Dinner for Makihara

Masaru dejectedly sat in the corner of the restaurant as Rika wiped down a table.

"I let a priceless artifact get stolen. I'm finished," Masaru sighed.

"This again? You're the catering chef, not a detective. If anything, they're the ones that botched it. Heck, I'm surprised that bastard managed to walk out as me without any issue," Rika glared.

"But I failed to notice something was off. I just thought you were slacking, but it was some thief in disguise."

"Even if you noticed, he probably had a backup plan. I mean, a master of disguise has to be prepared if someone sees through their disguise. Heck, he was disguised as the curator when I saw him."

"What happened?"

"He offered a toast so I said sure, but I guess he spiked all the glasses with something. That was probably his plan from the get go. Then worst case scenario, he could bluff and say it's poisoned and demand the diamond and escape for the antidote."

"It still stresses me."

"Hey, I'm the one that was bound and gagged in the closet. If anything, I'm the one that should be more aggravated."

The two were interrupted by the door opening. A finely dressed couple entered and faced Masaru.

"Shop's closed, scram Takeda, you too Helga," Rika glared.

"An who was askin you huh? We're here to talk with Masa ya loon," Helga snarled.

"Yes, vacate this gourmet haven you trash. This is not the place for your ilk," Takeda threateningly smiled.

Helga and Takeda were former classmates of Rika and Masaru, and Makihara faction enforcers. Takeda was a man with short teal hair and slit eyes that wore a fancy navy blue suit and bowler hat. Helga was a woman with spiky white hair and sharp teeth that wore a crimson dress and heels. Helga also held a personal grudge against Rika for being the one to take her down back when the Makihara faction and resistance faction duked it out in a cook off.

"Masaru, we are here to inform you that Makihara-sama wishes to have dinner here tomorrow. I have no doubt the dish will be excellent, though sadly I fear your establishment will fail the health test. A large rodent seems to be contaminating the dining area and kitchen," Takeda sneered as he pointed at Rika.

"Yeah I see what you mean, a giant piece of shit is right here on the floor," Rika glared as she pointed at Takeda.

"I'll see you in court for that slander."

Takeda was a pathetic man that would drag any who offended him even in the slightest to court and sue them for damages. This was only possible due to his family essentially controlling the judicial system of the country. Law was his main profession, but he decided to dabble in cooking upon being scouted by Makihara. He was one of the biggest reasons Makihara's foes could successfully be banned from working or come in proximity to any food related professions.

"Sue all you want. I did nothing wrong so you can cry on the floor before your selected judge while I work," Rika scoffed as she flipped off Takeda.

Takeda clicked his tongue and took a picture of Rika flipping him off.

"Looks like you're through, slut," Helga sneered as she and Takeda walked out.

"Oh, and my dish will impress your dear leader more," Rika smirked.

"We shall be judge and jury in that instance then," Takeda glared.

Once they were gone, Rika turned to Masaru.

"I apologize that they can not see you as a worthy adversary. They are fine chefs, and even though your manners of cooking can be vulgar, your skill is genuine and respectable," Masaru stated.

"Thanks that. Now let's prep for tomorrow. We're competing to see who can make the better dish," Rika smiled.

"With Makihara-san as judge, I am motivated to the max."

                                                                              ...

The next night, Makihara arrived at the restaurant along with his daughter Itsuki, Takeda, and Helga for dinner.

Makihara was a tall man with dark blue hair and pale skin. He had a pot belly and wore an elegant white suit and hat. His daughter Itsuki had blue hair styled in a slick pixie, and was a year younger than Rika. She was a prodigy chef that initially opposed her father's draconian messaging, but succumbed to his will after loosing to him in a cook off. Now, she was no more than a mere puppet. It was seeing firsthand what happened to Itsuki that motivated Rika to take charge of the rebellion faction and defeat Makihara's faction.

"Quite despicable. Father, it appears Ryono-san has been suffering greatly. This establishment reeks of filth," Itsuki scoffed.

"Indeed. I can see some diamonds, but most of the patrons here are little more than rubes that are too ignorant to properly experience such fine cuisine. It was a shame, but we were the losers and thus subject to the oppression of the winners. Her personal demand was to expel Masaru-kun from my faction and to have him work with her," Makihara stated.

Rika and Masaru then appeared with their dishes.

"Well, I must begrudgingly commend the heathen for at least integrating a sophisticated app for ordering food. Takeda-kun, does any other establishment make use of this sophisticated UI?" Makihara asked.

"Just this one. There are other similar apps used by other establishments around the world, but none as integrated as this. As for what you will ask next, I can easily revoke the patent she has on it," Takeda snickered.

"Excellent. We will discuss more later. Hmm?"

Makihara glared as he stared at the dishes placed before him.

"Masaru-kun, has Stockholm syndrome consumed you?" he sternly asked.

"No sir. I was simply outmatched in my own kitchen," Masaru sighed.

"I see no problem. We just eat Masaru-san's dish and- "

"Do not waste food. That is the cardinal rule of this establishment. If you do not like the taste after eating a sizeable sample, we shall take the food back," Masaru glared at Takeda.

"Then simply give my dish to a bum on the street."

"You opted to take part in this challenge. Respect the chef's meal."

"Well in that case..."

Takeda began gobbling down Rika's dish rudely as Helga did the same. Makihara gritted his teeth and started with Masaru's dish first as did Itsuki. Helga and Takeda then politely ate Masaru's dish as Makihara ate Rika's.

"And I say 4-0 Masaru," Helga sneered as she finished.

"I concur. A flawless victory," Takeda chimed.

"No, I believe Makihara-san enjoyed Rika's dish more," Masaru sighed.

"Much to my dismay, you are correct. Her dish is designed to to perfectly enhance the taste of your dish, so long as yours is eaten first. As a gourmand elite, I must begrudgingly eat the dish as intended. And as expected of the heathen, she made sure to leave no room for error. One mistake, and it would be a failure, yet she managed to compliment the flavor of your dish at a level that rivals my own. I imagine you must be celebrating this small victory yes?" Makihara glared at a grinning Rika.

"Glad you enjoyed it," Rika smiled.

*Splat*

Itsuki had slammed her plate containing Rika's dish directly into Rika's face.

"Terrible," Itsuki glared as the food dripped down Rika's face.