Annoying, but lovable

Mimoko grumbled as she strolled around the hotel grounds as Daria followed behind her, still dressed in the maid outfit. Heads were naturally turning, bringing gret shame and embarrassment to Mimoko.

Just then, Michiko and her co-worker appeared in front of her. As soon as Michiko noticed her, she went pale. "...!? D- Daria!? I- Is that you!?"

"Michiko-chan! Look at me! I'm a maid!" Daria smiled.

"So it really is you... I can't believe you're wearing something like that- Actually, I can."

"Um, do you know my mother?" Mimoko nervously asked.

"Michiko-chan and I go way back. We're besties!" Daria smiled.

"That's true, but she does not know about the secret cafe," Michiko whispered to Mimoko.

"So Michiko-chan, you on lunch?" Daria asked.

"Just getting back from it actually."

"Boo, oh wait! That means you can give me maid buns!"

"Y- Yes, I suppose I could."

"Come on Mimoko, let's get a mommy and daughter makeover!"

"Wait- HUH!? Okaa-chan-"

"It's you!"

Everyone paused and turned to notice a flabbergasted Mizuse staring at them. Mimoko assumed at first Mizuse might be referring to her, but to her shock, she suddenly ran up to Daria.

"YOU! Do you remember all those years ago!? It was back in Okinawa in November 2018-"

"Mizuse, what are blabbering about?" Michiko growled.

"Oh, I guess I never told you proper. This woman saved my life back when I was in a rough spot."

Michiko stood dumbfounded as did Mimoko.

"I think she's referring to me giving her a meal. Back then, she was obsessed with something and was living on the streets," Daria smiled.

Mimoko began to tremble in shock as Mizuse confirmed the story was true.

"Back then, I had just inherited the family business, but was squandering away my potential. I then had a fateful encounter that ended up spurring me to pursue chess, but as a result, I didn't focus on the things around me and lost all my assets to the family butler. As I wandered the streets, this woman suddenly appeared and helped set my path straight. I've been searching for you all these years to thank you!" Michiko smiled as she shook Daria's hand.

"Heh, heh. Well my daughter's a big fan. Oh, ya mentioned chess! Mimoko's a big chess star!"

"I'm well aware," Mizuse smiled as she winked at Mimoko.

Before Mimoko could react, Michiko let out a sigh and began dragging Daria away. "Fine, I'll give you your makeover. Oh, and if your daughter's interested, she can come too."

"Actually, if you don't mind, I'd love to have lunch with her if you don't mind. In fact, we could all have lunch together."

Michiko paused before sighing and letting Daria go. "Well if you're willing to babysit her, go ahead."

As Michiko walked away, Mimoko decided to follow her mother and Michiko, yet to her surprise, her mother actually stopped her. "Sorry, but I think she wants to have a one-on-one with me."

Michiko insisted she didn't mind, yet Daria was oddly defiant. She was starting to see why Michiko had warned her, but decided to roll with it and suggested Mimoko go hang out with Michiko, whispering that her secret puzzle cafe was open around this time.

...

As Mimoko finished the daily puzzle, she decided to strike up a conversation with Michiko, curious as to how she met her mother. Michiko explained that she had actually grown up in the same neighborhood as Daria, even though Daria was nearly 10 years older than her.

"I'll never forget how annoying she was. 'You're gonna be a stylist!? Then ya gotta make me look all pretty and sexy!' is what she said when she found out my career path. She always acted like my big sister, even though I found her really annoying."

"Yeah, she is really annoying."

"Do you hate her?"

Mimoko shook her head and smiled. "No. It's true, she annoys me to no end and I wish she'd just leave me alone, but that doesn't mean I'd want harm to come to her for my benefit."

"Heh, so I guess you're like me. No matter how much we find that goofball annoying, we can't help but love her. Just don't tell her I said that or I'll shave your head."

"No worries. Same goes for you as well," Mimoko laughed.

"So, feel like attempting that terminology quiz?"

“Forget that encyclopedia shit. Learnin’ the names of moves is meaningless," a voice sneered.

Mimoko turned to notice a young woman with waist-length blonde hair and a nasty scowl on her face strutting towards her. She was clad in a ripped shrine maiden dress, white converse sneakers, and bandage bindings that struggled to contain her massive breasts. Based on her manner of speaking and appearance, it was fair to assume she was a delinquent from the Kansai region.

Michiko sighed and pretended to ignore the delinquent, yet the delinquent didn't take kindly to that and walked up to Mimoko. "Card out."

Mimoko nervously complied as the woman gazed at her WWCF card.

"2714? Hmm, your blitz is only 2690, but it says you've only competed in a single blitz tournament. Nothing for rapid or bullet though. Yeah, I only care about speed."

"I CAN play bullet. I just don't have a rating in that discipline yet," Mimoko glared.

Michiko cleared her throat, causing the delinquent to shoot her a scowl. "Yeah, yeah I know. There are technically ratings for bullet chess, but it's more of it's own separate thing unlike the other three main ratings that factor into your overall rating. It still does affect your overall rating, just not by much. Anyway, get out."

Confused, Mimoko demanded to know the reason why, only for the delinquent to get more antsy with her. Deciding to settle things at the chessboard, Mimoko attempted to issue the delinquent a challenge via her WWCF card, but to her shock, an error message appeared stating that no data on the delinquent could be found.

"Wait, how can you be here then? This place is only for WWCF members, right?" Mimoko nervously asked.

The delinquent glared and approached Mimoko. "Michiko, you didn't say anything bout folks showin’ up at this hour!"

...

As Mizuse left the cafe after having a nice lunch with Daria, she suddenly found herself confronted by Ai and a hooded woman. "Ara, you're the girl that did such a beautiful job shaving me bald."

Ai merely stood in silence, prompting Mizuse to go on guard. Something was clearly off. Before she could react, the hooded woman suddenly pulled out a DESPER and activated it.