Old man Ro and Jijiji

Itsuki stared at an old man sitting by the window.

"Hello, welcome to Ryokoma," she smiled as she approached him.

"*Tch* Place has downgraded since I was last here," he scoffed.

"Don't think you've ever been in before," Rika stated as she strolled up.

The old man gazed at Rika, before turning back to the window.

"Back in the day, there used to be a nice cafe by the bay side. Then the damn mall was built," he grumbled.

"Bayside huh? Well then you're in luck cause we're gonna open bay side seating tomorrow," Rika grinned.

"Tomorrow!? Dammit! I need it today!"

"Sir, we-"

"It's fine Itsuki. Just consider him part of the test group. Come this way..."

                                                                             ...

The old man sat down and gazed out at the waterfront.

"Damn high-rise ruins the view!" he grumbled as he stared at the Ginkawa mansion across the way.

"Uh, that's actually a whole city," Rika stated.

"Damn place never looked like this back in my day!"

"What was your day like?"

"Served as a secret agent. But I come back and everything's ruined. They took years to fix the damn place, but it just got ruined over time!"

"What was the place like before?"

"You wouldn't get it. Had a nice woman, but she was murdered by those damn gangsters... I never got to apologize."

"__."

"I'd always say mean things to her, yet she'd keep on smiling. Told her I'd rather die in the field as a spy than an old prune on the sidelines. But then, when I came back, the whole place was gone. Sachiko was gone, and so was the place. Then, they build a damn mall and some damn city that ruins the view! Wish I could just go back."

"What was the food like?"

"You'll never top it. Tonkatsu."

"Comin right up."

"I ain't orderin anythin!" the man protested as Rika headed for the kitchen.

                                                                             ...

"He certainly seems like he's senile," Itsuki remarked.

"Maybe, but I don't doubt his story. That man's killed a lot," Rika stated.

"How can you tell?"

"Cause I'm a killer myself. I can tell when someone's killed another person before."

                                                                            ...

Rika returned and placed the tonkatsu before the man.

"Hope you enjoy," Rika smiled.

The man grumbled and grabbed the dish with his hands before eating it. After one bite, he devoured it quickly as tears poured out of his eyes.

"Sachiko, I'm sorry," he sighed as he leaned back and closed his eyes."

"Ro-kun? RO-KUN!" a voice shouted.

"What do you want woman?" the old, now young man growled as he woke up and turned to face the young woman before him.

"You've just been lounging there for hours!"

"So?"

"This is a restaurant. Other people want to sit there and see the view of the bay."

"The bay? Oh, look at that. It's just like I remember. No damn high-rise."

"High-rise?"

"Big tall skyscrapers. Oh, now that I look behind me, that damn mall's gone too."

"Mall?"

"_!...Sachiko sorry."

"For how much?"

"Everything. I'll stay here with you."

"Ro-kun, you're acting weird. What do you mean?"

"Heh, just rambling. Now bring me some tonkatsu."

"More!? Well, guess you're the only one here anyway," the woman smiled.

                                                                                ...

Rika lowered her head as she stared at the peaceful old man.

"Rika, why is there someone sitting here?" Masaru asked.

"I just wanted to grant him a final request. The least I can do," Rika stated.

"What do you mean?"

"He's passed."

Masaru gazed at the old man. He had peacefully passed with a smile on his face.

"Dammit! I miss him!" Another old man shouted as he rolled up in an electric scooter.

"Yes. Sorry sir, but he's passed," Rika stated.

"Hmm? This view. Reminds me of the days before the war. There was nice cafe here run by a nice woman, but she was killed in the bombings. Wouldn't leave when the evacuation order went out. Said Ro still needed to come back and apologize. Though by the look on his face, it looks like he finally found peace," the man nodded as he turned to leave.

"G- Grandfather!? Why are you here!?" Zuina gasped.

"Huh? Zu? When'd you get here?" the old man asked.

"This guy's your grandpa?" Rika asked.

"Correct. He served as a Spy during the cold war. That man over there was his buddy Ro," Zuina stated.

"Despite my age, I'm still fit as a fiddle and sharp as a tack. Call me Jijiji." the old man stated.

"So did you come here to sample Zuina's cooking?" Rika asked.

"Sadly no. I'm glad you gave Ro some peace, but the reason we came here was to warn you. Reina's gonna snap."

"Reina?"

"Rebelle's real name. *Sigh* So I guess this means she's lost it?" Zuina asked.

"Worse, she's cornered. She's likely to leak everything she's got in a panic," Jijiji stated.

"Any way to stop her?" Rika asked.

"It's likely too late. I saw her running frantically throughout her mansion being chased by somethin. I'm guessin they're Ookuma's secret backers."

"Ookuma? Ah, so that's what happened. Those leaks exposing the misdeeds of Ookuma's affiliates must have originated from Rebelle."

"Correct, though I have no idea why she'd betray Ookuma. That girl was by her side ever since the two met years ago."

"So you came here to give us a heads up we're gonna get the dirt she has on us exposed?"

"Correct. Since I heard Zu's workin here, thought I'd give you a courtesy notice."

"*Sigh* Shit, this could be bad for not just us, but the whole world too," Rika grumbled.

"Well, guess maybe I'll try that meal ya gave Ro."

"You won't die if I give it to you?"

"I ain't as emotional as Ro. Besides, I doubt you'd poison it Miss killer."

"Ah, my great grandfather actually still works in the government to this day," Zuina clarified.

"So you're still active then?" Rika glared.

"Relax, if I wanted to drag you in, you wouldn't know what hit ya.  Ro only died cause he didn't have much longer and was overwhelmed by emotion. Now you gonna serve me a tonkatsu?"

"Alright, but if you die, I'm not at fault."

                                                                             ...

Just like with Ro, Jijiji began tearing up after eating the tonkatsu and closed his eyes. When he opened them, he was back at the original bay side cafe with a young Ro and Sachiko.

"The hell are you doing here Jinzo!?" Ro glared.

"I ate tonkatsu. Well, guess it was too much for me," a now young Jijiji smiled.

"Well get out! I want to be alone with Sachiko!"

"Why can't I see her too?"

"You're married, you asshole! I was single for life!"

"Stop being an asshole Ro! Though he is right, Jinzo. It's still too early for you to be here," Sachiko stated.

"But I will be able to come here when it is my time?" Jijiji asked.

"Yes. But today is not the day."

"Oi! Oi! OI!" Rika's voice echoed.

"GAH!"

Jijiji woke up and gazed around. He was back in the present.

"The hell's with this stuff?" Rika grumbled as she ate the tonkatsu and closed her eyes.

Nothing happened.

"Seriously, what is with you geezers and this tonkatsu," Rika grumbled.

"Sorry bout that," Jijiji frowned.

"I think maybe I will cook something for you," Zuina grumbled as she escorted Jijiji back inside.

"Rika, did you know about this cafe's history?" Masaru asked.

"Only about the history of the mall. Never knew about any cafes being here prior," Rika somberly stated.

"Did you not do your research on this place beforehand?"

"I did, but there was hardly anything. It was likely lost to history."

"Could it have been a lie?"

"I didn't sense any hostility."

Inside, Jijiji gasped as he recognized Mimi.

"You! You're that Danish girl that infiltrated the caberet in Kyoto!" he glared as he stood up and pulled out a brass knuckle.

"Huh? Wait, are you that ninja guy!? You got older," Mimi gasped.

"And none weaker!"

"Um sir, please don't fight her. She's apparently with the Ginkawa family," Wakaha sighed as she entered.

"She's a Ginkawa?"

"Yes, would you like a blood test to prove it, Kirika-kun?" Harumi glared as she entered the restaurant with Madoka.

Jijiji grumbled and returned to his seat. Wakaha then sat down with him.

"I take it the reason I was summoned was to discuss something important?" Wakaha asked.

"Correct. Rebelle's gonna leak everything, and there's nothing we can do to stop her," Jijiji stated.

"*Sigh* and here I was hoping I could start a teaching career."

                                                                               ...

In the kitchen, Rika nervously stared at Masaru.

"I have no idea how things will play out when all Rebelle's blackmail material goes public. I just hope we can still be together," Rika thought.