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R-301 and Wingman at the ready, Kairi was determined to win this match. She'd been on a losing streak for quite a few games, and was starting to get frustrated. She was paired up with Pathfinder, the friendly MRVN, and Renee, the paranoid void-expert. Pathfinder seemed to be taking the match… not too seriously, trying to punch out everyone he saw with his shiny new gloves. Renee, on the other hand, was focused. She was prepared for anything, and even a bit demanding in her speech. And as if losing many matches in a row wasn't bad enough, Kairi's kills were stolen exclusively by her.
"One more squad left, and I don't do second place. Let's finish this."
The ring was in round 3, slowly yet surely closing in. Since the zone was still a decent size, there were two logical options: One, stay put and wait for their opponents to come to them. Or, two: run around until finding said opponents. She was getting quite tired already, and hungry.
"Ugh, I'm starving. Is anyone else starving? I'd sell an ovary for some ramen right now…"
Renee had a strong intent of winning this game and getting at least 15 eliminations.
"Don'tcha get bored of playing every game like it's your last?" Kairi inquired.
"Just doing what I do best." Renee replied.
"Ha! – This girl." All Kairi could do was roll her eyes at such a confident statement.
"It's time to pick a fight. Moving there." The crouched, black haired woman gestured abruptly, as if to break the silence.
"I will join this adventure!" A happy robot voice chimes in.
"Hey, wait!" Kairi called out, but Pathfinder and Renee were already long gone, the sound of a grapple and portal looming through her ears. She followed behind the two only to see them both crawling back to herーliterally. "Agh!"
She barely dodges a Kraber shot while in the air. The enemy squad is incredibly well-coordinated, something that she wishes her squad was. Somehow they're everywhere at the same time.
And.. there it was. Game Over. Kairi couldn't even be surprised. She was getting so frustrated that she could practically feel her blood boiling. One more match of this and she just might have toー
*ding!*
Loba ♥️ • Today
good afternoon, angel! how was the match?
Just like that, Kairi's day was made.
Me • Just Now
Hi my love! Lost the match, had too much on my mind. *_*
Loba ♥️ is typing…
Loba ♥️ • Just Now
i'm sorry to hear that :"( what were u thinking abt? You know im always here for u.
Me • Just Now
Oh no nothing like that! Just was thinking about having lunch with you. Whaddya say?
I haven't showed her that new place yet…
Loba ♥️ • Just Now
id love 2!
where r we going? n what should I wear ? :]
Me • Just Now
Wear something casual! It's a surprise so I'll drive us. (/▽＼*)｡o○♡
I'll pick you up at 3:00?
Loba ♥️ • Just Now
works 4 me! see u then :]]
Ramen date secured.
☆ ♡ ☆ ♡ ☆
To Kairi, it seemed as if time had passed by insanely slow. Until 3:00, she had experimented with different clothes but decided to stick with her Northstar jacket and black sweatpants.
She didn't live too far from Loba, but it was a nice ride to and from her neighborhood. Kairi pulled up to the curb near Loba's place and took out her phone to text "here!", but Loba was one step ahead. She stepped out of her house and into Kairi's car. Her hair was perfectly curled and her makeup was, of course, on point.
"You look beautiful, but you'll probably be underwhelmed from the place we're going." Kairi giggled. Loba returned a laugh.
"Don't worry about it. As long as I get to spend time with you, I don't mind where we go."
Kairi turned red, and turned back to the road.
"So, where are we going?"
"Ramen Ichiraku. A new location of theirs opened near us, the place's pretty good, so…"
Loba laughed to herself. Of course Kairi would take her to a ramen shop.
"Well, if it’s as good as you insist, I don't mind."
"You'll thank me later, don't worry."
"Oh, I almost forgot to ask you," Loba started, looking for the right words. "are you sure there was really nothing going on earlier?" She had a genuinely concerned look on her face.
"Ah, yeah, had a few slow matches lately. It's been kind of…hard to stay confident, if I'm being honest," Kairi looked a bit sad. "but don't worry, because my next match is going to be really good. I can feel it!"
"That's my girl." Loba smiled and intertwined her hand with Kairi's. The gesture sent Kairi's heart fluttering.
♡ ☆ ♡ ☆ ♡
"Almost there. Oh, you're gonna love it, babe." Kairi said, nearly drooling on her lap.
Loba couldn't help but smile as she looked at Kairi. God, was she an airhead, but she's so beautiful.
Soon, they pulled up to the, in Kairi’s words, world renowned restaurant.
"I'm telling you, they deserve 3 Michelin stars. Maybe even 5, if the ranking system allows. Y’know, if I could only eat one thing for my entire life, it'd be ramen directly from this place."
Kairi turned to Loba and saw her hand go to the door handle. "Wait!..." she rushed around to the other side of the car and opened the door for her. "Ah, right this way, mademoiselle!" Kairi said, forging a French accent. She picked Loba up from out of the car and bowed, thanking Obi for indirectly teaching her a brilliant move.
"Thanks, beautiful."
"You are most welcome, my love."
They walked into the restaurant and sat down at the stools.
"Hey! Kairi, how ya doin'? Is this your pretty lady friend you talk about all the time?" The worker at the counter looked like he'd been working here for a while.
"Uh-huh," Kairi nodded, and turned to Loba, smirking.
"Oh, how sweet of you, Kairi! Obi hasn't heard the end of you, either." Loba looked longingly into Kairi's eyes for a moment.
"So..” the worker muttered, “what can I get for the both of you today?" awkwardly breaking the silence.
"Well, Tanaka, I'm gonna go with the usual. What would you like, babe?"
"I'll have the Tonkotsu. Do you mind making that spicy as well?"
The worker nodded as he wrote it down and yelled to another guy in the back. "They're getting started back there. It won't be long." He said as he left to tend to other customers.
"Sometime, I'll take you out to a Brazilian place. And… you can have all the beer you want."
"You know I can't turn down an offer like that."
"Exactly."
"Have you ever had Tonkotsu before?"
"No, but they listed the ingredients under it. Sounds really good, why not give it a try? You know I love spicy food too."
"That's great to hear! I almost always have that stuff in my apartment. What do you say? Next time you come over for a movie, I'll make you some of Kairi's Homemade Spicy Tonkotsu Ramen! Patents pending."
"You, Imahara, have got a deal." Loba smiled.
"Spicy Shoyu and Spicy Tonkotsu ready! For Imahara and the lady!" A woman from the kitchen yelled out. Tanaka came over with the dishes and a beer for Kairi.
"Would you like anything to drink, ma'am?"
"Water's fine."
The two grabbed a set of chopsticks from the containernd dug in. Kairi seemed to be eating a little faster than Loba, who was savoring every bite.
"Wow, Kairi, you weren't lying when you said it was good!"
"Mmm!" Kairi looked over to Loba, slurping up the noodles as if it was her last meal.
☆ ♡ ☆ ♡ ☆
A few minutes had passed and Kairi was long done. Loba was just finishing up hers, but she was so surprised that a place like this was only known by locals (and Kairi).
"We have to come back here more often!"
"I knew you'd love it."
"Well, you know what else I love?"
"Hmm, who might that be?"
"Oh, you, of course!"
They both giggled and kissed before heading back to Kairi's place for the night.