Once a mobster, now Masachika Kuze

The night had already fallen. Ryan quickly stopped by his house, took a shower, and touched up his perfume. He kept the overcoat on — a necessity, not just for style, but to conceal the weapon and the bracelet he wore.

The long, dark blue overcoat fit perfectly over his broad shoulders, falling with calculated elegance. The heavy fabric reinforced his firm and unwavering posture, complemented by the discreet shimmer of an expensive gold watch. Underneath, a black turtleneck sweater hugged his torso, giving him a sophisticated and mysterious air. The contrast with the caramel trousers created an unexpected balance, a subtle detail that exuded confidence and attention to detail.

Leaving the house, he grabbed his cell phone and called Riko. The answer came almost instantly, surprising him.

"Looks like... someone's pretty eager." His voice carried a light teasing, a playful tone that didn't go unnoticed.

On the other side, Riko's voice sounded thin, as if she were assimilating the reality of what she was about to do. Still, she tried to maintain her composure:

"When I become Tengen-Sama, I won't have time for these casualities. So, you have been selected to be my first and..." She paused briefly, as if needing to catch her breath before completing: "...last date."

Ryan opened the car door, a smile playing on his lips. "It's an honor." His reply was laden with irony, as if he didn't take her words so seriously.

Riko, on the other hand, seemed radiant. Ryan could imagine her animated smile as she retorted:

"Since you know it's an honor, you better hurry up. I'm already all dressed up and waiting at the apartment from earlier. You wouldn't leave a girl as amazing as me waiting for her first date, would you?"

The roar of the engine echoed from the other side of the line, accompanied by the sudden sound of tires burning against the asphalt.

"Don't worry, I'll be there in ten minutes." Ryan spoke with an amused presumption before hanging up.

He put the phone in his pocket, glancing briefly at the car's dashboard. "Well, I guess nothing bad will happen..." he murmured, but his gaze soon shifted, carrying a slightly serious expression. "I just want a quiet date... I think Riko deserves that."

When he reached his destination, he parked the car and got out with the same usual confidence. He adjusted his overcoat, checked his watch, and glanced at the time with a satisfied smile. "Ha... It was only nine minutes."

He walked towards the entrance, chest puffed out, without hesitation. Going out with beautiful women was routine for him, and this date shouldn't be any different. However, upon opening the door, he immediately came face to face with Kuroi holding a mop, her expression tense.

"There's no way this is going to work!" The way she held the mop made it clear she was ready for combat.

Ryan raised an eyebrow, analyzing the scene with slight disbelief. "What? I chose my clothes so carefully..."

"I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT THAT!" Kuroi shouted, frustrated.

Before Ryan could respond, another voice interjected:

"Relax, Kuroi. It's just a silly date." Gojo appeared behind her, a carefree smile on his face. "You don't want Riko to become Tengen-Sama without enjoying this part of adolescence, do you?"

Beside him, Geto kept his hands in his pockets, his expression indifferent. "It's too dangerous." Kuroi crossed her arms, her voice laden with concern. "Both Ryan and the people after Riko."

Ryan tilted his head, blinking as if lost. "Me? Dangerous?"

Geto finally spoke, his voice always calm and thoughtful. "Gojo and I will go too. That way, security will be more than guaranteed."

Ryan raised his hand in an immediate gesture of refusal. "No way. Riko wants a date for two."

Gojo smiled faintly, clearly amused by the boy's confidence. "Can you handle taking care of her alone?"

Ryan adjusted his overcoat subtly, his gaze sharp. "I crossed that Mugen thing when you were sure it was impossible... Want to doubt my abilities again?"

Geto, though still suspicious, grumbled. "I don't know... As Kuroi said, you're dangerous too."

Ryan frowned, crossing his arms. "You're treating me like a weirdo, you know?" He sighed, gesturing with his hand. "Have you forgotten I'm a contractor for your family?"

He glanced at Kuroi, who hesitated for a brief moment. "Or... do you think your family would hire an assassin?"

Gojo laughed, opening his arms playfully. "What if we stay about 200 meters away? That way, you have privacy and—"

"250 meters. Just to be sure." Riko's voice cut through the conversation, immediately attracting Ryan's attention.

He turned to the elevator hallway and finally saw her.

Riko's dark blue hair fluttered lightly, long and silky like the starless night. Her eyes shone a vivid blue, reflecting a serene sweetness mixed with an enigmatic touch. Her delicate face, with soft and well-defined features, shaped a subtly captivating expression.

She walked slowly, her sweet, soft voice filling the environment. "Sorry for the delay, I needed to go upstairs to get my purse." She smiled charmingly, illuminating everything around her. "So, how do I look?"

Riko twirled gracefully, revealing her choice of attire.

Her dress, a deep, luxurious red, hugged her body elegantly. The short, wavy sleeves left her shoulders exposed, highlighting her soft, white skin. On her chest, a blue rose adorned the fabric, a small contrast that further emphasized the sophistication of the attire. The waist was marked by a fitted black corset, accentuating her silhouette with aristocratic refinement.

She was, without a doubt, a vision. A rare flower that would only bloom under the light of a distant moon.

Ryan blinked, searching for words for a moment, until he finally spoke, his voice light, almost reverent:

"You look like you stepped out of a fairy tale..."

Riko blushed slightly, her delicate hand resting on her chest as her voice came out in a soft murmur, almost hesitant: "Th-thank you..." The shy blush tinged even the tips of her ears, a subtle but incredibly captivating detail.

Ryan smiled naturally, stepping towards her with firm, calculated steps, his gaze carrying an almost theatrical confidence. He extended his hand to her, palm up, and bowed slightly in a gesture of impeccable chivalry.

"So... Would this beautiful young lady grant me the honor of accompanying her to a dinner worthy of her beauty, a gala restaurant perhaps?" His voice was smooth, engaging, with a hint of playfulness hidden beneath the exaggerated formality.

Riko blinked a few times, seeming surprised by the tone he had adopted, before looking away, hesitant. "Y-you know... Those places are usually very expensive and I..."

Ryan, however, didn't let her finish. In a fluid motion, he took her hand lightly and bowed in an elegant curtsy. "Dressed like this, it would be a crime not to take you to a place that lives up to it..." Then, he leaned in a little closer, murmuring in her ear in a voice laden with amusement: "Not to mention that I like the old movie charm those places have..."

He pulled away, winking at her casually.

Riko smiled, a genuine smile that further illuminated her delicate features. She covered her mouth gently with her other hand, laughing lightly before saying sweetly, "I'll leave my night in your hands... Ryan."

Ryan felt his heart skip a beat, but didn't show it. Instead, he intertwined his arm with hers, leading her naturally.

"You need to be back before 11 pm!" Kuroi's firm voice made them stop, as if she were a mother giving strict instructions to her daughter before her first outing.

Gojo, ever carefree, put his hands behind his head and smiled broadly. "Look, Amanai, your first chance to come home late and get scolded. A rite of passage!"

Kuroi spun on her heels and pointed her finger at Gojo, her face flushed with frustration. "Don't encourage that kind of behavior!" She paused, her gaze becoming more serious as she turned to Riko. "You know the situation she's in..."

Ryan placed one hand over his chest in a solemn gesture, his voice taking on a lower, more respectful tone. "Don't worry... I promise to take care of her with my..." He turned his gaze to Riko, their eyes meeting for a brief moment. A silent and subtle moment, but laden with meaning. "I will take care of her with my own life."

Riko blinked, surprised by the sudden seriousness. An unexpected warmth rose to her face, making it difficult to formulate any response at that moment.

Fortunately, Gojo wasn't the type to let an intense mood linger for long.

"Alright, let's get going, because the night is young!" He spun on his heels and headed for the door, completely at ease.

Geto sighed, sinking his hands into his coat pockets as he followed. "We'll be right behind you... 250 meters away." He looked over his shoulder, his tone carrying a subtle warning. "If something goes wrong, we'll send a signal. You grab Riko and leave immediately."

Ryan didn't answer immediately, just gently squeezed Riko's arm against his, guiding her to the car. Like a true gentleman, he opened the door for her, allowing her to enter first.

Soon, they arrived at one of Tokyo's most luxurious restaurants. Riko couldn't hide her amazement, her eyes shining as she observed the elegant cars parked and the sophisticated entrance to the place. But then, she turned to Ryan, a look of slight concern forming on her face.

"Y-you know... This isn't going to be too expensive for you, is it?"

Ryan smiled faintly as he opened the door for her. "Relax... Money is no object." Inwardly, however, he thought wryly: "Gensei will have to figure out how to pay my expenses."

As they got out of the car, Ryan kept his arm entwined with Riko's, guiding her across the red carpet at the entrance. She seemed a little awkward, but didn't try to pull away, just followed his lead.

As they passed the luxury cars, Riko murmured, still impressed: "How did you get a reservation at a place like this?"

Ryan shrugged casually. "Riko... It's your first date. I spared no effort to make it unforgettable."

She stared at him, surprised by the unexpectedly sincere response. Her blue eyes shone under the elegant lights of the place, reflecting something that made Ryan's heart beat a little faster.

Upon reaching the reception, they were led to a table by the window, which overlooked a beautiful grove filled with roses illuminated by small hanging lamps. An almost ethereal setting.

Once they were seated, Ryan poured himself a glass of wine, bringing it to his lips with a relaxed air.

Riko raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms on the table. "You... Are you old enough to drink?"

He smirked, swirling the liquid in the glass before answering: "I'm not old enough to drive either..." He winked at her, provocatively.

Riko laughed awkwardly, shaking her head. "Ah... Now I realize that we're not exactly... Normal."

Ryan, still smiling, poured some into her glass and gently pushed it towards her.

Riko's eyes widened, shaking her hands rapidly. "I-I don't drink!"

Ryan raised an eyebrow, amused. "Riko... You have, what? 48 hours left? Do you really think a sip of wine is going to make a difference?"

She hesitated, biting her lower lip as she pondered the absurd logic of it. Finally, she sighed and took the glass, taking a small sip.

Ryan watched, curious. "So? What do you think?"

Riko frowned slightly, looking at the reddish liquid inside the glass as if trying to decipher it. "It's... Sweet and bitter at the same time. A taste that seems bad, but... Somehow, it's good too."

Ryan leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms with an amused smile. "Look at you... Philosophizing about a sip of wine."

Riko laughed, closing her eyes for a moment. But when she opened them again, her smile faltered a little. She looked away, her ears blushing subtly as she murmured, "Thank you... For letting me experience these things... Before I fulfill my destiny."

The melancholic tone in her voice made Ryan's smile diminish slightly. He lowered his gaze for a brief moment, the weight of her words settling in his mind.

"It's clear that... This destiny is not what she desires."

Time unfolded at a pleasant pace. Between sips of wine and precise forkfuls, Ryan and Riko enjoyed the sophisticated dishes they had ordered. Each one was an experience in itself—delicate textures, refined seasonings, flavors that melted in the mouth. Were the prices absurd? Certainly. But at least the luxury was justified on the palate.

Conversations flowed naturally, oscillating between trivialities and deeper themes. Riko talked about her favorite hobbies with genuine enthusiasm, and Ryan listened attentively, absorbing every little nuance of her lively voice. Amidst occasional laughter, the conversation eventually took a more serious turn. Fears, insecurities, small confessions that hid behind well-trained smiles.

Ryan watched Riko as she spoke, his expression softening as he perceived the vulnerability hidden in her words. But, in a moment of distraction, his gaze drifted to the wide window beside him. The scenery outside was too calm.

Strange.

He leaned back slightly in his chair, his fingers drumming against the stem of the wine glass as a thought crossed his mind with irony.

"Wow... It's really quiet. I swore we'd have at least three crazies trying to kill Riko by now."

The suspicious silence bothered him, but for now, there was no reason to spoil the mood.

Across town, the calm was just an illusion.

Gojo and Geto were lying on the roof of a nearby building, watching the movement below with the disinterest of someone watching a boring movie. The night breeze swayed their hair slightly, but nothing there seemed worthy of their attention.

Gojo yawned, stretching lazily before speaking, his voice drawn out by boredom.

"I've already taken care of about twelve idiots who thought it was a good idea to come close..."

Geto, who was sitting with his elbows resting on his knees, sighed, sharing the same discouragement.

"At least they were weak enough not to disturb Ryan and Riko..." He glanced at the horizon, as if hoping something more interesting would emerge. "This is too easy."

Gojo chuckled, tilting his head back, his glasses reflecting the distant city lights.

"Yeah... But hey, don't complain. Every now and then, a quiet dinner is deserved, right?"

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