Free Step Dodge

There was more of a chance for Kureha to be Ryu's girlfriend since they were childhood friends but we know what happened in Ninja Gaiden 1. Momiji is a disciple of Ryu so their relationship is different, plus, I feel that Irene cared more about Ryu than the others and she cared about him in a romantic way too.

Also, this is one of the few things that they decided to keep the from the NES trilogy, where they are in love with each other from Ninja Gaiden 1 to the end of Ninja Gaiden 3 and afterwards. Also, Rachel, idk, she didn't approach him that way so I guess Ryu didn't really bother.

Hayabusa should hook up with Kasumi or Ayane imo. Got nothing against Irene, but she isn't half as interesting as the other girls.

Welp, Irene and Ryu go waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay back, they were busting up demons in the OG Ninja Gaiden games, before Rachel and Momiji even existed, so it makes sense they'd be in item

Also, iirc Ayane has the same relationship with Ryu that Momiji has, she calls him Master Ryu many times in Ninja Gaiden and in Dead or Alive and I feel that Ryu wouldn't have even met Kasumi as much as he did or even care as much about her as he did if it wouldn't have been for Hayate to ask him to look out for her.