Episode 43: We’re Partners, Aren’t We?
“Ruri!”
Maria was the first customer through the door. Since it’s the weekend, she wasn’t in her uniform — instead she wore a simple, elegant white dress. Simple clothes like that suit Maria’s classic-beauty features best.
Behind her stood Hara-san, and Akane-san too.
I’m lucky enough to keep having a steady stream of customers who come specifically for me.
There are other familiar faces in the crowd too. Even people who aren’t specifically “my” regulars — you naturally start recognizing the faces of anyone who comes to Sweet Stella often.
“Welcome home, Maria Ojou-sama.”
I hurried to her side and led her to a table.
Since she got here first, Maria gets the best seat up front, with the clearest view of the dance stage.
“C-cute…”
Maria reached out like she might grab my hand, and I stepped back quickly.
“S-sorry. No physical contact allowed here.”
I whispered it quietly, and Maria blinked, seeming to catch herself. She looked a little disappointed, but I think she understands how important that “no contact” rule is for Sweet Stella.
“Up to the cheki limit — three solo with Ruri, two two-shots with me. For drinks and food, whatever Ruri recommends.”
“Understood! I’ll bring the event-limited menu, then!”
Once I take an order, I need to move on quickly. Today especially, there’s no time to spare.
Let’s see, since there’s a dance stage coming up, there’ll be a stretch where orders aren’t possible, but I need to get through as many orders as I can before that starts…
Running through the timing in my head, I made my way around the tables. Take all the orders first, then group cheki photos together.
After that, the dance stage, and after that, signing the chekis.
It’s a lot, but I want to give it everything and make sure every customer has a good time!
◆
“Alright, I’m starting the music now, okay?”
Backstage in the wings, Miyuki-san checked with me quietly. When she presses the button, the shop’s usual background music switches over to the dance tracks.
First is the song where all four of us dance together, then a duet for Miyuki-san and Möbius-san, then my duet with Sora-san, and finally another full group number to close.
We succeeded in practice, technically, but…
Watching the video we filmed to check our progress, it was painfully obvious how weak my dance skills are. Even doing the same moves as everyone else, mine come out without any sharpness, without any real presence.
Even my expression looked stiff, without any confidence behind it.
My whole body started shaking from nerves and anxiety. Then Sora-san took my hand and squeezed it tight.
“Ruri. I can’t promise it’s fine if you mess up or get something wrong, but… don’t forget, a lot of people came here specifically to see you. Not people who came for good dancing. People who came to see Ruri.”
“Sora-san…”
“It’ll be fine. You already did everything you possibly could, didn’t you?”
She gave my back a light pat. Our eyes met, and Sora-san smiled at me.
For the group number, and for our duet too, Sora-san’s going to be up on that stage with me the whole time.
As long as Sora-san’s there with me, I feel like… I can actually make it all the way through.
“Thank you, Sora-san…”
“It’s nothing. We’re partners, aren’t we?”
“…Yes!”
Watching us, Miyuki-san smiled warmly. Then she pressed the button.
We stepped out onto the stage. Even with all those eyes on us, having Sora-san right beside me meant I wasn’t scared at all.