Chatting with Rika on St. Patricks day

After finishing their training and enjoying a nice lunch, Yuni and Serika decided to visit their apartments to collect their things. Sensing their unease, Emeri and Madoka decided to tag along.

“It’s been a few days since they were home, it’s probably best to have Mado-chan use her danger sense to see if anything’s amiss. Besides, I’d feel more at ease coming with you than staying here,” Emeri explained.

“Are you sure we can stay at your place for the time being?” asked Serika.

“’Yeah, it’s much safer at the mansion then out in the wild. Besides, you looked so sad when Yuni suggested going back to your apartments. I imagine you don’t want to go back to a lonely apartment after spending such joyous nights with friends.”

“Y- Yeah, you really read me like an open book. I guess you could say I got spoiled by having fun with friends and staying in a warm loving environment.”

                                                                                  ...

The limousine pulled up to Serika’s apartment first.

“Will one suitcase be enough?” asked Madoka.

“Yeah, that giant suitcase should be able to fit everything I own. My apartment’s really bare, the most valuable thing I own is probably the TV,” Serika shrugged.

Everyone followed Serika as she approached the door. Madoka and Emeri made sure it wasn’t booby trapped before Serika turned the key. Once inside, Madoka and Serika scanned the place before giving the all clear to Emeri and Yuni.

“Doesn’t look like anything’s been messed with, alright this will only take a minute,” Serika stated as she began filling her suitcase with everything she owned.

She finished packing in 10 minutes. Her suitcase was primarily filled with manga volumes, clothes, and pairs of chartreuse sneakers. She had also packed up her DVDs and video games along with her Yintendo Mitch and the few small trinkets she owned. The most valuable things she had retrieved were the loose cash she stashed throughout the place and her passport.

“Never used this thing, but it’s probably a good idea to grab something like this considering Sensei made sure to get it for me,” she said as she pocketed her passport in her purse.

After moving her suitcase to the limo, Serika went up by herself to make one final check. She walked up to her bed and pulled out a bag she had hidden under it.

"Sorry Sensei, I still don't think I'm worthy of wearing this. Though maybe one day," she said as she slid it back under the bed.

...

Yuni’s place was the next place on the tour. Yuni began to shudder as she got closer and closer to her door. She was having bad memories of her time with Fujiko.

“Don’t worry, you never have to go back here after today. And rest assured, that evil bitch will never hurt you or anyone else ever again,” Madoka declared as she wrapped her arm around Yuni.

Yuni’s door had been left unlocked the whole time she was gone. Both her and Madoka anxiously scoured her apartment.

“I honestly just want to grab my passport and wallet and get out of here,” Yuni stated as she nervously peeked open the closet.

“The worst part is, I can’t tell if that monster was the one who moved things around or if it was someone else," she trembled as she gazed at her strewn about clothes.

“I don’t sense anything dangerous, and Emeri’s sensor isn’t sensing any bugs or bombs," Madoka stated.

They gave the all clear and Serika and Emeri entered.

“This place is a mess, though I can’t tell if it’s because you’re a slob or because that bald bitch apparently romped through the place,” Serika growled.

“I’ll take that as a compliment," Yuni retorted as she began packing up her things.

 Yuni had far more mementos and trinkets compared to Serika. Her most precious thing was a framed picture of her mother when she had graduated high school.

“Is that your mom? She looks so beautiful, your hair is similar, but your eyes are completely different colors.” Madoka asked.

“Yeah, like I told you, I don’t know who my father is or if I even had one," Yuni replied.

“It’s honestly hard to tell she’s Fubuki. I get she dyed her hair, but her eyes don’t look as strong. Sure this isn’t your aunt?” Serika asked.

“Her eyes don’t look as strong in that picture because it was taken before she began her job. Though she told me her eyes really only became unwavering and strong once I was born. And no, I did not confuse my mother and aunt,” Yuni stated.

                                                                           ...

30 minutes later, Yuni had finished packing. She had a brief scare when she couldn’t find her wallet, but eventually found it hidden behind the nightstand.

“I’m just glad I have my ID and passport. Would not want Illumous or anyone else to swipe these," she trembled.

It took two giant suitcases for her to take everything she had with her. Everyone then drove back to the mansion and unloaded their things.

“Never thought I’d be in a room next to you, but it’s better than sleeping all alone,” Serika grumbled.

“You can also snuggle in the covers with me if you’re THAT lonely, you’re better than that monster at least,” Yuni retorted.

“You tsunderes really are cute,” Madoka jibed.

“We are NOT tsunderes!” Serika and Yuni roared as their faces went red.

“Say, wanna go back out and grab some crepes at Ryokoma? It's been a few days since we've been there and I hear they’ve got matcha flavored ones to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day,” Madoka suggested.

Yuni and Serika nodded in agreement and joined Madoka and Emeri as they headed for one of the sedans.

“A little surprised you don’t have a crepe factory in the mansion,” Yuni said.

“We do, but the ones made by Rika are SO good. We’ve tried to recruit her, but she refused so we just go to her place. Well, at least her place is close by. We could even sail to it now that the place has expanded to have waterfront seating,” Madoka lamented.

                                                                         ...

Rika's eyes widened as Madoka, Yuni, Serika, and Emeri all entered Ryokoma.

"I was wondering where you all were, but to think you all would be together. So what changed Serika?" Rika asked.

"I'm friends with Madoka and Emeri, not Twintails," Serika grumbled.

"Well, you want takoyaki for breakfast or the honey pancakes? Oh, since it's St. Patricks day, we've got special green colored variations of our food. Some have matcha, while others don't."

"Takoyaki matcha crepes."

"Fusion huh? Challenge accepted. So what about the rest of you?"

"Green Leprechaun Masaru's chicken!" Yuni cheered.

"Green crepes!" Madoka cheered.

"Unadon," Emeri grumbled.

"Comin right up!" Rika smiled.

                                                                           ...

As the four sat down, Serika stared somberly at the table.

"Are you upset we're not eating on the terrace?" Yuni asked.

"No. It's Rika. She had a really bad history with the piece of shit that birthed me," Serika mumbled.

"Mimi said she had no problems with you when you told her," Madoka stated.

"If you got something you wanna get off your chest, we can chat in that private booth over there," Rika stated as she walked by.

Serika nodded and walked over with her.

"So what is it?" Rika asked once the two were seated.

"Since I told those three and Mimi who I was, I felt I needed to tell you too. I'm the daughter of that piece of shit Ruchi Ookuma," Serika sighed.

"Oh that's it? I knew who you were from day 1."

"HUH!?"

"I'm an ex-assassin. I can tell when someone's killed someone else. Plus, it was actually quite easy for me to piece together who you were back then."

"So all this time-"

"I had no problem helping you live a good live and eat good food. When I told that unreliable mentor of yours I knew who you were, she smiled and thanked me for accepting you. Trust me, I know exactly how you feel, but that's why it's important to have friends you can trust to lean on for support."

"Thank you Rika," Serika tearfully smiled.

"No problem. Oh, and the rest of the staff are tight lipped if you feel like telling them too. It's OK if you don't considering those Illumous bastards would probably descend on you if they knew who you were."

"Yeah, though thanks for easing my anxiety."

"That's what this place is for," Rika smiled.

                                                                           ...

Once Serika returned, the food arrived.

"Hope you enjoy your breakfast," Mimi smiled as she placed Madoka's huge plate of crepes before her.

"Wait, are YOU that Crepe goddess I saw all those years ago!?" Serika gasped.

"Yup!" Madoka smiled as she devoured all but three crepes.

"And here's your blessing!" Madoka smiled as she placed the three remaining crepes before her friends.

"A green Kringle crepe? Can't believe it's been years since I last ate a Kringle crepe," Serika said as she munched on it.

"Really? I ate one just a few days ago," Yuni stated as she ate her green Kringle crepe.

"You came here with us though," Emeri stated as she munched on her green Kringle crepe.

"And how long before then?" Serika glared.

"Uh...Rika?" Yuni nervously asked.

"It was when you came in here all sad after your mother disappeared," Rika replied.

"Oh. A sad memory. So that's why I couldn't remember it well... Rika, could I talk to you about something?"

"Sure, though I do have to get back to cooking soon so hope it isn't a long story."

                                                                        ...

Once the two sat down in the private booth, Yuni took a deep breath before staring at Rika.

"It's about my mother," she stated.

"Your mother?" Rika asked.

"Yeah, it's about who she is."

"Is it Fubuki?"

"Yeah. How did you know?"

"Because she came here a few times."

"She came here!? Now that you mention it, she did bring me Col Masaru's chicken every year she visited."

"That, and she also got an egg roll platter like your aunt always did. Since the two looked kind of similar, I wondered if they were sisters."

"Twins actually."

"TWINS!? Well, I guess it makes sense why Fubuki looks much different."

"Yeah, she's got battle scars and a stronger look in her eye."

"Now can I ask you something? Did your unreliable mentor know Fubuki?"

"Yes. She said she met her when she was in middle school."

"Cheeky little bitch. So that's why she did some things the way she did. *Sigh* Well, anything else you want to talk to me about?"

"Nope. Thanks again for all that you've done for me."

"Anytime. I hope you can find your mother and cousin. I haven't seen the triplets come in ever since that day."

"Really?"

"Yeah. Though there are many people that eat the strudel cake they like. That popular Ewetuber Kumi in particular loves it and frequently comes here to film herself eating it along with various other dishes."

"Kumi? Never really heard of her."

"Long multicolored hair, pointy teeth, pink eyes. Also really dank and edgy."

"No clue. Though is she really a big deal?"

"She's got 69,000,000 subscribers."

"That's a lot!"

"Yeah, and you can bet most of em swarm the place after she uploads a video, or posts that she's here."

                                                                           ...

Yuni returned and began chatting with the others as Rika headed back into the kitchen.

"About time you returned," the woman with chartreuse hair glared.

"Sorry Matcha. Just had to chat with our loyal customers.

"*Sigh* Well get cooking, we've got loads of orders, both for here and take out."

"Got it," Rika smiled.

                                                                       ...

As the girls exited the restaurant, Madoka suddenly leapt back as a fat leprechaun with a purple beard landed on the roof of the sedan with his paraglider.

“Oh no, it’s him,” Madoka cringed.

“BUWAHAHAHA! MADOKA! You are not wearing green! So, you must die! *Achoo*,” Jester stated as he rubbed his nose.

“I thought you blew up.”

“We landed in the water, but now we’re all sick *Achoo*.”

Emeri then pressed a button on the car key causing the roof to spring upward and launch Jester into the air.

“Fool! I have my paraglider you- AHHHH!”

Jester screamed in shock as Madoka pulled a rocket launcher out of the trunk.

“Figured I’d bring this in case any leprechauns tried to kill me. Also, I’m wearing green panties. Go back to your pot of gold!” Madoka yelled as she blasted Jester sending him flying towards the rainbow bridge.

“[FUCK YOU] MADOKA! I DIDN’T EVEN GET TO DO MY THEME SONG!” Jester wailed as he splashed into the water. His paraglider would need to be repaired again.

"You've grown Madoka. In the past, that bastard would always snag you when you came in the mornings," Rika smiled as she stepped out.

"Hmm, hmm, hmm! I known now that every year he tries to kidnap me on this day dressed as a leprechaun.  Well, we'll swing by tomorrow. Make sure there's terrace seating for us," Madoka waved.

"Looking forward to seeing you again," Rika smiled.