[center][colour=ec008c][h1][i][b]Kasumi Haruno[/b][/i][/h1][/colour][/center]
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Listening to Ren's words, Kasum suppressed a groan and rolled her eyes. [color=ec008c][i]So, this is about Lin's bullshit? What did he even say that was worth tears? Ugh...[/i][/color] Kasumi mentally lamented getting saddled with this drama, as she did her best to ignore Ren's horrible attempts at being subtle about his burgeoning crush. She wondered if she should bluntly address it and clear up any potential brewing misunderstandings. Mu didn't seem to be quite "all there" at the moment, and it was possible he was feeding the perception of reciprocating something that wasn't there...

[color=ec008c][i]Nah, not worth the trouble. Just gonna... stay far away from that trainwreck... until it matters anyway.[/i][/color]

The pinkette frowned at the brunette's retreating form, as Mu sprinted ahead towards the ramen shop. Aloud, she merely groused quietly, only loud enough for perhaps Ren to hear over the rain, [color=ec008c]"Still only paying for myself. I didn't agree to shit."[/color] Man, she didn't even really know this guy that well. The hell was he saying, trying to extort her into paying for his food?

Her frown deepened, as Ren inquired after her troubled mien, only for the pinkette's expression to smooth out into neutrality. [color=ec008c]"Bah, just my imagination. Don't mind me,"[/color] she said blithely with a casual shrug of her shoulders, stuffing her hands in her pockets and turning on her heel to follow Mu. The lie leapt from her lips easily, as Kasumi mulled the matter over internally. Despite her concerns or her desire for impromptu meat-shields, if what she was sensing was any real form of danger, it would be objectively irresponsible for her to involve fellow Academy students in such a matter. Unbloodied and inexperienced as they were, if it was a matter requiring the attention of experienced shinobi, she'd just be leading them to the slaughter, which would hardly reflect well on her in the eyes of her superiors.
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Kasumi quickly approached [i]Ramen Ichigo[/i], brushing aside the flaps to enter to small seating area, as the familiar scent of warm herbal broth intermixed with meats and vegetables. She felt her mouth watering a little at the promise of food, clicking her tongue at Mu's words and resisting the impulse to smack him on the back of the head. [color=ec008c]"[i]Oi[/i], slow down; there's more to ordering a proper bowl of ramen than telling the chef to go nuts. Read the menu, or you'll regret it,"[/color] she groused.

Her words prompted a hearty laugh from over the counter, as a tall mustachioed man with greying hair, a somewhat portly countenance and laugh lines on his cheeks walked up to the counter, wiping his hands off on his apron. A grin was already on the lips of Mr. Ichigo, the present owner of the establishment. Elsewhere behind him in the relatively small kitchen area of the rest of the building, the sounds of chopping and bubbling liquid echoed out, and glimpses of a younger girl and man could be seen occasionally bustling around the workstations. Both were brunettes and looked vaguely similar if you were actually looking for it, likely to be related.

"Don't trust my chef's instincts, Miss Haruno?" Mr. Ichigo chuckled, receiving only a flat look in response.

[color=ec008c]"With a 'chef's choice' meal? Not on your life. That's one 'tasteful adventure' I won't be taking again,"[/color] Kasumi said bluntly, eyes narrowing at the belly laugh she got in response, as she flopped one of the stools at the counter, already resting one elbow on the countertop and her chin in the palm of the related hand. [color=ec008c]"A large beef bowl for me instead..."[/color] She paused. [color=ec008c]"In a carry-out bowl if you please."[/color]

Calling the orders back to the kitchen, Mr. Ichigo raised a single bushy brow, his mustache twitching. "In a rush today, are we? And here I'd thought you'd have time to chat, since you came with friends," he chuckled.

[color=ec008c][i]Not friends, not even close[/i][/color] the pinkette didn't say aloud. Kasumi frowned, her chakra senses still prickling in the distance. Despite doing her best to dismiss the matter... [color=ec008c]"I just realized there's something pressing I may need to handle,"[/color] she finally said as a nondescript answer. Her eyes drifted towards Mu and the redhead presently pining after him, her gut twisting in annoyance at the idea of having to endure their little "not-date" as the third wheel. Oh, to be sure, that wasn't the specific reason she was leaving, but it certainly contributed. [color=ec008c]"I'll come back if I have time-"[/color] She probably wouldn't. [color=ec008c]"-but please, don't stop having a good time on my account."[/color] She didn't imagine that would be too difficult; she was self-aware enough to know she wasn't exactly a "cloud of sunshine". They'd probably get along much better without her there to be a killjoy once her patience ran out.