The Hitman and Ramen Girl.

The night air was crisp, laced with the distant hum of the city. Ryo walked with steady steps, his coat shifting with each movement. Anzaki trailed behind, his usual smirk absent. He knew better than to speak when Ryo was like this.

They didn't have to look far.

Kazuki was waiting for them in a quiet alley, leaning against a streetlamp with a cigarette between his fingers. The glow of the ember flickered in the dark, casting fleeting shadows across his sharp features.

"You're late," Kazuki mused, exhaling a slow stream of smoke.

Ryo didn't answer. He simply stopped a few feet away, his gaze locked onto Kazuki's with a quiet intensity.

Kazuki smirked. "What, no witty greeting? No threats? That's disappointing."

Still, no words from Ryo. Just the weight of his stare.

Kazuki chuckled, tapping ash from his cigarette. "You've changed, you know that? The old you would've already thrown a knife at my throat by now." His eyes gleamed. "Let me guess… it's because of her?"

A muscle in Ryo's jaw twitched.

Kazuki's smirk widened. "Thought so. You're really trying to live a double life, huh? Playing house with a sweet little ramen girl while still keeping your hands bloody." He tilted his head. "That's not going to last. You know that, right?"

Ryo finally moved.

Not an attack. Not a word. Just a single step forward.

Kazuki's amusement faltered for half a second.

Ryo's gaze was unreadable, but the air around him was different now—dangerous. There was no need for raised voices or sudden movements. His silence was enough. It filled the space between them like a noose tightening.

Kazuki took another drag of his cigarette, but his fingers had stiffened slightly. "What, no response? Nothing at all?"

Still nothing.

Anzaki, watching from the side, exhaled slowly. He's pissed.

Kazuki clicked his tongue. "Fine. If you're not going to say anything, I'll just say it for you." He pushed off the streetlamp and took a slow step forward. "You don't belong in her world. And sooner or later, she's going to find out exactly what kind of man you are."

Ryo's fingers curled into fists at his sides.

Kazuki grinned. "When that happens… do you think she'll still look at you the same way?"

The tension snapped.

Ryo moved.

In an instant, he was inches from Kazuki, his hand gripping the front of his coat in a crushing hold. The cigarette dropped to the ground, forgotten.

Kazuki's smirk didn't waver, but there was something sharp in his eyes now. Something that acknowledged just how close he was to setting Ryo off completely.

"You talk too much," Ryo finally said, his voice dangerously quiet.

Kazuki chuckled. "And you bottle things up too much. You should really work on that."

Ryo's grip tightened—just for a second—before he let go.

Kazuki straightened his coat casually, as if he hadn't just been a second away from getting slammed into the wall. "Well, this has been fun." He stepped back. "But don't worry, Ryo. I'm not going after your little ramen girl."

Ryo's eyes darkened.

Kazuki smirked. "Not yet, anyway."

Anzaki sighed. "You really like testing your luck, don't you?"

Kazuki only grinned before turning away. "See you around."

Ryo didn't watch him leave. His fists remained clenched at his sides, his breathing slow and controlled.

Anzaki studied him for a moment. "You're holding back."

Ryo exhaled. "It's not time."

Anzaki nodded. "But when it is?"

Ryo's gaze remained fixed ahead, cold and unwavering. "I won't hold back."