When Mai and Sayuri attend the next formal dance together, no one bats an eyelash. Maybe now that the rumors surrounding Mai are dead and buried, they have no reason to talk about her anymore, Sayuri suggests.
They wear the same gowns they wore to the last dance, Mai's having been lovingly mended by a recovering Shiori. This time Mai takes extra special care not to tear, stain or wrinkle it in any way.
When a slow song plays, they dance close together, like lovers would. As the music swells, they stare into each other's eyes in a silent confession of love, and Sayuri asks Mai if she'll travel with her after graduation.
Mai waits until the music softens, then fades, to give her answer.
"Yes."