Tetsuka's favorite meal

"Ugh... So hungry... Need metal..."

Thud!

Rika stopped as she noticed a girl sprawled out on the ground in a nearby alleyway. "I can hear her stomach grumbling. Could she be homeless? Possibly, but she's killed a bit too. Hmm..." "Oi! You want something to eat!?"

The girl twitched a bit, before mumbling, "Yeah, but too tired to move."

"No way around it then," Rika sighed as she cautiously approached the girl.

But as she attempted to lift the girl, she found that she was VERY heavy. It was like she was completely made of metal or something, but that only put Rika more on guard.

"Huh? Is that you Rika?"

Rika turned to notice Madoka standing behind her. Her face and clothes were covered in dirt, indicating she had just made another escape.

"We aren't even open yet and you already got kidnapped?"

Madoka responded with nervous laughter as she went to look at the girl on the ground.

"Be careful, she's killed and might be a cyborg."

"I don't sense any danger from her though."

"Doka..."

Madoka froze as she recognized the girl's voice. "T- Tetsuka-nee-chan?"

She quickly rolled the girl over to reveal her more muscular frame and long silver hair.

"Wait, are you saying she's your sister?"

"Yeah. She ran away from home years ago, and it's been ages since I last saw her! Quick, let's get her a meal. Prepare the finest metal you've got!"

"M- Metal?"

"I'll explain more inside, now help me carry her in."

The two dragged Tetsuka inside the restaurant and sat her down at a table. Madoka immediately grabbed some silverware and held it up to Tetsuka's mouth.

"Uh what are you-"

Before Rika could finish, Tetsuka suddenly chomped down on the utensils and began eating them much to Rika's shock.

"Hell yeah! This shit's revitalizing me! Oh, hey Doka. Sorry bout that. Was so hungry I collapsed."

"Uh, I'M the one you should be apologizing to. Why'd you just EAT the silverware!?" Rika glared.

"Ah, Tetsuka-nee-chan is able to eat metal. Don't worry, I'll pay for her too," Madoka smiled.

"Uh, that's not the point. How the hell can she eat metal anyway?"

"Probably cuz I'm half-dragon or something. See look, I can turn my skin metal," Tetsuka grinned as metal scales appeared on her skin.

"Don't worry, Rika, Tetsuka-nee-chan's always been like that."

"Yeah, sorry for scarin' ya. So can I have more metal to eat? That fork tasted really good."

"We need those utensils for patrons, but if metal's your craving, how about an iron and zinc rich dish?" Rika grinned.

"Guess that's the compromise. Most koints freak out whenever I eat the utensils anyway. Besides, Ka-san made those kinds of meals for me too."

Once Tetsuka and Madoka were alone, Madoka slid a smartphone over to Tetsuka. "Momma's real worried about you. Are you finally going to come home?"

Tetsuka smiled and took a bite out of the smartphone. "You know I can't. It's too unfriendly there. Besides, I don't mind the nomad life."

"And your allowance?"

"There's underground fighting rings. You know I love a good fight."

"Well then try to be as good at communication as you are at fighting."

"But I can talk just fine-"

"Your phone."

"Oh... It was a nice snack."

Madoka sighed and placed a brand new phone, still in the box, on the table. "I could call Momma over-"

"Geh, can't you keep me bein' here a secret between sisters? I really don't wanna get scolded or go back."

"Because of the twins?"

"Yeah..."

Rika then returned and present the two their meals. "Even though it's early, Crepes and Alaskan king crab are the hot breakfast combo for the day. Even threw in some Alaskan king crab crepes."

"ALASKAN KING CRAB!? That suckers a living metal meal! Itadakimasu!" Tetsuka smiled as she dug in.

Madoka also dug into her meal and shockingly managed to finish before Tetsuka.

"Damn, ya really pack those crepes away. Guess you really got the workings of a magician," Tetsuka grinned as she snacked on an Alaskan king crab crepe.

"Momma loves making that for you... Are you sure you don't wanna come back?"

"I'll come home eventually. Especially since I now know there's a great place here. Hey, what's the name of this place?"

"Ryokoma," Rika stated.

"'Ryokoma', huh. Well when I'm out n' about, I'll tell everyone far and wide to come check out Ryokoma."

"And will you be back?"

"Of course, but who knows when. I got some circumstances that prevent me from running into anyone but Doka here, but the food was so good, I'll brave sneaking in maybe once or twice a year."

"Well no worries, we have quite a few infrequent customers."

"Oh, and I gotta thank ya for saving me, and apologize proper for just eating the silverware like that."

"No worries."

"Thanks Miss uh..."

"Rika."

"Rika huh. Well guess your name's already nickname length, so I guess I'll call ya Rika. I'll be back. Thanks for the meal," Tetsuka smiled as she paid for her meal and ran off.

"She really is a good person, and sister. So could you please keep this secret from momma?" Madoka smiled as she flashed a bribe.

Rika smiled and refused the bribe. "No need to pay me. I don't sell out my loyal customers."

Madoka smiled and nodded before heading off to school.

...

A few hours later, Harumi decided to dine in and sighed as she gazed at the menu. "Alaskan king crab... Tetsuka..."

"Why the long face, Harumi?" Rika asked.

"Oh, this meal was just one I used to cook for my daughter Tetsuka. She's my third-born, but ran away from home when she was 10."

"And that was her favorite meal?"

"Yes, she likes all things high in metals, but that was her favorite. I hope she's doing well. She never contacts me and I haven't seen her in person since she ran away."

"Then maybe the food here will bring her back home one day," Rika smiled.

Harumi sighed and took another look at the menu before freezing in place. "Say, is Madoka the reason why there's Alaskan king crab crepes?"

"Yup."

A smile began to form on Harumi's face. "Then I'll have some along with the main Alaskan king crab entree."

As Rika nodded and left, Harumi leaned back in her chair. "So you were here, Tetsuka. Madoka, you're lucky I also kept secrets with my sister otherwise I'd scold you for not telling me about Tetsuka. Well, I just hope she didn't eat both phone," she thought as she dialed Tetsuka.

"Osu Ka-san."

"Tetsuka Ginkawa! Just when will you come home!?"

"Ugh, sometime?"

"At least let me see your face!"

"You'd drag me back though if I met you."

"Then at least take a picture of yourself with your phone and send it to me. And DON"T EAT THE PHONE!"

Tetsuka nodded and quickly sent a picture of herself to Harumi. "This might be the first picture I've seen of you in years, but I still recognize you. So how was your meal with Madoka?"

"Huh? What are you talking about!?"

"Where else would Madoka have given you this very phone you're calling me on?"

"Busted huh. Well, I'm gonna promote Ryokoma on my travels."

"So you liked this place."

"Yeah, best restaurant I've ever been to," Tetsuka smiled.