The day after the eventful night

The next day, the restaurant opened on time.

"So, you make babies yet?" Madoka giddily asked as she collected her crepes.

"Well aren't you a cheeky little brat. Sorry, but we still haven't even lost our virginity, though that could change, anytime," Rika mused as she glanced over at a red faced Masaru.

"Don't make outrageous requests," Masaru glared.

"I mean, it's normal for couples to do. We've already slept together so-"

"You slept together but didn't have sex!? Wow, guess the Col's more a private," Madoka snickered.

Immediately as Madoka stepped outside, Jester swooped by on a hang glider and kidnapped her.

"Buwahahahaha! Dine n dash is the best!" Jester laughed as he munched on the crepes much to Madoka's anger.

"She had it coming," Masaru huffed.

"Oi, I know kidnapping's a daily routine for her, but you really shouldn't be glad she got kidnapped just cause she insulted you," Rika glared.

                                                                              ...

"Well how are you doing? I'm here to bring Madoka and her class some crepes for lunch since some fatass clown ate them all," Harumi smiled.

Unlike when she came before, Harumi was in full blown casual wear. She wore capri jeans, white sneakers, and a grey t-shirt that struggled to contain her titanic breasts.

"Madoka also told me Private Masaru failed to get it in," Harumi chuckled.

"I apologize for not being able to feed your daughter her crepes," Masaru sighed.

"Uh, Miss Ginkawa, he has no idea what you meant," Rika stated.

"What do you mean Rika? Tell me. I don't want you to hide anymore secrets from me if I am going to enter this... "relationship" with you," Masaru glared.

"Alright, but you sure you won't get mad?"

"I'll be mad if you keep a secret from me."

"OK..."

                                                                               ...

Masaru huddled in the corner sulking as Harumi laughed.

"Sorry boy, didn't mean to make your girlfriend diss ya so hard," Harumi laughed as Mimi emerged with her order.

"We still had plenty of ingredients left. We'll even give you a discount since that clown stole most of the last order," Mimi smiled.

"Oh no need to worry about that. That was on me for not properly sending a servant after her. Perhaps I'll try convincing her to let the servant drive her here instead of following from a distance, or at the least take her crepes," Harumi stated as she paid the bill.

                                                                            ...

A few minutes later, Helga entered the restaurant. She was able to walk again, but still had her arm bandaged up.

"Wow, you healed up fast," Rika cooed.

"I HOPE I healed. That goth psycho pumped me full of so much dubious medicine I'm surprised I'm still alive," Helga grumbled.

"Stich is one of the best in the business though. You wouldn't believe how many times she healed me."

"So why's Ryono sulkin like a bitch? Don't tell me he's still coping with what he did to Makihara-sama."

"Nah, he's fine with that choice. He's just sulking cause a customer cracked a crude joke at him. He's fine. Oi Masaru! Time to get cooking!"

Masaru immediately shot up and headed towards the kitchen as if nothing had happened.

"See?"

"Idiot, I actually needed to talk with him about something important," Helga growled.

"*Sigh* Masaru! Helga's bein a bitch and wants you to come out and talk with her," Rika hollered.

"The hell'd you say it like that!?"

"What? I would like to calm my mind by cooking," Masaru glared as he appeared.

"Got some important things to discuss. Now that Makihara-sama's been gone for a week, the power vacuum is beginnin to suck. His head seat at the Japan gourmet society as well as his headmaster's seat at Tabemono are both up for grabs. Many of the high rankin chefs are also pissed you awarded Rika the win."

"So then all Makihara stooges?" Rika asked.

"Nah, most of em are, but there are some that hated Makihara, but think he was cheated out of a win. If one of em gets the headmaster's seat at Tabemono, expect to be bombarded with hostile chefs seeking vengeance for Makihara-sama."

"So? I'll-"

"No, Masaru's the one they're gonna gun for. Many in the Makihara camp are already brandin him a traitor. Notably his own folks, old wacko Myouchi, Rebelle Adler, and Makihara-sama's own wife. There's plenty of others, but those are probably the ones closest to ya. Also, guess you're both technically eligible to take a shot at takin over Tabemono, heck Itsuki and a few of the rabble might have a chance too."

"We have a difficult situation though," Masaru sighed.

"Ya know, you shouldn't air ALL your secrets to everyone. You never know what they might do," Rika glared.

"But I-"

"Do you keep recipes secret?"

"Yes..."

"Then think of it like that. It's our secret recipe, though Helga knows everything about me so she's fine to tell."

"HUH!? Then what was all that!?"

"For future reference. Well, sit down Helga cause we're gonna breeze through this quick..."

                                                                           ...

"Ookuma did that!?" Helga gasped.

"She's also got ties to both the cult and the organizers behind the banquet," Rika stated.

"Yeek, then I don't want her ever comin to my place."

"Speaking of which, how is your place?"

"Repairs will be finished in two weeks. Can't believe you had such an idiot check the place out for traps."

"Hey, Hanabi's the only one I know that can disarm crazy explosives. That and she's got toughness and strength 10 times greater than the average human. All members of the main Bombino family do. Though I've heard that the Ookumas can have strength and durability 100 times greater than the average human."

"100 times!? Then how does that bitch not break everything she touches!?"

"I was told it was due to them only triggering it when in a fight,apparently they can adjust their strength at will. Hmm. I think I just thought of a way to solve my problem with Ookuma. So guess that means full attention on Tabemono succession."

"Rika!? Don't tell me you're going to do something reckless," Masaru groaned.

"Nah, I ain' gonna go anywhere near em," Rika grinned.