Why Don't You Go For a Ride?

Why Don't You Go For a Ride? (お前ちょっと飛んでみろ) is the first episode of the Ayaka: A Story of Bonds and Wounds anime series.

Synopsis
Due to certain circumstances, the introverted boy, Yukito Yanagi, has been living a life trying to avoid as much interaction with people as possible. He resides in a child care facility and was supposed to return to the island where he was born after graduating from middle school.

However, waiting to pick him up after the graduation ceremony was a seemingly dangerous young man, sitting on top of the fence with a can of chu-hi in hand, claiming to be the disciple of Yukito's late father - Jingi Sagawa.

Plot Summary
The series' first episode plunges us into a dire situation, with Yukito and Jingi dashing towards the ferries in a desperate attempt to escape. Many others are also making every effort to flee. In an effort to calm everyone down, the announcer, Inou, assures them that additional ferries will arrive soon, urging them to stay composed. Jingi and Yukito make their entrance, catching the attention of the announcer who inquires about Momoko-san.

Jingi informs him that she's leading the Evacuation Team from behind and instructed them to board the ferry ahead of the others. This confirmation prompts the announcer to acknowledge their correctness and urge everyone to hop aboard. However, Jingi expresses his concern for Haru-Nii and Aka-Nii, insisting that he can't leave them behind. In response, Inou reassures him that he's aware of the situation because Yanagi went to fetch them. He adds that if Yanagi doesn't return, it could signify a terrible turn of events.

Meanwhile, Yanagi is gazing at the volcano, commenting on its lack of patience, yet acknowledging its endurance. He believes it knows when to step back and make a strategic retreat, and senses it's time for one final mission.

The story moves to Tranquil House, where Yukito recalls his recurring dream—a solitary underwater experience that strangely brings him a sense of serenity. Yukito is present for his graduation from middle school and receives a letter from Sanji Inou, who introduces himself as Yukito's guardian. A teacher from Yukito's school says good bye to him, and Yukito remains distant from her as well as other classmates from his school.

Leaving school, Jingi, reeking of booze, introduces himself to Yukito, though Yukito does not remember him from their childhood days and repeatedly denies to Jingi that he is Yukito Yanagi. Knowing that the boy is Yukito, Jingi pushes him off a bridge into that water. Yukito fears that he is about to drown though does not, and Jingi is seen standing on the water telling Yukito that it must be him.

The two travel by boat to the Ayaka islands, where Yukito was born. Arriving to the second island, Yukito is greeted with welcome signs by Sanji Inou as well as Momoko Amamiya, who is the landlord of Yukito's childhood home. Inside the home, Yukito finds a photo of himself, Jingi, and his father. Inou explains to Yukito that it was his father's will that dictated that Yukito be raised in the mainland, and Inou has merely been carrying out Yanagi's will, which includes bringing Yukito back home at this time. Momoko identifies Yanagi as a Ley Master, and Inou further explains that Jingi is the third of Yanagi's students, with the older two students being more impressive than Jingi. Yukito begins to understand that his special powers with water is a talent towards becoming a Ley Master. Momoko comments that Yukito is likely to be very talented since his father was such a strong Ley Master. Yukito learns that no one knows who Yukito's mother was. Yanagi never told anyone who she might have been, and instead surprised everyone when he suddenly brought Yukito home one day.

Yukito goes to his bedroom, where he encounters a mitama face-to-face for the first time. His room is intruded by Jingi, who identifies the mitama and asks Yukito why he puts a barrier up, keeping others at a distance. Yukito explains that as a child, he was once picked on by a peer, which angered Yukito, and he found that the river attacked the other boy. Yukito did not understand what happened, but he knew that he was at fault. Such situations recurred several more times such that Yukito found it was better to stay away from people. Being away from others helped to keep his emotions calm, which allows him to avoid hurting others.

While Yukito explains his feelings, Jingi showed disregard for Yukito's feelings by playing a handheld video game. Yukito leaves the house stating that he needs to cool his head. While out walking, he is attacked by an Ara-mitama. Jingi arrives to help pacify the rogue spirit, suggesting to Yukito that the spirit was likely attracted to Yukito because of his gloomy mood. The Ara-mitama reforms, and Jingi tells Yukito "why don't you go for a ride?", pushing Yukito into the spirit forcing him to fight it with only his bruit force. After defeating the monster, Jingi tells Yukito that he should not be terrified of his own power, and that he should learn how to control it. He offers to teach Yukito, asking Yukito to call him Master. Jingi gives Yukito a playful knock on the head, which causes Yukito to recall a childhood memory of Jingi being a playful older brother figure to him when they were children. Jingi suggests that they celebrate their victory by going drinking, and Yukito kicks him into the water, reminding Jingi that he is underaged.

As the credits role, Haruaki Kurama receives a message that informs him that "the boy" has returned. In another location, Aka Ibuki shoots something with a gun and looks out towards the second island. Ibara Ichijou identifies Ibuki as her boss, who tells her that they are done with patrol for the day and should return to their headquarters. The scene returns to Jingji and Yukito, who return home, wet and cold, from their encounter with the Ara-mitama. Momoko tells them that a bath is ready for them.

Characters in Order of Appearance

 * Jingi Sagawa
 * Yukito Yanagi
 * Sanji Inou
 * Makoto Yanagi
 * Aka Ibuki
 * Haruaki Kurama
 * Momoko Amamiya
 * Chatarou Fukawake
 * Yako Amano
 * Ibara Ichijou