here in Uchiura. People will be talking about this for generations. Riko: That might be exaggerating a little... Mari: Maybe not! There were people from the newspaper and city council. At the very least, we'll probably see an article in the paper soon. Dia: Wh-What did you say? Where? When?! Mari: Relax, relax. I handled them. Kanan: For some reason, that doesn't make me any less worried... Chika: Now it's just a matter of time before the snow melts. Hanamaru: Yeah... And with the festival over and done with, it feels kind of sad to think about, zura. Chika: Hey, everyone. Before we clean up, let's play in the snow! We'll make some memories of our own before this all melts away! You: Yeah! There won't be any more customers, so we should play here all by ourselves to celebrate a job well done. Kanan: Ruby, do you want to go down the slide now? I know you said you did earlier. Ruby: Yeah! Totally! You: I hope we get to play in the snow again someday. And when we do, it's somewhere even bigger! Chika: We will. I just know it! And next time, we'll have our snowball fight for sure!