Talking things out with Matcha

"So, care to explain why you're talking about my mother?" Matcha glared.

"How much of that did you hear love?" Waki nervously asked.

"About right as you started talking about your "research"."

"Oh, Rika's just asking about everyone's motivation for cooking. She just finished up with Beni-chan and was discussing who to ask next," Mimi chimed in.

"Yeah, even though I'm friends with you, I don't KNOW know you," Rika sheepishly grinned.

"We aren't friends, you're just an annoying and pushy senpai that drags me along on your whims or talks my ears off."

"Harsh girl."

"Well, I might as well come clean now so that the stalker doesn't twist the truth. My mother is not a chef and had a rough time growing up. She honestly didn't tell me how bad things were but did tell me she was thrown in jail for shoplifting as a young girl. Despite that, my father somehow saw something in her. As for the settlement, that was apparently for a crime my mother did not commit, at least so she claims. My father claims he settled the matter with a little money. Shortly after, he had her name legally changed before officially marrying her. Then a few months later, my older sister, Purin, was born. She and my father are biologically related, meaning he likely had sex with my mother a few months prior to the settlement and subsequent engagement. Ever since then my mother's been mostly clean. She doesn't get along too well with law enforcement and also had a run in with Takeda a few months ago. She'll also sometimes go on weird rants about conspiracy theories at times when I try to have a conversation with her. That, and ever since I was expelled, she's been trying to get me to work in her struggling salon. And don't get me started on my father. He won't even acknowledge me or Purin ever since our expulsions from Tabemono Gakuin. Now all he cares about is my younger sister, Mochi, who far surpasses us in culinary skill and pretty much anything she puts her mind to, yet probably won't pursue a culinary career. And that's that. Oh, I guess you wanted my reason for cooking? Well, I guess it's because I enjoy it, and cause it's the only thing I'm decent at."

Rika warmly smiled upon hearing Matcha's story. "Thanks, girl for being so brave. Now mind if I lay my secret bare?" Rika asked.

"Huh? What's this about secrets?" Matcha confusingly glared.

"Well, I told Itsuki about my past, and well she ran out in terror."

"Fine tell me. Even I can tell this is bothering you," Matcha sighed.

"Alright. Just don't tell Masaru about this."

"Ok?"

"So, my family sucks."

"Yeah, that's nothing. Just look at Itsuki's."

"No, worse than sucks, they're flat out terrifying. The truth is that I'm not from a family of chefs. rather I'm from one of the most infamous assassin families in the world."

"Huh? HUH!? Th- Then that would mean-"

"Yeah, I've killed people. Lots of people," Rika somberly smiled.

"Oh yeah, I'm an underworld assassin too," Waki chimed.

"I'm an ex-spy from Danablu, known as Denmark to you," Mimi smiled.

Matcha pressed her hand to her face as she struggled to process everything. "And just, why did you tell me this?" Matcha groaned.

"Well, because my father showed up and was pissed off that I wasn't killing for him anymore." Rika explained.

"So, you're NOT killing anymore?"

"Might as well explain everything from the beginning. Don't worry, I'll make it fast, so we finish before opening. Mimi, Waki, keep watch so no one overhears."

...

Matcha shook her head as Rika finished. "I'm just bewildered. But then again, where am I to argue. It's clear that you're trying to go against your family. That and you do seem genuine. I can understand why you wouldn't want to talk about that stuff," Matcha stated as she closed her eyes.

"So does that mean-"

"Yes, I will accept you, HOWEVER, you do owe it to everyone here to tell them who you are. I understand that people have secrets that they'll take with them to the grave, but since your past could come to bring harm to us, you need to tell everyone what they're getting into. Masaru included."

"Does it have to be right now?" Rika asked.

"Sooner would be more preferable. That way any who wish to get out of this mess can leave. I am choosing to stay even after hearing your story, but I'm assuming some might bolt away like Itsuki."

"Thanks for that. I'll tell Masaru when I'm ready, but Benihime's a no-go."

"Why?"

"Well, I kinda killed her father and she just told me she wants his killer to have the most inhumane death possible."

"Well, that would make things more complicated. How about Zuina?" Matcha glared.

"No clue. Maybe I killed someone close to her, or maybe I didn't. I don't know much about her."

"Rika, just how many people have you killed!?"

"Before Tabemono, more than I can count. From when I started going to Tabemono up until now, I killed a few thugs including that ass Takeda."

"Well, nobody's complaining about that asshole's death. Though considering how corrupt his family is, I can see why we shouldn't be throwing a celebration for that."

"Though there was an incident near the end of my freshman year. I ended up killing one of my senpais in Madagascar by mistake."

"Who?"

"Hinari Nozomi."

"That's bad, I heard Zuina was close with her. Guess that means you won't tell her either. So is Takeda's body stuffed somewhere one could easily stumble upon it?" Matcha sighed.

"Nah, his I completely destroyed. Though, I guess Masaru's sister, who's now a cop, found some remnants somehow."

"You really are an idiot. Why would you just tell ME of all people that you're a murderer?" Matcha groaned.

"What do you mean?"

"My older sister is also cop."

"Oh..."

"Rest assured, I will not be telling her. We aren't exactly on the best of terms ever since her expulsion from Tabemono Gakuin."

"Oh, I kinda remember that. She was a massive Makihara supporter, but ended up getting full of herself and challenged Mochi to an official cook-off, then tried to kill her once she lost," Waki stated.

"Yes, the gourmet elite families can be very cold and unforgiving to those that are greatly outmatched by their siblings. Tabemono Gakuin also features a middle school segment meaning younger siblings of high school students can challenge them to cook-offs and even put expulsion on the line. The event with Masaru's sister was a forced event by Makihara, most likely to strengthen his protégé. Purin's case was all her own fault. She was all set to graduate, but I guess someone dissed her to the point where she stormed into the middle school and challenged Mochi to a cook-off with the threat of expulsion and subsequent blacklisting from the culinary world on the line. Mochi accepted, and utterly outclassed and humiliated Purin. To make matters worse, she then decided to drop out of Tabemono and transfer to a regular middle school, leaving the culinary world behind. That only worsened Purin's attitude and put more pressure on me. Especially considering I butt heads with my father on his support for Makihara's elitism. I had already declared my intent to oppose Makihara's elitism, which is why I ended up getting expelled via his unfair exam. Once I was expelled, my father simply acted like I didn't exist. He acts the same way towards Purin, however. Now, all he cares about is trying to change Mochi's mind and get her into a culinary career."

"I kinda feel bad for your sisters, but I'm glad you're on board with me," Rika nodded.

"Well, it's clear you need someone that can call you out on your stupidity. Since I'm essentially disowned anyway, what do I have to lose?" Matcha sighed.

"Thanks Matcha."

...

Once the restaurant opened, Matcha was put on full-time cooking duty due to Itsuki's absence. Benihime was also sent out on a supply run to various vendors to procure more ingredients. Masaru's time in the pantry had caused him to realize that there was still plenty of unused space, thus he decided it was best to stock up considering how much food the restaurant ends up serving.

"What is going on? First you refuse to let me see how your father views your cooking, then you tell me Itsuki's not feeling well, now you have an inexperienced chef cook for our customers?" Masaru groaned.

"Hey, it happens. Besides, Matcha's more than qualified to be a full-time cook." Rika argued.

"Next time at least let me hear the results. If I am to learn more about you, then I need to know how your family views your cooking."

"Wow, so you're starting to get more serious about pursuing me?" Rika cooed.

"...Yes, we'll phrase it like that," Masaru blushed.

Rika blushed and smiled warmly at Masaru, but before she could say anything, Zuina burst into the kitchen in a frenzy. "We've got a problem. Some rowdy customers are trying to challenge Komachi-san to a cook-off," Zuina groaned.

"Well challenge accepted. So, who is it? Helga and Sundae?" Rika smugly grinned.

"Two women. One's dressed nice and fancy while the other looks like a delinquent."

Rika entered the dining hall and immediately froze upon seeing the challengers. They were two women with long red hair and gold eyes. One wore a white dress and white sneakers, while the other had spray tanned her skin and wore a white bra-top, white ripped jean shorts, and white sneakers.

"Yo, Ri-ri-ka! Onee's here for a hardcore challenge," the one with the bra top grinned as she held up a spatula.

"Ichika, we're here for-Mph!?"

"Shush Nino-nee, read the vibes girl. We go with the flow," Ichika grinned as she pressed her spatula over the other girl's mouth.

"Shit, it's my older sisters," Rika groaned.