It had been two weeks since Noah arrived in the HI3 world and met Kiana.
Over time, the two had grown quite comfortable with each other. Kiana had started clinging to Noah's back whenever she felt like it, especially when food was involved.
"Food. I'm starving," she said one afternoon, arms wrapped around his shoulders like a backpack. "Carry me to the good stuff."
"You really treat me like your personal ride service," Noah muttered, cheeks tinged pink.
"You love it," she grinned.
Maybe he did. A little.
That day, Noah discovered a ramen shop tucked between buildings and brought Kiana along.
"Boss! One extra large miso ramen with extra chashu!" Kiana shouted with all the enthusiasm of a girl who hadn't eaten in days.
"Aiyo! And for you, Nii-chan?" the stall owner chuckled.
"Medium tonkotsu ramen for me. Mild spicy. And an order of gyoza," Noah replied.
"Hai hai! One extra large miso ramen with extra chashu! Medium tonkotsu, mild spicy, and one gyoza!" the boss called into the kitchen.
Kiana leaned on the counter with a smirk. "You always order like you're trying to be polite. Just let loose one day. Go full chaos."
"I'd rather not get banned from a place that serves good ramen broth," Noah said, settling into his seat.
She laughed, bumping her shoulder into his. "Okay, fair. But if you don't let me steal one of your gyoza later, I will riot."
"You're already planning a food heist?" he said with a mock sigh. "Unbelievable."
"It's tradition now," she said proudly.
Their banter faded as the scent of soup and sizzling gyoza filled the air. For now, it was just the two of them and a shared meal on a peaceful afternoon.
"Here is your order! Enjoy," the boss's wife said cheerfully as she set the steaming bowls and side dishes down on the table with practiced ease.
Kiana clapped her hands together. "Thank you! It smells amazing!"
Her eyes sparkled as the steam rose from the bowls, her face lighting up like a kid on their birthday.
Noah chuckled, noticing the little line of drool threatening to escape her grin. "Hey, aren't you supposed to be the lady here? Wipe your mouth."
Instead of reaching for a napkin, he leaned in and gently dabbed the corner of her mouth with one. Kiana blinked, then grinned wider.
"Aww, how sweet. Are you always this gentle, or am I just special?"
Noah's ears turned slightly pink. "You're definitely something."
Steam curled from the bowls of ramen as Kiana slurped noisily, eyes half-lidded in bliss. "Mmm... the broth's so rich. I could live in this bowl," she mumbled between bites.
"Tonkotsu's solid too," Noah said, sipping his spoonful thoughtfully. "Good balance—not too salty."
Kiana pointed her chopsticks at the gyoza. "Let me try one?"
Noah slid the plate over without protest. "I knew you'd ask."
She took a bite and her eyes lit up again. "Okay, that's crispy perfection. Five stars."
Noah gave a quiet laugh. "I'll let the boss know you approve."
Across from her, he stirred his broth again, though his gaze slowly drifted to the tiny TV perched in the corner of the stall.
"Breaking news," the anchor said, voice sharp over the chatter. "The popular Idol Magical Girl Teriri's real identity has been revealed! She is none other than the granddaughter of Schicksal's Overseer—Miss Theresa Apocalypse."
Noah raised an eyebrow. "Huh... didn't see that coming."
Kiana didn't even look up. She was too busy devouring noodles like she hadn't eaten in days.
There she was—on screen. A petite woman with silver hair, wearing a full-blown magical girl outfit: ribbons, frills, sparkles, and all the confidence in the world as she twirled mid-air with an exaggerated pose.
Noah leaned back and watched with a small smirk. "She kind of reminds me of you."
Kiana blinked, her chopsticks pausing mid-air. "What? No way. She's all proper and squeaky and… sparkly. I'm chaos in combat boots."
Noah shrugged. "White hair? Check. Blue eyes? Check. Ridiculous confidence? Also check."
Kiana rolled her eyes, but her lips twitched.
Then he hesitated, ears turning red. "...A cute smile. Check."
Kiana looked at him, caught off guard. Her cheeks flushed pink.
From the counter, the boss and his wife exchanged a look and smiled warmly.
"Ahh, young love," the boss's wife said softly.
Both teens turned redder.
Trying to change the subject, Noah cleared his throat. "Do you have any other family, Kiana? Besides your dad, I mean?"
"…I don't know," she said, her voice suddenly smaller. "I don't… remember. Papa never talked about anyone else. It was always just him and me."
Noah nodded slowly, expression thoughtful. "I see."
Kiana looked down. "But I do remember... a kid. Someone who looked like me. But it's all fuzzy."
Just then, the screen shifted. Theresa, now wearing a nun's habit, looked flustered and overwhelmed as reporters swarmed around her.
Noah's gaze sharpened. He was really staring now.
"…Kiana," he said quietly, "does she… look familiar to you?"
Kiana turned to him.
Their eyes met.
And something clicked.
"…No way," she whispered.
For a moment, the sounds of the ramen shop, the bubbling broth, the sizzling grill, the hum of other diners, all faded away.
Kiana leaned back in her seat. "Do you think… that she could really be related to me?"
Noah didn't respond immediately. His eyes stayed on the screen.
"It might be worth finding out," he said at last, gently.
Kiana let out a long breath and glanced down at her bowl. The steam still curled above it, untouched now.
Noah reached across the table and took her hand in his. His touch was warm.
"We'll figure it out. Together, okay?"
She looked up, eyes meeting his again. After a pause, she nodded and squeezed his hand. "Okay."
Outside, the city carried on as usual. But at that quiet ramen stall, a girl who had been searching for her family found the first flicker of hope.