Cooking up trouble

After Daria explained everything to Rika, Rika scowled and went deep into thought.

"Hmm, no clue on how to play chess... But the concept sounds fun, so we'll give it a go."

"In that case, I'll call over the president of the WWCF. I believe he's nearby in Tokyo."

A few minutes later, Raymond showed up to the restaurant. Upon seeing him, Rika tensed up as if she was an animal sensing danger and getting ready to fight.

"No need to get hostile. I settle all my matters with chess. And to show good faith, I'll order a simple grilled cheese sandwich. Cheddar, by the way."

Rika nervously nodded and sent in the order before escorting everyone to the hotel area. Once they arrived, the food arrived via a transport system.

"Exquisite, quite. This will most certainly be a good hub for the future of chess. In fact, it is quite the social hub in general. I hear there's even an event dome here as well," Raymond nodded as he ate his sandwich.

"Y- Yeah... So anyway, the concept does sound fun, but how long is it gonna take to build, and where exactly will it be built?" Rika asked.

"That's what we are to discuss, as well as the manner for finding it. Though I also must re-iterate that only WWCF members with a rating may make use of it's services, and non-WWCF members are forbidden entry."

"Ugh, that might complicate things then."

"Fear not, registration is quite simple. We can also outfit your menus with chess software too."

"No, the complicated thing is Tabemono."

As if on que, the doors to the room opened as a girl with blue hair entered escorting a blonde-haired woman, and a red-haired woman.

"Well speak of the devils."

"Do not call ME a devil, murderer," the blonde-haired woman glared.

"Chill Beni, there's guests here," the red haired woman grinned.

"Allow me to introduce them. This is Rize Muya, headmaster of Tabemono Gakuin, and Benihime Shirohime, the vice-headmaster," the blue-haired woman stated.

"Thanks Itsuki, feel free to head back. I'll handle the rest," Rika nodded.

The blue-haired woman nodded and left, as Rize leaned back on the couch and propped her feet on the table. "So what's this about a new cafe proposal?"

After Raymond explained the concept of the secret puzzle cafe, Rize began to scowl. "Now THAT'S gonna ruffle some feathers. An exclusive cafe only for chess players? Trust me, even though it's been 8 years since this place opened, there's still a big bloc in the gourmet world that hates this place. Heck, I'm sitting right next to one."

"Passive aggression, noted. But she is correct. There's no way we can simply approve this measure," Benihime glared.

"Still don't get why you guys get the final say in everything that goes in," Rika grumbled.

"That's because this building was gifted to your husband, the top graduating student, and built up from Tabemono funds. And before you say it, yes you do fully own the rights to the building, and should you put forth your own cash, there is no issue. However, any new restaurants are subject to our jurisdiction as an arm of Japan's culinary regulatory board."

"In that case, how about we settle this with some chess," Raymond suggested.

"Why? You'd clearly have the advantage. We're chefs, not chess players."

"Anyone can be good at chess. How about we give you some time to select a representative."

"'Representative' you say? You think I can't master your game myself!?"

"Then show me that grit on the chessboard."

"Very well. We shall settle this at midnight, right here. If I recall correctly, the hotel is open 24/7, yes?"

"Yup, and there's even a hotel kitchen, so midnight snacks are a go," Rika smiled.

"Very well, in that case we'll return. Now is this to be a team event?"

"Eh, I'd say yeah," Rize nodded.

"You doubt my prowess?"

"Well, the board would probably be against sending you in alone, but a team event would be different. How about best 2 of 3?"

Raymond nodded and the two headed off. "In that case, it seems you'll need to select your team. Though to be fair, you will not be allowed to participate yourself."

"No worries there. In fact, it's probably best to get skilled, but not top-level players so they don't throw a hissy fit when they lose. Now if they bring in some top tier players, then Mimoko fights," Daria stated.

"In that case, I think I should call my friends over," Mimoko nodded.

...

"Welcome to da reaustrauntz," a ditzy young grey-haired girl smiled as the chess club entered the restaurant.

"Talk about close. This was only a short train ride," Yuusuke nodded.

"... Been here before. They support the farm," Rodeo mumbled.

"Wait really? Then give me a tour, this place is massive!"

"Cinnamon, please escort the customers to the hotel. And don't neglect to watch Yumi either," a girl that looked identical to the ditzy girl glared as she held the hand of a young infant girl with orange hair that was just starting to waddle around on two feet.

"OK, I'll walk her to mommy!"

Iori snickered as Cinnamon began guiding everyone while holding Yumi's hand. "Wow, that derpy girl has such a punchable face. Wonder what would make her cry harder, punching her face in or punting the brat- ...!?"

Her thoughts were interrupted by the feeling of cold thin steel digging into her neck.

"The hell are you eyeing my daughters for!?" Rika snarled.

Unable to turn her head, Iori shifted her eyes to notice Rika, along with a platinum-haired girl standing a few feet away.

"Mommy's here! Hey mommy! I gotz the customers," Cinnamon smiled.

Rika immediately scooped up her, Yumi, and the girl that looked just like Cinnamon and handed them to the platinum-haired girl. The girl immediately ran off with them as Rika turned towards Iori.

"Move and you get shredded, now answer my question, why the hell were you eyeing my daughters!?"

"Uh, this some misunderstanding? Cuz I'm a cute girl, not some creep-"

Iori stopped mid sentence as a trickle of blood trickled out of her cheek.

"You think I'd let a monster just walk in!? If you're here for my family, I'll kill you right there."

Iori went pale as she realized why Rika was acting so hostile. "S- She knows about my past!? Uh, she one of the Kirikawa branch members? Must be. That would explain why what I'm assuming is a wire trap is slicing up my pretty skin. Better try to talk my way out of this." "HEY! Uh, in case ya didn't hear, you're looking at the Kirikawa clan's newest recognized member. So uh, that's why ya sense it..."

"You were eyeing my daughters like you wanted to hurt them. I've been in this business before."

Iori began to get nervous as her predicament didn't seem to show any signs of improving. "OI! Why are you all just standing around!?" Iori shouted at the others.

"Why? Cuz it's kinda entertaining to watch you get grilled for once," Yuusuke snickered.

"Uh, I'M BLEEDING!"

"Barely. Besides, you deserve far worse for what you put Mimoko-sama through this past week," Utami glared.

"Oki-kun!"

"You let your sadism leak out. Bad move, especially around a woman like her," Okisato sighed as he turned to face Rika.

Rika also seemed to be wary of him too, but not as much as Iori.

"I take it you can sense what kind of woman Iori-chan is, yes? Well don't worry, I can keep her in check and she's retired from THAT business."

"Sorry kid, I don't believe ya. I saw the news about her killing the president of the United States-"

"DESPER matches don't count as murder," Iori scoffed.

"Huh? How the hell not!?"

"She means not in the legal sense. Ugh, I suppose I should also explain what DESPERs are."

"No need, I'll take care of that," a voice stated.

Everyone turned to notice Raymond along with Daria and Mimoko.

"Mimo-chan!"

"Ugh, what did you do this time?"

"Seems she triggered Rika's self-defense protocol. Fear not, for I can keep her in line, not to mention she is a valuable asset to the chess world, so do release her posthaste."

Rika glared and quickly sliced the wires with her knife, freeing Iori.

"The hell was that about! I got a cute face I gotta show to viewers every night ya know!" Iori fumed.

"I was protecting my children, plain and simple."

"So want to be the next-"

Before Iori could finish, she felt Rika's knife pressed against her neck. "Unlike you, I received intense training from birth. I've stopped killing, but I damn well will again if anyone threatens my family or friends."

"Iori-chan, just let this one go," Okisato glared.

"Huh!?"

"Yeah, you're clearly the one at fault," Utami glared.

"No! I don't wanna be gaslighted!"

"In that case, why don't we asses Rika's chess prowess. You play her," Raymond ordered.

A malicious grin appeared on Iori's face. "Heh, guess I'll get some payback. Oh, and I can stream it, right?"

"Correct."

"Time for some psychological payback then."

Rika glared and released Iori before heading over to a table. "So I pull out this card thingy like this?" she asked as she pulled out her WWCF card.

"Correct. Now, allow me to personally show you all it's features," Raymond nodded.

Once Rika had been given a tutorial on both how her card worked and on chess itself, she began her game against Iori by moving her pawn to d4. Iori, naturally decided to take advantage of her though and moved her pawn to h5. Rika then moved her pawn to e4, while Iori moved her rook to h6. Much to Iori's delight, Rika instead moved her knight to f3, missing her chance at a free rook.

"Lol, you're a noob!" Iori taunted as she moved her rook to e6.

"Ugh, thinking games aren't my forte," Rika grumbled as she moved her pawn to d5.

"More elo for me! Check!" Iori snickered as she captured the pawn at e4 with her rook.

Rika grimaced and moved her king to d2, allowing Iori to move her pawn to c6 and better her position. She then moved her king to d3, showcasing that she was still very new to chess as she didn't expect Iori to protect her rook by capturing the pawn at d5 with her c-pawn. She did try to counter by moving her knight to c3, but Iori just simply slid her rook to e6.

"This is kind of cruel. Her rating jumped up to 2044, right?" Yuusuke sighed as Rika moved her knight to g5.

"Correct. And it's frustrating," Utami scowled as Iori moved her knight to f6.

Rika pounced on the opportunity to capture the rook at e6 with her knight, unaware that it did little to improve her position after Iori captured said knight with her d-pawn. And especially not after she blundered and captured the pawn at h5 with her queen, allowing Iori to capture said queen with her knight.

The blundering didn't end there though, as Rika then moved her bishop to h6, allowing Iori to capture it with her g-pawn. Now unsure of what to do, Rika moved her knight to b5 as Iori, feeling confident, decided to go for the kill and moved her queen to a5. And much to her pleasure, Rika blundered into mate by moving her king to d4.

"Wow, you suck at this. Surprised you've been in business for so long," Iori snickered as she moved her queen to d2.

"We're a RESTAURANT, not a chess team," Rika groaned as she moved her king to e5.

"Clearly. Checkmate," Iori snickered as she moved her knight to c6, winning the game.

"Ugh, perhaps Iori-chan was too difficult for a beginner like her to face," Mimoko sighed.

As Rika sighed in frustration, Cinnamon returned along with Yumi and the platinum-haired woman.

"Is that a game!? I wanna play!"

"Ugh, it was hard. I don't think you're old enough to play."

"Nonsense, anyone can play chess regardless of age," Raymond stated.

"But she's only 4."

"An age many prodigies start their chess careers."

"Yeah, how bout we make this a best 2 of 3 with losing team having to eat something nasty on stream," Iori snickered as the board reset. "Alright, derpy, you go first."

The full game:

White: Rika Ryono (unrated) Black: Iori Ishikiridokoro (2044)

1. d4 h5

2. e4 Rh6

3. Nf3 Re6

4. d5 Rxe4+

5. Kd2 c6

6. Kd3 cxd5

7. Nc3 Re6

8. Ng5 Nf6

9. Nxe6 dxe6

10. Qxh5 Nxh5

11. Bh6 gxh6

12. Nb5 Qa5

13. Kd4 Qd2+

14. Ke5 Nc6#