Chapter 176: Foxtail Grass
Regarding the animation "Colorful Sky Angel," Emerald Sparrow doesn't actually know much about it.
All the impressions in her mind came from the occasional glimpses she caught on TV when Lin Xiaolu was watching, and a few animated characters on certain promotional posters when Asou Haruka came to Fangting City for concerts.
Therefore, after pointing out the origin of the other person's outfit, Emerald Sparrow began to have some concerns: Although she could recognize this outfit, she couldn't further discuss it. If the other person wanted to discuss this kind of "advanced knowledge," she definitely wouldn't be able to keep up.
Fortunately, the girl in front of her only said a few words about "Colorful Sky Angel," and with Emerald Sparrow's intentional guidance, the topic quickly shifted to herself.
"So, you don't like transforming in front of others because you're worried about being looked at strangely after transforming?"
After roughly understanding what the other person wanted to express, Emerald Sparrow summarized: "Over time, you don't even want to show your face during battles in public, feeling ashamed to be seen even for a second. One of your purposes for coming to the Kingdom is to find a way to change your magic clothing?"
"Yes."
The girl opposite had already released her transformation and put on her sports outfit again, with a look of "I've found my group," she said, pouring out her thoughts like spilling beans: "In the past, after subduing Remnant Beasts in crowded areas, I would encounter kids who also liked 'Colorful Sky Angel.' They often treated me as the real 'Dusk Angel,' surrounding me and making a fuss. Although it was a bit joyful... it felt like I was borrowing honor that didn't belong to me; then, there were those who didn't like 'Colorful Sky Angel,' saying online that as a city's magical girl I acted like an animation character and was not serious; even people who hadn't watched the animation said I dressed too indecently, corrupting the kids, and then scolding with indecent remarks..."
The so-called "Dusk Angel" seemed to be the virtual character that this girl's magic clothing imitated after transforming. In the animation "Colorful Sky Angel," the names of magical girls seemed to be derived from celestial phenomena, with the protagonist's code-name aptly being "Rainbow Angel."
Incidentally, Emerald Sparrow's disguise of "Magic Girl Long Dan" comes from the same series as "Sweet Angel" and "Colorful Sky Angel." The story and background of the animations are different, having no connection, but commercially they are from the same company.
The titles of works in this series are all in the format of "XX Angel," with the three most popular being the pioneer "Magic Angel," the cornerstone that established the series' main tone "Sweet Angel," and the reformed "Colorful Sky Angel," which introduced many new elements, and thus reached new heights.
However, as a reform piece, "Colorful Sky Angel" seems to target a different audience, not just children, perhaps aiming to capture more teenagers and even adults. Hence, the costume design of magical girls in this animation is "cooler" than previous ones, frequently criticized by parents.
The magic girl in front of Emerald Sparrow obviously suffers from these secondary impacts.
——"And actually, this isn't what saddens me the most."
The girl probably didn't often have the chance to share her inner journey, so she seemed to pour out her grievances like a torrent: "The saddest part is, there are fans of 'Colorful Sky Angel' online who think I am 'using the identity of a magical girl to monopolize the rights to interpret the character 'Dusk Angel,' trying to make this character unique and deconstruct it.' But I really didn't mean to do that. I just thought Dusk Angel was cool and dashing, so when I was chosen as a magical girl, I subconsciously thought of this outfit..."
"I really like and admire it, but now I want to change my magic outfit?"
After listening for a while, Emerald Sparrow finally got a chance to chime in: "Being able to manifest such an outfit when becoming a magical girl is a rare thing, isn't it?"
"You could say that... but the troubles this outfit has brought me have exceeded my imagination."
The girl looked a bit down: "I didn't even intend to come to the Kingdom for the examination, until a senior from the same city told me that there might be a way to change magic clothing here."
"So, have you found it?" Emerald Sparrow probed further.
"Not at all, that senior is a liar."
The girl sighed: "I should've known. She is about to retire and worried there's no successor, so she convinced me to come here for the validation card."
"Are there no other magical girls in your city?" Emerald Sparrow asked again.
"No, since our Lishui City is just a small city. Usually, two magical girls are enough."
The girl nodded: "So, if the senior retires, I'll have to train new juniors next year. If the juniors ask about this outfit... ah, I really want to crawl into a hole."
In reality, her situation was indeed somewhat pitiable.
And in fact, if asked about changing magic clothing, Emerald Sparrow couldn't say she was completely clueless. At least the magic clothing she wore was fake, so she actually knew about "disguise."
But this method couldn't be disclosed. The disguise of "Long Dan" is essential to this mission, and the exclusive technique provided by Emerald is a secret asset. She couldn't reveal such significant information out of sympathy.
Therefore, faced with the girl's frustration, Emerald Sparrow could only appear powerless.
But the other person clearly didn't expect Emerald Sparrow to have the relevant technical expertise, and instead asked her:
"That's why I was so surprised when I saw you."
"With so many kids recognizing your outfit as 'Long Dan,' you don't seem shaken at all. It's as if you don't care about others' opinions on this outfit, I really want to know, what's your view on this? How do you maintain such equanimity?"
In the animation "Sweet Angel," all magical girl character names are based on desserts, such as the protagonist's code-name "Cocoa Angel." However, "Long Dan," a magical girl code-name with no relation to desserts and quite the opposite in tone, had always been a topic of discussion among viewers and fans throughout the series' broadcast.
Although the characters in the show didn't seem to find it odd for a magical girl not to have a dessert name, viewers always felt there was a secret behind this distinctive code-name character. In the latter part of the story, when "Long Dan's" true identity was revealed, and it turned out the code-name was fake, it unfolded into a classic storyline that fans still talk about.
Emerald Sparrow, before being infused with this information by fans, knew nothing at all.
In truth, after knowing all this, she too had some reluctance to wear this outfit.
But it seemed she couldn't express these words out loud, should she bluntly tell the girl in front of her "because I don't even know who 'Long Dan' is, so I can roam around carefree"?
After much thought, Emerald Sparrow barely managed to concoct an explanation:
"Because I think this is actually a good thing."
"A good thing?" The girl looked surprised, her eyes widening.
"Yes, even if accused of 'monopolizing and misinterpreting' a role or seeking publicity and enjoying unearned honor. I believe these won't negate the contributions you've made as a magical girl."
Emerald Sparrow, expressionless, earnestly rationalized: "When you're in your city defeating Remnant Beasts, and passionate citizens surround you, is it solely because you're imitating a character from an animation?"
"It seems... not?" the girl hesitated to answer.
"Of course not."
Emerald Sparrow stated firmly: "They express gratitude and admiration because you are their magical girl, the protector of their city. The fact that you're imitating something from an animation is just 'an extra bonus' for fans and viewers, they'll still primarily think of you as a true magical girl, code-name..."
"Foxtail." The girl filled in what Emerald Sparrow didn't know: "That's my code-name."
"Yes, Foxtail," Emerald Sparrow nodded: "They'd recognize you as Magical Girl Foxtail first, and then relate to the animation."
"But, this could surely tarnish the original's reputation..." The girl still seemed a bit insecure.
"You're a true magical girl, choosing to imitate a character from an animation is the best kind of promotion, enhancing the animation's reputation."
Emerald Sparrow said seriously: "Unless you do something that endangers the public or harms your reputation, as long as you are active as a magical girl, it serves as the best promotion for this animation. You are indeed a hero among the fans."