The afternoon sun warmed the bustling streets of Konoha. Kenji pushed through the fabric flaps of Ichiraku Ramen and took a seat at the empty counter.
The rich smell of pork broth and soy filled the small stall. Teuchi was in the back, loudly chopping green onions.
Ayame walked up to the counter. She wiped her hands on her white apron, a bright, genuine smile spreading across her face.
"The usual, Kenji-kun?" Ayame asked.
"You know me too well, Ayame," Kenji smiled.
Minutes later, she walked back to the counter carrying a massive, steaming bowl of miso pork ramen. She set it down in front of him.
[System Notification: Sudden Quest - The Hand That Feeds.]
[Objective: Flirt with Ayame. Make physical contact. Elicit a positive romantic response.][Reward: +500 SP.]
As Ayame pulled her hands away from the bowl, Kenji reached out. He didn't grab his chopsticks. He gently but firmly grabbed her right hand.
Ayame froze. Her dark eyes went wide. "K-Kenji-kun?"
He didn't let go. He ran his thumb slowly over her soft knuckles.
"You work too hard, Ayame," Kenji said, looking directly into her eyes. His voice was low, laced with a subtle hint of his passive pheromones. "When are you going to let me take you out of this kitchen? A beautiful girl like you deserves to be served for a change, not the other way around."
Ayame's face instantly flushed a deep, bright red. She glanced nervously toward the back of the kitchen to make sure her father wasn't watching.
She didn't pull her hand away. Her fingers actually curled slightly around his.
"You're such a flirt, Kenji-kun," Ayame giggled softly, her voice trembling just a bit. "Where would a big, strong ninja like you even take a ramen waitress?"
"My villa," Kenji smirked. "I guarantee the service is better than a five-star restaurant. And the dessert is much more filling."
Ayame's blush darkened completely. She bit her lower lip, completely charmed by his raw confidence.
She leaned over the wooden counter. She quickly pressed her soft lips against his cheek, leaving a warm, lingering kiss.
"I'll hold you to that," she whispered, quickly pulling her hand back and scurrying away toward the kitchen before her father could catch them.
[Quest Complete. +500 SP Added. Ayame Relationship -> Infatuated.]
Too easy, Kenji thought. He picked up his chopsticks and dug into the noodles.
He didn't even get to finish his first bite.
A sudden gust of wind blew into the stall. A swirl of green leaves materialized right on the stool next to him.
Kakashi Hatake sat there.
He wasn't reading his orange book. His lone visible eye was sharp and completely focused. The lazy, laid-back Jonin act was gone.
"Eat fast, Kenji," Kakashi ordered.
Kenji set his chopsticks down. "What's the rush, Kakashi? Did you finally lose your book?"
"I wish," Kakashi sighed, standing up. "Team 7 is being summoned to the Hokage Tower immediately. All of us."
Kenji raised an eyebrow. "Tsunade is calling us directly? It's only been a week since the inauguration."
"She is. And she doesn't look happy," Kakashi said, turning toward the exit. "An A-Rank escort mission just dropped onto her desk. High profile client. High risk."
Kenji wiped his mouth with a napkin. He dropped a few Ryo bills on the counter.
An A-Rank escort mission right after Tsunade takes office, Kenji thought, a dark, predatory smile creeping onto his face as he followed his sensei out of the stall. The Land of Snow. The ice princess is finally here.
"Let's go," Kenji said. "I'm always ready to meet royalty."
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