[Day 6, Late Afternoon] Still Storming, Still Sheltering (Expecting)

[Shiba Raizo]

He'd been there a while, but Raizo was pretty content to stay as he was.

Simply having the option of not going out into the rain was so novel for him that he was inclined to indulge himself.

So he was working his way through another pot of Akina.

[Usogawa Narumi]

Pleased with what she'd managed to find at the market, Narumi went back to the tea house to kill some time before the play. She shakes off her umbrella and leaves it by the door, and enters the space properly, looking for a seat.
Spotting her bastard best friend of sorts, she makes way over to his table and drops herself into the seat across from him, setting her small bag on the table, and flashing Raizo a shit-eating grin.
"Hey handsome. Gotten into any trouble lately?"

[Shiba Raizo]

He grinned right back.

"Ah, Usogawa-san, when the girl of my dreams puts in an appearance, can trouble be far behind?"

He signalled for a server to take her order.

"You're looking well!"

[Usogawa Narumi]

She laughs easily. When attended by the server she asks for Okichi, her favourite.
"Ah but leaving trouble in my wake is a speciality. There have been developments, and I am thoroughly and hopelessly conflicted," she says with a shrug, and pushes a stray lock of damp hair back from her face.
"But first tell me how your meeting with Pei Pei-sama went?"

[Shiba Raizo]

"As an opening reconnaissance, quite well. I spelled out my limitations, and a wish to broaden the number of candidates I wouldn't be actively disappointed to be matched with. She offered some advice. What I gleaned is that my preference is known-no names were named, but I'm pretty sure- so I needn't bother myself with trying to be coy about it. And I will try to make some token efforts."

He paused.

"Of course, it sounds as if you have the opposite problem."

[Usogawa Narumi]

"Huh," Narumi considers this. "Well, I suppose that's better than nothing."
She takes a moment to look around the tea house before her gaze lands back on the bushi. "Your powers of deduction figured out who's won my heart- thanks for that, by the way. Loved being thrown at him in front of everyone, favourite thing ever..." she smirks crookedly, and rubs her temple. "But another samurai has... enlightened me to his intentions, and now I find myself torn in two directions, and unsure how to proceed."
A pause. "Which, given my profession, is it's own kind of hilariousness, isn't it." she adds flatly.
"It's complicated further by the fact that we meet by him approaching me about his affections for another samurai-ko, and asking my advice."

[Shiba Raizo]

"Alas, you're forever out of my reach. Whatever will I do?"

Raizo chuckled.

"As with so many things that have happened here, it's not a problem I can really relate to, but... not necessarily a bad one to have? I mean, as you say, your heart's been won- and you squirm so adorably when it's noticed by others- but having someone else you could at least stand to be paired with is a good thing, right?"

[Usogawa Narumi]

- and you squirm so adorably when it's noticed by others-

"I hate you, you know that right?" she said with a grin and a flush to her cheeks.
"Hm. I guess you have a point."

[Shiba Raizo]

"I mean, my whole problem is that I really only seem to have clicked with the one person, and, well.... not great odds at a miai, you know?"

[Usogawa Narumi]

"Hai, not necessarily. It all depends on how you and Aimi-san perform, and if the matchmakers agree that you're a harmonious match." The grin returned. She knew who he was all aflutter about, too. Oh yes.