The last straw

"Bullshit! What do you mean those two were disqualified!?" Helga fumed.

"They were caught in some nasty scandals," Rebelle sneered as she showed Helga the article she printed.

"What the hell!? One of them literally ran around town naked attacking women, while the other kidnapped a woman!? Why the hell would they do that!? They just got admitted to the finals!"

"Well, men are stupid creatures."

"They aren't THAT stupid. Specially not those two. Subaru even claims he had an alibi."

"But I have a clear shot of him."

"How do we know this wasn't setup? That guy is from the rebel faction."

"But the other participants from the rebel faction were not disqualified. One of them even became one of the strongest advocates for his disqualification."

"Probably cause her master Ookuma told her to."

"Oh? Come to think of it, you ARE the only candidate left that is openly hostile to Madam Ookuma."

"Guess I got more motivation to win then."

"Or perhaps you should drop out if you don't wish for your secrets to come to light."

"Bring it on, I've already been wrung of all secrets and embarrassment thanks to that shitstorm a year ago."

"Ah, yes. A shame the bastard publicized it. I would have used said footage for prime blackmailing. Though last chance. Drop out now, or face hell on earth."

"Bring it, I can take it."

"Just what I wanted to hear," Rebelle maliciously thought.

The next day, Helga went pale as Himawari and Inoka glared at her.

"An anonymous sender sent us a video of you hiding THIS in an abandoned lot," Himawari glared as she held up a bag containing remains of a human skull.

"KYAAAH! MURDERER! Kyoko screamed as she pointed at Helga.

"The hell! I didn't do anything!" Helga fumed.

"Nah, I saw you do it. You hid Sundae-sama's skull in that lot along with your girlfriend from Ryokoma!"

"SUNDAE!? She was killed a year ago-"

"By you, most likely. This skull does indeed belong to Suika "Sunday" Nichiyobi," Himawari glared.

"I'm disappointed. To think you would murder your best friend just to get her restaurant," Pika glared.

"Was all this a lie, taking us in?" Sorbet trembled.

"Uh, which side do I pick to get more praise?" Akito asked. Futaba promptly slapped him.

"Helga Hepburn, you're under arrest for hiding a body and for the murder of Suica "Sundae" Nichiyobi," Himawari declared as she cuffed Helga.

Click!

Rebelle snickered as she took a pic of Helga's arrest.

"REBELLE!? IT WAS YOU! YOU FRAMED ME YOU BITCH-"

"Gag her!" Himawari ordered.

Inoka promptly gagged an enraged Helga and shoved her into the squad car.

"And now, Madam Ookuma controls Tabemono. Now, let's go check up on my lovely kohai, Rika," Rebelle snickered.

...

Rika glared as Purin and Makoto stood in the doorway of Ryokoma.

"Where's Mimi Hanazawa?" Makoto glared.

"What do you need her for?" Rika glared.

"We're here to arrest her for hiding a body as well as possible murder."

"That's bullshit. Stop making up crimes," Matcha glared at Purin.

"Uhp, slander's a crime. Cuff her ass, Inohara," Purin sneered.

"Like hell I'm going to- UGH!"

Rika let out a pained scream as Makoto kicked her, sending her flying into some tables. The kick had been directed at her stomach, however, Rika had just barely managed to block with her arms, though as a result, her arms hurt like hell.

"RIKA!" Matcha cried as Makoto twisted her wrists before cuffing her.

"Don't go!" Rika moaned as she coughed up blood and struggled to get up.

Purin happily dragged a sobbing Matcha away as Makoto followed. Once they were gone, Mimi burst out of the kitchen as Itsuki and Zuina, whom had been restraining her, fell to the ground.

"Don't go after them!" Madoka shouted.

"Why!? They kidnapped Matcha and Helga!" Mimi cried.

"They were trying to get rid of you too."

"But-"

"We'll handle it. Come back to the mansion with me to lay low. They can't intrude in the mansion since its technically it's own city state."

As Mimi begrudgingly agreed, Rebelle secretly took photos of her getting into the Ginkawa sedan. "Excellent. Now to fan the flames," Rebelle thought as she waited for the Ginkawas to leave. Once they were gone, she shamelessly strolled into the restaurant. The remaining staff and some patrons were helping Rika up as Rebelle skipped in.

"Oh Kohai! Did you hear? Helga got arrested and disqualified from the Tabemono headmaster selection," Rebelle mockingly sang. Rika immediately sat up and winced in pain as she glared at Rebelle. "Guess that means Benihime's the only one on your team left, but for how long? I bet she'd drop out in fury if I told her "you know what". Oh, and you should turn on the news. Madam Ookuma's giving a COURAGEOUS speech!" Rebelle sneered as she left.

Itsuki sighed and nervously changed the channel. Ookuma appeared shortly on the TV giving a speech in front of the Diet. She was surrounded by most of the employees from Helga's place.

"Courage. It takes a lot to be courageous. The world is a very scary and harsh place. I know that better than anyone. But now I stand before you, courageously. Our society is plagued by degeneracy, yet I choose to courageously say my piece and do all within my power to lead it towards prosperity. No matter how much slander or scorn, violence or death threats are hurled at me, I stand courageous ready to fix this nation and the world. Now, I ask you to be courageous. Be courageous and defy the radical and violent opposition that seeks to spread hate, and vote for me and my party to FIX this nation! Do not be afraid of the scorn and hatred you may face. When I am sworn in as Prime Minister, it will END! For years the opposition has VIOLENTLY tried to silence our movement, yet I faced them on courageously. My growing support base also courageously stood up to the violent opposition and overthrew them in the past elections. Should more people be courageous and vote for my party and our movement, I will become YOUR Prime Minister and we will have courageously won. I know it can be scary. These fine women you see standing besides me witnessed their boss commit a heinous crime. They were terrified, however they chose to be courageous. They chose to be courageous and reported the crime to the police. Luckily, a competent officer that truly seeks change did all she could to make sure the criminal was arrested and these women were kept safe. Despite the current despicable and corrupt Superintendent general breathing down her neck, she was courageous and did not rest until the main suspect was taken away in cuffs. And they were indeed!" Ookuma stated as she flashed a pic of Helga's backside being loaded into a squad car.

"I have learned from the courageous reporter whom captured this photo that sadly, the other suspect is being harbored by the corrupt Ginkawas!" Ookuma scowled as she showed the picture of Mimi and Madoka.

"However, despite knowing that, these courageous witnesses chose to show their faces. Why? Because they are courageous. They have tamed their fear. Now I ask this entire nation to be courageous. Be COURAGEOUS and refuse to give into degeneracy! BE COURAGEOUS, and boldly take a stand for what is right! BE COURAGEOUS, and fight back against violence and injustice! BE COURAGEOUS, and scoff at the petty scorn and insults the vile and DESPERATE opposition will hurl at you. BE COURAGEOUS, and hold your head high with pride knowing that you chose to be courageous and walk the path courageousness. And walk it you shall in October, WE WILL BE COURAGEOUS!"

The crowd erupted in cheers while the restaurant meanwhile erupted in boos.

"YOU AREN'T COURAGEOUS! YOU'RE A WANNA BE DICTATOR!" one patron shouted.

"YOU WANNA BAN ANIME!? WELL I'LL TAKE ANIME OVER YOUR UGLY ASS ANY DAY OF THE WEEK!" another one yelled.

"OOKUMA'S AN EVIL BITCH!" another one shouted.

"Yet, she courageously walks forward, and proves everyone wrong, by winning," Benihime glared as she entered the restaurant.

"Read the room, things are not good right now!" Zuina pleaded.

"I did, and that's why I'm being courageous," Benihime huffed as she strutted to the kitchen.

"Maybe we need to close early for today. Serve everyone here then take the rest of the day off," Rika suggested as she winced in pain.

"Rika... I despise that woman for polluting the word "courageous". You are by far the most courageous one here," Itsuki stated as tears rolled down her face.

The patrons then began clapping as Rika stood up.

"Well said, you're the real courageous one here," one smiled.

"Here, here," another clapped.

"No worries if you can't cook anymore today. We'll be back when you're healed and Matcha and Mimi are free," another smiled.

"Just don't be too hard on Hime-chan. That girl's arrogantly prideful to a fault," Rika chuckled as she stumbled towards the kitchen.

"WE PROMISE!" the patrons tearfully smiled.

Zuina then headed for the kitchen and explained what happened to Benihime.

"Such a thing occurred!? Well in that case I say good riddance! Those scum harbored that viscous murderer," Benihime scoffed.

"Where the hell did your noble pride go!? Zuina shouted.

"I don't serve murders, in fact, I'm only still here because I am a prisoner of war so to speak. I'm unable to properly cook until I'm healed, yet that murderer took pity and kept me here!"

"Rika still wants to be friends-"

"DO NOT HUMANIZE THAT MURDERER! SHE DESERVES THE MOST INHUMANE AND GRUESOME DEATH PENALTY IMAGINABLE!"

"Why? Why are you consumed by such a stubborn sense of pride!?"

"Because that murderer derailed my dream, not once, but twice!" Benihime glared as she stared at her bandaged hands.

...

Benihime slammed a plate of food down on the table. "Digest it, you filth," she scoffed.

"Oi, don't badmouth our loyal customers," Rika glared as she hobbled over.

Benihime immediately grabbed a knife and tackled Rika. Many patrons screamed while some rushed to Rika's aid.

"Why? Why are you acting so hostile to everyone?" Rika asked.

"Because they hold a murderer like you in high esteem! They are no better!" Benihime shouted.

"I'm fine with you hating me, but if you're going to hate everyone here, you're fired."

Benihime froze. "F- Fired!? Well then I'll just quit!"

"No, fired's going on your resume. Get out, you piece of shit," Rika glared as she got up.

A single tear fell down Benihime's face as she glared and stormed out. Once she was gone, tears began to pour out of Rika's eyes as she hobbled towards a booth.

"You alright?" Itsuki asked.

"No, but I'll be able to move around normally by nightfall," Rika said as she downed some painkillers.

"By nightfall? Wait! You aren't-"

"It was just a powerful kick. That bitch is actually a gorilla under that slim suit. I'm glad my arms took the brunt of it though. Don't worry, nothing feels broken so the painkillers will help me move my arms around normally so I can make dinner."

"Ah, I get it. Well, if you need me, just call me."

"Sorry Itsuki, but I've reached my limit. I'm killing that piece of shit tonight," Rika thought.