This November, Chicago Fire fans are buzzing once more as Hanako Greensmith (Violet Mikami) celebrates her birthday — and her co-star Daniel Kyri (Darren Ritter) just happened to be right by her side.
Greensmith shared a series of warm, candid photos from an intimate birthday gathering in Chicago, where she’s currently filming the new season of Chicago Fire. Among the familiar faces in the pictures were castmates Miranda Rae Mayo and Alberto Rosende — but it was Kyri’s presence, and his closeness to the birthday girl, that immediately caught fans’ attention.
One particularly striking photo shows Kyri leaning in to help Hanako blow out her birthday candles, both laughing as the room glows in soft golden light. Fans quickly took to the comments section with excitement:
“The way he looks at her is NOT friendly!”
“If this isn’t a date night, I don’t know what is.”
Rumors about the pair’s off-screen romance have been circulating since last year, when the two reportedly vacationed together in Greece during the summer break. Kyri previously mentioned in an interview that the trip was “a pretty special experience,” while Greensmith called it “one of the most memorable summers of my life.” Both actors posted snapshots featuring sparkling blue seas and sunlit ruins — and fans wasted no time piecing together the clues.
Since then, Kyri and Greensmith have only grown closer. They’ve been spotted together at several Chicago Fire cast events, shared behind-the-scenes moments on Instagram, and even attended a Chicago Cubs game earlier this year. In one playful post from April, Greensmith called Kyri “the person who always knows how to make me laugh on the hardest days.”
Now, with Kyri appearing front and center at Hanako’s November birthday celebration — not just as a colleague but as a constant presence in her life — fans are more convinced than ever that there’s something deeper between them. Though neither actor has publicly confirmed any romantic involvement, their recent photos and interactions have done little to quiet the speculation.
In a recent NBC interview, when asked about his friendship with Greensmith, Kyri responded carefully yet affectionately:
“She’s one of the most important people in my life — at work and outside of it. I’m always grateful to have Hanako by my side.”
That simple sentence, paired with the fond look in his eyes during the interview, sent fans into a frenzy online.
Whether they’re truly a couple or simply share a strong platonic bond, one thing is undeniable — Hanako Greensmith and Daniel Kyri have become one of Chicago Fire’s most beloved off-screen duos. Their chemistry as Violet and Ritter on screen has always been a fan favorite, but their real-life friendship (and maybe more) continues to win hearts far beyond Firehouse 51.
Could this be the start of a sweet new romance between the two rising stars of Chicago Fire? Only time will tell. But for now, fans are more than happy to celebrate Hanako Greensmith’s birthday — and secretly hope that Daniel Kyri might just be her most special gift this year.
