World's worst negotiator

The next day, Himawari returned before business hours.

"Ugh, why is she so persistent," Rika grumbled.

"Why have you shown your face again?" Masaru glared.

"I think your employees are suspicious, but I actually have come for a different reason today. I wish to have one of your chefs help me bust a shadow organization and its members," Himawari stated.

"One order of butter chicken pot pie with naan crust, actually make it two orders," Rika annoyingly called back to the kitchen.

"Don't traumatize me again! I'm being serious!"

"Yeah, and that's why I'm gonna make those chicken pot pies, we're chefs not cops. Maybe eating two or three more will send you packing."

"I need the help of a chef in order to infiltrate the organization. Well, more accurately I need someone willing to be a food platter and possibly a main dish."

"Yeah, that's a hell no, now you just sound crazy."

"Ugh, I'll explain, but this is CLASSIFIED information! Do not let it leak or I will press charges. As chefs, I'm sure you've heard of the grand underground cooking syndicate known as Nouveau neo. These are chefs that work in the criminal underworld and are tasked with cooking for the world's shadowy elites. The head of the syndicate, Monsieur Mondeau, is a dangerous man that seeks to use his taboo cooking to take over the world. Our intelligence indicates he is seeking to orchestrate an integration of his syndicate and a cult into what is rumored to be the world's largest evil shadow organization. I'm proposing we infiltrate and bust all the attendees."

Masaru and Rika both shot Himawari unamused glares.

"Don't look at me like I'm some conspiracy theorist! You two attended Tabemono, so you should at least know of Mondeau's infamy."

"True, that man needs to be purged from the world for the atrocities he has committed against the art of cooking. I can effortlessly put that fiend in his place in a sanctioned FAIR cook off, but I will not partake in an infiltration," Masaru stated.

"Yeah, what makes you even think we could sneak in anyway?" Rika glared.

"Well, a little disguise can easily fix that. It's how I plan to get in. The problem is that I'm currently the only member on the infiltration team. The higher ups won't let me go in alone, nor does anyone want to pair up with me to be the dish." Himawari sighed.

"Again, what do you mean "dish"?" Masaru asked.

"It's common for Nouveau neo to serve some of their dishes on a living nude woman."

"Hoh, so I'M the intended recruit then?" Rika smirked.

"Yes. Chefs are being asked to bring one female woman either to serve the meal on or to turn into a meal."

Rika's face immediately darkened after hearing those words.

"So there's more to it than just a gathering. Bastards are engaging in human trafficking too," Rika glared.

"Seems you're starting to understand the weight of the situation. I want to stop these insane criminals and save the innocents they've harmed. That is my job. Plus if the rumors are true, me busting them would net me a massive promotion which I could then rub in father's face- *ahem*, but saving innocents is my main priority. We need to stop them, we've lost too many good officers to their clutches. So, will you assist me Rika Komachi?"

"Hmm, so you want me to be a nude model and have creepy shadowy pervs eat gourmet meat and sushi off me right?"

"Y-yes, though why are you phrasing it like that?"

"Yeah, I say have you be the platter, and have me be the chef."

"Out of the question. I can't use a disguise if I'm posing as a dish or platter."

"Well I can't either. Don't you think it'd be more recognizable than you?"

"We can just shave all your hair off. That way no one would recognize you."

"You're only further making the case why you should be branded the world's worst negotiator," Rika glared.

"Please, no one else is willing to help me," Himawari cried.

"Then how about this, we both infiltrate as chefs. I can at least hold my ground against the chefs, plus it'd be better to have more than one chef."

"Your logic is sound. Though we'd need to find two women willing to be our dishes. Preferably two women that could easily escape on their own, be able to hold their own in a fight, and would not arouse suspicion. Hmm, come to think of it aren't there two girls here-"

"No. I'm not putting any of my employees in danger for your promotion."

"Then we're at an impasse. Though we still have some time before the event. I will attempt to convince my subordinates once more, but once again, do not carelessly ramble off the information I have told you. Only recruit someone trustworthy," Himawari warned as she left.

"Rika, are you seriously going to entertain that disgrace's fantasies?" Masaru groaned.

"I feel there's some truth to it, the problem is that she's just terrible at explaining things, how'd she even become superintendent anyway?" Rika grumbled.

"Very well."

As Masaru headed back to the kitchen, Mimi nervously approached Rika.

"I um, overhead," she sighed.

"*Sigh* I was afraid you would," Rika groaned.

"Why can't I help? I'm a capable spy."

"I don't want you to end up frozen again ever or worse. Besides, Stitch would say no too."

"But I can't turn my back on people in need."

"Then help out in a different way. In fact, I still think that woman's up to something so it probably is a bad idea for me to accept her proposal and bring you and Waki along."

"Oh, that is a good point, this could all just be a trap."

"Yeah, it's weird for her to suddenly change topics so quickly after last night. Plus her phrasing of things just now seemed odd, almost like she was trying to trip me up. I'm capable on my own though."

"But she said you needed two-"

"I've got an idea for one. May not fit most of her criteria, but I know someone that owes me. You just stay out of danger. Only fight back if danger comes to you. Oh, and tell Masaru I might be a little late to work today," Rika said as she walked out.

She then texted Waki before heading to her destination, a restaurant a few blocks away.

"Welcome-Ugh why are YOU here!?" Helga glared.

"Hey Helga, I'm here for a cook off," Rika smirked.