Before the Stage
Shaking hands, kind words, and a front-row smile
Saturday came, and the school festival finally started.
The hallways were full of happy, noisy students.
Behind the , Aoi was waiting for her turn.
Her hands were shaking, and her face looked .
"I am so nervous. I think I will forget my lines," she said.
Haru came over and stood quietly beside her.
"You are doing great. You practiced so much," he said.
"But everyone is watching. What if I make a ?" she asked.
"Everyone makes mistakes. You will be fine," Haru said warmly.
He gave her a small, , and gentle smile.
"Just look at me. I will be in the front row," he said.
Aoi took a slow, deep and felt calmer.
"Thank you, Haru. I feel a little braver now," she said.
The music started, and the bright lights came on.
"It is your turn now. Go and shine," Haru whispered.
Aoi stepped onto the with a nervous heart.
She saw Haru smiling in the front row.
Suddenly, her became much smaller and lighter.
She spoke her first in a clear, strong voice.
The listened, and no one made a sound.
Aoi did not forget a single word of her lines.
When the play ended, the whole room clapped loudly.
Aoi looked at Haru and mouthed the words "thank you."
Haru clapped the hardest, with warm eyes and a full heart.