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

The spellbook

"You're really Kim Minju! I don't believe it!" Chaeyeon was blown away, having come face-to-face with the famous college age supernatural investigator and author.

"You know who I am?" Minju asked with a surprised look on her face.

"I've read one of your books at my college! It actually surprised me how invested I got when reading it."

"Aw, well thank you."

"Master, we need to get rid of these intruders!" The spellbook said again, still trying to free itself from Nako's hands. "Or else, I'll be the victim of a book-napping! Erase their memories and make them leave, at once!"

"Hey, shut up, you noisy book!" Nako said angrily.

"Huh?! Ya got some guts for a tiny girl!"

"Who are you calling tiny?!"

"Now, now, let's all calm down for a moment," Minju said. "Azalea, you're being too harsh. I'm sure they have a reason to be here. After all, they are Nightlings, just like me."

Nako's eyes lit up as she saw Minju smile at her.

"You can tell who we are?" Chaeyeon asked.

"Of course. Nightlings are always able to sense one another when in each other's presence."

She then laughed nervously. "Well, I'm not exactly a Nightling. I am a witch, though... or, at least, partly."

"You're not making any sense," Azalea replied bluntly.

"Okay, well, it's complicated, alright?"

"Regardless, we should hear each other out so we can fully understand why you're here."

"Let's. Please."

"Alright. Come with me," Minju motioned them to follow her into the back room of the shop, which had a stove, refrigerator, microwave, and even a small table, making the room resemble a kitchen.

After fixing some hot chocolate for everyone, Minju sat down and introduced herself to begin their conversation.

"Well, I suppose it's best to start off simple," Minju said after sipping her cocoa. "Yes, my name is Kim Minju. And, alongside being an author of supernatural history, I'm also a witch. I use the title of 'supernatural investigator' as a cover."

"Wow... To think you actually turned out to be a witch. It actually makes sense looking back on it. Ah, my name's Lee Chaeyeon, by the way."

"Nice to meet you, Miss Chaeyeon."

"M-my name's Yabuki Nako! Um, I'm sorry for what happened earlier. But the truth is, this spellbook belongs to someone very important to me and my sister!"

"Well, you must have the wrong book!" Azalea argued. "Miss Minju here is my master."

"No, it has to be! The rose insignia is the same! You have to be Yui-onee-san's spellbook!"

"Who might this 'Yui-onee-san' be?" Minju asked.

"Her full name is Yokoyama Yui. She's one of my sister's four Guardians. We're searching for her."

"Hmm... I see," Minju tapped her chin.

Nako picked up the book, "Hey, you should have memories of her, right?"

"Can a book really have memories?" Chaeyeon asked to Minju.

"Well, Azalea is a magic spellbook. It would make sense."

"Sorry to break it to you, but I dunno this 'Yui' person."

"That can't be..." Nako frowned.