Shoko Komi's Ultimate Challenge

by Ulquiorra9000

Communication 39: what I truly feel

Shoko Komi had a lot on her mind on Sunday evening when she wandered downstairs to try and relax. She sank onto the couch next to her mother Shuko, who was watching a funny game show on the TV. Hmmmmmm... perhaps it was finally time! Was it? Can Shoko do this? Maybe not! Or perhaps she could?

Shuko gave her daughter a knowing smile when a commercial break started. "You seem troubled, Shoko. Is it about your challenges?"

Shoko nodded timidly.

"Are you almost out of ideas?"
Nod.

"But you want to finish with one big challenge?"

Nod.

"In that case... hee hee..." Shuko went pink and leaned closer to Shoko's ear. She whispered something.

Shoko gasped and leaped about a foot into the air. "M-mom!" she cried, clutching her face. "I... I can't...!"

"Oh, I think you can, darling daughter," Shuko said warmly. "Think about it! How many challenges have you done?"

Shoko counted them up and gave the answer: 67. A lot!

"And what were your most recent challenges, Shoko?"

Shoko thought it over. "I..." She cleared her throat. "I made hamburgers for everyone, I joined a self-defense class, I helped my friend Nakanaka remodel her room, and I went stargazing and identified ten constellations."

Shuko beamed and patted Shoko's head. "Those are nice and all, but they're nothing compared to your real challenge, Shoko! If you ask me, you have long since proven how smart, brave, and wonderful you are with all these challenges. Now it's time for the real deal! I believe in you!"

Shoko gasped and clutched her face again. "B... but...! Maybe I could do another one first? Like, make a vase in a pottery class or trim a rosebush?"

"Oh, please! You're just stalling, Shoko! Go for it, girl! Do it! For me!"

"For you?"

"You know I just want you to be happy," Shuko said kindly. "And this final challenge... woo hoo! I think it's overdue! You'll feel much better when you finally do it!"

That was probably true... but still! Would this be the final chapter in the story of Shoko Komi the Olympian's quest? Shoko thought back on everything she had been through until now, pushing herself to bravely try new things and exercise her spirit. Then she saw the hopeful, excited look in her mother's eyes, and Shoko felt her gut squirm with excitement.

"I'm ready."

"Eeeeeek! Here it comes!" Shuko leaped to her feet (she had long since forgotten the TV) and clapped her hands. "I can't wait! DEAR! COME HERE!"

Shuko shouted that last part up the stairs, and in a flash, Masayoshi was right there, arms folded across his chest, an excited look in his eyes.

"Guess what Shoko's gonna do? Guess what, dear? I'll tell you!" Shuko tip-toed and whispered it into her husband's ear.

Masayoshi nodded and gave his daughter a thumbs-up. You can do it, his face clearly said.

Shoko got up and pumped her fists with a "Hmph!" She really can do this!

That was when Shosuke wandered over, a box of candy in hand, an exasperated look in his eyes. What the heck is going on? his face wondered.

"Ah! Shosuke! Guess what your sister's about to do? Guess what!" Shuko whispered it into her son's ear.

Shosuke's expression didn't change. Duh, was the only message he conveyed.

Shuko pouted. "That's all you can say, Shosuke?"

I figured it out weeks ago. I know my sister, Shosuke's face said. Then he got comfy on the couch and changed the channel to a local baseball game.

"Oh, that's a home run! Now that's a baseball!" the excited announcer cried when the batter hit a homer. "What a champion!"

Shoko almost felt like that announcer was describing her final inning in this game of challenges! Go, go, go! She was in high spirits when she headed upstairs and relaxed with an isekai light novel before going to bed. Here goes nothing!

*o*o*o*o*

Emphasis on "nothing."

Monday was supposed to be the big day, but nope! Shoko Komi gathered all her courage to complete the final, super-duper challenge of her young lifetime, but it didn't happen! Every chance she got, Shoko almost did it... only to back off and retreat! Oh, no! That's not how you hit a homer!

"Hey, you okay, bestie?" Rumiko asked at lunch, looking up from her curry. "You've been kinda antsy all morning."

Shoko winced and admitted her problem on a piece of paper.

Rumiko gasped and clapped a well-manicured hand to her mouth. "Ooooooh, snap! Well, I can't blame you. Take your time, and best of luck!"

Monday was a bust after all. Tuesday?

"I... I...!" was all Shoko could manage for her final challenge, but that wasn't enough! Argh, why couldn't she do this? It put her in a bad mood by the time P.E. came around!

"Yeah! I like your competitive spirit, Komi!" Makeru Yadano declared as the class jogged on the school ground's racetrack. "That'll make it all the sweeter when I crush you in today's race!"

Shoko ended up winning the race, and Makeru stomped off in outrage.

Tuesday was a bust!

Shoko felt better on Wednesday, and she got as far as "I have to tell you something" before her insecurities and fears took over, so she backed off once again. At least Nene Onemine and Kaede Otori were sympathetic, and cheered Shoko on for next time.

Thursday was so nerve-wracking! It felt like the first day when Shoko had tried talking to Hitohito, trembling and stuttering her words beyond recognition. Well, at least Himiko Agari and Shinobino Mono patted her on the back and reassured her. Yes... she can do this...!

*o*o*o*o*

Friday came. It was now or never.

Shoko had nothing to say in homeroom, instead gathering all her mental energy and perhaps the dragon force to prepare herself for this. She spent all of her English class psyching herself up with motivating words, and spent math class confronting all her fears and knocking them down one by one. She spent lunch reciting inspiring quotes in her mind, and spent history class doing breathing exercises. Najimi gave her curious looks and Ren Yamai looked concerned, but no matter. Shoko was just fine! She was ready!

Then the last class let out, and Shoko leaped from her seat, positively buzzing with energy. It's showtime!

She fell silent once again, like a socially awkward statue. Oh, no! Her last chance slipped away, and it was all over. Shoko just stood there, watching her final challenge walk away. She hung her head. What would she tell her mom? This was so embarrassing!

Then Shoko clenched her fists by her side and brought her head back up. No. She was still in this! The challenge was still on!

Shoko raced through the hallway at top speed, ignoring the teacher who fussed at her to slow down. Shoko hastened her way to the lockers, frantically changed into outdoor shoes, and shoved the school's front doors wide open. Yes! It wasn't too late! Shoko sprinted across the front grounds and took a right down the sidewalk, knowing that Hitohito Tadano would be going this way. And best of all, hardly anyone else was around. Shoko's heart was racing for so many reasons, her long hair fluttering behind her as he ran. Then she skidded to a half, took a deep breath, and shouted the words she had been desperate to say for many weeks now.

"TADANO! I LOVE YOU!"

Hitohito Tadano froze in place, then slowly turned around, his eyes wide with an incredulous look. A light breeze toyed with his hair as he merely said, "Wh... what? Komi...?"

Shoko was nearly out of breath, but she didn't dare stop now. She clasped her hands under her chin, her eyes squeezed shut. She spoke once again, quieter than a shout this time, but still louder than she had ever heard her own voice. "Tadano... I said I love you! Truly, I do!" She took another breath. "I love you because you became my first real friend. I love you because you accepted me for who I really am. I love you because you show me kindness every single day."

Shoko was almost done. She opened her eyes and smiled, her vision swimming with happy tears. "And... most of all, I love you because you're the best thing that ever happened to me!"

She stood there, her heart about to explode, the breeze still ruffling her hair, her panting breath still shaky. Her part was done. She had told him the truth. Now what about Hitohito?

Shoko gave her friend some time, knowing that Hitohito needed a moment to process all this. Then Hitohito broke into a wide, wonderful smile. "Wow... thank you so much, Komi! That was beautiful! I'm so glad you had the courage to tell me that. I hardly know what to say."

"You don't have to say anything," Shoko told him. "I just..." She swallowed. "I had one last challenge to complete, and now... now it's done! I'm so glad you took the time to listen to me."

"Well, of course!" Hitohito blushed. "You're my best friend too, Komi. This is the first time anyone ever confessed their love to me. I didn't think it would happen in high school. Especially with how boring I am compared to everyone here. Y'know..." He chuckled.

Shoko approached her friend and held his hands in hers. "You're not boring!" she said earnestly. "You're wonderful, Tadano! I'm so happy to see you every day! I can't..." She made a bashful smile. "I can't stop thinking about you, Tadano. You helped me change my life! How can I ever repay you?"

"Being my best friend is all I need," Hitohito told her with a radiant smile. "It's my pleasure, Komi. You don't owe me a thing."

"You're too kind." Shoko took another breath. "As for my... my love confession... you don't have to say anything back about that. I'm okay if we just leave it at that."

"You don't want a confession back?"

Shoko gasped. "N-no, that's not what... I didn't mean...! If you want to..." She blushed. Was Hitohito about to say it? Was he?

Hitohito blushed right back. "I... I can't say it now. I don't think I'm ready."

"Oh. I understand."

"But..." Hitohito gave Shoko's hands a pleasant squeeze. "I do feel strongly about you, Komi. And with you making that awesome love confession? I'll catch up one day. You'll see! Someday, I'll really tell you how I feel about you!"

Shoko gasped. "You will?"

"I will!" Hitohito beamed again.

Shoko made a crafty smile. "Well, in that case, Tadano..."

"What is it?"

Shoko gave him a Shuko-style wink. "If my challenge is over, it's time for your challenge to begin! You wouldn't believe how much I grew up doing these challenges of mine. This time, it's your turn, and you've got just one challenge ahead of you. Are you ready?"

"I sure am!" Hitohito freed his hands from Shoko's and heroically put his hands on his hips. "Hitohito Tadano fears no challenge on this earth!"

Shoko smiled. "I'm so glad to hear that. Now let's walk home."

So they set off, and a few minutes later, Hitohito spoke up again. "Hey, Komi..."

"Yes?"

"It's so cool how you can talk now. We had a full-length conversation, no paper necessary. And your voice is so beautiful. I love hearing it."

Shoko gasped. Hitohito was right! Shoko had never talked this much before, not even with her family. It had come so naturally to her! She didn't want this conversation to ever end, never ever.

"You're right, Tadano." Shoko giggled. "It's because you're an exception. I love you, so you're different. But with everyone else, well... I'll overcome my communication disorder one day, nice and slowly. And perhaps when we graduate, I'll have something to say to every one of our classmates!" She pumped her fists in excitement.

Hitohito laughed. "I look forward to that! Ren Yamai and Najimi will be so proud of you!"

"Will you be proud of me too, Tadano?"

"Yeah, of course! And I'm proud of you right now too, Komi. This is the coolest day ever." Hitohito made the "OK!" sign with his hand.

Shoko blushed and nodded. "Yes. This is the happiest day of my life so far, Tadano, and I got to share it with you. My challenge is over. I feel so relieved, but I also miss it."

"I get it. You're feeling bittersweet, right?"

"I think I am."

"I can't blame you. Those challenges looked fun. Like with the yo-yo and all that..."

"Oh yes, I have many fond memories right here." Shoko patted a hand to her heart. "I'll never forget any of this."

"Me neither."

They stared at each other for a moment, then burst out laughing. It felt so good to properly laugh out loud!

Shoko wiped the tears of mirth from her eyes. "Maybe we're taking things a little too seriously. Let's just enjoy our school days together. It's not like everything changed. We still have homework, P.E. class, Najimi's pranks..."

"I look forward to it all."

"You know what? Me, too." Shoko smiled and held Hitohito's hand one more time when they stopped at the Komi household (the Tadano apartment was a bit further down the street). "Well, um... good night, Tadano! I'll see you in class."

"I'll be there. Have a good night." Hitohito's eyes lingered for a moment before he turned around and resumed his trek home.

Shoko watched him go, noting to herself that Hitohito had had a certain gleam in his eyes just now. It was like he didn't want to tear his eyes away from Shoko Komi's own. Maybe he was super reluctant to leave her and walk the rest of the way home alone.

Well, they'd meet again in class, Shoko figured as she stepped through her home's front door and into the comfortingly familiar living room. And based on the look in Hitohito's eyes, it wouldn't take him very long to complete his own challenge!

Shoko was so proud of that boy.

THE END!