Hayate watched the dog's antics with more amusement than alarm. He was a little bemused by the fact that the dog--Kuromaru--actually talked, but he'd seen stranger things.

The little distressed whine corresponded with Tsume's sudden loss of cheer. Hayate smiled politely at her question, and glanced at the harried cook. The man gave him a pleading look, and Hayate took pity on him. "Um, not right now."

His stomach growled, belying his words. Hayate's smile took on a very sheepish shade, and he glanced back at the cooking food. "Well..." he amended, because today he really was hungry, instead of just eating something because he should.

Order placed, he fumbled through his coat pockets to find a piece of candy. It would keep his voice from catching so badly. By feel he found a broken piece, and fished the smaller piece out of the wrapper. The honey taste was sweet and welcome. He sucked on it a moment, gathering up his courage. He gave Tsume a sidelong glance before he asked his question, feeling oddly forward for asking, though his mistaking her for Touga had started all this.

"You...you wouldn't happen to know an Inuzuka named Touga, would you?"