The play ended and I jumped up, running back stage.
"Miu!" I called.
"Mama!" she cried, running up to me and hugging me. "Did you see me? How was it?"
"It was great!" I said. "You even made Sakaki cry!"
"Great performance, Miu," Akisame said, coming up behind me. Kensei and Shugure followed, standing around us.
"Thanks for coming to see me, guys," Miu said, smiling widely. "I really appreciate it!"
"Miu, all you had to do was ask," I told her.
Shugure tugged at the sleeves of Miu's dress.
"Wow," she said. "Nice dress."
"I've never been so nervous before," Miu said. "I couldn't have gotten through it if it hadn't been for Tanimoto."
The boy who had played Romeo stopped and turned.
"What's that?" he asked. "Oh, Miu. Are these friends of yours?"
"Oh, this is my family," Miu said.
"Congratulations on your brilliant performance, Sir," Akisame complimented the boy, "though I think it's a terrible shame."
The boy looked up, confused.
"It would have been perfect if you actually enjoyed performing," Akisame said, his eyes narrowing. "Like I said, it's a shame."
I bit back a groan and quickly grabbed Miu, pulling her to me and out of harm's way. Tanimoto's eyes widened in shock. Another girl rushed up with flowers for the boy and distracted him.
"Well," Akisame said to Miu. "I guess we'll see you at home."
"Sure," Miu said. I bent down and pressed a gentle kiss to her cheek.
"Bye, baby," I said. "You were great."
"You really were," Akisame agreed, dropping a kiss on her temple.
"Mama, Papa," she sighed, smiling. "Thank you." We turned and walked out the door.