The Cute White Fox

~~~⚽~~~

Takashi knew that his dreams didn't make much sense, but what he was seeing now was excessive. Foxes didn't float or talk, let alone a tiny white one. It resembled a creature plucked from a book or a game.

"God, this is going to give me a terrible headache when I wake up," he sighed, as if wanting to laugh at the situation. However, drowsiness prevented him from reacting when the fox charged at him, nudging his sleepy face.

"You're not dreaming, Takashi. You're already awake."

Takashi slowly responded to the soft touch. He opened his eyes, growing more astonished, and glanced at the room. Jun and Hiroshi slept peacefully, mirroring the hotel's calm. Then, he faced the fox, a blend of fear, intrigue, and confusion in his gaze.

A tiny fox, under half a meter, snowy white with coal-black eyes. It floated on its hindquarters and seemed truly adorable, except for the fact that it spoke without moving its mouth, communicating directly into his mind.

"Who are you?" he asked, stepping back until he hit the balcony railing.

"Great question," it responded with its high-pitched and playful voice. "I am Inari, the deity of foxes, life, and reincarnation, protector of Takachiho. Nice to meet you, Takashi."

Inari, the deity of the shrine he'd visited with Nao, Jun and Hiroshi.

“This can't be real, can it?” he mused while remembering the sanctuary. “Although the statues portrayed a majestic gray fox as guardian. This Inari is more… cute?”

"Do you know my name?" he resolved to ask.

"Well, yes, not only that. I know everything about you. I've been watching you closely, Takashi."

"Watching?"

"Did you encounter a fox leaving the shrine today?"

Takashi's eyes widened. He remembered the fox he spotted amidst the trees for no apparent reason. He realized it wasn't a dream, now certain.

"That expression tells me yes. My kitsune are truly clever messengers. And yes, they're quite adorable, aren't they?"

"Yes," Takashi thought immediately. But that didn't matter now.

"Why did you come to me, Inari?" he asked, mustering courage.

"Oh, another good question, Takashi. Believe it or not, not many ask so well. You see... yesterday, you accidentally hit a girl with a ball, right? And she led you to me."

"Oh," Takashi remembered what had happened. "Nao... wait."

Takashi remembered his shot, which had a remarkable effect he couldn't explain.

"Did you divert my shot towards her?"

"No, of course not," she chimed jovially, as if laughing in fox language. "But well, maybe I influenced the terrain and increased the strength of the wind. Just so you could meet her."

"Eh?" Takashi was astonished, unsettled, and yet strangely delighted. "So, does that mean you made me miss all those shots just so I could meet her?"

"No. You're just really bad."

Takashi was speechless, his pride destroyed. “There was no need to shatter my illusion like that,” he thought.

"But that's not important," Inari continued while looping in the air. "I am the protector of Takachiho, that's why Nao is one of my charges, naturally. And the truth is... well, I need you to help her."

"Eh? Me?" he indicated himself with his index finger. Inari's voice softened, as if about to share something significant.

"You see... Nao is a girl with a very pure heart. But she suffers from strong shyness and vulnerability. She deeply fears rejection and embarrassment when speaking to others, and that has led her to withdraw into herself. You might have noticed it when your friend started talking to you in the infirmary and on the way to the shrine."

Takashi recalled how defensive Nao became around Jun and Hiroshi. He also recalled her distancing herself on the substitute bench. He understood what it meant.

"I'm sorry, I didn't know. Is that why she hesitated so much about sitting on the bench?"

"Exactly. And that's why, despite what she told you, she's afraid of crowded places if she's not with her family. That's why she doesn't plan on going to the festival this year. It... saddens me. But I saw your conversation with her. Despite her reservations, she spoke comfortably with you and even invited you to visit me. You'll know that's a significant breakthrough for her. If I may say so, I think you're the right person to help her."

"To help her... but why me? Besides..."

Everything clicked now, except one aspect. Takashi reviewed their interactions in his mind — their words, glances, touches. “She wasn't as anxious around me. At times, I even thought she was overly confident. Why not with me?”

Inari fell silent, probing Takashi's humanity, withholding much information.

"That's something you'll have to figure out on your own. But maybe you can get an idea of why."

Takashi lowered his gaze. “Could it be because... she...” Takashi didn't finish the thought, considering it impossible.

"And I know you'll be better too."

Takashi's gaze snapped to Inari.

"What do you mean?"

"Come on, Takashi. You were doing too well for you to ask these things. Seriously? It's evident from miles away. You have many doubts. You think everything will turn out for the worst. You fear that the people you care about will abandon you because of your mistakes."

Takashi reviewed the recent scenes—the training, the match, his interactions with Nao, and everything he had been doing for a long time.

"In summary, you lack confidence in yourself and others," Inari concluded.

Takashi hadn't considered it before, but he now understood Inari was correct on all counts, like if her guidance pushed him to this revelation.

"I really don't like being like this," he murmured.

"I know. That's why I'll help you change. Until the end of the festival, I'll be there to help both of you to bring out the best in each other. I want both of you to grow together. Just remember, you can't tell Nao anything about this. She won't know anything. And naturally, you can't tell anyone else. It's a secret between the two of us. Do you understand?"

Takashi paused, looking at Inari, understanding the heavy burden on his shoulders. Nonetheless, he didn't hesitate.

“I want to change. I want to be able to help others,” he repeated to himself.

"Understood."

"Yay!" Inari twirled in the air.

"Um, what should I do?" Takashi asked.

"Oh, Takashi, I can't tell you that."

"Huh? Come on!" Takashi seemed to grow confident in Inari very quickly.

"Alright, alright. Try to accompany her when you see she's feeling anxious. She can be very sensitive around people she doesn't know or when speaking in public. And, most importantly, try to help her get along with the rest of the group. How to do it will come naturally from your heart."

"From my heart... Deities can be mysterious, indeed," Takashi laughed.

"I suppose so. Alright then, go to sleep. You have a tough match tomorrow."

"Oh, right. Thank you very much, Inari."

After a hurried bow, Takashi entered his room, closed the window, and lay on the futon. Before drifting into slumber, Inari approached, resting her head between her front paws.

"I count on you, Takashi. Rest."

Takashi didn't expect Inari to enter his room. He glanced quickly and confirmed that Jun and Hiroshi were fast asleep.

"Thank you. You can count on me."

As he said that, Takashi reached out his hand to caress Inari's head.

The white animal. The same image than before appeared in his mind, taking him aback.

"Those images… it was you?"

Inari tilted her head, as if even she could be confused.

“The images in my dreams." He insisted. "You were that white animal, and I was petting your head. Right?"

Inari again stared at him, not saying anything. Despite her lovely appearance, an eerie aura surrounded her.

"Yes. You could say that," she finally replied. "Deities can manifest like that sometimes.”

Suddenly, before Takashi could reply anything, weariness overwhelmed him.

"Rest, Takashi."

Sleep enveloped him, relentlessly, until he surrendered to its embrace, the words echoing in his mind:

"Count on me."