It wasn't in Ryu's nature to be so self aware, but Ryu was unsure about this. Surely Ken knew what he was doing, they were in his homeland after all... but Ryu still felt incredibly uncomfortable. All eyes seemed to be on the two. His ravenous hunger that had occupied his every thought just moments ago was suddenly and completely replaced by nauseousness swelling in the pit of his stomach.
"Ah, Ken..." he started, but hesitated after noticing heads around him perking up.
Ken turned around, "Huh? What's up, dude?"
"... It's... nothing..." Ryu felt his face heating up. He hoped it wasn't noticeable and looked down to make sure no one could see. His feet clad in ratty red high-tops came into view, dirty and well traveled, as was his dingy, no longer white gi. Ryu became more embarrassed. The sound of Ken's voice snapped him back to reality.
It was their turn to order, Ken did the talking of course. Ryu could only pick out few key words. "Burger" was one of them.
"You can grab some seats, Ryu, I'll get the food when it comes up."
"Nnh," Ryu nodded and made a b-line for the corner booth he had been eyeing. Secluded at the back of the burger joint, away from curious eyes, there, he thought, he could calm down enough to eat.
The red pleather seats squeaked as Ryu sat down. He scratched his head, he wiggled his toes inside their unfamiliar surroundings: shoes, he looked around, he felt restless. Curious gazes and long stares still came at him from all around. He was a novelty, Ryu rationalized to himself, a Japanese in a traditional gi inside an American fast food restaurant must've been an unusual sight. The atmosphere became more and more awkward and uncomfortable for Ryu as the moments ticked away. Maybe it was all in his imagination, he started to think. To relieve his stress he started to play with his hands, cracking his knuckles, stretching his muscles and tendons, trying to block out everything else.
A few minutes later, as promised, Ken finally came with a tray piled with deliciousness. Ryu could smell the seared meat and grease radiating from the mountain of food, the sent alone made his knees feel week and his stomach jump for joy. Ken placed it on their table with a wide grin and sat down.
"Well, eat up!" he declared as he ripped open and tore into a cheeseburger. Ryu looked at the feast laid before him. He took up a warm mass bundled in thin wax paper and unfolded it.
"Itadakimasu," he bit into the soft sweet bread, the crunchy lettuce and tomatoes, into the juicy tender meat. Ryu could have cried from sheer happiness.