[h3]Shizuka Otonashi || Super Magical Runway || June 28 SUN[/h3]
As the imitator transformed into something entirely different from her, the hazel eyes of Shizuka could not take her eyes off of the outrageous scenario. Just what was happening? Is this reality or some kind of dream? How did she end up in this situation? .... What was going to happen to her?

The team of four who had just arrived immediately sprung into action once the transformation sequence was over. [color=violet]"Do-Don't come any closer, i-it's too dangerous...!"[/color] While the maiden had no idea whatsoever of the capabilities that the fox demon had but if her intuition from games and anime were right, it was bound to have tricks up its sleeve. What she didn't know was that the four had their own unique abilities as well.

As her rescuers stepped forward, they summoned blue cards, out of nowhere, just to be shattered into pieces, triggering some kind of figures. Shizuka could not comprehend what was going on but this sort of scene felt all too familiar to her. Was it an anime she watched? Perhaps a game she played? She couldn't figure it out in the midst of such a mess and before she knew it, Rui and Matt were before her glass case, where the poor girl was trapped in.

[i]Slash.[/i] An opening on the glass case was formed thanks to one of the figures they controlled. Before the fox demon would turn its attention back to her, Shizuka ran along with the two, Matt firmly holding her hand to lead her to safety. Once they were far enough from the enemy, the upperclassmen were about to dive back into action. Before they left, Shizuka cheered them on with a worried tone, [color=violet]"P-Please come back safely, senpai!"[/color] The brunette upperclassman turned back towards the maiden for a moment to flash a melancholic smile, one which she could not see the emotion behind. Was it because of what her fraud had spoke about? Feeling guilty whether or not she admitted it as true, Shizuka could not help but return the gesture with a frown.

Both Rui and Matt had gone back into the battle as things became more intense, especially how the fox demon had easily dodged their attacks in dancing steps. Shizuka didn't want to admit it but how the fox demon gracefully made each step with the swaying of her hips, arms and tails was visually appealing. But this was not the time to be amused by the enemy's movements. If this was no dream, they were putting their lives on the line for her sake. There was nothing she could do but hope for the best outcome and keep out of their way.

After figuring out a possible weak point, the battle went down smoothly and the team was able to topple the imitator down, causing her appearance to transform back into the familiar figure. Watching her struggle to even attempt to get up pained the girl's heart a little. [i][color=slategray]"But you'll still need to come to terms with this, otherwise this won't end. Though I'm sure you can accept this part of yourself."[/color][/i] As Rui stepped aside to let Shizuka pass, she gave a hesitant nod before approaching her other self. His last comment as she passed caused an ache to her chest, but her feet continued going forward. Before any appreciation was to be given, they deserved to know the truth.

[color=violet]"Um..."[/color] Shizuka knelt down to the shadow's level, seemingly unsure how to form words to express how she felt and what she wanted to say. [color=violet]"It... It is as you say. I-I've always been living in my own de-delusional world."[/color] Releasing a deep sigh, Shizuka continued reluctantly, [color=violet]"It must've began when mother and father... started drifting away from me. I-I've always held back from saying how truly lonely I felt... But instead, I indulged myself in my new found hobby."[/color]

[color=fff200]"...But we wouldn't have known that that new hobby would turn out to become an [i]unhealthy obsession[/i]."[/color] The magical girl dressed figure frowned at her own words, which also caused Shizuka to frown slightly.

[color=violet]"Yes... I-It was true. All that you've said. Because of the deprivation of attention from my parents, I... I sought out attention from upperclassmen and po-potential love interests as a shoujo manga protagonist would have done."[/color] Hazel eyes lowered themselves down as teardrops started to fall from the corners of her eyes. Lips trembled as the tone of her voice became softer and shaky. [color=violet]"I-I hadn't meant any harm bu-but I see now how my se-selfish actions brought pain to pe-people who are dear..."[/color]

Shizuka sobbed in between her words, making it difficult to understand unless one listened to her carefully. As more streams of tears rolled down her cheeks, a hand wiped away the tears on her left, then the right cheek. Blinking in surprise at the gesture, Shizuka stared at the figure similar to her as if wondering what had happened to her hostility. [color=fff200]"Now, now. A crying face doesn't suit a shoujo protagonist, does it?"[/color] Despite the pain the imitator had endured throughout the battle, she managed an encouraging smile upon her lips. [color=fff200]"You might have been a selfish shoujo protagonist but you've still brought smiles upon people's faces too, right? Making people happy, that part of you is what makes a [i]true[/i] shoujo protagonist."[/color]

Realizing the truth in her shadow's words, the maiden smiled slightly, tears ceasing to fall as she responded, [color=violet]"I still have long ways to go, it seems. But... Thank you. I'm unsure whether or not people will still accept me as I am but being honest is the first step I've decided to take. [sub]Um... And lessen my unhealthy obsession with otaku things as well.[/sub]"[/color] The imitator giggled at Shizuka's whispered last comment, followed by Shizuka's own giggling.

A blinding light started to envelop the other self, startling Shizuka to her feet. Just what was going on this time? Was it another transformation sequence? If it was, the light which surrounded the other self this time felt gentle and gave off a warm aura. The light dimmed as a figure within became clearer until it resembled another [url=http://i.imgur.com/4nZPTrN.png]fox figure[/url]. While it was another image of a fox like the earlier one, this figure didn't seem to give off any hostile aura. In fact, it gave off a familiar, kind aura instead. Shizuka was still shocked and confused at everything that had happened in the past couple of minutes but she felt that she did what was right in accepting her. A bright smile adorned her features as a voice spoke,

[center][color=violet][i]I art thou. Thou art I.
I am Inari, the Goddess of Prosperity.[/i][/color][/center]

The voice faded along with the fox figure, leaving behind a shining blue card with an image of the Temperance arcana. The spinning blue card landed upon her open hands before it shattered into pieces, igniting a flash of blue light, wrapping Shizuka in a gentle, blue light. After a moment of letting what had just happened sink in, Shizuka turned to face the team of four, an apologetic expression upon her features. [color=violet]"I-I truly apologize for... a-all the tro-... trouble I've ca-caused.... But.... t-tha.... --ou....."[/color]

.........