The Hitman and Ramen Girl.

The quiet hum of the television filled Hana's small apartment as she tidied up the kitchen. She glanced over her shoulder at Ryo, who remained seated on the couch, the half-empty bowl of rice and miso soup on the coffee table in front of him. His usual composed expression was slightly softer, his posture more relaxed than she had ever seen before. She bit her lip, debating whether to ask him the question that had been lingering in her mind since he arrived.

"Ryo," she called softly.

He lifted his gaze to meet hers, his dark eyes unreadable as always. She hesitated, then smiled. "Are you really that tired? You don't usually stay this long." Ryo's eyes flickered to the side. "…It's quiet here."

Hana blinked at his unexpected response. She had expected him to brush her off, to come up with some excuse like he always did. But this time, his voice held something different—something raw. A warm feeling spread in her chest. She wiped her hands on a towel and walked over to sit beside him on the couch. "Well, I guess that's a compliment," she teased.

He didn't respond immediately. Instead, he leaned back against the couch, closing his eyes. For a moment, Hana thought he might just fall asleep, but then he spoke again, his voice lower this time.

"I don't get much quiet."

Hana tilted her head, watching him. "Because of your work?"

Ryo's lips pressed into a thin line, but he didn't deny it. That in itself was unusual. Normally, he dodged any questions about his personal life.

She hesitated before asking, "Is it… difficult?"

His fingers twitched slightly on his lap. "It's complicated."

Hana exhaled softly. She didn't know what he did for a living—only that it was dangerous, secretive, and that it left him exhausted more often than not.

"You know," she started, playing with the edge of her sleeve, "I don't know much about you. Not really."

Ryo's gaze shifted toward her, but he didn't say anything. She continued, "You come to the shop almost every day. You sit at the same spot. You barely talk, but you always finish your ramen. And now you're here, in my apartment, acting like you belong on my couch."

He raised an eyebrow at her choice of words, and she giggled.

"What I mean is," she said, sobering slightly, "I feel like I know you in small ways. But I don't really know you." Ryo looked away, his jaw tightening. "Maybe that's for the best."

Hana's heart clenched at his words. "Why?"

"Because," he said, his voice almost too quiet, "there are things about me that you wouldn't want to know."

Silence stretched between them.

Hana swallowed, her mind racing. She didn't know what he meant, but she wasn't stupid. Ryo was involved in something dangerous—something he couldn't talk about.

But she wasn't afraid of him.

She reached out hesitantly, her fingers grazing his sleeve. "Ryo."

He tensed slightly at her touch, but he didn't pull away.

"You're here now," she said softly. "That's enough for me."

His breath hitched ever so slightly, and for the first time, she saw something vulnerable in his eyes.

He turned his head away. "You're too kind, Hana."

She smiled, squeezing his sleeve lightly before letting go. "I've been told that before."

Ryo let out a quiet exhale, his shoulders loosening.

For the first time, he allowed himself to enjoy the silence—not the kind filled with loneliness, but the kind that made him feel like, just for tonight, he belonged here.

As the night deepened, Hana yawned and stretched, blinking sleepily. "I should probably head to bed soon." Ryo watched her, his gaze softening. "Then sleep." She raised an eyebrow. "Are you… planning to stay?" He hesitated, then gave the faintest nod.

Hana blinked in surprise. He never lingered anywhere longer than necessary.

"…Okay," she said, standing up. "I'll get you a blanket." She disappeared into her bedroom, returning a moment later with a thick blanket. She handed it to him, and he accepted it silently.

As she turned to leave, she hesitated at the doorway. "Ryo?"

He looked up.

"…Thank you for being here tonight."

For a long moment, he didn't respond. Then, in the quietest voice, he murmured, "Get some rest, Hana."

She smiled softly before retreating to her room, leaving Ryo alone in the dimly lit apartment.

He stared at the blanket in his hands, a strange warmth settling in his chest. For the first time in years, he didn't feel like a ghost drifting through life. He felt… grounded. Present.

And it was all because of her.