Maki sipped from a mug in Starbucks, the loud noise of bustling people in the hospital blaring around her.

A text notification came to Maki's attention

Hanayo

Hanayo Koizumi, 6:18 PM

I switched jobs with Rin.

It's working so far but not a lot of people came into our shop yet.

Maki Nishikino, 6:19 PM

What about your profit?

Did it disappear again?

Hanayo Koizumi, 6:19 PM

I'm keeping an eye on our money.

No disappearances so far.

Maki sighed as she typed a reply. Naive...

Maki Nishikino, 6:21 PM

Install a hidden camera.

You need to find out what really happens.

"Maki, welcome!" Eli exclaimed as Maki closed the restaurant door behind her. "Have you come to help?"

Maki nodded. "I'm done with work for the day. Have you found anything yet?"

Eli shooked her head. "Nothing yet, but I have my suspicions." Eli gestured to the 2 young waitresses standing behind the cashier. "I think it may have something to do with those girls," Eli whispered.

Maki glanced at the girls. That one looks like a teenager, 16 maybe? The other looks a bit older, perhaps in her early 20s'. Wait what is that? Her apron pocket...looks bloated.

"Where is Hanayo?" Maki asked suddenly.

"Huh? Oh, uh she's in the kitchen," Eli replied.

Maki burst through the kitchen door. "Hanayo!"

Hanayo looked up from where she was washing dishes. "Maki?"

Maki marched up to Hananyo and started talking in a low whisper. "Hey, what is the name of your waitress who looks older than the other one?"

"Oh- Akari? She's 19."

"Look, I think she may be the one stealing from your profits. Notice her apron pocket-okay? It looks like there's a lot of things in there-most likely cash."

Hanayo gasped. "Akari? She would never!"

The 2 chef paused in their work to glance at Hanayo momentarily.

"Hey, keep it down!" Maki whispered.

"B-but!" Hanayo whispered, urgently. "Akari has been working for me for over a year! I really trust her!"

Maki scowled. Naive...

"Look, Hanayo, people are not what they seem, okay? We need to keep an eye on her."

Hanayo nodded reluctantly. "I'll set up some hidden cameras during the dinner break."

Maki sighed and walked out of the kitchen.

"Maki, what happened?" Eli asked.

Maki quietly gestured to Akari. "Take a look at her apron pocket."

Eli squinted at Akari and did a double take. "Woah. How did I not notice this before?"

Maki nodded frantically. "Right? It looks like there are coins in there, bills too. She must be stealing the cash..."

The next morning, Maki knocked on her mother's bedroom door.

The door swung open to reveal Maki's mother in pajamas. "Maki? What is it?"

"I have a really selfish request to make," Maki announced nervously. "I'm so sorry mom, but could I take this day off? I know it's Monday and all but you remember that green haired girl that came to return my school ID 7 years ago? She has problems with her restaurant and I need to help-"

"Why of course! I was scared that you would become too much of a workaholic anyway! Surgeon work can be tiring. And if your friend has any problems, tell her that she is always welcome to come for a cup of tea and snacks at our home!"

Maki scowled. "Tea and snacks don't solve financial problems, mom."

"Well, it sure makes anyone feel better! Go help your friends, Maki."

Maki nodded and walked away through the hallway.

"Hanayo! How did it go?" Maki exclaimed as she walked into Rice and Trolls (*great name, I know).

Hanayo was hunched over the computer monitor with Eli and Rin. "I don't know. We were just about to check."

"Where are Akari and your other staff?" Maki asked as she marched up to Hanayo.

"Our restaurant is not open on Mondays!" Rin cheered. "Hanayo, just click it!"

Hanayo looked distraught. "I...really don't want to! Akari has been-"

"MOVE!" Maki snapped as she forcefully pressed the mouse.

The video showed a pair of teenage girls paying in cash. Akari was smiling at them and waving after she accepted the bills.

"Uh oh," Eli said.

Akari looked around the restaurant and quietly slipped the cash into her pocket.

"Aha!" Maki exclaimed. "I knew it! Akari is the one!"

Hanayo looked ghostly. "B-but...maybe this is not..."

"You saw the evidence with your own eyes, Hanayo!" Maki said. "Akari has been stealing from you! You need to report her to the police!"

"Police? Maki perhaps that's too far," Eli stated.

"But Akari has committed a crime. She should go to court!" Maki protested. "Think of the others who could fall victim to her!"

"Maki...I don't even want to think about reporting her," Hanayo muttered. "Akari always seemed so kind..."

"Instead of reporting her," Rin started. "We should just FIRE HER!"

Hanayo reluctantly nodded. "I'd rather fire her than report her..."

Maki sighed. "Alright then...it's your choice. You should at least call her to let her know that you know."

Eli nodded. "Call her, Hanayo!"

Hanayo nodded and unpocketed her phone. "Well here goes..."

Hanayo dialed a number on her phone and pressed speaker.

"Hello?"

"Hi Akari, this is Hanayo."

"Oh. What do you need?"

"I.. called to check on something. I wanted you to know that you are...laid off. Go get some rest...and...yea. Take a nice vacation?"

"Stop being so nice to her!" Maki whispered. "She took your money!"

"What?" Akari's voice from the phone was slightly nervous. "Is there someone with you?"

"Yes there is," Eli said suddenly.

"What are you doing?" Maki whispered-yelled.

Eli winked. "Miss Akari, this is Eli Ayase speaking. I recommend you confess your crimes now, we have security footage of you stealing money. Hang up and we call the police."

"W-what? Okay, fine! I took the money!"

Eli smirked. "Aha. We have this call on record."

Eli held up her phone, which was on a voice recorder. "Hanayo works hard every day just to have her money stolen by you. You better return this money, or we call the police. Confess, Return the money, and we fire you. Then you're free."

Akari was silent for a few seconds. "W-what? I...I...I'm sorry. I'll return the money tomorrow."

"You better," Eli said just before she hung up. "How was that?"

Maki nodded. "I think I have a newfound respect for you now."

And that sort of concludes the restaurant problem!

Sorry for the kinda late update.

I think this story might end up being a lot longer than what I originally planned...