Tokyo's brand new secret puzzle cafe [Side Story 2 End]

"Ugh, and I just registered and already my rating dipped," Rize groaned as she pulled up her WWCF card.

Thanks to her loss to Okisato, her rating had dipped to 2864, but that still meant she was still top 5 in the world.

"Well, guess ya get the approval then, though what exactly will this cafe be serving?"

"A set menu, actually as it's managed by the WWCF," Raymond stated as he provided a menu.

Rize stared for a bit before scowling and turning towards Ginji. "Oi, this shit's just typical snack food, so why were you raising such a fuss about it?"

"Iyah, I just figured things should be settled in a good ole chess battle, ya know," Ginji chuckled.

"Well, it was fun, so I'll give ya a bonus for the day. Anyway, we should head out before Mt Benihime erupts," Rize smiled as she began dragging an angrily twitching Benihime out with her.

Ginji smirked and followed suit while Bernie turned to face Mimoko. "A shame, I've heard great things about you. Perhaps a different time and place," he mumbled before stiffly shuffling away.

"Now the bigger question is who you'll choose to appoint as SPCM," Raymond stated as he turned to Daria.

"Hmm, Carol Cooke is definitely one, but I think Triple Cedar is better for her. For this location, hmm. Gorou-kun, your rating is 1014, yes?"

Rodeo nodded and pulled out his WWCF card. Due to the massive rating difference between him and Ginji, he hadn't lost any rating points. He had also informed Daria weeks ago that he was interested in becoming a SPCM. This location was also more convenient for him, plus he knew the staff at Ryokoma well. The decision was obvious.

"Then without further ado, I by my authority as president of the WWCF, approve of Rodeo's appointment as an SPCM," Raymond stated.

Everyone watched in awe as Rodeo's WWCF turned from turquoise to crimson red.

"And one more thing, thanks to a new policy change, SPCMs may compete in tournaments. Simply contact someone at the WWCF HQ for more details. Now, lets discuss where exactly we'll put the cafe, and how folks will gain access to it."

"Heh, if it's gonna be hidden, then I got a great idea on how to reach it," Rika grinned.

...

A day later, the secret puzzle cafe opened up.

"Welcome in. So what do ya wanna order?" Rika grinned.

"Fried liver with A1 sauce," Okisato stated.

Rika nodded and escorted everyone to a rainforest themed seating area a little ways in. Rather than take everyone to a table, she instead escorted everyone towards a wooden cage in the back. Upon opening it up, it was revealed to be an elevator that descended to a hidden basement level.

"Heh, good thing those Kirikawa ninjas had an old storage area just sitting here, though those WWCF builders really do work fast," Rika smiled as the doors opened and everyone entered the secret puzzle cafe.

"... Welcome," Rodeo mumbled as he stood behind the counter.

"So what's your new title?" Yuusuke grinned as he strolled up to the counter.

"Ah right, Okaa-chan likes to give her SPCMs weird nicknames," Mimoko sighed.

"They aren't weird," Daria pouted as she sat at the main table. "And to answer your question, it's Himitsubo."

"Like I said, weird names."

"So can we actually get a real fried liver meal here?" Iori asked.

Rodeo nodded and motioned for her to pull up her points menu. Turns out adding the dish was Rika's idea, and Redfield approved it. Speaking of the secret puzzle cafe, it was easily the most packed anyone from the chess club had ever seen. Though it was to be expected due to it being new.

"So what exactly happens to the AI of the old SPCMs?" Mimoko asked.

"Hmm, we decided that for those that are deceased, their AI wil simply become part of the WWCF's bot library, meaning anyone will be able to challenge them anywhere, any place. At least once all the SPCM positions have been filled. However, Michiko's AI has immediately become available," Daria stated as she stared at Okisato.

After the two had visited Michiko weeks ago, Daria had made it clear that she didn't want him telling Mimoko or anyone else about Michiko. Okisato was of a similar mindset though, as he figured the revelation of Michiko's true fate would be too much for not just Mimoko, but the rest of the chess club as a whole, minus Iori.

"That being said, this means you don't need to beat her AI in order to earn the right to challenge me anymore. Of course, now that we've got Himitsubo, he's required to beat assuming you haven't already beaten every SPCM."

"So when can I face you?" Cinnamon asked as she walked up to Daria.

"Well, first ya gotta get a proper rating and save up the points to beat all my SPCMs, then you can take a shot at me. I saw ya playing some folks, along with your siblings, so how's it going?"

"I gotz the raytingz!" Cinnamon smiled as she displayed her WWCF card.

Daria let out a whistle as she gazed at the number. "2000 at your age? And your sister?"

"Waki's not good. Uh... 25! Er, 527?"

"Waki? Ah, your twin. I meant your baby sister."

As if on que, a woman with green hair walked up holding Yumi. "Ugh, babysitting her is tough," she grumbled as Yumi tapped her belly and displayed her WWCF card.

Her rating was only 1200, but considering she wasn't even a year old, that was impressive. The woman watching her, a staff member at Ryokoma named Matcha, was not so impressive at chess and only had a rating of 110.

"Well, Yumi's tired so I'm passing her off to you," Matcha grumbled as she handed Yumi off to Rika.

"Thanks Matcha, feel free to take 5."

Matcha nodded and headed out. When the elevator returned, a young man with grey hair emerged.

"Ah, great timing. This here's my husband, Masaru," Rika stated.

Masaru glanced around the room and sighed. "I'm glad this new addition is packed, but still I thought the wild additions were over."

"Well, this one was more of a special case."

"Hey Daddy! I gotz ratingz! Praise me!" Cinnamon smiled as she ran up to Masaru and displayed her WWCF card.

"Uh, isn't a smaller number supposed to be better?"

"This ain't golf, Masaru. The bigger the number, the better you are, and she's over 2000 at only 4 years old. Yumi's got talent too," Rika stated.

"Well, at least she's got a path forward."

Cinnamon was quickly given her head-pats before Rika left to breastfeed Yumi. Masaru meanwhile approached Daria.

"So your the girl's father? Pleasure meeting ya. I'm Maestro Himitsu.

"Masaru Ryono, chef."

"I've heard. Seems most of your kids have talent. You play?"

"No, in fact I only registered for that strange card at Rika's insistence."

"Hmm, so there isn't a chess or shogi history in your family?"

"No, cooking was all it's been, though considering Cinnamon is shall we say, not the greatest chef, I'm glad she has a career path ahead of her."

"Well that's good. Now, care to do your part of this business partnership and make some fried liver for the guests?"

Masaru nodded and headed into the mini-kitchen in the back.

"Looks like this place really will become a hit," Daria smiled.

[Side Story 2 End]