Rika's recovery

Going back in time to August 31st...

Rika grimaced in pain as she laid in bed.

"They'll be keeping you here for a few days," Masaru stated.

"Wish I was a Ginkawa. Then I could just chug some milk and walk out in minutes," Rika grumbled.

"Healing bones takes longer than healing scrapes or bruises," Madoka stated on the video call.

"So you guys are laying low then?"

"Sadly. This means we're gonna be staying in the mansion until it's done. Though I guess Mimi can make the crepes here."

"Heh, nothing but crepes on the brain."

"Momma's also gonna try and reach out to some contacts to try and get Matcha free."

"Well have fun at the mansion, and take good care of Mimi."

Rika then ended the call and started a new one with the restaurant.

"Bout time we saw your face, we're nearly about to close," Waki chuckled.

"Yeah, blame the anesthetics. Masaru also sat and watched in the operating room so that's why he was late in calling yall," Rika stated.

"I had to agree to do free cooking for the night though, but it was worth it to be able to make sure no funny business was pulled with Rika," Masaru stated.

"Once news spread about what happened, patrons began leaving get well cards and gifts," Itsuki stated as she panned the camera over to a mountain of cards.

"Heh, guess we'll be doing a discount special when I'm back," Rika smiled.

"Benihime ended up staying in the kitchen for the day. Once we told her what happened, she became quite pale."

"Figured she probably just caught the end of the speech. Girl's lucky our patrons are a tolerant bunch."

"Zuina! Stop dragging me this instant!" Benihime protested.

"Where the hell's your noble pride? Apologize to Rika," Zuina glared.

"But she is not in the vicinity- ah, this is what you meant. My wounded knight, I apologize profusely for misreading the room. I had only entered when Madam Ookuma's speech was just ending. I did not know you had been viciously assaulted, nor that Matcha had been imprisoned by her corrupt sister, nor that Rebelle had agitated the crowd."

"It's alright. Just try and read the room better. Maybe also don't praise Ookuma too much while in the restaurant. I don't want any fights to start while I'm not there," Rika stated.

"Very well. I shall adhere to your wisdom."

Rika then ended the call and turned to face Masaru.

"As much as I would like to stay by your side for your entire stay, I will be forced to cook breakfast and lunch for free," Masaru stated.

"No worries. Guess I'll get Dr. Masaru's medical meal plan. Make me somethin that'll get be out of here in a day," Rika grinned.

"Does your physiology allow you to heal quickly?"

"Sadly no. But I at least want to heal up before-"

"Wow Ri-ri-ka, I was expecting you to be all bandaged up like a mummy. Letdown!" Ichika sneered as she sat on the window still.

"Shit, too late," Rika grumbled.

"We could easily extend her stay. Muku gave us a device that would shatter her bones with ease, and in her wounded state, she won't be able to resist," Nino stated as she strolled up to Rika's bed holding a hammer like device.

"How bout I book you two here?" a voice growled.

Everyone turned to see Izumi and a girl with long red hair clad in a school uniform.

"Hana!?" Rika gasped.

"Yep, grew my hair out. Also got hired to guard you."

"Oi, Ri-ri-ka, she's a traitor. If she's workin with you-"

"I'm well aware of Izuhana's infamy. But our client that put down the monetary payment is NOT Rika, nor a staff member from Ryokoma."

"That doesn't mean we'll let you just do your bidding. Illu-Mmph!"

"Oi! We're in a public place dumbass! Don't go leakin when folks could be peakin," Ichika whispered as she covered Nino's mouth.

"Guess that's one way to solve the problem then," Hanabi glared as she appeared before the two and punched both in the jaw sending them crashing into each other, knocking each other unconscious.

"Izumi doesn't think we should kill them though," Izumi said as she strolled over and began breaking the bones of the unconscious twins.

"My thoughts exactly. It would just cause more problems for our client and Rika. Besides, the job was just guard Rika and kill if necessary. Killing these two would only land us in a fight with Engetsu and Yuugen," Hanabi stated as she glanced out the window.

"Spotted me then. So thou is aware of myne presence," Engetsu scoffed as stared in Hanabi's direction.

"May I slay, father?" Honoka asked.

"Nay. Nino and Ichika shall live."

"But, you said Izuhana-"

"The bounty is not high enough. Killing is a business. You must kill when the price is high. Killing for coins tis a the errand of either a fool or a reaper. We are assassins for hire. The low bounty on Izuhana also can be used as a leverage to succeed Antonio for the Bombino's spot on the council. Low bounties reflect a low threat. Should Antonio's judgement prove to have been foolish, he will be ejected from his seat and a successor will be chosen."

                                                                             ...

Nino and Ichika moaned and cried as Hanabi and Izumi finished bandaging them up. Both were now in full body casts, though Ichika's feet were not broken and she was still wearing her sneakers.

"All done. I even bandaged you fully clothed and spared your feet so you could still wear your sneakers while you lay here," Hanabi sneered as she gazed at Ichika.

"Izumi and Hanabi will keep watch. Rest easy," Izumi smiled as the two left.

"All clear," Rika called out as Masaru crawled out from under the bed.

"I'm glad those two were on top of things. I guess I will rest then. I was permitted to stay here for just the night," Masaru stated.

The next morning...

Rika hopped into a wheelchair and rolled out of the room as the nurses stared in shock at Nino and Ichika. Rika made her way to the cafeteria and rolled up to the counter.

"How long until you let him go?" Rika asked the general manager.

"As soon as he makes the breakfast," he replied.

On que, Masaru exited and handed the manager a serving of breakfast.

"I did my best with what I was given," Masaru stated.

The manager tried it and immediately slurped it up.

"It seems I mad a grave error in my judgement when I made that deal with you. Should our patients and staff eat this, they will no doubt flock to your restaurant. Sly man. Well, I should have been more aware of what I was requesting. *Sigh* Everyone's going to complain about the drop in quality come lunch and tomorrow," the manager happily sighed as he as he allowed Masaru to leave.

"I assume that since you're dressed in your uniform that you are discharged?" Masaru asked.

"I can roll around like this at least. Besides, those two need the medical care more than me," Rika snickered.

                                                                            ...

As the two exited, they were confronted by Yuugen and Muku. Masaru recoiled in horror when he saw Muku's tattoos as Rika began to tremble a bit.

"I was informed by my brother on the events of last night," Yuugen anxiously glared.

Rika noticed Yuugen's unease, but decided not to press him on it and quickly bumped Masaru into her lap before speeding away.

"Rika! Do not go so fast!" Masaru pleaded.

"Think she had a role in it?" Muku asked.

"I think not. My brother only learned about it this morning as well. We will assess Nino and Ichika's status," Yuugen stated as the two vanished.

"Guess we make our break too," Hanabi stated as she and Izumi snuck out and sped away in a Ferrari.

                                                                               ...

Yuugen glared angrily at Nino and Ichika.

"Muku, bring them back to the mansion. You are free to heal them as you please," Yuugen glared as he vanished.

Nino and Ichika's eyes went wide with horror as Muku blushed and began fiddling with their beds. A moment later, the beds were blasting off like rockets towards the Korosekai mansion.

                                                                              ...

Rika and Masaru arrived back at the restaurant to an odd sight. Everyone was gathering around the TVs fixated on the coverage.

"What the hell's going on?" Rika asked as she wheeled in.

Everyone immediately turned and erupted in cheers.

"Rika's back!" one patron cheered.

"Not fully healed yet, but still good to see she's looking fine," another cheered.

The crowd then parted a Rika headed for the closest TV.

"Huh? What the hell? Ookuma's gone missing?" Rika skeptically glared.