Chapter 17 A Reason to Smile

Emiko's POV

The show was now underway.

"Who are you", the character Nene was playing asked.

"I'm the fairy of smiles", the character Emu was playing replied. "I'm here to help you smile again."

"Smile", Nene asked. "I have lost the person who was the most important to me. I no longer have a reason to smile."

"That's not true", Emu exclaimed as she suddenly grabbed onto Nene's hands. "I know that it may not seem like it, but I'm sure that there are tons of reasons for you to still smile! And we're gonna find them together! Let's go!"

With that, the curtain opened to reveal an extravagant set.

"Where are we", Nene asked. "What is this place?"

"Welcome to the Wonderland", a voice said.

Then, thanks to a special projector Rui had built under the stage, the Virtual Singers suddenly appeared.

"Who are all of you", Nene asked.

"We're here to help you smile again", Miku replied. "Now, come sing with us!"

…

As the show continued on, Emu and the Virtual Singers continued to try and make Nene smile.

However, she would not accept it.

"Enough", she yelled angrily. "No matter what you do, I will never smile again! How can I when the person who I cared about the most is gone?!"

With that, Nene ran to the edge of the stage; before she broke down crying.

Emu looked at the other Virtual Singers; unsure of what to do.

Then…she began singing.

When she did this, I looked at my mom in the audience; who was looking at the stage in shock.

The song Emu was singing…was one my parents used to sing together.

"That song", Nene started. "We used to sing it together."

"Come", Emu started, as she held out her hands. "Let's sing this song together."

With that, Nene grabbed onto Emu's outstretched hands, and she pulled her onto her feet.

Then…the two began singing together.

As they were singing, I paid attention to my mom's reaction.

When she realized what song was being performed, she covered her mouth as tears began to fall from her eyes.

Emu and Nene continued singing, and as the song reached its climax…it happened.

It started out small, but slowly, it became wider and wider.

On my mom's face…was a smile.

Seeing this sight, tears began falling from my eyes.

She's smiling. She's smiling! Look Dad! Mom's smiling!

With that, the performance, and the show, came to an end.

After it did…the audience broke out into a loud applause.

"Thank you so much, everyone", Nene said.

Then, Emu seemed to get an idea, so she suddenly ran backstage and grabbed my arm before pulling me onto the stage!

"Everyone", she started. "Please give a big round of applause for our director, Emiko-Chan!"

With that…everybody stood up before applauding me; which made me smile with joy.

After I had composed myself, I gave a bow.

I then looked up…and saw my mother smiling at me.

…

I was backstage with everyone else…when my mother suddenly rushed up to me.

"Mom", I said.

"Emiko", my mom breathed out.

Then…she pulled me into a hug.

"Mom", I started; with tears in my eyes. "You smiled."

"That's because I have you, honey", my mom said. "You are my reason to smile. I'm sorry that it took me so long to remember that."

Rui's POV

I smiled as I watched Emiko hug her mother.

Then, I got a phone call and answered; already knowing who it was.

"Tsukasa-Kun", I greeted.

"Rui", Tsukasa started. "How did the show go?"

After Tsukasa asked this…I looked over to Emiko.

"We don't need to worry about Emu and Nene", I reassured. "They're in good hands."