Shoko Komi's Ultimate Challenge

by Ulquiorra9000

Communication 13: exploring the world

Shoko Komi couldn't help her curiosity; she just had to know how Najimi did it! So, she caught up to her ultra-popular friend after school on Thursday on the front grounds, and gently tapped her friend's shoulder.

"Huh? Oh hey, Komi!" Najimi said brightly over their shoulder. "Whassup, girl?"

Shoko motioned for Najimi to halt, which gave her a chance to write down her next message: Najimi, how do you visit so many places all over Tokyo so often? It's like there are three of you!

"That's simple. I ride my bike!" Najimi winked. "It feels so good, ridin' around on my wheels and feeling the wind on my face. That's how I keep up with all my friends across Tokyo. And sometimes, they ride with me, too. Like a pack of bikers! Vroom vroom!" Najimi mimed revving a motorcycle, just for fun.

Shoko nodded and added another message. That sounds wonderful, Najimi. I enjoy exercise, but I never thought to do all that.

Najimi broke into a wide grin. "Now that I think about it, Komi, you oughta ride with us! We're like a pack of outlaws! Ahahahahahaha!"

Shoko trembled at the thought. She wasn't planning on terrorizing Tokyo on a bicycle! And she would feel so nervous, riding with a bunch of people watching her... what if she made a mistake? But then again...

My new challenge: visit a new place on my bicycle every day, Shoko announced with her paper.

Najimi reached over and actually patted Shoko's head. "Now you're talkin'! Good for you, Komi! Tadano mentioned how you're challenging yourself to do new stuff all the time, and I think it's great. Kinda inspiring, in fact."

Thanks, Najimi. Are you going to try some challenges, too?

Najimi thought it over, then snapped their fingers and skipped off. "Nah, I'm off to the arcade. Four different friend groups are expecting me there. See ya tomorrow!"

Shoko watched her friend go, already brainstorming ideas on places to visit on her bicycle, and at what time of day. Hmmmmmm, perhaps she could go to bed early today and do some bike riding before school? Or perhaps right after doing her homework? And this weekend, she'd have lots of time to feel the wind on her face! Though she'd have to find her bike helmet, which she had lost last year. And ask her dad to double-check that her bike was in good working order. If the chain slipped, well... she wasn't ready to challenge herself to bicycle repair.

Let the adventure begin!

*o*o*o*o*

Once Shoko's father had the bicycle fixed up, Shoko took it out for an evening ride, and promised to not be out for more than an hour, since Shuko was concerned about her poor daughter getting lost. Shoko would be just fine! Or at least, that's what she told her mother, while secretly worrying that she would get lost. Well, better stick to the main roads for now. There was more room, anyway.

Shoko strapped on her helmet, hopped into her bike, and off she went. Right away, Shoko felt the pleasant evening air whipping against her face, and her long hair fluttered behind her as she made her way down the neighborhood and toward the main street to the south. She felt so free, like a bird! She knew a girl in middle school who claimed to always feel free when she ran track, but riding a bike felt even better. Why hadn't Shoko done this earlier? It felt great!

Along the way, Shoko waved hello to anyone she passed, including a lovely young couple pushing their baby in a stroller, then a pair of middle school boys wandering around, then a kind elderly lady who actually waved back. Shoko even waved to a few dogs, including a Shiba Inu that watched her with great interest. Good dog!

Now, where to go? Shoko had no idea, but that was actually the point. She wanted to explore and see the world around her, and let the universe decide what came next. The challenge was to be ready for it and appreciate it. So, Shoko felt herself totally relax as she let the streets dictate her path, and she went up a steep incline to find herself in a quiet, quaint area with old-fashioned architecture. Then she spotted a familiar face.

Himiko Agari!

Shoko checked that the coast was clear, then joined her friend right outside a hina doll shop and came to a halt. Shoko waved to say good evening, and Himiko gasped with delight.

"M-Mistress Komi! I didn't realize you were in the area! Woof woof!" Himiko cried happily, her imaginary dog tail wagging. "Oh my gosh, I would have dressed better if I were expecting you!" She fanned herself with a hand.

Uh-oh! Shoko hadn't brought along her notebook, so she had no way to write a message, and things were getting awkward fast as Shoko fought to make a response. She squeezed her eyes shut and clasped her hands tightly under her chin, willing herself to say something to her good friend.

"I-I suppose I should just go. I'm in your way, Mistress," came Himiko's voice.

Shoko made a quiet gasp and opened her eyes at once. She impulsively took hold of Himiko's shoulders and managed to quietly say, "Please stay."

Himiko blushed. "Oh! Um... well, if you say so, Mistress Komi. A good dog listens to her owner! Woof!"

"Y..." Shoko swallowed. "You look wonderful today, Himiko."

"Uh... um...!" Now it was Himiko who was fighting for her words, fidgeting and glancing away as though in the spotlight. "It's just... you're so beautiful, Mistress, I thought my regular clothes don't look any good by comparison. I..."

"It's okay," Shoko assured her friend. She managed a comforting smile. "Let's... let's look around."

"Of course, Mistress Komi!" Himiko said when Shoko let go of her shoulders. She pointed. "See this doll shop? I visit every week to see their newest models! They're so pretty! Want to see them?"

Shoko nodded eagerly, and once she set aside her bicycle, she followed Himiko into the charming hina doll shop.

"Ah! Good evening, miss Agari," the kind old man at the counter said when the girls stepped inside. He was a fellow in his mid-60s or so, with short gray hair and wearing a set of blue robes. "I've got a few new dolls for you to take a look at. And who might your friend be?"
Himiko motioned to Shoko. "This is my classmate and owner, Shoko Komi! I'm her loyal dog!"

Shoko clapped her hands over her face as she felt her face burn up. Did Himiko have to share that with strangers?! Still, it was nice to be introduced.
"Good evening, miss Komi," the old man said warmly, bowing to greet her. "You can call me Akeda. I run this shop with my grandson, who's studying in the back. Care to examine my wares? They're all hand-made!"

Shoko nodded and let Himiko and Mr. Akeda show her the lovely hina dolls sitting on display cases or on racks, and there were so many of them, all wearing different robes. Shoko couldn't imagine what kind of skill and patience it took to make such wonderful dolls.

Shoko gave Himiko an inquisitive look halfway through the tour, and Himiko understood the question on her face at once.

"I like hina dolls because they're such a wonderful way to stay in touch with our national heritage," Himiko said happily. "Some of my mom's family are involved in heritage preservation efforts, and, well, hina dolls are the prettiest things I've ever seen. There's so much history to them! Like the hina dolla festival, for example."

Shoko nodded again, deeply impressed. In her modern Tokyo life, she was a bit disconnected from classical stuff like this, and Shosuke never showed an interest in historical things, either. But to see these dolls, these beautiful bits of Japanese culture, with her own eyes...

Shoko managed a quiet "Thanks for inviting me in here," and then the tour was finished. Shoko was in higher spirits than ever when she got back on her bicycle and made her way home. And she made it back two minutes earlier than expected.

*o*o*o*o*

The next evening, after school and homework, Shoko got onto her bike once again and went in the opposite direction this time, and it didn't take too long before she spotted another familiar face at a small park.

Makeru Yadano was sweaty and exhausted when she finally noticed Shoko and ended her intense jog on the park's paved path. She stomped right over to the other girl.

"So... Shoko Komi! I see you have come... whew!... to issue a challenge!" Makeru wiped her brow, then put her hands on her hips. "Challenge... whew!... accepted!"

This time, Shoko had brought a pack of Post-It notes and a pencil, and handed over her response. Do you jog here every week, Yadano?

"Week? Bah! Try every day!" Makeru boasted once she read the note. "I'll get in top shape to beat you in a... whew!... contest of athletic prowess, Komi! In fact, let's do it right now! Three laps around the park! Let's go!"

Shoko handed over another note. Sorry, I only have enough time for a quick bicycle ride.

Makeru scoffed. "You're full of excuses, Komi! Watch me take the lead!" She turned, started jogging, then collapsed in exhaustion.

Alarmed, Shoko hurried over and helped Makeru get back onto her feet. Makeru was trembling with exhaustion.

"I-I don't need your help, Komi!" Makeru cried out, then relaxed and sighed. "Um... thanks, okay? But just this once!" She slowly, awkwardly started walking home, still worn out from her endless jogging. Feeling equally impressed and concerned, Shoko got onto her bike and pedaled back home.

The next evening, Shoko was passing through the shopping district when she happened upon Hitomi Tadano, who was carrying two bags of groceries.

"Oh! Hey there, Komi!" Hitomi hollered. She freed up a hand and waved.

Shoko stopped to chat. Getting groceries for the family? Shoko asked on her note.

"Yeah. It's a drag, but big bro went shopping the last five times, so my mom made me do it this time," Hitomi said. "It's such a pain."

Shoko merely nodded.

"Seriously, my mom is suddenly making me do, like, way more chores than ever!" Hitomi complained. "I think big bro is behind it, but he won't admit it. I had to do the dishes last night and help my dad reorganize his bookshelf! Then I gotta take care of the recycling and trash tomorrow! Can you believe it? Ugh!"

Shoko was no fan of chores either, but still... she handed over a note. That just means your parents trust you to do a great job. You're all grown up.

Hitomi hesitated. "Yeah, I... I guess. But still!" Then she broke into a wide smile and headed off. "Sorry, gotta go, Komi. Gotta study. Nice seeing you!"

Shoko waved good-bye, then resumed her trek. Along the way, she also passed by a maid cafe that she had no idea even existed around here, and saw the sign out front for their daily special, which sounded really yummy! But there was no time for that today, unfortunately. Then Shoko found a girl her age feeding a handful of stray cats who ate right out of her hand, then Shoko took a right turn and found a pachinko parlor, with a few men in business suits wandering in and out of it. Then she found a few burly college-aged guys playing a casual game of soccer in an abandoned lot, and finally, Shoko went up another hill and found herself at a high vantage point, where she could see at least half the city from here.

Shoko got off her bike and shielded her eyes from the evening sun, staring in awe as she took in the urban landscape before her. This bicycle challenge was a really eye-opening experience! There was so much here, so many people, so many things happening, and Shoko had never known any of it. So many full, rich human lives all happening at the same time and at the same place, and Shoko had been ignorant of it all. And on a personal note, there was much more going on with her friends and classmates than she realized. They had full lives too, and they were doing more things and thinking about more things than Shoko's time with them at school would suggest.

And it was all thanks to this bicycle.

Shoko felt much humbler when she got back onto her bicycle and mentally checked this latest challenge as complete. She rode home.