Matcha's family problems

Mocha and the man immediately began flirting; however, the man's expression changed the moment he noticed Rika. "The hell are you doing here heathen!" he glared.

"Getting my hair done," Rika glared back.

The man was none other than Kiji Myouchi, the head of the Myouchi family as well as Tabemono Gakuin's Vice principal. He was a hardcore supporter of Makihara and his ideology, and thus had a negative attitude towards Rika.

"Huh? Helga? Why are you here too?" Kiji asked.

"Cause I had to dye my hair back," Helga grumbled.

"Huh? Well why don't we chat for a bit," Kiji glared as he went over and sat down on Matcha as if she wasn't there.

"The hell are you sitting on me for!?" Matcha shouted.

"So, Helga, I heard you lost a cook-off to the heathen. Sundae also mentioned you've been cozying up to one of the heathen's waitresses," Kiji glared, completely ignoring Matcha's existence.

"Oi! Get your fat ass off Matcha!" Rika glared.

"The hell you squawking about!? The chair's empty so I can sit here!" Kiji shouted into Rika's face.

"Father, could you please come over here so we can talk?" Mochi glared.

"Mochi-chwan! I wuv you so much!" Kiji swooned as he leapt up and hugged Mochi.

"This is how that bastard works. If he likes you, he'll shower you with unconditional love, but if you disappoint him, he acts like you don't exist," Matcha glared.

"What an asshole," Rika glared.

"I don't know what my mother sees in him."

"Love works in mysterious ways sometimes."

"Clearly."

"Mochi-chwan, pwease pwease come back to the cooking world," Kiji pleaded as he hugged Mochi.

"Father, I do not wish to make the lives of others more miserable," Mochi annoyingly sighed.

"But you're a prodigy."

"Exactly why I don't want to return. I'm too good at cooking, and that hurts everyone else."

Suddenly, the door to the salon violently swung open as three women marched inside. "Police! We're here to arrest Mocha Myouchi for suspected mass murder," Himawari declared as Makoto and Purin stood beside her.

"The hell!? Murder!? Not again dammit! Why the hell do you always blame me for murders huh!? Bet it's another damn poser like it was 9 years ago and all the times after!" Mocha fumed.

"The hell do you mean mass murder?" Matcha shouted.

"Tch! So, you're here huh? Still slaving away at 5-22?" Purin glared.

"No, she got a job at a restaurant!" Mocha retorted.

"THE HELL!?" The woman immediately stormed up to Matcha and grabbed her by the scruff of her neck.

"I'm in the middle of something, let go Purin," Matcha glared.

"How the hell are YOU able to work in a restaurant!? You have NO taste in food! Or a license!" Purin glared back.

"Purin-nee-san, please stop harassing Matacha-nee-san," Mochi glared.

Purin twitched and unleashed a glare full of pure scorn and malice towards Mochi. "You… YOU! So now you're a stylist huh!?" she shouted.

"Your eyes have gotten more envious since the last time I saw you. At the rate you're going at, you'll be a green-eyed monster of envy in a month," Mochi sighed.

"Want me to kill you, you little shit!?"

"Don't step out of line Purin!" Himawari glared.

"S- Sorry Ma'am," Purin shuddered as she let go of Matcha and returned to Himawari's side. "Mocha Myouchi, hands behind your back, you're under arrest-"

"Oh, come on! I didn't kill anyone!" Mocha fumed.

"No need to get so on edge, Mocha-chwan. The officer here hasn't said anything. Perhaps she just wants a cut," Kiji mused, completely ignoring the existence of Himawari and Purin.

"Mocha Myouchi is the prime suspect in a mass murder that just occurred an hour ago," Makoto growled.

"I was HERE for the past 5 hours!" Mocha glared.

"We found strands of your hair at the scene. DNA testing confirms it matches yours that we have on file," Himawari stated.

"AGAIN!? I'm telling you; some crazed bastards are secretly snipping my hawk in order to frame me!"

"I'm aware of your record, but this is by far the grizzliest incident you've been accused of. We found possibly 20 unidentifiable corpses near an abandoned factory. The missing Kazuya Takeda's hair was also found on one of the burnt corpses. Since you recently had an argument with Takeda, you are one of the prime suspects."

Rika's eyes narrowed upon hearing that last statement. "Huh? I thought you said you found Takeda's remains a few days ago," Rika glared.

"Well Hello Miss Komachi. Hello to you too Helga. I see you're dying your hair back," Himawari glared as she turned to face the three sitting under the dryers.

"You here to get your head shaved?" Helga sneered.

"I'm unamused by your jeers. As for Miss Komachi's question, Takeda was not amongst the corpses, however, the theory is that they played a part in killing Takeda, or at the least deposing of his remains, thus Mocha murdered them all in order to keep them quiet."

"I thought you claimed Dastard murdered him?" Rika glared.

"We received an anonymous tip that Mocha personally killed Takeda and has ties to Dastard."

"Correct me if I'm wrong, but are you arresting my mother merely on the suspicion that she committed a recent murder?" Mochi asked.

"Correct."

"When did the murder take place?"

"Classified you little shit," Purin snarled.

Mochi quickly whipped out her phone. "Hmm, I found that a mass murder allegedly took place around 8 P.M. In that case, my mother is innocent," she stated.

"Yeah, Mo-chan was here in the salon all day except when we went out for lunch. Here, I got the security footage on my phone," Hina glared.

Purin's face scowled as she saw the footage. "Who cares, we drag her in-"

"Under false charges? That's quite corrupt," Mochi glared.

"Purin, I regret to inform you that her alibi is solid. It's possible someone truly did just grab some of her hair and had it at the scene of the crime," Himawari sighed.

"Tch! Guess that means Kiji Myouchi's the culprit," Purin snarled.

"Kiji Myouchi, where were you at 8?" Makoto asked.

"Huh? I was walking," Kiji huffed.

"You're under arrest for suspected murder," Purin snarled as she whipped out her handcuffs and cuffed Kiji from the front. Kiji, however, acted as though nothing had happened and began walking out. "OI! RESISTING ARREST IS A CRIME!" Purin fumed as she grabbed Kiji's shoulder.

"Must I become Superintendent general in order to reform your corrupt station?" Mochi sighed.

"YOU NOT SATISFIED WITH TRYING TO SURPASS ME ONCE!?" Purin shouted as she pulled out her gun.

"PURIN!" Himawari shouted as Makoto grabbed Purin's wrist and began squeezing.

"OW OW OW! YOU TRYING TO BREAK MY WRIST!?" Purin shouted in pain as she dropped her gun.

"Do not do anything reckless, now go back to the squad car and cool your head," Himawari glared as she handed Purin her gun back.

"Yes ma'am," Purin nodded as she walked out.

"Makoto, escort the suspect to the squad car and head back. I will return as soon as I am finished with my haircut," Himawari ordered.

"Yes ma'am!" Makoto nodded as she dragged Kiji out.

"I'll sue you all for this," Kiji fumed.

Once they were gone, Himawari sat down in one of the salon chairs.

"Sorry, we're closed for the night," Hina glared.

"I simply want you to cut my hair short. Very well, I shall do it myself," Himawari sighed as she walked towards a counter and grabbed a pair of scissors. She then held her hair in a ponytail and cut the ponytail off. “I apologize for my subordinate’s behavior," Himawari said as she placed the scissors back on the counter along with a 100,000 yen note.

"Huh? What's with the cash!? It better not be some kind of hush money!" Mocha glared.

"No, it is simply the price for my haircut. You may keep the change as a tip."

"Very well. Though please ensure my father is treated fairly. I believe that despite his weak alibi, he is innocent," Mochi glared as she collected the money.

"I will do what I can," Himawari nodded as she ran her hand through her now short hair before leaving.

Once she was gone, Mocha embraced Mochi in a hug. "Momma's proud of you, Mochi," she smiled.

"I'm proud of you too Mother," Mochi smiled back.

"That was badass Mochi! You could make a great lawyer," Hina cried as she joined in on the hug.

"More than badass, you schooled Purin, and won over her superior," Matcha praised.

"I could've made said superior fold easy. Actually, let me throw some salt on her," Rika sadistically snickered as she whipped out her phone.

"And what exactly are you doing?" Matcha glared.

"Just sending her a nice butter chicken pot pie with naan crust," Rika snickered.

"Wait, that's all it takes to trigger her!? I'm sending that bitch one for all the hell she put me through!" Helga fumed.

"Why were they so adamant that Mocha was the criminal though?" Rika asked.

"They probably just mistook me for a perpetrator... again," Mocha groaned.

"Again?"

"Ever since the incident here 9 years ago, criminals just can't help making themselves look like me when they commit their crimes," Mocha scowled.

"Even with the mohawk?"

"A vast majority of the criminals that try and impersonate me usually just wear a wig, though some go the extra mile and get a genuine hawk. Many of them have even been customers that will come in simply to snag some of my hair to plant as evidence. Though this is the first time my disowned daughter came to arrest me."

"You consider her disowned?"

"Yes. I'm not as strict as my husband when it comes to disowning our children, but Purin crossed the line by trying to kill Mochi after she got expelled."

"She tried to kill her!?"

"Yes, she nearly stabbed me after I was declared the winner of our cook-off. She's never gotten along well with us, though I'm by far the one she hates the most. My talent was too overwhelming, and she was consumed with envy. That is why I will never dabble in cooking ever again," Mochi sighed.

"So that explains why she suddenly snapped when she saw you. Well, at least her superior had SOME decency to apologize for her."

"You're familiar with that woman with the grey hair?"

"Yeah, she'll be my sister in-law in the future," Rika sighed.

"Huh? Sister in-law!? Are you engaged!?" Hina giddily asked.

"Not yet, aren't officially dating either, but I'm reeling him in. Kissed him on the lips too," Rika smirked.

"You go girl! I'm rooting for you!" Hina smiled as Mocha nodded and gave Rika a thumbs- up.

"It's remarkable how quickly the atmosphere can change. Though I suppose humans each have different ways of coping with things," Mochi sighed.

"As much as I despise that man, I think he'll be released," Matcha sighed.

"I hope your optimism is warranted."

...

"Why the hell are we stopping out here!?" Kiji fumed as the squad car stopped next to a guard rail overlooking a cliff.

"Because there's no one else around," Purin snickered as she got out.

She then dragged Kiji out and propped him up against the guard rail. Makoto, meanwhile, sat in the passenger's seat and watched to make sure no one else was around.

"My, it sure is nice to gaze at the stars. Wish the officer would remove the handcuffs though," Kiji mused, completely ignoring Purin's existence.

Purin scoffed and pulled out her gun. "Feel like acknowledging my existence now!?" she snarled as she pressed her gun into Kiji's head. Once again, Kiji acted as though she didn't exist. Purin clicked her tongue in annoyance before a malicious grin spread across her face. "Well, not like I was gonna spare you anyway," she snickered as she pulled the trigger, killing Kiji instantly. She then placed the gun in his hands before shoving his body over the rail. "Good riddance," she maliciously smiled, as she turned and nodded to Makoto.

"Understood. We'll just say he tried to escape, but killed himself in the scuffle," Makoto nodded as she grabbed the radio.

...

"Wow, my hair's never looked or felt better," Rika cooed as she ran her hand through her now silky and shiny hair.

"It's just the standard beauty treatment," Matcha grumbled.

"No need to be grumpy, your mom and sister did a wonderful job."

"Even the baldy did decent," Helga mumbled.

Mochi sighed as she read the news on her phone. “Exactly as I feared. She killed him,” she sighed.

“Huh? What was that Mochi?” Mocha asked.

“Sorry Mother,” Mochi sighed as she showed Mocha the article.

Tears began to form in her eyes as she read the article. "'Killed himself accidentally after getting in a scuffle with an officer'!? Damn piece of shit! She was the first product of our love!” Mocha tearfully glared.

"Wait, what happened!?" Matcha asked.

"Purin killed Father. While the article claims he died in scuffle, what likely happened was that Purin planned to kill him from the start. There's no other logical way to explain why the incident occurred near the forest."

"Wait, she killed him!? The hell's wrong with her!? Don't tell me she's gonna start hunting us down!" Helga shuddered.

"No, I doubt you or Rika-san will be targeted by her, at least not for personal grudges. I’m sorry. This primarily happened because of me-”

“Stop blaming yourself! You were a talented chef, so it was natural for you to pursue cooking," Mocha glared.

“Yeah, our lousy father ultimately put all that pressure on us," Matcha glared.

"It is true he shares much of the blame, though sadly I fear even if he was as loving and caring as Mother is, Purin-nee-san would have still become just as envious of me as she is now. Remember, no one forced Purin-nee-san to have a high-stakes cook-off against me, she was the one who issued the challenge personally."

"Sorry about what happened," Rika somberly nodded as Hina rang her up.

"Don't blame yourself. hey probably would have come even if you three never showed up," Hina stated.

"Yeah, you did nothing wrong," Mocha tearfully nodded.

"Thanks. Feel free to stop by our place sometime. I'll make sure Matcha cooks for you."

"What!? Rika-"

"That would be wonderful! I'll book a reservation as soon as I have an opening."

"Very well. If it comforts you, I'll cook for you," Matcha sighed.

"Matcha, I know you didn't get along with your father, but I loved him very much. It was thanks to his love for me that I am where I am today. Thank you for comforting me," Mocha tearfully smiled as she hugged Matcha.

...

Rika, Matcha, and Helga headed out as Hina, Mocha, and Mochi waved goodbye.

"Not gonna stay?" Rika asked Matcha as they walked down the street.

"Mochi said she'd stick with Mother. Besides, I live on my own and I'm still in my work uniform thanks to you dragging me out," Matcha glared.

"I don't mind if you wear it outside the restaurant."

"I'm saying I want to go back to the restaurant and change."

"OK, though it's kinda late. You OK going alone?"

"I'm not a child. And I have an alarm in my- Ugh, my bag's back at the restaurant. Well, guess I'm sticking with you, while you head back," Matcha glared.

"Oh yeah, I remembered I didn't lock my place up. Stop by and act as bait if those freaks show up again," Helga huffed.

"Your staff didn't lock up?"

"I closed early today and was about to lock up when the yoga creeps showed up."

"Alright, we'll hold your hands," Rika teased.

"I'm not scared! I just don't wanna be alone. I mean, it's not like I wanted to ask you, but when I tried to call Sundae, she wouldn't pick up. Hasn't read any of my messages either."

"Well, that's uncanny. Pretty sure she's an attention whore. Well let's stop by your place before going back to mine. I'll even call Mimi and tell her to warm up a glass of milk for you."

"Don't- Whatever. Let's just go."

...

As Himawari returned to the station, she was greeted by an officer. "Commissioner Rikuma, Ma'am! A cake was delivered from Ryokoma to you, ma'am!"

"A cake? Where is it?" Himawari glared.

"The break room ma'am!"

"Very well. I'll take a look at it as soon as I finish up the report on the Myouchi incident."

...

Himawari stared unamusingly at a cake in the break room of the police station. The words "Lol, you're bald" along with a makeshift image of a bald Himawari crying were drawn on top of the cake with icing.

"If she's trying to rattle me it won't work. And if she laced the cake with laxatives or poison, I'll have grounds to lock her up," Himawari thought as she sliced a piece, stabbed it with a fork, closed her eyes and ate it. "Mmmph!?"

Upon tasting the cake, tears began to well up in Himawari's eyes. She had eaten a surprise butter chicken pot pie with naan crust. "KOMACHI! YOUR ASS IS DEAD FOR THIS!" Himawari tearfully glared as she threw the trash.

...

Rika, Helga, and Matcha all stood in front of Helga's restaurant. Everything was dark inside as Helga nervously pulled the key from her purse. "Just gotta lock up, and then the staff can open up tomorrow when it's light," she trembled.

As she attempted to grab the door handle, Rika suddenly grabbed her arm "Stay calm, we're surrounded," Rika glared.

Helga and Matcha turned and yelped as they saw 5 members of the demon queen cult closing in on them. "Hey, like you should like totes join us," they smiled.

"Shit, an ambush. I really hope someone comes along to help. I can only take 3 of these creeps out on my own," Rika nervously thought.