Editing Maria-sama ga Miteru:Volume29 Chapter7 3 (section)

===<noinclude>Would You Like to Waltz? </noinclude>Part 3.=== 

Time passed, and still the request for a party performance didn't come from the third-years.

They hadn't really wanted to perform, and had prepared the props only as a last resort, but as the party continued without the subject being broached it started to seem as though perhaps it wouldn't come up after all. Even so, Yumi couldn't come up with any better way of wrapping up the farewell party, especially given how much of a hit the party performances had been last year. She was even starting to wonder if perhaps they should be the ones to raise the topic.

"Hey, Yumi."

Seated beside her, Sachiko-sama spoke quietly.

"I'd completely forgotten about this."

"Yes?"

Had there been a massive growth in forgetfulness amongst the general population recently? Or was it something that was passed from one person to another, like a cold? Either way, it looked like her onee-sama had caught it.

"What is it?"

Yumi had expected her to smile and say, "The party performances," but that didn't happen.

"About the amusement park."

"Oh."

That was the location for their date tomorrow. Yumi put herself on guard, ready to accept the shocking admission that Sachiko-sama had forgotten about their date, but that didn't happen either.

"I only thought of it recently. When we were talking about Christmas, it came to me."

"What did?"

"I was wondering if maybe we should all arrange to meet at the amusement park."

"...Say what?"

Since she'd brought it up, Sachiko-sama obviously wasn't opposed to the idea. But neither did she want to come out and suggest it as something they should do. Basically, she didn't want to pressure anyone into it, and wouldn't be offended if they refused. But since everyone would enjoy the amusement park, Yumi didn't see anything wrong with being assertive about it. Still, Sachiko-sama seemed bothered by it.

"People. Yumi and I are going to the amusement park tomorroooow."

Everyone was momentarily shocked when Sachiko-sama suddenly stood up and made this announcement. Her cheerfulness made Yumi question her sobriety, and looking around she saw an empty energy drink bottle hidden behind Sachiko-sama's teacup. The kind Santa's present. Wow! Her onee-sama was drunk.

"So?"

Rei-sama asked, inquiring as to whether Sachiko-sama was just making an announcement or if there was something more to this story.

"If you'd like, why don't you come over."

"Huh?"

"Ahh. It's not at my house, so asking you to come over does sound a bit strange."

Sachiko-sama giggled.

"Basically, I was inviting you to come along with us."

"Hmm?"

In other words, she and Yumi had already arranged to meet, but other people were free to come along if they wanted.

"Okay. So you're saying that it's not compulsory, but if we're all in the same place we could meet up and have some fun."

Rei-sama seemed to understand.

"Is that okay, Yumi-san?"

Yoshino-san nudged her arm. Asking if it was supposed to be a date for just the two of them.

"Yeah, I suppose."

Either way, it was never going to be just the two of them. Four, six, eight, it's all the same. The more the merrier, probably.

Pa-n pan pa-n!

At the same time as this explosive sound, the biscuit door opened. No, wait, the biscuit door opened and then there was the sound.

Looking around, Touko and Noriko-chan were standing there, smiling, and holding the spent firecrackers. 

Yumi had completely missed their early departure. They walked into the room carrying some baggage. Touko was carrying her overnight bag and it looked like it had regained its original bulk.

"Oooh, what's happening?"

Sachiko-sama turned to Yumi and Rei-sama turned to Yoshino-san to ask, but they were both met with shrugs. Of course, Shimako-san didn't know what the first-years were doing, either.

"It's showtime!"

Noriko-chan called out. Touko opened her bag and pulled something out. Yumi knew that shape. It was a violin case.

Touko took the violin out and started playing a light melody. Then Noriko-chan took something from her purse that looked like a bunch of decorative chopsticks. Yumi knew what this was too. It was – 

"Well then, time for the Nankin Tamasudare show!" <ref>https://secure.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/wiki/Nankin_Tamasudare  for a theoretical overview. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZuR-Hw--L0 for a practical demonstration.</ref>

– that.

Showtime continued, oblivious to the bewilderment of the second-years. That nostalgic carnival melody was the musical accompaniment to the Nankin Tamasudare performance. It looked like they'd put a lot of effort into this. Everyone turned their chairs to face the performing duo.

Noriko-chan used her Nankin Tamasudare screen to make the gates to Lillian's Girls Academy, Buddha's halo, Napoleon's hat, and a number of other things, one after the other.

[[Image:MM_v29_p193.jpg|thumb]] 

"I guess we won't be needing our props."

"Yep."

The three second-years nodded, watching as Sachiko-sama and Rei-sama applauded raucously.

"Even so..."

Just when, where and how did Touko and Noriko-chan think of doing this?

"Hehehe."

Yumi laughed spontaneously. The first-year super combination were attentive to details, even on things they didn't have to worry about, and ever so reliable.

"Are there any requests?"

Touko asked, tuning her violin. It looked like Noriko-chan's Nankin Tamasudare performance had ended.

"Well then, 'Maria-sama's soul,' please."

Sachiko-sama said, rising from her chair.

"Okay."

When Touko raised her violin, Sachiko-sama took hold of Yumi's left hand. Gripped by her right hand, their bodies drew close. Yumi's body responded before she had time to think about it.

It was in 6/8 time, but you could dance to it in 3/4 time. 

One, two, three, two, two, three.

The waltz steps. Natural spin turn.

Yumi remembered this from her first-year cultural festival. The ballroom scene from Cinderella.

They had danced together, on the night of the cultural festival. Just after they had become grande soeur and petit soeur. In front of the statue of Maria-sama. To the distant sound of students singing.

How quickly time had flown since then.

When she'd received that rosary, she hadn't been looking to the future. The year-and-a-half until her onee-sama's graduation had seemed like an eternity.

There had been days when she had obsessed over what would happen if her onee-sama left her.

Nonetheless, they were here now.

Even though it was her onee-sama's farewell party, Yumi was able to face it without crying.

One, two, three, two, two, three.

In time with the melody played by Touko.

Lured in by her onee-sama's laughter.

Yoshino-san took Rei-sama's hand and joined them in dancing. Shimako-san took a reluctant Noriko-chan's hand.

It'll be alright, even if you can't dance. Just press your bodies together and sway to the music.

See, who knew dancing could be this much fun?

Touko-chan continued to play, starting from the top again.

One, two, three, two, two, three.

Even though she knew the end would come at some point.

Surrounded by her dear friends.

Yumi wished they could have stayed dancing like this forever.