Shoko Komi's Ultimate Challenge

by Ulquiorra9000

Communication 36: oh, sister

"Seriously, Tadano, where were you all weekend?" Najimi Osana whined as the class got together for a game of dodgeball in the indoor gym (why was it always dodgeball?). "My friend group ended up being 299 people instead of a clean 300 on Sunday! You left such a gaping void!"

That was actually a compliment, coming from Najimi.

Hitohito Tadano laughed it off. "My sister's friend canceled their plans at the last minute, so I hung out with her around town. Hitomi doesn't like getting all cooped up on the weekend."

"What, for real?"

"She says it's a waste of our precious youth to idle around at home. And I can kinda see her point."

"That's what my sister says, too," Makoto Katai commented. "It's a shame she spends her precious youth kicking me around." He hung his head in shame.

Najimi laughed. "You gotta grow a pair one of these days, big guy!" They gently slapped Makoto's stomach, and Makoto yelped in surprise.

Shoko Komi, meanwhile, cocked her head, her mental gears already turning. It was no mean feat to convince her super-kuudere brother to do anything fun aside from practicing with their guitar together. If only she had a fun sister to hang out with! Wait, Shoko had been down this route before. She should be grateful for the family she has! Still, she had always wondered what it would be like to have a sister too, someone who could do her hair or pre-approve potential boyfriends or stuff like that... hmmmmmmm...

That's it! Shoko went "hmph!" and gently hit her palm with a fist.

Hitohito gave her a curious look. "What's on your mind?"

Shoko made another happy "hmph!" and gestured at her friend, hoping she could get the message across without words. And sure enough...

"Hey, that's not a bad idea," Hitohito said with a quick smile. "Hitomi always talks about wanting to see you more. How about tomorrow afternoon after school?"

Shoko nodded eagerly, her imaginary cat ears perking up. New challenge: be Hitomi's new big sister for one day!

The gym teacher blew her whistle to get the game started, and Shoko spent the whole time daydreaming ideas for tomorrow afternoon while her team got clobbered. So exciting...!

*o*o*o*o*

So nerve-wracking...!

Shoko had taken the initiative for this challenge, quickly changing into casual clothes at home and taking the bus to the nearby Tadano household to meet her friend. But what if she did this wrong? She wasn't 100% sure what kind of things Hitomi liked to do with her gal-pals! Shoko had her own friends for reference, but what if that didn't work? Oh no, maybe Hitomi would think she's totally boring -

"Heeeeeeeey, Komi! Good to see you!"

Hitomi Tadano burst out of the front door soon after Shoko rang the doorbell, and threw her arms out wide as though to hug her. Shoko took an automatic step back, probably from the experience of Najimi tackle-hugging people to the floor after making that gesture.

"Seriously, it's so cool you wanna hang out with me today," Hitomi said warmly. Her eyes were bright and innocently cheerful, just like her brother's. "I've always been wonderin' when and how we should get together, Komi. And bam! Out of the blue, you invite me! That's totally rad!"

Shoko brought out her notebook and responded: I'm glad to see you too, Hitomi. It's been a while, hasn't it?

"Sure has, girlfriend! Actually..." Hitomi winced as though expecting someone to laugh at her. "Um... maybe we're not just gal-pals for today. I was thinking... well..."

This was new; Shoko had never seen Hitomi act so meek and timid like this!

Hitomi blushed and glanced away. "You see, I'm kinda in your position too, Komi. I've always wondered what it would be like to have... you know, a sister. I've got my mom, but that's not totally the same. It must be so fun having a sister around."

True. We've each got one brother.

"Yeah. So..." Hitomi suddenly bowed. "Just for today, will you be my big sister?"

Shoko gasped, patting a hand to her heart. What a precious thing to say! It was almost like Hitomi had read Shoko's mind, and now, Shoko imagined bright sparkles all around Hitomi, who was already totally her little sister! She said as much on her paper, unable to help a giddy smile. This was really happening!

"Hooray! Come here, big sis!" Hitomi tackle-hugged Shoko, and the bigger girl stumbled back a few steps from the force of it. Hitomi was hugging her so tight...!

"So, let's go! Let's do stuff!" Hitomi cheered, and the two sisters set off for the trendy area of downtown where cool people always hung out. Shoko was always too shy to visit that area alone, but having her little sister come along should help.

Halfway there, Hitomi got out her phone and texted someone. Shoko gave her a curious look.

"I had an idea, big sis," Hitomi piped up. "If we can be sisters today, I can do the same for my big bro! I told him to haul his butt to your house and hang out with his little brother, if you get my meaning." She winked.

Goodness, Shoko's little sister was such a go-getter! So unpredictable and bold! Shoko nodded shyly and texted Shosuke, alerting him of the pending visit.

Oh. Steam games? Shosuke texted back.

Shoko, who was more than used to her brother's curt speaking style, texted back Yes and pocketed her phone. With just one word, everything was settled. The fun was just beginning!

"Check it out. I've been meaning to get a new outfit one of these days, big sis," Hitomi said cheerily. She pointed at the large department store just down the crowded street. "Come on, let's go in! Let's find my new look!"

Shoko hadn't planned on buying any new clothes for a while (and her allowance wasn't that big), but then again, she was going clothes shopping with a sister! It was a personal first! Suddenly feeling motivated, Shoko nodded and took her little sister's hand, guiding Hitomi inside.

"Heeeeeeeeeey, lady!" Hitomi cried a few minutes later when she and Shoko made their way to the girls' clothes quadrant of the bustling department store, waving to an employee. "I need a new outfit that's totally happenin'! Something dazzling that's gonna turn heads! What do you recommend? It had better fit me, haha!" She held out her arm and spun around once.

Shoko winced; wasn't Hitomi being too forward? She was like Najimi! But what are sisters for? Shoko nodded politely at Hitomi as if to say Yes, please help her out to the employee.

"Ah! Well, with your hair color and figure, perhaps we could try..."

The employee pointed a few things out, and a minute later, Hitomi burst forth from the changing room, hands on her hips. "What d'you think, big sis? I'm rockin' this!"

Hitomi wore a stylish, parted camouflage pattern jacket with the sleeves rolled up to the elbows, with a black shirt under that along with jean shorts and a stylish belt. Shoko went "hmph!" again and gave two thumbs up, and her heart soared at the thought that for the first time, she gave her approval as the big sister! Was she overthinking this? Maybe, but it was still exciting!

"Heck yeah, big sis! I look good in anything," Hitomi said smugly. "Your turn!"

Shoko gasped. Was she ready for this? But before she knew it, she was presenting herself wearing a sleeveless cropped turtleneck (solid black), a plaid shirt tied around her waist, skinny white jeans with artfully torn knees, and sunglasses. Shoko trembled, acutely aware of her exposed midriff. Even if Shuko kindly commented on her daughter's mature beauty, it felt odd to show skin so casually. But as for her sister's opinion...

"Woo hoo! You're on fire, big sis!" Hitomi cheered. She even clapped. "Don't worry about the cost. I'll buy it for you! I got a big allowance this week for getting good grades and petsitting my aunt's dog."

"Well! In that case, I'll ring you girls up at that register when you're ready," the employee said, pointing at the nearest checkout station. "Are you sisters? You're both so lovely!"

"Yup! Just an afternoon out with my big sis! Her name's Shoko, by the way," Hitomi said, protectively wrapping her arms around Shoko's right arm.

"Well, I'll be," the employee said kindly. With that, Hitomi generously paid for everything, and she and Shoko wore their new clothes out of the store, their old clothes in their shopping bags.

"Haha! We make a great team, don't we?" Hitomi said brightly as the girls continued their trek down the busy sidewalk. "I admit, I almost blurted out your last name, too. Would that make me Hitomi Komi to maintain our cover?"

Shoko couldn't help an amused smile at the thought. Or perhaps she could be Shoko Tadano! It was a lovely family name, after all. It was the name of her best friend -

She immediately pictured her happy friend Hitohito, and the implications of "Shoko Tadano" crashed over her like a tidal wave. Eeeeeek! Shoko dropped her shopping bag and clapped her hands over her burning face, squirming with mingled embarrassment, awkwardness and, she had to admit, excitement. She felt her heart pounding with joy in her chest.

"Whoa! You okay, big sis?" Hitomi's voice asked.

Shoko cautiously lowered her hands, aware that her face was still warm and probably bright pink, too. She shook her head as if to say It's nothing, I'm fine, and picked up her bag to continue the adventure. To her relief, Hitomi didn't press the subject, so the sisters moved on to their next bonding activity in peace: explore the mall! Plenty to do in there! Shoko and Hitomi bypassed the clothes stores and went straight to the other shops and attractions instead, including a photo booth. And it had plenty of filters and backgrounds to offer.

"Say cheese!" Hitomi flashed two peace signs and made an energetic smile while Shoko managed a shy little grin, but that was just the start.

"Come on, big sis! Big smile. Follow my lead!" Hitomi draped an arm over Shoko's shoulder (gasp!) and flashed another peace sign with her free hand, so Shoko mustered the courage to throw up her own peace sign and make a slightly bigger grin. How did Hitomi and Shuko make it look so easy? They had such radiant, natural smiles! So did Najimi and Himiko, for that matter. Then, the sisters made funny poses and faces for the next few shots (mostly Hitomi), and they collected the printed photos as keepsakes.

"Heh heh! The camera loves me, I'm tellin' ya, big sis," Hitomi said proudly, reviewing the photos. "Big bro looks like such a dope whenever he's in these. But we look great!" She glanced up at Shoko with a fond look. "And you have such a beautiful smile, big sis. I'd love to see your full smile sometime."

Shoko's heart skipped a beat, and she actually held a hand to her mouth, overwhelmed by Hitomi's kindness. Could she do it? Maybe she could try out her mother's radiant smile and boost her charisma a little more.

She mustered her courage and gave it her best shot.

"Whoo! That's it, big sis," Hitomi said, getting her phone out in a flash and taking a photo with extreme speed. "See?" She turned the camera around, and Shoko beheld her well-meaning but awkward attempt at a Shuko Komi smile. Uh-oh!

Shoko frantically swiped at Hitomi's camera to delete it, but her little sister held it out of reach. "Come on, big sis, be proud of yourself! I know I am!"

Shoko kept making frantic whimpering noises, so Hitomi reluctantly deleted the photo and pocketed her phone. "I'm tellin' you, big sis, you're gonna knock 'em dead someday if you perfect that smile. You've got it in you."

Maybe. For now, though, Shoko gestured for the adventure to continue, and the sisters set off to find some more fun.

"By the way," Hitomi piped up. "I wonder what our brothers are doing right now?"

*o*o*o*o*

Hitohito Tadano sat next to Shosuke on the other boy's bed, watching intently as Shosuke obliterated his laser rifle-toting alien foes on the screen, courtesy of the Steam platform. Then Shosuke scored a huge, skillful combo for a bazillion points.

Hitohito nodded his approval. Dude.

Shosuke nodded back. I know, right?

*o*o*o*o*

Hitomi glanced up in thought for a second before snorting with laughter. "Probably goofing off with those computer games."

Shoko, who actually had personal experience using her brother's AliensWare laptop, nodded with total confidence.

From there, the sisters lived it up until sundown, exploring every quaint shop in the mall before hitting the streets once again to get crepes at a charming local cafe Hitomi sometimes visited with her friends (so yummy!). Finally, Shoko and Hitomi wandered around one of the smaller parks near the Tadano house's neighborhood, just enjoying some time alone together.

"Whew, that was really fun, big sis," Hitomi said cozily as she stretched her arms. "We should do this more often."

What an idea! Shoko always adored Hitohito's little sister, now her little sister, and Shoko got the impression that there was still much more to learn about the other girl, and vice versa. It would take much more than one day to really get to know Hitomi Tadano/Komi as a person... but today was a fine start.

For a few more moments, the sisters comfortably wandered the park in silence, taking in all the later as dusk crept in. Then Hitomi made a sly smile. "Okay, here's the question I've always wanted to ask a sister of mine."

Excited, Shoko held up a note: You can ask me anything, Hitomi!

"Good, 'cause I'm not leaving without an answer." Hitomi beamed and clasped her hands under her chin as she looked up at Shoko. "Big sis, do you have a crush on anyone?"

Eeeeeek! So it was that question! The question every female friend or curious sister ever asked in shojo manga! Shoko clapped her hands to her cheeks, her face burning up, her spine tingling with excitement.

"Ha ha! Your face says it all, big sis!" Hitomi hollered, pointing at her. "Awesome! Who is it? Someone I know? Or someone whom someone I know knows?"

Shoko held out another note with trembling hands. It's someone you know.

"Oh, this is getting good! My big sister, totally crushin' on someone!" Hitomi laughed again and clapped her hands together. "Tell me more!"

Only if you return the favor!

"Huh? Well, um..." Hitomi suddenly looked bashful. "Not exactly, but there are a few boys in my class who are kind of cool, so... potentially? Who knows, haha!"

I'm happy for you.

Hitomi's wicked smile leaped right back into place when she struck a funny pose. "Thanks, big sis. But enough about me. I wanna hear more about your crush! Please oh please?"

Shoko hesitated; did she dare do this? What if she didn't have the guts? But after all this time, she was no longer the same helpless girl who fell apart at the slightest sign of a challenge. She reveled in challenges now! Still, this would be a big one...

Shoko leaned down a bit and cupped her hands around her mouth and Hitomi's ear. She whispered her answer.

Hitomi made a huge gasp, her face suddenly going red and her eyes widening in shock. She clapped both hands over her mouth and stifled a nervous laugh. "F-for real? No way, big sis! I can't believe it..." She stared up at Shoko. "It won't be easy keeping that a secret! Whew!" she fanned herself.

Shoko, meanwhile, made a small smile at her little sister's reaction and felt a wave of relief wash over her. That final challenge still lay ahead, but this felt like an important first step, and that was enough for now. And sisters were supposed to support each other, right?

Shoko marked the challenge as complete and escorted Hitomi back home before taking a bus back to her own neighborhood.

"Oh, good evening, Shoko," Shuko Komi said warmly, looking up from her magazine while seated on the couch as her daughter stepped inside. "You missed him. The Tadano boy stopped by earlier today to hang out with Shosuke! Too bad you weren't there! Maybe next time?" She smiled.

Shoko played dumb and merely said "I guess so" before heading upstairs to her room. She staggered inside, suddenly feeling exhausted, but she had one more thing to do before flopping onto her bed to relax for a bit. Shoko wrote down her final challenge on a post-it note, stuck it to her wall, then finally flopped onto that bed to recharge before going back downstairs for a light dinner.