The Hitman and Ramen Girl.

The ramen shop felt colder than before, even with the steam rising from the bowls on the counter. Hana stood frozen, her eyes fixed on Ryo. She wanted answers—needed them. But something in his posture, the tension in his jaw, told her that he wouldn't give them so easily.

Kenta was the first to break the silence. "O-Okay! That was… uh, a thing that happened. So, uh… anyone want more tea?" His nervous chuckle did little to ease the lingering unease.

The stranger sitting beside Ryo finally sighed and leaned back against the counter. "Well, that was awkward." He turned to Hana, offering a grin. "Hey, you must be Hana, right? I'm Micca. A friend of Ryo's."

Hana blinked at him, still rattled by the confrontation. "Oh… nice to meet you?"

Kenta raised an eyebrow. "Wait, Ryo has friends?"

Mei nudged him hard, making him yelp.

Micca chuckled. "I know, shocking, right? But yeah, Ryo and I go way back." He tilted his head. "Though, judging by the way he's acting, I'm guessing he hasn't told you much about his other life."

Ryo shot him a sharp glare. "Micca."

"What?" Micca smirked. "I'm just saying—keeping secrets from a girl like her? That's cold, man."

Hana's grip tightened on her apron. "Ryo… who was that man?"

Ryo hesitated. He could feel everyone's eyes on him—Hana's the most piercing of all. "Just someone from my past," he said, his tone clipped.

"That's not an answer." Hana stepped closer, her brows drawn together. "He acted like he knew you. And the way you reacted… Ryo, what's going on?"

Micca sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Look, Hana, it's complicated—"

Ryo's glare darkened. "Enough."

Hana flinched at the coldness in his voice, and for the first time, a flicker of doubt crossed her face. Doubt in him.

Ryo exhaled through his nose, forcing his voice to soften. "It's nothing you need to worry about."

Hana clenched her fists. "How can you say that? A man just walked in here and practically threatened you! And then you grabbed him like you were about to—" She stopped herself, her breath catching. "Ryo… are you in danger?"

The way she asked It—so soft, so full of concern—made Ryo's chest tighten. He wanted to lie. Wanted to tell her that everything was fine, that there was no reason to be afraid.

But before he could speak, the shop's door jingled again.

This time, it was Anzaki.

His silver hair was slightly damp from the drizzle outside, and his sharp gaze immediately zeroed in on Ryo. "We need to talk."

"Not now," Ryo muttered.

"Yes, now," Anzaki countered, stepping closer. His gaze flicked to Hana, then back to Ryo. "You know why."

Micca raised an eyebrow. "Ah, so he's here too. Now things are getting really interesting."

Hana looked between them, her unease growing. "Ryo, please. Just tell me what's going on."

Ryo met her eyes, and for a moment, something in his expression softened. But it was gone just as quickly. He turned away.

"I have to go."

Hana's heart sank.

Micca sighed dramatically. "And there he goes, running away from his feelings and the conversation."

Kenta leaned toward Mei and whispered, "Is it just me, or is this starting to feel like one of those drama movies where the heroine finds out her love interest has a secret double life?"

Mei adjusted her glasses. "Kenta, if you don't shut up right now, I will personally make sure you don't see tomorrow."

Hana ignored them. She stepped forward and grabbed Ryo's wrist before he could leave. "Ryo."

He paused.

"…Come back safe, okay?"

Ryo stared at her hand on his wrist. For a second, just a second, the mask slipped. His fingers twitched, like he wanted to hold her hand in return. But instead, he gave a small nod and pulled away.

Then he was gone, Anzaki following behind.

As the door shut, Hana wrapped her arms around herself, a feeling of unease settling in her stomach.

Micca watched her for a moment before sighing. "Well… that could've gone worse."

Kenta raised an eyebrow. "How?"

Micca smirked. "Kazuki could've ordered the ramen and then insulted it. That would've been a death sentence."

Hana couldn't even bring herself to smile.

Because for the first time, she realized—whatever Ryo was hiding, it was only getting harder to ignore.

And she wasn't sure she wanted to anymore.