Ariiko was coming with them, that was good, and it caused Noriaki to smile, even after the direct lip-to-lip kiss was interrupted, or rather, put on hold for the moment. Ariiko sped off with the others towards the restaurant, and even though the shrine maiden was handling the cost, Noriaki wasn't hungry. Not enough to eat around the others, anyway; she knew how they felt about her, and they had seen how she was around Ariiko. It would be good for the muse to meet the others, without Noriaki there to interject and hog her attentions, and her affections. Secretly, internally, she was hoping Ariiko would have said no to following the guardians, she truly wished to leave them behind to travel with her muse alone, but such is the way of the world. 

Had Ariiko decided not to follow the princess' guardians, Noriaki would've been able to spare the muse from the horrible truth; the truth that others within the group had already picked up on. Noriaki would just have to think on her feet. She had gotten quite good at that over the years. 

With her head downward and a sigh leaving her lips, Noriaki followed after, heading towards the restaurant but not heading inside it. She paused in her steps, noticing one of the guardians standing outside, looking lost in thought, or perhaps in memories. Ah, this was the one who had corroborated her story back when selections were being made. It was her words that helped Noriaki get selected. 

"Asuka...right?" Noriaki spoke up, approaching the contemplative woman. "What's wrong, food not to your liking? I can understand. Village eateries never really do it for me. I prefer the bigger places, with better ingredients.Or maybe it's not the food that draws you away, perhaps it's something different, something a bit more...personal? Ah, but of course, what do I know of such matters? But I know a look of contemplation when I see one, and I have seen many over the years, mostly when a fair lass or maiden is lost in thoughts about yours truly."

Noriaki stepped to the side of Asuka, placing a hand to the woman's shoulder. 

"You may not be aware, but you did me a grand favor. So I'll return it as such. Tell me what plagues your mind, Asuka, and if my theory is correct, I shall endeavor to aid you. For while you may know swordplay, I know people. I know socialization. I know emotions. And you...you are wearing yours on your face. Which I never noticed how pretty it was before seeing it this up close." 

Noriaki grinned towards Asuka, her hand still firmly placed onto her shoulder.