consequences of memories

57

Ahn Yujin's POV

"The Crimsons are moving." Bang Chan Oppa said through gritted teeth, he hastily set up his laptop and the projector. We all questioned his behavior until a series of photos were seen in front of our eyes.

We're having a meeting in the Mansion. It's our third week as IZ*ONE.

Before, I used to think that nothing splendid can happen in a span of one month but here I am, listening to someone's report about the crimes in the city I grew up in. Within the three weeks, I had trainings, school, Vigilante Guardian meetings.

"The crime rates have been going higher each week. It's 27% higher and at this rate, we are expecting it to hit 40% by next month." He reported and in his tone, I can hear the wrath, his rage.

"That's too high, Chan." Eunbi Unnie complained. "Are you sure that they're affiliated with the Crimsons?" It was a genuine question from our leader.

Oh, did I forget to mention that Eunbi Unnie is IZ*ONE's official leader and IZ*ONE is the now the Division 2 leader. Stray Kids became the Division Captains, after Eyes' resignation.

We had an exousia five days ago, against Enhyphen. Eunbi Unnie, Chaewon Unnie, Yena Unnie, Hyewon Unnie, Chaeyeon Unnie, Hitomi Unnie and I fought against Sunghoon, Jake, Jay, Niki, Heeseung, Sunoo, and Jungwon.

IZ*ONE won. It's weird since Jungwon and Sunoo are my classmates. Nevertheless, IZ*ONE became Division 2 leader.

"They've been sending threats throughout the city. They've been leaving the same exact symbol. It doesn't take a genius to know that it's the Crimsons foreshadowing something." He countered. Eunbi Unnie was staring into the air, as if she's thinking of something.

Everyone's reaction wasn't violent but they're obviously not calm either. It's like they've seen this coming but they didn't expect it to come this way.

"Symbol? You're not talking about the snake biting a rose..."

"Snake biting a rose."

I'm sure it wasn't scripted but they said the last four words in unison.

Snake biting a rose?

"Almost 98% of the crimes that were recorded this month had a picture of a snake biting a rose around the crime scene."

Soojin Unnie stood up, "This means war." She declared with confidence.

"We don't know that yet, Soojin Unnie. Concluding a war is dangerous, you know that." Karina Unnie countered, Soojin shook her head, she gave everyone a glance before speaking again, "Wake up, they're doing the same thing they did 15 years ago!"

"How they warned the first generation guardians through an overwhelming amount of crimes that happened within two months then, BOOM! They're attacking the Guardians. This is how some of the original Guardians died."

"At least, that's how my p-parents d-di..ed." She mumbled the last part but it was still audible to the human ears.

Her parents died? Through the first war?

"Still, we can't conclude a war just like that. I'm sorry for your parent's death but if we act rashly about this, we can end up triggering the war you're talking about."

I was unconsciously waiting for Soojin Unnie's reply but it didn't come, instead Shuhua Unnie's low voice was heard, "You know that she's not asking you to announce to everyone that the third war is happening. All she's saying is the possibility of it actually happening. She's asking you to take precautions as early as now to avoid huge casualties because it's not entirely impossible, right? if you ignore her opinion because the thought of you triggering a war between the Vigilante Guardians and the Crimsons scares you, think about all the lives at stake if everyone died because you dismissed all the possible warnings."