The Hitman and Ramen Girl.

Ryo couldn't shake the unease settling in his chest. Ever since Kazuki showed up at the ramen shop, something felt off. The way Kazuki had looked at Hana, the smug way he had spoken—it wasn't just a casual visit. It was a warning. Ryo leaned against the rooftop of a nearby building, watching the ramen shop from above. Hana was inside, chatting with her coworkers, completely unaware of the storm brewing around her.

Kazuki wouldn't involve her… would he?

Ryo hated the thought. He was used to danger, but Hana wasn't. She was kind, innocent—she had no place in the world he lived in. And yet, Kazuki had noticed her. That alone was enough to make Ryo's grip tighten on the hilt of the knife hidden under his jacket.

Meanwhile, Hana was wiping down the counter when the shop's entrance bell jingled. She turned, expecting a customer—but instead, a tall man in a dark hoodie stepped inside. His face was partially obscured by the hood, but something about his posture put Hana on edge.

"Welcome! What can I get for you?" she asked, forcing a polite smile.

The man didn't answer right away. He simply scanned the shop, his gaze lingering a little too long on Hana. Mei and Aiko, who were chatting near the kitchen, noticed the awkward silence and glanced over.

"…Just a menu," the man finally muttered, taking a seat near the back.

Hana exhaled in relief, but something still felt… off. She handed him a menu and returned to the counter, but she couldn't help sneaking glances in his direction.

Why did she feel like she was being watched?

From the rooftop, Ryo had been scanning the street when he noticed the hooded man enter the shop. His eyes narrowed.

Something about him wasn't right.

Without a second thought, Ryo jumped down from his vantage point, landing quietly in the alleyway beside the shop. He slipped through the back entrance, his steps silent as he moved into the kitchen. Mei and Aiko barely noticed as he passed, their conversation masking his arrival. Hana, still at the counter, blinked in surprise when Ryo suddenly appeared beside her.

"Ryo?" she whispered. "What are you doing—"

"Who is that?" he cut in, his voice low and sharp.

Hana followed his gaze to the hooded man. "I don't know… he just came in."

Ryo's eyes darkened. "Stay here."

Before Hana could protest, Ryo was already walking toward the stranger.

As soon as Ryo moved away, Aiko and Mei wasted no time in sidling up to Hana with knowing smirks.

"Ohhh, so protective," Aiko teased, nudging Hana's side. "He's acting like a jealous boyfriend."

Mei grinned. "Or maybe he wants to be one. I mean, did you see the way he looked at you?"

Hana groaned, her cheeks heating up. "Stop it, you two! It's not like that."

Aiko sighed dramatically. "Denial is the first stage, my dear Hana."

Mei leaned on the counter, smirking. "You should totally test him. Try mentioning another guy and see how he reacts."

Hana shook her head. "I am not playing games with Ryo. He's already tense enough."

"Exactly," Aiko said with a wicked grin. "And a little jealousy might finally make him admit his feelings."

Hana rolled her eyes, but deep down, she couldn't help but wonder.

The hooded man barely had time to react before Ryo slid into the seat across from him. The air between them grew thick with tension.

"You lost?" Ryo asked, his tone casual but laced with warning.

The man didn't flinch. Instead, he smirked. "Just enjoying a meal."

"You haven't ordered anything."

The man chuckled, finally lowering his hood slightly. "You're as sharp as ever, Kobayashi." Ryo's fingers twitched. "Who sent you?"

The man tilted his head toward the counter where Hana was standing, clearly trying to listen in. "Nice place. She seems… sweet."

Ryo moved before he could think. His hand shot out, gripping the man's wrist tightly under the table. "Say another word about her, and you won't leave this shop in one piece."

The man simply grinned, unfazed. "Relax. I was just passing through. No harm done… yet."

Ryo's grip tightened before finally letting go. The man stood, stretching lazily as if he hadn't just been threatened.

"I'll see you around, Kobayashi."

With that, he walked out, leaving Ryo fuming.The moment the man left, Hana hurried over. "Ryo, who was that?"

Ryo exhaled, trying to calm the fury burning inside him. "No one important."

Hana frowned. "You always say that when it's obviously not true."

Ryo looked at her, his usual cold mask slipping just a little. "Hana… be careful. If anything seems strange, call me."

Her eyes softened. "Ryo, what's going on?"

He hesitated before shaking his head. "Just… promise me."

Hana nodded slowly. "I promise."

Mei and Aiko, still lingering nearby, exchanged excited glances.

"Ohhh, he so likes you," Mei whispered loudly.

Aiko grinned. "I give it a month before he confesses."

Hana groaned. "You two are impossible."

But deep down, she couldn't help but wonder if they were right. And for the first time, Ryo wasn't sure if he could keep her safe. Ryo wasn't the type to worry. He had survived too many dangerous missions, escaped from too many near-death situations, and faced countless enemies without flinching. But tonight, as he watched Hana laughing with Aiko and Mei inside the ramen shop, an unfamiliar knot formed in his chest.

It wasn't just Kazuki's warning that lingered in his mind—it was the way Hana had looked at him after their encounter. There was doubt in her eyes, uncertainty that hadn't been there before. And now, Aiko and Mei weren't helping.

"Ryo, you're staring again."

Micca's voice snapped him out of his thoughts. The blond hitman leaned against the wall beside him, arms crossed and an amused smirk playing on his lips.

"Shut up," Ryo muttered, but Micca only chuckled.

"She's a good girl, you know. Innocent, sweet… I can see why you're acting all weird."

"I'm not acting weird."

"Right," Micca drawled. "That's why you've been sulking outside instead of going in."

Ryo clicked his tongue and turned his attention back to the shop. The sound of Hana's laughter rang out again, this time followed by Mei and Aiko's voices teasing her. Inside, Hana was flustered as Aiko and Mei surrounded her at the counter.

"So, Hana," Aiko started, resting her chin on her palm. "Are you and Ryo dating or what?"

Hana nearly dropped the bowl she was holding. "W-What?! No! We're just—"

"Just what?" Mei grinned. "Just two people who stare at each other like lovesick idiots?"

"I don't stare at him!"

"Oh, honey," Mei patted her shoulder. "You so do."

Aiko nodded sagely. "But I have to ask… are you really sure about him?"

Hana blinked. "What do you mean?"

"Well, think about it," Aiko said, twirling a strand of her red hair. "He always disappears without an explanation, never talks about his past, and honestly… he gives off some serious dangerous vibes."

Mei leaned in closer. "Yeah, what if he's actually involved in something shady?"

Hana's stomach twisted. Of course, she had her suspicions, but she always trusted Ryo. He wasn't a bad person… was he?

"I… I don't think Ryo would ever do anything to hurt me," she murmured, but the doubt had already started creeping in.

Aiko shrugged. "Maybe. But sometimes, love makes us blind, you know?"

Ryo had seen enough. Hana's uncertain expression sent a sharp pang through him. He didn't like it. He didn't like how Aiko and Mei were making her question things.

Without thinking, he pushed open the door and strode inside. The conversation cut off immediately as the three women turned to look at him.

"Ryo!" Hana straightened up, her cheeks slightly flushed. "Uh… hey."

Aiko and Mei exchanged glances before smirking.

"Well, speak of the devil," Mei whispered to Aiko.

Ryo ignored them and walked straight to Hana. "Can I talk to you?"

Hana hesitated, glancing at Aiko and Mei, who were clearly eavesdropping. "Um, sure."

Ryo led her outside, away from prying eyes. The cool night air settled between them as he turned to face her.

"You've been acting strange," he said bluntly.

Hana shifted uncomfortably. "I… I don't know what you mean."

"Yes, you do." His sharp eyes locked onto hers. "Did Aiko and Mei say something?"

Hana's lips parted, but she hesitated. "…They just made me think, that's all."

Ryo's jaw tightened. "Think about what?"

"About you." Hana exhaled. "You never talk about yourself, Ryo. You disappear without saying where you're going. I trust you, but… sometimes, I feel like I don't know anything about you."

Ryo was silent for a moment. He wanted to tell her the truth, to explain everything—but he couldn't. Not yet.

Instead, he reached out, gently brushing a stray strand of hair from her face. "You don't have to worry about me."

Hana looked up at him, her eyes searching his. "That's not fair. I worry about you all the time."

Ryo's fingers curled into a fist at his side. He hated this. He hated making her doubt, making her worry.

He took a slow breath. "I promise… I'll explain everything one day."

Hana frowned. "But when?"

"When the time is right."

Hana didn't look satisfied with that answer, but she nodded reluctantly. "Okay. Just… don't shut me out, Ryo."

He gave her a rare, small smile. "I won't."

As they stood there in the quiet night, Ryo couldn't shake the feeling that trouble was brewing. And this time, he wasn't sure if he could keep Hana safe from it.