Summary:

Asta, Nero, Yuno, Liebe, Bell, and Mimosa make flower crowns with the kids.

Chapter 3: Flower Crowns – Asta, Liebe, Mimosa, Yuno, Bell, Nero

"Oi, I think we need to put up an Anti-Magic barrier," said Liebe, eyeing the chaos on the other side of the Golden Dawn's gardens. Liebe was covered in flower crowns since all the kids thought he was super cool. "Flower power girl, your gardens won't survive."

Mimosa, sitting next to Liebe, pouted. "Well, I guess, Captain Vangeance and I were thinking about changing up the flowers and plants in the garden."

Asta was already pulling the Demon-Slayer Sword out of the grimoire, using Anti-Magic to make a barrier around them and the children. Liebe grinned. He and Asta were getting better and better at using Anti-Magic in creative ways. The children (Marie Adlai, Neige, the other kids from the orphanage at Nean, Asta and Yuno's siblings from Hage, Asta and Noelle's friend Rebecca's siblings, En Ringard's ten siblings, Dr. Owen's three kids and several older Magic Knight's children) all shrieked with excitement at the display of magic. Julius, who had joined them on request from Mimosa, stared starry-eyed at the display himself.

The Wizard King is such a magic nerd, Liebe thought to himself. How is he in charge?

"I'm very cool, I know," said Asta, grinning teasingly. Nero, in her bird form, opened her eyes briefly and then closed them again. She sat on Asta's head, where she normally sat when she was in her bird form.

"You're alright," said Liebe and Yuno, at the same time.

Asta gasped, but not at all offended.

"Humph, we could have used wind magic," chirped Bell, from her spot on Yuno's shoulder. "And Yuno's way cooler than you, Shrimpy!"

"Bell," said Yuno, mildly.

"Add wind to fire, wow, that's real dumb," countered Liebe, smirking at the little wind sprite. He and Bell didn't get along very much. He was on okay terms with Yuno, though Yuno didn't very much like the fact that Liebe and Asta were connected by their pact.

Bell flew in Liebe's face and said, "I'm not dumb! I'm an ancient Sylph!"

"Who's a moron," Liebe said, not missing a beat.

Bell screeched. The little sprite nearly went for Liebe's hair but Mimosa snatched Bell out of the air and handed the squirming Bell back to Yuno. Mimosa was very good at that, so it made Liebe think that Mimosa often had to do it.

"Liebe," said Asta, scolding. Asta was always reminding Liebe to "be kind" to others. Liebe tried. He really did but people were so stupid, he couldn't help it but be sarcastic.

"Bell, behave," said Yuno.

"Fine," huffed Liebe and Bell, still glaring at each other.

"Can we make more flower crowns," asked Aruru, shyly, offering more flowers to Liebe. Aruru had taken a liking to Liebe for whatever reason.

Liebe nodded, hoping his face wasn't scaring one of Asta's little sisters. "Yeah." Liebe helped Aruru. Many of the children were very good at flower crowns, except the tinier their hands were, the harder it was for them to weave it properly. Licita had taught him during the year that they had been together. Liebe always remembered.

"I hope Noelle's date is going well," said Mimosa.

"I bet it is," said Asta. "She was super nervous, but Kahono really likes her."

Marco Scarlet, the little brother of Rebecca, said, "Well, I don't like Big Sis hanging out with that Kiato guy."

Mimosa, Asta, and Yuno all hid laughs. Asta said, smiling, "Kiato's a good guy, Marco, you don't have to worry."

Liebe didn't really get it. Then again, he didn't understand why Noelle, who thought he was cute like Nero, went off to spend time with the singing girl. Why couldn't they just hang around them like they usually do? He finished the flower crown and placed it on Aruru's head. "There."

"Thank you, Big Bro Liebe," said Aruru, happily.

Liebe averted his eyes in embarrassment. "Whatever." Aruru skipped over to where Nash, Hollo, and Recca were to show off her new flower crown. Asta grinned at him.

"I haven't made flower crowns since I was young," said Julius. "It brings me back to my youth. You all look delightful."

Mimosa finished the crown she was making (rather expertly) and placed it on the Wizard King's head. "There, now you match with the rest of us." Everyone wore flower crowns. Everyone. Even Nero and Bell got tiny ones.

Liebe glanced over at the rest of the party and grimaced at the sight of Magna and Luck chasing each other, Finral used portals to dodge ice and snow attacks on side during the game of tag that Magna and Luck had started, while Crazy Lady Mereoleona and Captain Fuegoleon fought each other with Captain Vangeance failing to calm them down and Captain Yami and Captain Jack beginning to fight too. Vanessa, Charlotte and Dorothy looked like they had too many drinks already. "I think we ought to move closer to the water."

"It's fine," said Marie, cheerfully. "Big Brother has his mirrors to deflect anything!"

Liebe made a face at the sight of Gauche in a nearby tree, scowling at them all. "Gauche is a weirdo."

"Yeah," said Asta. "But he's our weirdo."

"We're all weird," said Mimosa. "Even Yuno."

"I am, but at least, I'm sane," said Yuno.

"Are you though," asked Asta, grinning and tilting his head. Liebe knew that Asta's mischievous look meant he was to irritate Yuno.

Yuno simply glared at Asta.

Mimosa said, sternly, "No fighting, Asta, Yuno! At least, not around the children!"

"You had better listen to her," said Liebe.

"Lady Mimosa is correct," said Julius. "And also, Lady Mimosa, has anyone ever told you that you remind them of your mother?"

Mimosa gasped. "I do? I mean, Kirsch said it a couple of times, but he doesn't count. That's such a great compliment! Thanks, Lord Julius!"

"Yep, just like your mother," muttered Julius.

Liebe stared at Mimosa. Since she's cousins with Noelle and best friends with Yuno, she often visited the Black Bulls' base. He wondered what her mother was like. Did many humans resemble their mothers in looks or in personality or both? Asta looked and acted just like Licita. Yuno looked like his mother, the former Queen of the Spade Kingdom. Mimosa acted like hers and maybe resembled her. Humans were very strange.

"FIREBALL INCOMING!"

"Damnit, Magna! My precious Marie is there! And I guess the other kids and Asta too! Watch it," roared Gauche, chasing after Magna and Luck.

"Yep, we had better get somewhere far away from them," said Julius, sighing.

"Bring the flowers," cheered Asta.

"Bring the flowers," echoed the children.

Liebe shook his head. "Humans are so damn weird."