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Ichigo always loved watching Minto dance on stage.
Minto’s movements were graceful and elegant - they were just like Minto herself, which Ichigo admitted with some reluctance. There was something downright mesmerizing about the way she glided across the stage, which made Ichigo unable to take her eyes off her. Minto was definitely the star of every show she took part in, drawing most of the attention of the delighted audience (including delighted Ichigo).
Not to mention how pretty she looked in her tutu. Just like a beautiful porcelain doll.
Today's performance was part of the Ballet of Lights. This meant that the costumes worn by Minto and the rest of the dancers were unusual - each of them had fibre optics attached to it, which created an amazing effect in the darkened opera hall.
Most of the tutus glowed blue that evening.
It was certainly a favorable coincidence. Blue was undoubtedly Minto's colour; it suited her like no other. No wonder she looked stunning bathed in blue light.
Tiny lights on Minto's corset formed fanciful patterns reminiscent of twigs with fine leaves. A single layer of translucent tulle, decorated with vertical, regular rows of lights, flowed down from her typical tutu skirt to her calves. She had a cape tied around her shoulders made of the same single layer of tulle with vertically arranged fibre optics. Her head was adorned with a crown-shaped tiara that also sparkled with a blue glow.
She was gorgeous in this outfit. As soon as she started dancing, Ichigo forgot how to breathe.
After the show, Ichigo, Retasu, Purin, and Zakuro went backstage together to congratulate Minto on her successful performance.
“So, how did you like it?” Minto asked with her shit-eating grin, looking straight at Ichigo. She was so damn smug because she knew that Ichigo loved it. How can one be so charming and so audacious at the same time?
Ichigo felt slightly irked. However, her annoyance was considerably less than during their first meetings. It was partly a matter of getting used to Minto's way of being. On the other hand, Minto would previously have added something like, ‘It was probably too sophisticated for your common taste,’ but she had long since stopped making such comments.
Any irritation Ichigo felt vanished when she remembered what Zakuro had once told her: Actually, she mainly cares about your opinion and attention. That’s why she looks for you in the audience during performances and first asks you for your opinion afterwards.
Ichigo smiled brightly and answered, “I liked it very much! And not just because of those blue lights. Minto, you were amazing!”
Minto blushed visibly. She tried to give some snarky reply but all that came out of her mouth was mumbling.
“I… Well… It’s obvious you found it good…”
Ichigo could have experienced a sense of satisfaction, but instead, she was overcome with tenderness.