Reika's rank

Serika blushed as she looked at herself in the mirror.

"So I have to wear this when I go to school?" she asked.

"Yes. You'll start tomorrow on the 12th," Reika stated.

"So will I be going with Bianka?"

"No. You're going to be a 1st year high schooler. Bianka's still in middle school. Now I'm going to need to return to work today, so you'll be on your own. Make sure to keep your phone on you, charge it, and don't throw or break it in anger. I'll be back tonight to go over school rules with you. Now, here's an allowance. Don't spend it all in one place or all today. There's enough to get you a meal at Ryokoma each day."

                                                                                  ...

Serika walked into Ryokoma and noticed Madoka eating a mountain of crepes.

"Huh, that shit looks good. Guess I'll try some," she thought as she went upstairs to the terrace seating.

"Welcome back. So what do you want for breakfast?" Rika asked.

"What that silver haired girl was eating," Serika grumbled.

"Heh? So the Crepe goddess has bestowed a crepe craving upon you," Rika smirked.

"Crepe goddess?"

"We call her that because she devours crepes daily. She's also our number 1 customer. I wouldn't pick a fight with her though, not only is she strong, but her mother is too."

"Her mother?"

"Harumi Ginkawa. Heard of her?"

"Gi- GINKAWA!? Heh, heh. Yeah. Uh, maybe I shouldn't order a crepe. Wouldn't want to anger her," Serika nervously smiled.

"Don't worry, she's not a greedy Crepe goddess. Besides, she's already gotten her offering and we've got plenty left."

"...Alright."

                                                                            ...

At police HQ, Reika stormed into the superintendent general's office. Inside, she found the superintendent general sitting at his desk as Nakayama ranted and raved about the Ookuma case.

"Sir, I would like to present some evidence that will prove the innocence of the suspects in the Sundae murder-"

"GET OUT! WE NEED TO MOBILIZE THE ENTIRE COUNTRY TO FIND MADAM OOKUMA!" Nakayama screeched.

Nakayama looked horrible and had aged a decade or two. Multiple grey streaks had begun to litter her short black hair while her eyes had gotten redder, and the circles under them, darker.

"What do you want Yuzume?" the superintendent general growled.

The superintendent general was a short stout man with wavy gray hair, sideburns, and a mustache. He was by no means a saint, but he could be reasoned with at times.

"Then let me make this quick. I analyzed all the evidence and testimonies. Mimi Hanazono was completely uninvolved. Multiple people as well as Ryokoma's staff and security cameras proved she was working in the restaurant at the time. The one shown in the footage is likely an imposter. Thus, it is fair to assume that the Helga shown is also an imposter. I believe Helga Hepburn was framed for this. I am requesting we clear Mimi Hanazono of all suspicion and retract the warrant for her arrest, release Helga Hepburn and clear her of all charges, and release Matcha Myouchi whom was unlawfully detained due to Commissioner Myouchi's abuse of power," Reika stated.

"THAT'S WHAT YOU WANT!? THAT HELGA MADE THREATS AGAINST MADAM OOKUMA! SHE MUST BE INVOLVED! THAT MIMI'S ALSO WITH THE DESPICABLE GINKAWAS! THEY CLEARLY HAVE A ROLE-"

"Will you shut up Nakayama!" the superintendent general glared.

"DON'T YOU DARE TELL ME TO SHUT UP! I BET YOU HAVE A ROLE IN THIS! YOU'VE ALWAYS BEEN AGAINST MADAM OOKUMA! I'M ALSO GOING TO REPLACE YOU IN 40 DAYS! IF YOU WON'T MOBILIZE THE SEARCH, I WILL!" Nakayama fumed.

"And about my request?" Reika asked.

"Grr! Permission granted to both of you! Now get out of my office!" the superintendent general fumed.

"Thank you sir," Reika smiled as she left, followed quickly by Nakayama.

"Yuzume, don't think I don't suspect you in having a role in Madam Ookuma's appearance," Nakayama glared.

"Ara, are you going to arrest ME and raid my place?"

"YOU BET I WILL! YOU'VE BEEN TRYING TO UNLAWFULLY FRAME AND SLANDER MADAM OOKUMA FOR YEARS!"

"But you don't have the authority to just arrest me."

"YES I DO! I OUTRANK-"

"No, you do not. We are of the same rank," Reika glared as she produced her insignia.

"S- SENIOR COMMISSIONER!? SINCE WHEN!?"

"By the authority of the National Police Agency. This is to remain top secret though, so do not go blabbing about it or you will be fired."

"B- But, HOW!?"

"I met the standards and put in the work. I tend to work undercover as just an ordinary detective, however, I made sure to get the rank so that I would not be helpless against corrupt high ranking officials within the police. You may still search my house, in fact we may head there as soon as the prisoners are released. I will also comply with your investigation into Ookuma's disappearance when I am not preoccupied with other matters," Reika huffed as she walked away from the shell shocked Nakayama.

Nakayama froze for a moment before ordering everyone to raid Reika's home.

"Hook, line and sinker," Reika chuckled to herself.

                                                                 ...

"Well?" Reika asked as an angrily twitching Nakayama emerged from her home.

"YOU DID IT! I KNOW YOU DID IT! HOW DARE YOU KIDNAP MADAM OOKUMA!" Nakayama seethed as she grabbed Reika by the collar.

Paparazzi began taking pictures as most of the officers present sighed and left.

"DON'T ANY OF YOU DARE LEAVE! THAT'S AN ORDER! NOW ARREST SENIOR COMMISSIONER REAIKA YUZUME ON-"

"Senior Commissioner? What are you talking about?" Reika groaned.

"DON'T YOU DARE PLAY DUMB WITH ME! I SAW YOUR INSIGNIA!"

"I am merely an inspector," Reika glared as she produced her badge which contained the insignia for an Inspector.

"BULLSHIT! I SAW YOU SHOW IT TO ME!" Nakayama screeched as she began frisking and stripping Reika.

"Zerin Nakayama. By my authority as an Inspector of E-Station, I am deeming you unfit for duty."

"ME UNFIT!? I OUTRANK YOU YOU LYING-HEY! LET ME GO!" Nakayama protested as officers began dragging her away.

"Sorry about the senior commissioner ma'am, an officer bowed.

"You are not at fault. Rest assured, she will be the sole target of my civil suit for damaging my home and belongings," Reika stated as she entered her home.

Once all the officers and paparazzi left, Reika began cleaning up the mess Nakayama made. Once that was done, she went outside and retrieved the senior commissioner insignia she had secretly hidden when everyone arrived.

                                                                          ...

"Rouge Sensei, what's that badge?" a young Reika asked.

"Technically it's my true rank," Rouge replied.

"You're true rank?"

"Yes, I actually became a senior commissioner ages ago, but I hated the rank. It was nothing but a stuffy desk job. Thus, I went to my superiors to request that I be given the cover of a mere superintendent."

"To allow you more freedom of movement, yes?"

"Correct. Though I did make sure that my true rank would still be intact."

"How did you manage that?"

"Trust and prestige. Much of the current composition of the NPA as well as the current Superintendent general have me in their good graces."

"So I should-"

"No. I doubt even if you matched or surpassed me in prestige, no one would ever get such a special privilege again. Rules and regulations can change with every new government formed. Though there is another thing you could do," Rouge said as she placed the insignia in Reika's hands.

"Sensei, are you suggesting I fib my rank!?"

"Only if the circumstances are right. If you mess up you'll be locked up and dismissed immediately. As for the conditions..."

                                                                             ...

"Looks like I managed to pull it off perfectly," Reika thought as she secured the insignia in her secret storeroom that the raid team had failed to find.

Once Reika was done, she headed out to Ryokoma.

                                                                          ...

"They said I'm free from suspicion!" Mimi proclaimed as she arrived at the restaurant.

"Seems Miss Unreliable actually did something, or was it the Ginkawa legal team that got you free?" Rika asked.

"Clearly Onee-sama," Bianka proclaimed as she and Mochi walked in supporting a malnourished Matcha.

"MATCHA!" Waki cried as she ran over and hugged Matcha.

"Waki, ugh, don't. Just give me some damn food," Matcha growled.

"Ah, sorry, sorry. Just so glad to see you."

"We all are," Rika smiled as all the staff began crowding around Mimi and Matcha.

"Welcome back you two," Masaru smiled.

"You look horrible Matcha, sit down and we'll get you something to eat," Zuina stated.

"Fear not, my cooking shall reinvigorate you," Benihime proclaimed.

"I hope you weren't treated too horribly," Itsuki said.

"I was just bound and gagged to a chair for days. Being force fed some slop was probably the worst of it," Matcha replied as she was escorted to a seat.

"Ah, Mimi, come with me for a sec," Rika said as she began dragging Mimi upstairs.

As Mimi set foot on the terrace, she immediately clutched her stomach as she noticed Serika.

"Don't worry, she's fine. She's our newest customer, Serika Midoriya. Poor girl's been through a lot, but is starting to get back on her feet," Rika explained.

"So why are you introducing me?" Mimi asked.

"Because she's still a bit scared and timid despite her tough demeanor. She's also a bit terrified of the Ginkawas. I want to get you two on good terms early."

"A- alright," Mimi resolved as she stopped clutching her stomach and walked up to Serika with Rika.

"Hey Serika, Bianka and Mochi just arrived and will be heading up shortly. But first, I wanted to introduce you to one of our two employees that have been out for a few days."

"Codename: Laks, but just call me Mimi," Mimi smiled.

Serika looked at Mimi and began to go pale.

"Are- aren't you-"

"Don't worry, she's a friendly girl," Reika smiled as she arrived with Bianka and Mochi.

"Yeah, what she said. Mimi's a cool girl that never sells out her friends as well as one of the cutest girls we've got working here," Rika smiled.

"Once I get changed I'll be serving you all today," Mimi smiled.

"Er, uh, nice to meet you," Serika grumbled as color returned to her face.

"So how much of your allowance do you have left over?" Reika asked.

"I just ate breakfast, then spent a little in the arcade. I've still got plenty left," Serika stated as she brought the money out.

"You really are resourceful, but don't flash all your money like that in public. Someone might try to rob you."

"I could slug em."

"Not if you don't realize you've been robbed. There are skilled pickpockets and thieves," Reika stated as she glanced at an elegant man sitting at a table a little further away.

"Oh, yeah. Guess I'd be screwed if I got pickpocketed.

"Don't worry, I will train you how to keep your wallet safe now that you have one," Reika smiled as she placed a new wallet along with an ID card before Serika.

"Is this mine? Why do I look so miserable in the photo!?"

"Well, you were a bit nervous. Don't worry, I'm sure once your hair is grown out, the new photo will look much better," Reika smiled as she patted Serika's head.

"Will I have to ditch the hat at school?" Serika frowned.

"Sadly yes, but your hair's growing back quite quickly. Now why don't we discuss everything you'll need to know before you start school tomorrow."

"You were right Ri-chan, she really isn't bad," Mimi smiled.

"Yeah, she's just a girl trying to get her bearings so she can live a normal life. Now hurry up and change so you can get cooking and serving," Rika grinned.

"Aye Aye Ri-chan!"

                                                                            ...

As Serika bantered with Bianka and Mochi as they ate, Reika got up and went to talk with Rika in private.

"So what do you want?" Rika growled.

"How much do you know about Serika?" Reika asked.

"I don't KNOW much, but I can theorize what she's been through. Though if you're asking about whether I know who she might be, don't worry. She's nothing like the piece of shit that gave birth to her. I also will keep her secret safe with me," Rika smiled.

"Very good. That is what I wanted to request of you."

"Heh, she truly was the courageous one. Braver than me if she did what I think she did."

"Rika, keep theories like that secret as well, don't spread unnecessary rumors."

"I told you just now that I don't sell out my loyal customers and friends."

"Very well, though how did you come up with your theory?"

"I'm a killer. I can tell when someone's killed someone else. Guess this means Mimi can rest easy too."

"Do not spread any rumors about the woman that has disappeared, for all our sakes."

"I got it. Heh, you really can be reliable at times."

                                                                        ...

As Serika and Reika began to leave, Serika noticed Matcha sitting at a table.

"Her hair is dyed if that's what you're wondering," Reika smiled.

"Huh, guess maybe I was a bit too paranoid about my hair," Serika shrugged.