La Vie En Rose ~An IZ*ONE vampire story~

Missing

*Flashback, 18 years ago*

"Wait, Yokoyama-san!"

"Sakura, just go!" The young woman in velvet robes shouted as she summoned chains of magic from beneath her. "We'll fend them off!"

"But they'll kill you!"

"Your and Miss Lee's safety is more important. You have to go, now! Hurry!"

"Yokoyama-san..."

"Saku, let's go!" Chaeyeon pulled Sakura's hand, dragging her away as they dashed towards the dark forest.

As Sakura looked back one last time, she saw the four silhouettes fighting against the priests.

That was the last time she saw her Guardians, 18 years ago...

*End of Flashback*

"If I had my full power back, I could track their location," Sakura looked at her ring, seeming its shine was dim.

"So you've been looking for them all day yesterday?"

"Yes..."

"Onee-chan stayed up all last night trying to find where they could be," Nako said sadly. "I was tired so I went to bed, but when I woke up, I found onee-chan asleep on the sofa."

"What exactly were you doing?" Chaeyeon asked Sakura.

"I went outside the mansion for a bit and retraced my steps... But, I'm afraid so much time has passed, the remnants of their auras have weakened. I can't tell where they could be anymore."

"I see... I'm sorry," Chaeyeon frowned. Even though she didn't know these people, she felt bad hearing that the vampire girl had lost her companions.

"Onee-chan, I'm sure will find them!" Nako tried to reassure her. "But, for right now, we need to protect ourselves while you regain your powers."

Sakura tried to think of something, then went over to a book shelf that was in her study. She pulled out a book and started reading from it intently.

"We can draw a circle of salt and garlic flower around the mansion to keep them away."

"Ew~ garlic flowers stink..." Nako whined.

"Yes, but it can't be helped."

Sakura then walked over to her desk and took out a ring with a sapphire gem on it. She then took hold of Chaeyeon's hand and placed it on her finger.

"This will protect you if any Shadow-walkers try to target you. Never take it off."

"O-okay..." Chaeyeon said, blushing a little as she started in awe at the blue gem's shine.

...

Meanwhile...

Yena yawned loudly as the day was drawing to a close. The setting sun outside filled the classroom in an orange light.

She glanced over at a certain girl sitting at her desk, focused intently on her notes.

"Yuri~" She clung to her friend, laying her head on her shoulder with a tired pout. "Hey, the bell rung already. Let's go home."

"Yena, I'm trying to study. We have a test coming up."

"I know, but I'm so sleepy..." Yena yawned.

"You've been sleeping in class a lot lately. Do you actually study all night, or do you stay up just playing video games?"

"No, no, I study~"

Yuri and Yena have been friends for 4 years now. Since the two met at the beginning of middle school, they had this natural chemistry that drew each other close.