bellatranslates | ball 🌸 maria yumeji (2)

And to dancing party rehearsal we go...! Much love to my proofers

Maria: Good day, Transfer Student-san.

My apologies for having dragged you into my circumstances.

Thinking about it, it was inconsiderate of me to have you pair up with me without asking for your opinion first.

Moreover, you might already have plans with someone else...

Ah? You didn't? In that case, I'm relieved.

I've heard rumors that you're relatively popular.

Having you all to myself would ease my anxiety a little.

Eheh. At the very least, I don't think this will be a waste of your time — I'll do my best, okay?

Ummm, let's see... According to this poster, it's this way to the dancing party rehearsal...

Or rather, how should I put it...? It's supposed to be...

Ahhh, there - a crowd has gathered.

Botan: Yeah.

Yeah, uh huh... Okay, we're basically all here, so let's start.

Oh, you over there — you joining too?

Maria: Yes. I look forward to working with you.

Botan: Same here. Just head on over and I'll explain the basics.

After this, we'll do a run-through for the dance party.

How to dance, basic manners... You'll memorize stuff like that.

I don't think everyone knows how to dance, but...

You'll have fun if you can do it even a little bit, right?

Though there doesn't seem to be any difficult dances planned... So just take it easy, okay?

By the way, I should've said this earlier, but... I'm Botan Komatsu, the coach for today's rehearsal.

Let's work hard. Just so you know, I'm being paid by the Student Council with three red bean buns.

These buns are really amazing.

I used to think that sweet buns were just failed cakes...

But this one's different — it's got that kind of mildly sweet red bean paste they use in Japanese confectioneries, and it's packed in a thin layer of bread that doesn't detract from the taste at all.

It's heavy, but its sweetness is so refined that I don't feel sick eating a whole lot of them.

It's like, you're just eating the most amazing red bean paste rather than just having some red bean bun. You know?

Maria: Hmm, I see...

Botan: Yep. You don't have to take notes or anything on this... It doesn't have anything to do with dancing.

Umm... Let's cut the chit-chat and get started.

I'm gonna put on the music we're using for the dance party, so... Step to the beat.

Why don't we start by getting a feel for the flow of the music first? You can move however you want to get warmed up, okay?

For those of you with a partner, make sure you're dancing with them as much as you can. Let's start by holding hands — both of them — and walking around.

Why not try twirling around once you're used to the music? Un, deux, trois~♪

Maria: Haha... Even walking around while holding hands feels quite dance-like, doesn't it?

I feel enlightened. Heheh, it's fun to attempt new things.

Well then, Transfer Student-san, give me your hands. Let's start off with walking, shall we?

Ah— oh, oh!

Maria: My sincerest apologies, Transfer Student-san. I fell over almost immediately and without warning... Are you alright?

It was funny, wasn't it. If it's okay with you, shall we make another attempt?

Ah, wh... Oh — whoa!?

Sniffle..

Botan: Umm... You good? Better question: why do you keep falling after taking only one step? You guys doing that on purpose?

Maria: No, never. I'm extremely serious about this.

Mm... Ah, I understand.

It would appear that I'm terrible at exercising.

Botan: You just realized that!?

Maria: (Sigh.) Until now, I haven't ever done any consistent exercise, so I wasn't aware of it. How shameful.

Just as I believed — is it truly impossible for me to be "youthful"?

Botan: It's okay.

Pick yourself up and keep at it. You're only human, so you're learning a little every moment.

You'll get used to movin' and shakin' the more you do it.

Maria: (Sigh.) That's the way of things, isn't it?

Botan: Yep. So don't give up — try again.

You might think it's too hard, and you might struggle, and you might think, "Ah, I'm totally done," but...

When you can say that you really can do something new, it'll make you feel super-duper happy.

Be prepared to fall down a hundred times today, but on the one-hundred-and-first time, you'll definitely be able to dance ♪

Maria: My Lord in Heaven above, is this a tribulation for me?

Botan: If you've got time to pray, you've got time to sway!

Maria: R-Right!

Ahh, dear Lord! This is "youth," isn't it~!?

Maria Yumeji (1) <- Maria Yumeji (2) -> Yuki Kitagawa (1)