A slap in the face

Rika tapped her fingers on the counter in frustration.

"Just so ya know, the Tabemono headmaster selection ain't gonna happen for at least a few months. The gourmet elite society leadership will be decided soon, but no one here is eligible. But you can bet that whomever gets the position will be a front runner for Tabemono's new headmaster," Helga stated as she left.

"So looks like I can't ease my mind with a distraction," Rika sighed.

Rika then got up to the sound of the door opening, but scowled upon realizing whom had entered.

"My, so this is the fabled restaurant. Though I heard it doesn't even have functioning  luxury seating area," Rebelle sneered as she took off her beanie and ran her hand through her pink hair.

"I was hopping you had been taken out with the trash never to be seen again," Rika glared.

"I'm simply here to scout, though as a result, you will receive monetary compensation since I am required to sample some of your food."

"And when did you become a food critic?"

"It's necessary for eligibility to be considered for head of the gourmet elite society. Though since I tend to eat a more plant based diet, that could hinder my bid since meat based meals are a huge part of the gourmet elite society. Nonetheless, I shall sample some of your organic plant based meals," Rebelle stated as she sat down.

As she gazed at the menu, an angry scowl appeared on her face.

"So you really do try and cheapen the status of elite organic foods," Rebelle glared as she gazed at the prices on the menu.

"Our business is doing quite well actually," Rika retorted.

"Likely because you've garnered favor with the Ginkawas. Those bastards will fluff up anything they like and strike down anything they hate."

"Don't insult our customers, Madoka is a wonderful girl."

"Ahahaha! Madoka? The little brat that gets kidnapped by the hour? THAT'S your biggest supporter!?"

"Yes, and she ESCAPES every time," Rika glared.

"I'm surprised the head of the Ginkawas doesn't shut you down for being a kidnapping hot spot."

"Funny you should mention her, she apologized and paid full price despite us offering her a discount-"

"You offer discounts to the rich too!? Are you trying to devalue the rich too!?" Rebelle fumed.

"Why would you even be upset about a customer getting a discount? Seriously, what's with your demented perception of what the elite should be like?"

"Adler-san? What brings you here?" Masaru asked as he noticed Rebelle.

"Why it has been ages, Ryono," Rebelle glared.

"Dropping the -san, so it seems your respect for me has deteriorated."

"Indeed, you chose to be seduced by a woman instead of objectively doing your job and awarding the win to the true superior dish."

"Makihara-san dug his own grave for that. Had he been of a more sound mind instead of recklessly issuing such a challenge, things might have turned out differently. It also only originated from a misunderstanding."

"Misunderstanding? That's not what the Gourmet Grapevine's saying," Rebelle sneered as she flashed an image of a news article on her phone.

""Eccentric heathen corrupts mind and body of daughter of esteemed chef, Saiba Makihara, for personal grudge"... Adler-san, please tell whomever wrote this to issue a retraction. This article reeks of misconceptions."

"Well the answer's no, cause I wrote it. The article stands."

"Want me to sue for slander?" Rika growled.

"And would you really want to head anywhere near a courtroom with how furious the Takedas are over the death of dear Kazuya Takeda?"

"___."

"Then again, Takeda's killer has already been caught so perhaps-"

"HIS KILLER'S BEEN CAUGHT!?" Rika shouted in disbelief.

"Hmm? Why yes. According to one of my informants, the police found traces of his DNA on one of the mutilated beyond recognition corpses from Mocha Myouchi's rampage."

"YOU BITCH! MY-MMPH!?"

"Rika, calm down. You're the one that told me not to share the secret recipe. You must do the same. Adler is the last person you want to share secrets with," Masaru glared as he removed his hand from Rika's mouth.

"Well... guess your right. Thanks. Though she's well aware that my sisters are the ones that went on that kill spree. As for you, Bitch, order or I throw you out into the trash," Rika glared at Rebelle.

"Threats will only degrade your review score. Dropping the -san too is also disrespectful, Ryono.

"Get out. I refuse to cook for a snake like you," Masaru glared.

"A snake!? But dear Rika loves snakes and you are what you eat as they say."

"Mongooses eat snakes too," Rika glared.

"So you're a mongoose heathen then. Oh, perhaps I WILL have to make a minor revision, or just write a new article about how you are a despicable-"

*Slap*

Rebelle turned her eyes in shock towards the one who slapped her.

"Get out NOW!" Masaru glared.

Rebelle stared in shock at Masaru for a few moments, before a demented smile appeared on her face as she touched her slapped cheek.

"Oh, there WILL be repercussions for that!" Rebelle giddily chuckled as she got up and left.

"Idiot! Why the hell did you slap her!?" Rika groaned.

"I couldn't stand to hear such malicious slander," Masaru replied.

"But you didn't need to slap her, now she's gonna make your life hell."

"What's the commotion? We still got work to do so save the lover's quarrel for later," Matcha glared as she passed by.

"*Sigh* Well, you messed up, but I'm glad you were willing to stick up for me," Rika smiled.

"I don't see how slapping her is worse than killing her like you would attempt to do," Masaru argued.

"I knew your social skills were bad, but to think you didn't know that you'd get in a ton of trouble for hitting a girl is surprising."

"Wait, you can get in trouble for slapping someone? But in my family, we were slapped all the time when we messed up badly."

"Oh boy, and you said I picked up bad habits from my family," Rika sighed.

                                                                           ...

Outside, Rebelle laughed maniacally as she watched the footage she secretly took of Masaru slapping her.

"So just like I thought, he's head over heels for her. Madam Ookuma will be SO pleased when I tell her," Rebelle snickered as she made a phone call.