After I obtained Yuma's autograph, another Shoma fan informed me that he had slipped out of the arena just after Yuma exited! Thankfully, he and Demi-san were in a getaway car nearby and I managed to wave goodbye to them while the car sped away. It wouldn't surprise me if Yuma and Shoma planned to exit the arena in this manner. Shoma is a sneaky, sneaky boy! 
!Oh, Shoma. I agree. It wasn’t his night. It happens to the best. Now he can rest and try to relax for a bit. Go home, play with the puppies, eat something sweet, meet up with Marin, Kazuki, Yuzuru, and/or another friend, and play some games. No need to rush a decision on what comes next. After all the off season is just beginning. There is lots of time to think. You’ll be just fine Shoma.Aw, Shoma. Not your night. But thank you for fighting and sharing your skating with us
It's been a great run, the shoe has to come down on the other side. I'm sad, but also... I trust that he'll be okay.
Does he not like taking pictures and giving autographs after competitions? I thought he did that a lot in the past.For those of you at the Centre Bell, there are different Shoma costumes on display today! The blue Domo costume and the blue-gray Shoboe costume are now on display!
For those of you not at the Centre Bell, I have a funny story to relate. I decided to wait outside the practice rink after Shoma's practice session was over in an attempt to obtain his autograph. The weather in Montreal has been freezing, I must have waited at least 15 minutes out in the cold along with other skating fans. Just when I was opening up a hand warmer to keep my hands warm, Yuma appeared! Being the autograph collector and Yuma fan that I am, of course I had to get his autograph and he was very polite about it.
Well, I was attempting to get an autograph after an official practice session at the practice rink during the competition. Back when I gave him a stuffed giraffe at Skate America 2021, it was after the gala ended. I was incredibly lucky to get that chance, as he was attempting to leave due to having to catch a flight to Japan. I do also think he likes his privacy and doesn't always appreciate big crowds of people bothering him. I suppose one has to be careful of how one seeks the attention of an introvert.
Someone at Skate Canada 2022 also told me that it is incredibly difficult to get his autograph. And yet...my quest to obtain his autograph will still continue tomorrow, at least. Whether it will continue further remains to be seen.Hey now don’t be hard on yourself. I’m someone who doesn’t believe in jinxs. What you made for Shoma was something special that I’m sure touched his heart. I’m a firm believer that he and/or his team sees the fandom we have here. I don’t think he would want you to feel that way. Maybe he’ll decide to retire. Maybe not. Based on what he has said it doesn’t seem like he is really going to think hard about it for now. He’ll let everyone know when he is ready. This one performance doesn’t define him. Yes, it wasn’t what he wanted or what we were expecting, but whether this is his last competitive program or not he is the best.Words cannot express how devastated I feel right now, having watched it all live. I handed out many special Shoma fan gift bags to fans from around the world. Even Shoma himself has one, as I managed to give it to a member of his "dream team" with the request that it be given to him. I feel as if I did something terribly wrong as a fan; I couldn't find a certain breakfast food that I ate before both of his winning free skates. I can't help but wonder how everything went so wrong, whether it was really all my fault or not... It feels so bitter, especially when I recall how gorgeous his short program was...sigh. The thought of freezing out in the snow is incredibly tempting right now...
I suppose this is the end for our sweet little Shoma. I may have to step away from the figure skating world for a while after the gala.
@yuumagical , it's not your fault at all. Shoma said that he is thankful for fan support no matter what forms, from those who travel to watch him to us who can only follow from home. Thank you for being there for him and sharing so many gifts with other fans.Words cannot express how devastated I feel right now, having watched it all live. I handed out many special Shoma fan gift bags to fans from around the world. Even Shoma himself has one, as I managed to give it to a member of his "dream team" with the request that it be given to him. I feel as if I did something terribly wrong as a fan; I couldn't find a certain breakfast food that I ate before both of his winning free skates. I can't help but wonder how everything went so wrong, whether it was really all my fault or not... It feels so bitter, especially when I recall how gorgeous his short program was...sigh. The thought of freezing out in the snow is incredibly tempting right now...
I suppose this is the end for our sweet little Shoma. I may have to step away from the figure skating world for a while after the gala.
