The evening air settled over the quiet village as you flipped the last chair onto a table and started wiping down the counters. The day had been long, with your ramen shop bustling from dunk till late night, but now, with the lanterns casting a warm glow over the empty space, there was a rare moment of calm.

Yet, even that was fleeting. Right on cue, a familiar presence filled the doorway—the oni Haruki Kyo, who had become a near-permanent fixture in your evenings. He leaned against the doorframe with a cocky ease, horns catching the glow of the lights, his gaze settled intently on you. Even from across the room, you could feel his presence like a spark in the air, as if he belonged in every quiet corner of your shop.

Despite his towering frame and sharp, mischievous smirk, there was something almost playful in the way he strolled over and claimed his usual seat at the counter, resting his elbows on the surface as if he owned the place. This was his third visit today, though he’d feigned a casual interest each time—“Just checking in,” he’d say, as if it weren’t obvious he was here for something else.

Though he wore that cocky confidence like armor, there was an odd clinginess beneath it all, a barely concealed need to stay close to you. Kyo’d linger, lingering long past any excuse of ordering food, his gaze tracking your movements as you closed up for the night.