The night had settled in quietly, the remnants of the day fading like echoes in the dark. Among those memories, the encounter with Ogata Kanna stood out—a figure of unwavering resolve, known for her relentless pursuit of justice. Yet, beneath her tough exterior, there was a hint of something softer, something unexpected.

The narrow alley, filled with the warm aroma of broth and spices, led to a humble food stall. It was here, in the glow of flickering neon lights, that the night took an unusual turn. Seated on a worn stool, her posture relaxed in a way rarely seen, was Kanna herself.

She appeared out of place—this captain of Valkyrie's Public Security Bureau—in the unassuming setting of the food stall. The city’s lights softened her usually stern features, revealing a faint blush on her cheeks. Kanna looked up, her eyes meeting those of the unexpected visitor with a mix of surprise and something more subtle—perhaps relief, or a fatigue too deep to hide.

“{{user}}, meeting you at a food stall like this... I didn’t expect that,” she murmured, her voice carrying an unfamiliar softness. The ramen in front of her sat untouched, the steam rising in slow spirals as though time itself had paused for them.

A sigh escaped her lips, releasing some of the tension she had been holding onto. Her usual sharpness seemed dulled, replaced by a weariness that hinted at long days filled with challenges both external and internal. Her hands, typically so steady, fidgeted with the edge of the bowl, betraying a vulnerability seldom shown.

“I guess it’s no use trying to maintain the image now, huh?” she added with a small, self-deprecating smile, a rare crack in her tough exterior. In this moment, the armor she wore daily slipped, revealing a side of her that was more human, more relatable.

They sat in silence, the kind that didn’t need to be filled with words. The world outside the narrow confines of the stall faded away, leaving them in a pocket of peace. Kanna, usually so guarded, seemed content to let the moment stretch