Turning point

Rika hobbled into the restaurant and sat down in her seat by the bar before calling Mimi. "How're you holding up?"

"Just fine, though I'm still worried about Helga and Matcha," Mimi sighed.

"As soon as my arms are healed, I'm gonna go beat the shit out of Helga's staff for selling her out like that."

"Sock em one for me too, though don't get in trouble."

"I know. Itsuki will keep me in check for that one," Rika smiled as she ended the call.

She then noticed trouble as Rebelle along with Kyoko, Sorbet, Frosting, and Pika from Helga's place entered.

"Well what a large crowd," Rika glared as the group sat at the table closest to her.

"Oh my, you poor girl. You look like you could use a hand," Rebelle sneered.

"I can move my arms around just fine," Rika glared.

"Yeah uh-uh, stay n chat, Kohai," Rebelle sneered as she grabbed Rika and dragged her to the table.

"So you're the one that inspired the old boss to murder Sundae-chan," Pika sneered.

"And you're one of the ungrateful bitches that sold out Helga," Rika glared.

"It's called whistle-blowing. We learned she was involved in a crime, and took appropriate action," Kyoko sneered.

"And you didn't believe she was innocent?"

"Uh, no. Why would she be? She's begun to soften up a bit and get nicer with a heathen like you."

"Wanna say that again?"

"Why are you gettin' so angry? She was found guilty and arrested," Sorbet sighed.

"So ya'll glad Ookuma's missing?"

Nearly everyone at the table shot Rika a death glare.

"Oh waitress! Water for all!" Rebelle mockingly called out.

Zuina emerged with a tray of water, but stopped when she noticed Rika.

"It's fine. Better to give them the water," Rika sighed.

Zuina begrudgingly slammed the tray down on the table. Immediately, Rebelle, Kyoko, and Pika grabbed glasses and splashed the water onto Rika.

"Fool! fool! fool!" they mockingly chanted.

"Fool," Frosting mumbled as she too grabbed a glass and splashed Rika with it.

"Well thanks for the shower. Now if you'll excuse me-"

"Um, no. You're OUR guest. Don't let the waitress intimidate you," Kyoko sneered as she grabbed Rika.

"Um, no. I'm-"

"Hmm, hear the Takedas are still VERY bloodthirsty. They would likely lock up someone like you if I gave them the file I have on you," Rebelle sneered as she pulled out her phone.

"You're all harassing Rika," Zuina glared.

"Zuina Morsten Adler, want to join your friend in prison?"

"For what!?"

"For threatening violence against these fine young women whom correctly told the police that your colleague aided a murderer. Hmm, perhaps-"

Smash!

Before anyone could react, Zuina punched Rebelle in the face, sending her and her chair to the ground. The girls from Helga's place gasped as Rebelle sat up and wiped the blood off her nose.

"Oh, you've become a bad girl, Zuina," Rebelle sneered as she quickly went into her contacts to dial an ally.

Suddenly a news blurb appeared on the TV. "Breaking news! The Takeda family which has controlled the judiciary for generations have all been arrested on corruption charges after damming videos and photos were leaked just a few short minutes ago. Here are some of the leaks in question, viewer discretion is heavily advised," the anchor stated as videos of the Takeda's gross misdeeds were shown.

Rebelle immediately went pale and dropped her phone. "T- Those are the videos I took of the Takedas. B- But only Madam Ookuma should have that footage. She was planning to make Mami Takeda head of the judiciary, so why is everything getting leaked!? Is this a sign? Did the Takedas betray her!?" she frantically thought as she stood up and grabbed her phone before quickly running out of the restaurant.

The girls from Helga's place stared in shock, while Rika began to grin. "Say, what would you lot do if Helga was proven innocent and she became headmaster of Tabemono?" she asked.

"Uh, not gonna happen. She's a disgrace to cooking. Besides I'm the boss of her place now and she's fired," Kyoko sneered.

"You're the disgrace to cooking."

"Uh-uh! I'm a fine gourmet elitist and diehard supporter of Madam Ookuma. How bout I prove it in a cook off against you. Oh wait, you can't cook. You lose, I win! Ahahaha- HA!?" 

Kyoko grimaced in pain as Rika began twisting her wrists. "S- So you CAN move your hands just fine! What a coward. But you still lost on defAULLLLLT!" Kyoko screamed as Rika began squeezing her hands and fingers.

"Nah, YOU'RE the one getting DQ'd for not being able to cook Rika glared.

Crunch!

"EEEEEEYOOOOOOOOOOOOOW!" Kyoko screamed as Rika broke her fingers.

"YOU BITCH! HOW DARE YOU-"

Before Kyoko could finish, Rika kicked her in the face, downing her to the floor instantly and rendering her unconscious as blood oozed out of her nose and mouth.

The other girls from Helga's place shrieked in terror as Rika glared at them. "Don't cause anymore trouble for us, and get out NOW!" Rika seethed with fury.

The three shrieked in terror and grabbed Kyoko before hightailing it. Once they were gone, the restaurant erupted in applause.

"Way to show em!" one cheered.

"You rule Zuina! Way to show that blackmailing bitch who's boss!" another cheered.

Rika smiled before wincing in pain. Itsuki then emerged from the kitchen and sighed. "I go to cook for a few minutes and you're already moving around recklessly. Do we need to go back to your doctor?" she glared.

"No, I'll be a good girl," Rika sighed.

...

Reika smiled as she read the news on her phone. "Looks like I made the right choice leaking the dirt on the Takedas to media around the country. Perhaps confusion is the best way to make Ookuma's movement collapse, since I have no idea how much control she has over the vote counters. Keeping Fubuki in the dark might also work for the best too. Her genuine confusion to the recent events will help sell that she has no idea where Ookuma is. Now I just need to get Mao on her feet," she thought.