Shadow tactics

Rika sighed and walked towards Himawari as Itsuki began to protest. "Don't worry, this should be quick."

Itsuki sighed and nodded before heading out.

"You better not kidnap her again," Rika glared at Himawari.

"Hee hee, what ya talking about? Now hands behind ya back."

Rika scowled as Himawari cuffed her and began marching her outside, and then along the sidewalk.

"No squad car?"

"I need da exercise."

"Come to think of it, you've been acting weird."

Himawari stopped and shoved Rika into a secluded area. "Well, I do tend to get giddy at times, especially because of... you know."

"I got a chicken pot pie with naan crust lining my coat."

Himawari let out a gasp before a malicious smile overtook her face. "Why're you acting all smug with me? Did Reika tell you?"

"Yeah, months ago actually. I was hoping Masaru was wrong, but seems he's been right from the start. You really are trash."

"Well no use in hiding it then. Oh wait, I can't. Heheheheheheh."

Back when Reika first met Rika, she imparted her theory that Himawari was secretly the ringleader behind the string of corruption in the police. This included, but not limited to organizing the underworld banquet bust a year ago. Since she was also the superior of the corrupt quartet of Makoto, Kaori, Yumeko, and Purin, it made sense to believe she was the one allowing them to do as they pleased.

Himawari pulled out her gun, but found Rika had vanished. While she had restrained her arms with handcuffs, she hadn't restrained her legs. Though even if she did, it wouldn't have prevented Rika from sky walking away.

"Come out, come out! Or do ya want me to start firing?" Himawari sneered as she did just that.

Rika grimaced as she did her best to protect her stomach from getting hit. "Irredeemable bitch! She knows I'm pregnant so she's taking advantage of that and firing buck wild, knowing I'll prioritize protecting the little one. Worse, I don't know if she's alone. Shit!"

As Himawari zeroed in on the tree, she suddenly coughed up blood. She looked down and noticed a flaming sword pertruding from her chest.

"Well thou sure hast caused mine cousin a fair set of grief," a woman dressed like an oiran smiled as Himawari burst into flames on the spot.

Rika stared as she recognized the woman that had killed Himawari. "Honoka."

Honoka was the daughter of Yuugen's older brother Engetsu, making her Rika's cousin. Though like Rika and Hanabi, she had abandoned the family. Though of the three, her defection was easily the biggest blow as she was regarded as one of the most talented prodigies of the Shibawara family, and the Bombino family as a whole. She was eccentric and a battle fanatic, even sparring with allies constantly for the excitement of battle.

That fact made Rika very cautious about revealing herself as Honoka could decide to start fighting her for pure fun. However, Hanabi also showed up, giving Rika time to escape.

"It has been ages, Hana," Honoka smiled as she readied her sword.

"Sheesh, you have to greet everyone with a fight?" Hanabi groaned.

"Tis my way of showing hospitality and respect."

"Battle-loving freak."

A large fireball erupted behind Rika as the two clashed. However, she managed to make her way to the convertible where Izumi was waiting along with Itsuki.

"See, told ya it wouldn't take long."

"And the FIREBALL won't cause trouble later!?"

"Uh, probably not?"

As the three drove away, the effeminate man from the courthouse watched from a distance. "One step ahead, dammit. Though I guess this will be a draw. Working from the shadows is much easier than working in the light, not to mention Sakaguro's gone for good now. A shame I won't be able to pin this on Rika though."

...

About 15 minutes after Rika arrived back at the restaurant with Itsuki and Izumi, Hanabi and Honoka walked in arm-in arm. Both were covered in soot and their clothes in tatters, but they were all smiles.

"See, a battle is truly the meaning of life," Honoka smiled.

"Well, a little exercise ain't bad, specially if it's followed by a recharging meal," Hanabi smiled back.

"So what will you two have?" Rika asked.

"The spiciest of curry you can offer!" Honoka laughed.

"Always did love your curry. Comin' right up. Oh, and Izumi already ordered your usual, Hanabi."

"That's my girl," Hanabi grinned as she headed over to the table Izumi was waiting at.

As Rika headed back to the kitchen, a news blurb regarding Himawari's death played on the TV.

"So she's bit the dust then?" Masaru sighed as he poked his head out from the kitchen's serving window.

"Perhaps, though something felt off about the whole thing. Almost as if-"

"She wasn't the real deal?"

"Yeah, yeah, WAHH!?"

Rika turned to notice Reika and Mutsumi smiling behind her.

"Well fine time to show up, Miss unreliable."

"You should be thanking me. I WAS submitting my evidence as to why Himawari Rikuma was a corrupt official. Though sadly, it seems her subordinates are getting away scott-free."

"How?"

"The new superintendent general. He's an enigma that apparently transferred from Okinawa so getting data on him will be a bit of a chore. But he is at least willing to declare Himawari corrupt."

"So what about the real deal?"

"Probably changed her looks with plastic surgery, and likely had whomever she designated as her body double do the same. Now, can you recall what said double looked like?"

"Wait, what do you mean?"

"No one's seen Himawari for days. We even used an old image of her on the press release of her "death". Though considering you were at the courthouse, I assume you got a good look at her."

"Yeah, also got the handcuffs she cuffed me in," Rika grumbled as she handed Reika a to-go box.

Reika peeked open the box to find the handcuffs inside. "And was she wearing gloves?"

"Not that I could tell."

...

At Police HQ, Kaori smiled as she walked into the new superintendent general's office. "Wow, ya sure look cute. So wanna date?"

"Kaori, I'm still a woman," the effeminate man from the courthouse glared.

"Oh right, ya really bound them tits tight. But I'm into woman anyway so date still on?"

"Stop looking down my shirt. Also, I'm superintendent general now, so I'm refraining from personal relationships, nor would I start one with you."

"Oof. So Supey, did ya get over your fear of pot pies with the promotion?"

The superintendent general shivered in disgust. "Listen, you're to ban those infernal things from ever entering police property at the precinct level."

"Guess ya never did."