Making a deal

A few hours earlier...

"I'm gonna go out for break," Itsuki stated as she left in her casual attire.

"Why the casual dress girl? Aren't you coming back?" Waki asked.

"Yes, but I simply don't wish to go to this place in my uniform."

"Ah, scoutin like Rika and Matcha. Go for it girl."

A few minutes after Itsuki left, a middle school girl with her hair in braids and wearing thick round rim glasses entered the restaurant.

"I request a meal by Masaru Ryono," she stated as she adjusted her glasses.

Waki showed her to her seat and then fetched Masaru.

"W- What meal would you like?" Masaru asked.

"I require you to cook before me. Prepare the meals I request at that cooking station," the girl ordered as she pointed at a cooking station.

Masaru immediately focused and walked over. Upon being shown what to cook, he went to retrieve the ingredients.

"Ah, please demonstrate the way you carry food on a tray as well," the girl requested as she took out a notepad.

"Must be a professional reviewer. Likely independent from the Gourmet society. Getting a good review would help mitigate some of our losses from the blacklisting," Masaru thought as he complied.

                                                                           ...

After cooking up a storm, the girl left satisfied.

"You have impressed me Masaru Ryono. Now I have all that I need," the girl stated as she paid in cash and left.

Masaru then collapsed on a table in exhaustion.

"A full course meal and then some. It isn't even nightfall yet," Masaru groaned.

                                                                       ...

The girl ducked into an alley and checked to make sure she was alone. When the coast was clear, a sadistic smile appeared on her face as she let down her hair and removed her glasses.

"I got everything I need, now I can imitate that pretty boy perfectly," Fujiko sneered.

Back in the present...

The entire staff gathered as Onrai and his band got set up.

"Talk about a fancy place. This feels like a hotel ballroom," Onrai remarked.

"Funnily enough, the mall we renovated this place from actually has a hotel deep within. Now that business is booming, maybe we can expand and renovate the whole old mall," Rika mused.

"Rika, we don't have THAT much money," Masaru glared.

                                                                         ...

Patrons seemed to enjoy the music as Rika nodded in approval.

"Live music? Should have let me know. Well, good thing I came in casual wear," Harumi giggled as she entered with her bodyguards.

"So where's our crepe goddess?" Rika asked.

"Packing since we'll be going to Rio to watch the Olympics. The Kuramori's were also invited to stay at our mansion and we'll be flying out first class with them and the team tomorrow. Though considering there's a rock concert here, better let her know in case she wants to see it. I was only planning on getting to go, but I guess I'll stay for the show."

                                                                            ...

Madoka arrived and quickly sat down next to Harumi. Shortly after, a woman clad in formal attire with fiery orange hair entered.

"I wish for a private dining for one," she stated.

Rika's eyes narrowed as she noticed the woman.

"I'll handle her," she stated as she led the woman to a private booth.

She then sat down and glared at the woman sitting across from her.

"Why are you here, mother?" Rika glared.

The woman smirked and set her nice hat down on the table before replying.

"Negotiation. I'm here to negotiate with you. Your father is upset with your lack of results, though is more enraged that you are beginning to hinder the rest of the family," the woman stated.

"How so?"

"The night your father made contact with you, Ichika was publicly humiliated by you. She and Nino also ended up getting caught by Rebelle during the killspree they went on because of what you did to Ichika. Then a few weeks ago, you beat up Hasue and she is now in prison."

"Ichika's the one who initiated, and pretty sure Hasue was already prison-bound considering Muku mentioned the science teacher forwarded the report to the police."

"But you also hired Izuhana to take out Ookuma's supporters. Ookuma was able to use it to her advantage, but Antonio Bombino was furious about the incident and issued threats to all the branch families NOT to allow someone like Helena to go rouge again."

"So you're here to weed me out?" Rika glared as she gripped her knife.

"No, you would clearly best me. I'm here, because I believe that you'll fall in line if I offer you a deal."

"A deal?"

"Yes, the family will leave you alone until December 1st 2017."

"Really?"

"Yes, though you must refrain from causing any grief to us or Illumous. This also includes hiring others to take out our members."

"So what brought on the sudden change of heart?"

"Do you accept or not?"

"Will Masaru and all my friends be safe?"

"I can guarantee the family will not attack you or your staff. Other members, will have their own agenda."

"And if I accept, what will happen in December 2017?"

"You will be forced to begin killing for the family again."

"And if I refuse?"

A large man dressed like a tengu suddenly appeared along with a girl dressed like an oiran. The girl had her sword pointed at a terrified Masaru, whom was gagged and held by the man with the tengu mask.

"Uncle Engetsu and Honoka... Very well, I accept," Rika glared.

Engetsu released Masaru and vanished along with Honoka as Masaru coughed and gasped for breath.

"And with that our negotiation is complete. I shall be leaving," Rika's mother stated.

"You're Rika's mother!? But you seem so normal compared to everyone else," Masaru stated.

"You think I'm normal, boy?" she asked as she grabbed a glass of water and splashed it into her face.

Her makeup immediately washed away revealing the scars, burns, and tattoos littering her face. Her left eye began shifting through colors before stopping on lime green. Alice Aberdeen had previously been one of the strongest killers in Europe. However, she encountered Yuugen, and was deemed worthy of breeding his children by him. He then bested her in combat and dragged her off to the mansion. Now, Alice was nothing more than a shell of her former self.

"I used to be a viscous killer, then her father bested and domesticated me. Worst of all, my own daughters surpassed me and treated me like a sandbag, yet I've become so Stockholmed her father rarely makes use of the microchip in my skull. He can also see everything I see thanks to this cybernetic eye I got after Ichika forced me to gouge it out. I am not normal," Alice said before vanishing.

"She may not be normal, but I guess she's sadly the most decent family member by default," Rika sighed.

"Perhaps, but was that tengu your uncle?"

"Yeah, he's the head of the Shibawara family and my father's older brother. Unlike him though, he's good at controlling fire."

"FIRE!? I can see why you succumbed to that deal."

"Yeah, Uncle Engetsu is someone I can't beat in a fight, but his killing machine daughter Honoka spooks me even more."

"Why?"

"Cause she's getting stronger by the day.  In a few years, I think she'll be able to best both my father and uncle at once. That woman's only thrill is to slice and kill. Barely even talks, just kills."

Rika and Masaru then returned to the kitchen.

                                                                              ...

Once Harumi no longer sensed danger, she released Madoka.

"Why'd you shove me into your breasts all of a sudden, momma?" Madoka asked.

"Some nasty customers flew by. But it appears like they're gone. Though we'll need to double check to make sure the limo hasn't been tampered with," Harumi stated.

Just then, the rock show ended and Maju went up to perform some quick magic acts. Madoka stared intently as a big smile appeared on her face.

"I wanna be an escape artist magician when I grow up," she smiled.

"Well better drink lots of Ginkawa milk from the mansion so you grow up to be hot and sexy like momma," Harumi smiled.

                                                                         ...

Once the performance was over, Madoka checked the limo and gave the OK. The Ginkawas then left with lots of To-Go meals. Once they arrived back at the mansion, Harumi walked into one of the guest rooms to find Eika.

"Brought you something since you'll be off to Rio tomorrow," Harumi smiled as a servant wheeled in some of the food Harumi brought back with her.

"Thanks Rumi-nee," Eika smiled as she began snarfing things down.

Once the two were alone, they began talking.

"Never thought Pa would calm down like he did," Eika mused.

"If you want, I can reinstate you into the family. Father would likely approve," Harumi stated.

"Nah, I ran away from home and dyed my hair exactly because I don't want to be associated with the Ginkawas and their problems. Besides, I like travelin to Olympic venues round the world as well as competin of course. An I did it all on my own without relyin on my lineage."

"Yes, and Eriza is likely to follow in your footsteps, Emeri however..."

"*Sigh* All the muscle went to her brain."

"If she wishes to live here, I'll happily accept her as will father. Madoka would also be thrilled."

"Maybe, though I like the "like family" relationship we've got goin between us."

"I'll admit, it is publicly convenient, but if Illumous finds out you're a Ginkawa by blood, return here to safety as soon as possible."

"If that happens, I'll laser my hair follicles so they can't tell who I am. Not even a vat of milk would make it grow back. Plus I'd be more aerodynamic. Oh, speakin of which, better shave my head for the match!"

"Um, Eika, you aren't competing tomorrow, it's just traveling and the next day's the opening ceremony. Competition starts after that" Harumi nervously smiled.