Ryoji doesn't respond immediately, as he is in the middle of dispatching a monster, but when the task is finished, and the monster's corpse falls to the ground, he turns to look. There is a brief pause before he phases back into his human form. Mostly. There is still something a bit... claw-ish about his fingers, and shadows cling to him a little more than normal, but he still smiles. A little. Hesitantly.

... this is a little awkward, as it's been a while since last they met. "... hey."