Rika vs Benihime

As Rika and Mimi returned to the restaurant, they were swarmed by the other members of the staff.

"What the hell happened!?" Matcha cried.

"Waki's dead. Masaru's also not looking great," Rika dejectedly stated.

"Waki's dead!? What happened!?"

"Here's what Mimi told me..."

...

Matcha, Itsuki, and Zuina trembled and began to cry as Rika finished.

"Mimi, that must have been so rough for you," Matcha cried as she hugged Mimi.

"No, I'm glad I got back when I did. Who knows what would have happened if I was any later. They clearly targeted us. Waki also sacrificed herself to take one of them out," Mimi tearfully smiled.

"I'm going to kill Ookuma for this. That piece of shit needs to die!" Rika glared.

"But Stitch said not to move!"

"I don't need to move around, I just need to get close enough to hurl a knife in her throat or trick her into eating a poisoned meal."

"W- What did you just utter!?" a voice shrieked.

Everyone turned to notice Benihime had returned.

"Ri-chan's just mad because Ookuma had her goons kill Waki," Mimi stated.

"Lies... LIES! When I was visiting Madam Ookuma, Rebelle informed me that Hitokiri cutlet was actually an employee of this place! To think it was the one who claimed to be my savior. Did all you know as well!?"

"Yes, we all knew of Rika's past, but she's- UGH!"

Zuina was cut off mid-sentence as Benihime shoved the butt of her sword scabbard into her gut.

"You all lied. YOU ALL LIED! NOW STEP ASIDE WHILE I KILL THE FIEND THAT MURDERED MY FATHER!" Benihime roared as she drew her sword.

Rika dejectedly gazed at Benihime until she sensed the attack going for her stomach. She instantly parried the sword with her knife and leapt away.

"Ri-chan! You can't fight!" Mimi cried as she winced in pain.

"Stitch also told you not to push yourself. Don't worry, I'll end this quickly. Hime-chan, if you wanna slug me in the face, go ahead, but anything else is a no go," Rika stated.

"I'LL GIVE YOU THE MOST INHUMANE DEATH IMAGINABLE, MURDERER!" Benihime shouted.

Rika dodged her swing and stomped her shoe down on Benihime's foot. "You should have worn better footwear if you were serious about fighting me," Rika glared as she twisted Benihime's arm.

"I WILL NEVER YIELD!" Benihime shouted as she reached for her tanto with her free hand.

"I'm sorry about what I did," Rika somberly stated as she headbutted Benihime, breaking her nose and knocking her out. "See, I'm fine, ugh," Rika groaned as she stumbled over to a booth and collapsed into it.

"She needs to rest. First, let's tie up Benihime," Matcha stated.

...

When Benihime came to, she found herself tied up in a chair. Her foot and nose had been bandaged up as well.

"So I lost, then am I to be a prisoner?" Benihime glared.

"No, in fact I'm fine if you hate me for the rest of your life. Just don't try to kill or hurt me or anyone else here and we're good," Rika nodded.

"You think it's that easy!? I've been lied to for nearly a year!"

"How about I tell you my full story."

"I refuse."

"So I was born-"

"I REFUSE TO LISTEN!" Benihime shouted as she freed herself using her second tanto.

Everyone else immediately swarmed Rika to protect her as Benihime glared at them.

"Enough! No more fighting! We don't need anymore pain today!" Matcha tearfully glared.

Benihime relaxed a bit, but stormed out without saying a word. Once she was gone, Matcha broke down in tears.

"Are you sad Waki's gone?" Rika asked.

"I never loved her, hated her in fact, but to hear that she died protecting this place? Are you sure Ookuma's behind this?" Matcha asked.

"Undoubtedly, the leader of the Roboborg union was holding me captive at the venue and forced me to watch Masaru get framed and arrested," Rika stated.

"Nero told me he destroyed that guy and the entire Roboborg union," Mimi nodded.

"He gets free smoothies for a year then. Only one per day though. The fact that Ookuma's sadly alive and well also points to her being the mastermind. Heck, now that the politician that was with her is dead, the government called for a snap election. I guess she has I.L.U. allies in some of the majority parties."

"A snap election?"

"Yeah, it will happen April 14th. Shit, now that bitch is going to become prime minister."

"Ri-chan..."

"We don't know for sure. For now, I think we should take advantage of that "closed" sign on the door and go home to calm down," Itsuki stated.

Everyone silently nodded and headed out.

The next day, Itsuki announced that Waki had died. Many patrons offered their love and support to the grieving staff. Benihime also did not show up for work, nor respond to any calls or texts.

Three days later, Waki's funeral was held. Many patrons attended, though Benihime was not among the attendees.

On March 30th, Benihime finally sent Zuina a text.

"She says she'll be coming in tomorrow, though she's only working until she becomes headmaster," Zuina stated.

"Well, I'm fine if she hates me. As long as she's her usual self around others, that's fine," Rika sighed.

"How are you holding up?"

"When Harumi found out about Masaru, she offered to take him to the Ginkawa mansion's medical ward to try and save him. She said it was risky though. I hope it works."

...

In the Tt hotel lounge, Ookuma snickered as she enjoyed a lavish lunch. "Two down, now I wonder if Miss Hepburn will be the third. I think she very much shall be," she sneered.