Instead of losing focus, I'll concentrate on convincing Natsuhi.

My mind raced, trying to think of what kind of dance Natsuhi would be capable of performing. I hadn't heard of Natsuhi being the type to pick up this sort of talent, even as a young woman. What was she thinking, claiming to be capable of putting on a show at her age? It was a mystery I couldn't solve, and if we simply took random guesses in the dark... Well, we might get to see some more of Natsuhi's delightful fidgeting or make her shout something inappropriate again, but I didn't think we'd trick her into giving the game away a second time.

Instead, I asked Natsuhi: is this a dance we could convince you to show Ushiromiya Battler?

"Think twice before you answer, Natsuhi." Eva fanned herself, watching Natsuhi warily as though sizing her up. "Think of your husband and your wonderful daughter, Jessica... She's precious to you, right? Picture the kind of cash we're offering going straight into her college fund, and it's not a hard choice."

The tormented mother held her aching head in her palm, weighing the words of the one-winged angel and devil on each of her shoulders, before finally coming to a conclusion. "... Okay. If it's just dancing... I'll do it, for my family. If my intentions are noble, I have no reason to be ashamed. This will simply be another way to support my husband as his wife."

"That's great, Natsuhi!" Eva smiled, although she was still hiding half of her face behind her fan. "Just don't forget to support yourself too, okay? I'll die of embarrassment for you if you trip and fall in front of Battler while dancing for that much money. Don't push yourself too hard..."

"Hmph! I have full confidence in my practice."

"... This is... something you practiced?" Eva asked, her resting smile turning to a slight frown as she raised an eyebrow.

"S-some time ago, yes, but don't mind that! I have full confidence, as I said," Natsuhi declared. "I'll show Battler a dance that is both... sensual and dignified..." The woman was doing a terrible job of talking herself into it, and I could practically see her heart beating out of her chest. "Yes, I'll show my pride... j-just as soon as I practice a bit!" Finding an opening between the two of us, Natsuhi ducked as if expecting us to block her, then dashed through and hurried up the stairs and down the hall of the second-floor, lifting her skirt in pinched fingers to keep from tripping.

Neither Eva nor I had any idea what we were going to see, but Eva needed to find out. "Hold up, you! I need to practice too, Natsuhi!" She hurried after her sister-in-law in a sprint.

I supposed that left me to finish the remaining preparations for the witch's arrival tonight, and I would...

...But nothing would prepare me for the dance I was going to see that night.