The Hitman and Ramen Girl.

Hana's morning at the ramen shop started with the usual chaos. Mei and Aiko were busy setting up, while Kenta fumbled with the register, grumbling about how it never worked right.

But Hana's mind was elsewhere. Her thoughts kept drifting back to last night—the fancy dinner, Ryo's intense gaze, and the way he had gently tucked her hair behind her ear. Her cheeks warmed at the memory.

"Oi, earth to Hana!" Mei waved a hand in front of her face, smirking. "Still thinking about your not-date?"

Aiko gasped dramatically. "She's totally gone! Look at her! This is what romance does to people."

Hana groaned. "It wasn't a date!"

Kenta snickered. "So, if I take a girl to a candlelit dinner, stare deeply into her eyes, and then whisper sweet things, that's not a date?"

"It wasn't like that!" Hana protested, but she couldn't ignore the way her heart pounded at the thought of Ryo's words: I won't disappear this time.

Just as she opened her mouth to argue further, the entrance bell jingled. A tall man stepped inside.

The stranger had sharp features, slicked-back dark hair, and a composed but unsettling presence. His eyes swept over the shop before landing on Hana.

"You're Hana Takahashi, right?" he asked smoothly.

Hana exchanged glances with Kenta before nodding. "Yes… can I help you?"

The man smiled, but there was something cold about it. "Actually, I was hoping to talk about a mutual acquaintance—Ryo Kobayashi."

The air in the shop shifted. Mei and Aiko exchanged worried looks, while Kenta subtly positioned himself closer to Hana.

"I'm sorry, but who are you?" Hana asked, her voice steady despite the unease creeping up her spine.

The man chuckled, slipping his hands into his pockets. "Just someone keeping an eye on things." His gaze flicked to the empty counter. "Ryo hasn't been around this morning, has he?"

Hana's stomach twisted. "Why do you want to know?"

The man tilted his head, as if considering his answer. "Let's just say… he and I have unfinished business."

Before Hana could reply, the entrance bell jingled again.

Ryo walked in.

Ryo's usual relaxed demeanor vanished the moment he saw the man. His entire body tensed, his sharp gaze locking onto him with a look Hana had never seen before—dangerous and cold.

The man smirked. "Kobayashi. Fancy running into you here."

Ryo didn't blink. "Kazuki."

Hana's breath caught. Kazuki? Wasn't that—?

Ryo stepped forward slightly, placing himself between Hana and Kazuki. "You shouldn't be here."

Kazuki shrugged. "Just checking in on an old friend. Making sure you're still alive." His gaze flickered toward Hana. "And making new attachments, I see."

Ryo's jaw clenched. "Leave."

Kazuki smirked, clearly enjoying the tension. "Relax. I'm just saying hello. No harm done." He stepped back, raising his hands in mock surrender. "But don't get too comfortable, Kobayashi. Sooner or later, the past catches up to all of us."

With that, he turned and walked out, leaving an eerie silence in his wake.

Hana let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding. "Ryo… who was that?"

Ryo exhaled sharply, rubbing his temple. "No one you need to worry about."

Mei crossed her arms. "Oh, sure. Because when random, intimidating men show up asking about you, it's totally normal."

Aiko nodded. "Seriously, Ryo. Who is he?"

Ryo was silent for a moment before finally saying, "Kazuki. An old associate."

Hana frowned. "He didn't seem like a friend."

Ryo met her gaze, his expression unreadable. "Because he's not."

The weight of his words settled in the air. Hana wanted to ask more, but something about the way Ryo's jaw tightened told her she wouldn't get any answers right now.

"Are you in trouble?" she asked softly.

Ryo hesitated, then shook his head. "I can handle it."

That didn't reassure her in the slightest.

That night, as Hana closed up the shop, she noticed Ryo lingering nearby, his usual sharp gaze scanning the area.

"You don't have to walk me home every night, you know," she said lightly, though she secretly didn't mind.

Ryo smirked. "I know."

Hana hesitated before adding, "Are you… going to tell me what's really going on?"

Ryo's smirk faded. He looked at her, something unreadable flickering in his eyes. "Not yet."

Hana sighed but nodded. She knew better than to push him. Still, she couldn't shake the feeling that something bigger was coming. And this time, she wasn't sure if Ryo could keep his world from colliding with hers. As they stood in the quiet night, Hana found herself making a silent promise. Whatever secrets Ryo was keeping, whatever danger lurked in the shadows—she wouldn't let him face it alone.

Even if he tried to keep her out of it.