Declaration of war

Mimoko slowly walked up to the stage as her number was called. 

"Please tell us about yourself," Penelope nodded. 

"I'm Mimoko Inoue. I've been big on Mizuse Niimi brand apparel since they properly launched in 2019." 

"We can see your dedication. Now I believe you're somewhat of a celebrity, please tell us about that."

Mimoko gulped. While she had figured Iori would fail, she didn't expect her popularity to be the big reason for that. If the company was truly looking for unknown faces, she too would be in trouble. 

"I'm a grandmaster, currently the highest-rated female chess player in the world, not counting maestros." 

"Hmm... Any contracts?" 

"Contracts?" 

"Yes, for apparel, making videos for, etc?" 

"No. I've been interviewed a bunch and forced to guest star in some Ewetube videos my friends make, but I myself am not a Ewetuber. I don't really have a large social media presence either." 

Penelope nodded as she pulled out her phone. "Seems you're right. Very well, we'll move onto the next phase. If you will, head to the far end of the catwalk and walk out." 

Mimoko took a deep breath as she turned around and headed to the start of the catwalk. When she turned back around, her gaze was narrowed slightly, her lips curved into a smile ever slight, and her mind fully focused for the task ahead. 

All eyes were drawn to Mimoko as she strutted down, an aura of pure confidence, sexiness, and submission to the apparel exuding from her with each step. The judges were naturally blown away as was everyone else. 

"M- Mimo-chan? Wh- When did she become so badass?" Iori trembled as she struggled to keep her hand from dropping her phone. 

"She had THIS much potential!? I see... This is why Mizuse thought so highly of you," Collette thought as she began jotting down in her notes. 

There was one, however, who was not entranced. 

As soon as Mimoko finished, she let out a huge sigh of relief. 

"Very good. Please take a seat," Penelope nodded. 

Mimoko smiled and nodded back as she made her way back down to the seating area, before collapsing in exhaustion into a chair. "I really went all-out, but I think that did it. I don't think there's anyone-" 

"Смотрите на меня [Eyes on me]!" 

As intense dubstep music played, everyone suddenly found their eyes glued to the woman dominating the catwalk. She hadn't even been asked a word by the judges, yet had taken the liberty to begin the catwalk on her own, and so far, it was dropping jaws. 

"What and aura... Dark, dominating, this is a woman who makes both herself and what she wears the center of attention," Sandra thought. 

"She's like me, except, she's also got a regal grace to her step. This is a queen," Collette thought. 

"If we want to compete with the likes of Zsa Zsa, this is the kind of energy we need. However, I don't like that she just skipped the interview. That to me, means she thinks something we might ask her could hurt her chances," Penelope thought. 

Once the show was over, Svetlana returned to the judges for the interview. 

"Your name, please." 

"Svetlana Smirnova." 

"Svetlana, do you have a large social media presence?" 

"No, I do not." 

A quick check confirmed that to be true.

"Are you considered a celebrity?" 

"Perhaps. My name is more known than my face." 

Penelope's gaze narrowed as she scanned Svetlana with her WWCF card. "You're a grandmaster, and with the Desperado League." 

"Correct." 

Collette also began scowling as she pulled out her WWCF card. "It says you're the daughter of Russia's tsar, Tsar Grigori Ivan Vasilyevich I. Is that true?" 

"Yes." 

The lack of hesitation in admitting the fact surprised Penelope. "Then  if I might ask, why the need to start with the showcase while skipping the required interview?" 

Svetlana gazed out towards Mimoko. "There was a spell cast on you. I couldn't stand to see you all enamored with it." 

Everyone's jaws dropped. 

"Jealousy... Pure jealousy... No, that's wrong. She has no need to be jealous. Rather, she can't stand that we'd dare to deem Mimoko's display acceptable. This is a declaration of war," Penelope thought. 

Though there was chatter abound and pen action from the judges, all that seemed to matter in the room was the fact that Mimoko and Svetlana had locked eyes with each other. 

"So, you're trying to upstage me," Mimoko thought as a scowl formed on her face. 

"Oh yes I am," Svetlana thought as a smirk began to form on hers. 

Everyone shrieked as the auras of the two women clashed.