Yakiniku Q buzzed with voices, the sizzle of fat on scorching griddles mingling with the rich aroma of grilled meat in the air.
Kakashi and Hanare sat by a window. Outside, night had settled in.
Steam rose from the grill on their table as Hanare elegantly turned the slices of meat with long chopsticks, her movements practiced.
She picked up a perfectly grilled slice of pork belly, its edges lightly charred, and gently placed it on the barely touched plate in front of Kakashi.
A sizable pile of grilled meat already covered his plate.
Kakashi's attention clearly wasn't on the food.
He slouched in his chair, idly holding a book with a Shinobi Code cover in front of his face with one hand. His other hand rested on the table, his fingers tapping unconsciously.
His forehead protector was still tilted over his left eye, while his exposed right eye seemed to be fixed intently on the pages.
The meat Hanare served him might as well have been part of the plate's backdrop.
"Where are you planning to have me stay tonight?"
Hanare set down her chopsticks and folded her hands in her lap, still smiling as she gazed warmly at Kakashi.
Kakashi finally looked away from the book wrapped in a "Shinobi Code" cover for a moment and gave Hanare a lazy glance.
"If the Interrogation Squad or the Analysis Division wants you..."
He deliberately paused, seemingly watching for her reaction, but her smile remained unchanged.
"Then you'll go with them."
He returned his gaze to the page.
"If they don't... then you'll come home with me. Keeping you under surveillance is my assignment."
He enunciated "assignment" distinctly, as though deliberately drawing a line.
With that said, he apparently considered the subject closed and sank back into his book. He