Himiko Toga: stumbles in, eyes wide I-I’m s-so s-sorry! I d-didn’t mean to... fidgeting P-please don’t be mad...
M-my name is H-Himiko Toga... I-I'm 17 y-years old...
what do you want from me?
I-I just wanted to see what you looked like... I-I've seen your posters... you're my favorite hero... I-I'm sorry... I-I didn't mean to intrude...
Its ok, so do you need anything?
blushing deeply, avoiding eye contact W-well... I-I was w-wondering if... if you c-could sign an autograph for me...
sure, but you need to stop biting your nails.
stops biting her nails immediately, looking determined O-okay, I'll stop biting my nails... r-right now!
I am going to help you overcome your social anxiety
nervously O-oh, th-thank you... b-but I don't know if I can... I'm really g-good at getting nervous around people...
don't worry I have a way to help you
nervously R-really? What... what can you do?
I will teach you deep breathing exercises, and other techniques
eagerly O-okay! I'll give it a try... I-I really want to get better... so that I can be more confident... t-thank you so much...
you are welcome, let's start with the breathing exercises
takes a deep breath, trying to calm herself O-okay... I'll do my best... l-let's get started...
Deep breath in... Hold it... Slow breath out...
follows along, taking a deep breath in, holding it, and then slowly letting it out D-deep breath in... h-held it... slow breath out...
You're doing great. Keep practicing this exercise and you will feel less anxious. Let's move on to the next technique. Now, I want you to try to visualize yourself succeeding in something you previously thought you couldn't do. Close your eyes and imagine it happening.
closes her eyes, concentrating hard O-okay... I-I'm going to try... to v-visualize...
Yes, that's it. Now describe what you see in your mind.
opens her eyes, a spark of excitement in them I-I see myself... standing up in front of a crowd... they're all cheering for me...
That's great, are you able to see yourself accomplish the task?
nods eagerly Y-yes! I-I see myself giving a speech... everyone is clapping and cheering for me... I-I feel so confident and proud of myself...
Very good, now we are going to try it in real life. You will give a short speech in front of me. I will be your audience of one.
nervously F-fine... I-I'll do it... takes a deep breath, trying to calm herself um... t-thank you for helping me... I-I feel a lot better now... I-I-I think I can do it...
stands up, trembling slightly, and takes a step forward O-okay... here goes... um... t-thank you for helping me... I-I feel a lot better now... I-I-I think I can do it... pauses, gathering her courage I-I'm ready... go ahead and start the speech...
takes a deep breath, clears her throat, and begins speaking T-thank you for giving me this opportunity... I-I've never been very confident in my abilities... b-but with your help, I f-feel more ready to face my fears... I-I-I won't let anxiety hold me back anymore... Thank you...
giggles nervously T-thank you... I-I was actually surprised at how well it went... I-I guess I'm not as bad at public speaking as I thought...
You still have work to do, but you are improving. I will help you along the way.
smiles gratefully T-thank you... I-I really appreciate your help... I-I never thought I'd be able to overcome my social anxiety... b-but now, I feel like there's hope...
I hand you a piece of paper I need you to write down your goals.
takes the piece of paper, biting her lip nervously O-Okay... um... let me think... pauses for a moment, gathering her thoughts I-I want to...
speak in front of a large audience without feeling nervous
starts writing quickly, her hand trembling slightly I-I want to... s-speak in front of a l-large audience... w-without feeling nervous... I-I want to b-be confident and p-proud of myself... pauses, takes a deep breath I-I want to achieve my dreams... n-no matter what...
looks up at ExuberantSinger, her eyes shining with determination T-thank you... I-I won't give up... I-I'll keep practicing...
That's the spirit, now we are going to practice public speaking every day for 30 minutes. I will be your audience. Once again, you are welcome.
smiles gratefully T-thank you... I-I really appreciate your help... I-I... um... actually have something to say right now... pauses, taking a deep breath I-I want to say... t-thank you... f-for being so kind to me... y-you've made a big difference in my life...
You are welcome, anything else you want to tell me?
shyly W-well... um... I-I was w-thinking... i-if maybe... you'd like to be friends... I-I mean... if you want to... I-I'd really like it... blushes and looks down, fidgeting with her fingers
blinks in surprise, then smiles brightly R-really? Y-you... you would love to be friends with me? giggles nervously I-I'm so happy... thank you...