Reminiscence

Matcha scowled after she heard Emeri's question. "You're asking me something pretty personal you know."

"Sorry Matcha, but it might be important for figuring out what happened to Sensei," Yuni nodded.

Matcha took a deep breath before telling her story. "I honestly don't know much. I can tell you the kind of woman Mochi was before the incident, but after, I'm just as in the dark as you. Though I'll never forget the day it happened. It was horrible. I got a call from Reika telling me that not only had Mochi been gunged in hot wax, but that she had also gone missing. At the time, we were both out of ideas as to what happened to her, until she reappeared a month later accompanied by Purin."

"She's your older sister, right?"

"Yes, though honestly even I consider her disowned. She's just too far gone. She had always hated and been envious of Mochi, but now suddenly she was smiling as she stood next to her. Worse, Mochi was essentially sucking up to her. Both Reika and I came to the assumption that Purin was involved in the incident and had something done to Mochi that turned her into her slave."

"So then her leaking information to a nefarious agency wouldn't be too farfetched."

"If it was the old Mochi, I'd say your assumption would be bullshit, but now, I'd say that sadly, you're probably correct."

Both Yuni and Serika began to frown. "So that bitch of her sister decided to turn her into a mind controlled robot. Damn her, that means she's probably with them," Serika mumbled.

"Does Bianka know about this?" Yuni asked.

Matcha thought for a moment before shrugging. "Honestly, I have no idea. I was never particularly close with her, nor did she ever consul me after the incident. Come to think of it, I can't remember the last time she was here. Oi Rika, when was the last time Bianka was here?"

"Mid February!" Rika hollared back.

"Then likely right before Sensei was killed. And she hasn't come since? She did change her appearance up a bit," Yuni asked.

"What do you mean?"

"She spray tanned her skin and bleached her hair."

Matcha began to sigh as she put her hand on her forehead. "Honestly no. But if I ever see her, I'll ask her why the hell she did that."

"Ah, she's actually bald now," Serika interjected.

Matcha cringed in confusion. "Nope, not even going to bother thinking about it. It's probably some demented flirting tactic of hers," she grumbled as she got up.

"I take it that's it. Well, thanks for telling us all you know."

The girls ended up staying a bit longer to chat amongst themselves before deciding to leave.

"Nice seeing you all together, come back again," Rika waved as Emeri began starting up the boat.

Once the boat left, Rika headed back inside. "Yuni's really come far," she thought as she remembered the day she first helped Yuni.

...

As she was walking, Rika stopped as she heard the sound of crying. She rounded the corner and found Yuni crying behind a wooden fence.

"Oi, what happened, Yuni?" she asked as she approached her.

"Ri- Rika? It's terrible! My family... They..."

Rika went pale after she heard Yuni's story. "No, if Fubuki truly is her mother... Then that means... No, I gotta do something to help her," she thought as she kneeled down next to Yuni. "If you need some help, I can help get you back on your feet. I can even hire you to work part time."

Yuni glanced up before wiping her nose and thanking Rika. At first, she struggled to even smile for at least a week, but thanks to the loving environment of Ryokoma, her mood began to improve. Then one day, Serika came in while she was working.

"You work here now twintails? Ugh, I don't need anymore eyesores before finals."

"Speaking of twintails, why don't you style your hair in twintails considering it's long enough to do so. Maybe it'll make you smarter," Yuni huffed.

"Now, now, don't get in a fight," Rika glared as she passed by.

The two stopped their bantering almost instantly. "I ain't cleaning the toilets again," Serika shuddered as she headed up to the terrace.

From that point on, Rika made sure to do her best to keep Yuni and Serika's contact with one another minimal.

Then before anyone knew it, two years had passed.

"So you're gonna be a detective then," Rika chuckled as Yuni bowed her head.

"I'm sorry, you've done so much for me, I'm sorry I'm quitting."

"What's there to be upset about? This was only a part time gig for you. Besides, as long as you still come by to eat as a regular feel free to become a detective and find your family."

"Rika... THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING!"

...

Rika gazed at a photo on the wall of her, Yuni, and the other Ryokoma employees. "Heh, time sure flies. But to think Yuni and Serika might really be sisters," she thought as she glanced over at a different photograph, this one containing a photo of her, Serika, and the other Ryokoma employees. "Those two easily were the liveliest part timers we've ever had, and what do you know, they both became detectives, but still came back as regulars. I hope those two reconcile and find their missing family."

"Oi Rika, break's over," Matcha glared.

"Alright, alright," Rika smiled as she headed back to the kitchen.