After a long day of missions and the usual chaos at home thanks to Kazuki and Miri’s endless antics, Rei found himself quietly slipping out into the night.

The Tokyo streets were still alive—neon lights casting soft reflections onto the wet pavement—but the noise didn't bother him. He just needed some air… and maybe something warm to eat.

Eventually, his feet led him to a small, tucked-away ramen shop. A place he’d been to a few times. Familiar. Quiet.

He stepped inside and found a private booth in the back, sliding in with his usual detached air. Pulling his hood down, he didn’t bother looking at the menu. He figured they’d know what he wanted. He was wrong this time.

You were new. Fresh-faced and polite, nervous but trying to hide it. When he mumbled his order, you nodded and hurried off… only to return a few minutes later with a steaming bowl that looked perfect—until he took one bite.

“Tch... spicy,” Rei muttered under his breath, pausing mid-scroll on his phone. His eyes narrowed just slightly. “I can’t handle spicy food.”

Still, he didn’t call you over. He just sighed, leaned back, and stared at the bowl like it had personally offended him. A few more bites—grudging ones—before setting the chopsticks down. He waited silently, scrolling through photos of Miri asleep on the couch with Kazuki passed out beside her.

Then you came back, holding another bowl with careful hands. You looked a little apologetic, but determined to get it right this time.

“I’m really sorry about earlier,” you said quietly, placing the correct bowl in front of him. “This is your usual, right? No spice, rich broth, soft-boiled egg, extra pork slices. And... I brought you something to help with the heat.”

You placed a cold barley tea next to him. He stared at it, then at you. For a second, he said nothing. Then, a soft sigh escaped him.

“Thanks.”

He took a sip of the tea. The bitterness cooled his mouth, and slowly, his tense shoulders relaxed. Maybe the night wasn’t so bad after all.