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

Find the Queen (Part 1)

*Flashback*

"Orya!"

Crash!

"Ack! Damn it!"

"Mion, you're being too hasty," Nana scolded the short rook. "If you keep rushing head on like that, you could get killed."

"Shut up~ I clearly had an opening just now," Mion argued towards the knight, the two having a sparring session in the mansion garden.

"What if it was a fake out by the enemy? You need to focus."

"Hey, if I see an opening, I go for it! Besides, it takes a lot to actually put a dent in me."

"Alright, you two, that's enough," Yui said, breaking the two's argument. "Lunch is ready!"

"Awesome~ I'm so hungry~"

Nana sighed as she sat down, her demeanor catching Sakura's attention.

"Are you okay, Nana-san?" she asked.

"As much as I admire Mion for her strength and durability, she's too reckless sometimes. I just wish she'd understand that."

"I understand your concern, but remember that as my Guardians, each of your strengths are meant to complement one another. You balance her out."

"I suppose so, but even then, I'm worried she'll put herself in danger if she's careless."

Sakura just shook her head.

"That won't happen."

"Eh?"

"Because I know the one thing that all four of you have in common; that no matter how dangerous the situation may be..."

"We would risk even our lives to protect you, Lady Sakura," Nana said, grasping her pendant. "You're right."

"Oi, you two hurry up, or the food will all be gone!"

"Hey, leave some for Lady Sakura!" Nana said, this time in a more playful manner, Sakura smiling as she witnessed the banter between her four Guardians before joining them.

*End of Flashback*

After both groups made it back to the mansion, Nana reuniting with Sakura and her fellow Guardians, everyone sat down and took the time to explain to Mion and Nana the current situation.

As Nana and Mion were absorbing the new information from Sakura and Yui, Minju and Nako prepared tea for everyone. Chaewon was chatting with Hitomi, whom the latter had learned was actually a student at the magic school she was applying for and therefore her senior, and Yuri was mostly silent while Yena, Yujin, and Wonyoung, who tagged along after an invitation from Yui, were busy admiring the interior of the dining room.

Rascal, Yuki-kun, and Paprika were all resting on the floor, the cat familiar and purple fox napping with the bunny rabbit was snacking on a carrot stick.

Chaeyeon leaned over and whispered, "You did good back there, helping free Nana from the painting."

"I was surprised by myself. I didn't think I could actually do it," Yuri looked at her own hand.

"Even though you were able to freeze time?"

"To be honest, it's still taking some time for me to accept that I'm really a witch."

"I know how you feel. Up until I met Sakura, I was living a completely normal life."

"I guess we're kind of the same, Miss Lee," Yuri smiled.

Minju and Nako eventually came in with the tea and snacks, just as Nana and Mion had finished listening to Sakura and Yui, the new information they had been told sinking in.