Dimensional Kaguya Ōtsutsuki

If asked who the final boss in Tokyo Ghoul is, the answer might surprise many—it's none other than Furuta Nimura, the seemingly silly and clueless "newbie" who played the fool in front of Kaguya. On the surface, he appeared to be just another ordinary recruit with no remarkable traits, yet lurking beneath that facade was a mastermind pulling strings in countless plots.

Perhaps this stemmed from his tragic childhood. Abandoned by his family and sent to an orphanage, Furuta grew up without love, parental care, or any semblance of familial warmth. His life was marked by fear and insecurity, leaving him devoid of a sense of safety.

In essence, he was a love-starved, slightly twisted young man.

This shared some similarities with certain characters from Date A Live, but unfortunately, Furuta was male—a significant dealbreaker for Kaguya, who had absolutely no interest in men. She had no intention of redeeming this "lost boy," and if it weren't for the fact that he still had some utility, she might have secretly dealt with him long ago.

Frankly, his incessant chatter was nothing short of a headache.

At that moment, Kaguya spotted a familiar figure in the distance. She hurried over, saying, "You've been waiting here for a while, haven't you? Sorry to keep you waiting."

"No, I just arrived as well," Akira Mado replied with a gentle smile. "Thank you for agreeing to accompany me."

"It's no trouble at all. I wanted to get out and relax anyway, but I just haven't had the time," Kaguya said, extending her hand to hold Akira's soft, delicate one. "Let's go window-shopping first."

It was Christmas Eve, the night before Christmas. The bustling city streets were lit up with dazzling neon lights, and storefronts were decked out in festive decorations. The streets were crowded with cheerful people, their faces glowing with joy. Despite the cold wind, the lively atmosphere couldn't be dampened. Street performers entertained the crowds, drawing laughter and applause from the onlookers. The festive spirit hung thick in the air.

"So lively," Akira remarked, gazing at the vibrant scene. It had been many years since she had experienced such a festive atmosphere.

"It is," Kaguya nodded. Though she couldn't fully relate to the deeper emotions people had, she could understand their joy.

Due to the presence of ghouls, peace in Tokyo had been fleeting, often disrupted by chaos and bloodshed. Public festivities like this were rare, and when they did happen, people cherished them all the more.

Now, with the situation in the 20th Ward relatively stabilized, the frequency of ghoul-related incidents had significantly decreased. Even ghouls seemed hesitant to act openly, knowing they would face immediate retaliation from the large number of investigators patrolling the area. Any ghoul with a semblance of self-preservation avoided the 20th Ward during such times.

Meanwhile, in the same crowded streets, two beautiful young women were strolling side by side. One had fair skin and a vibrant, youthful charm, while the other exuded a gentle and mature femininity, her warm smile radiating a captivating allure.

They were Touka Kirishima and Kaya Irimi.

"What's on your mind?" Irimi asked, glancing at Touka with a smile. "You've seemed preoccupied for a while now."

"N-nothing," Touka stammered, snapping out of her daze and forcing a smile.

"You're definitely thinking about something," Irimi said with a knowing grin. "If you're troubled, it might help to talk about it instead of bottling it up."

"It's really nothing," Touka insisted, shaking her head stubbornly.

"I'm guessing…" Irimi teased, narrowing her eyes playfully, "it's about that person, isn't it?"

"Absolutely not! Why would I ever think about that person?" Touka waved her hands defensively, her voice rising in denial.

"Oh?" Irimi's smile widened. "I didn't even mention a name. Why are you so quick to deny it?"

Touka froze, her expression stiff, unable to come up with a response. She turned her head away and stubbornly muttered, "Anyway, I just don't."

"Come to think of it, Liuli hasn't been here in a long time, has she?" Irimi said casually.

"Mm." Touka turned back slightly, her face showing a hint of discomfort.

"I wonder how she's doing," Irimi said softly, watching fireworks bloom in the night sky. "Without her, the café feels so much quieter."

"Yeah, it's been a while since I last saw her," Touka huffed, then grumbled indignantly, "She still hasn't paid off her tab! She's such an unreliable person. She promised to come by and settle it this month, but she hasn't shown up."

"Oh?" Irimi turned to her, a teasing smile tugging at her lips. "So, does that mean you're hoping to see her?"

"Of course!" Touka started to say, but quickly realized and waved her hands frantically. "No, no, that's not it! I definitely don't miss that jerk! I just want her to pay me back, that's all. Don't get the wrong idea."

"Really?" Irimi leaned in slightly, peering at her with a playful glint in her eyes. "You're sure about that?"

"Of course!" Touka turned her head away, speaking awkwardly. "Why would I ever want to see someone like her?"

"Then why did you buy her favorite dango?" Irimi asked, smiling mischievously. "It doesn't seem like you'd go out of your way for just anyone."

"I didn't!" Touka's face turned crimson, and she stammered in panic. "I-it's for Yoriko! Yeah, it's for Yoriko, not for her at all."

"Is that so?" Irimi's smile deepened as she watched Touka's flustered reaction.

"Of course it is!" Touka leaned forward, clenching her fists. "If you keep saying stuff like this, I'm not talking to you anymore!"

Irimi gave her a knowing look, then straightened up and said with a laugh, "Alright, alright, if you insist."

"It's not 'if I insist,' it's the truth!" Touka puffed out her cheeks, turning her head away in a huff.

"Hmm, hey, look over there. Isn't that her?" Irimi suddenly pointed toward the distance.

"Where?" Touka froze, then followed Irimi's gaze. Sure enough, she saw a familiar figure. A fleeting joy flashed across her face, and she immediately started running toward them. "Hmph, after making promises and disappearing for so long, let's see how she—"

Touka herself likely didn't realize what exactly she was feeling at that moment, only that her mood had inexplicably brightened.

But before she could run far, her steps came to an abrupt halt, and the smile on her lips slowly faded.

Standing beside that familiar figure was a beautiful woman, affectionately holding onto her arm. The two were chatting and laughing, their faces full of happiness.

With a soft "thud," the red bean dango in Touka's hand slipped from her grasp and fell to the ground.

"Sorry, I'm a bit tired. I think I'll head back now," Touka turned away, lowering her head. Her delicate face alternated between light and shadow under the dim neon lights.

"Huh?" Kaya Irimi bent down to pick up the box that had fallen to the ground. Standing back up, she looked at Touka in surprise. "We just got here. Why are you leaving so soon?"

"It's nothing. I just don't feel very well," Touka said softly.

Irimi glanced at Touka and then at the distance, her lips curling into a meaningful smile. Reaching out, she gave Touka a firm push from behind, sending her stumbling out of the crowd.

"Sa—Saen, stop! What are you doing?" Touka turned back anxiously, her voice filled with panic.

"Why not ask directly? Maybe they're not in that kind of relationship," Irimi said with a smile. "Besides, wouldn't you regret it if you just left like this?"

"What—what are you talking about?" Touka's face flushed, and she stammered in embarrassment, "Idiot! Fool! Why would I care about something so trivial? I absolutely—"

"Hey, Touka, you're here too?" A familiar voice sounded behind her, freezing her in place. Slowly, like a rusty machine, her head turned toward the voice.

Standing before her was a beautiful black-haired girl, smiling and waving. It was that irritating person.

Touka's flushed face and flustered demeanor shifted instantly as her eyes landed on the blonde girl standing next to the familiar figure. Her expression turned dark.

Touka hesitated for a moment, then turned to glance at her. Her tone was sharp as she said, "What, am I not allowed to be here?"

"No, you know that's not what I meant," Kaguya said with an awkward smile.

What's up with her? Did she eat gunpowder today? Why is she so snappy?

"I didn't expect to run into everyone here. It's been a while," Kaguya said as she walked closer, pausing briefly before smiling. "Oh, Irimi, you're here too?"

Irimi smiled and replied, "Touka said she wanted to go out for a stroll and pick up some gifts. We were just—"

Before she could finish, Touka, whose face was now bright red, clamped a hand over her mouth.

"Oh?" Kaguya sniffed the air and glanced at the box in Touka's hand. Her eyes lit up. "Is that for me?"

"Sorry, you're overthinking it. It's for Hinami," Touka huffed, averting her gaze.

"Hinami? Since when does she like dango? I remember she—" Kaguya blinked in confusion. Her nose was always unusually sensitive when it came to the scent of dango, and the box unmistakably held them.

"Anyway, it's not for you. Stop dreaming," Touka turned her head sharply, huffing again.

"Such a miser," Kaguya pouted. "You'll never get married like that."

"What did you just say?"

"Ah, nothing, nothing!"

"And who might this be?" Irimi asked, glancing at the blonde girl standing beside Kaguya, smiling warmly.

Touka, overhearing this, pricked up her ears.

"Oh, I almost forgot. She's my colleague, Akira," Kaguya said.

Mado Akira stepped forward with a polite smile. "I'm Mado Akira. You must be Liuli's friends. It's nice to meet you."

"Hello, I'm Kaya Irimi," Irimi responded with a smile, her lips quirking slightly as she subtly signaled Touka with her eyes.

Colleague.

For some reason, hearing that word made Touka's heart relax slightly, and her expression softened considerably.

"Well, it's normal for two girls to be close," Touka mused.

"You two seem to get along so well," Irimi said with a smile. "I've never seen Liuli-chan be this close with anyone before."

Touka felt her heart tighten inexplicably, a wave of nervousness washing over her.

"That's only natural," Akira Mado said with a polite smile. "We work in the same department, so we see each other a lot and have become familiar."

Oh, so that's it. Touka exhaled in relief, mentally chastising herself for overthinking. There was no way anyone would actually like that person.

"Of course, she's also my girlfriend," Kaguya added with a grin.

Touka immediately slammed the box of dango onto Kaguya's face.

"What did I do wrong?" Kaguya muttered, rubbing her head as she watched Touka stomp away in a huff. Scratching her head, she asked in confusion, "I was just joking."

"Do you still not understand?" Irimi gave Kaguya a reproachful look before hurrying after Touka.

"Understand what?" Kaguya was even more bewildered. She didn't think she had said anything particularly outrageous.

Suddenly, a thought flashed through her mind, and her eyelids twitched involuntarily.

Could it be...

Kaguya felt a bead of sweat trickle down her temple. No way... Is she actually into me?

That couldn't possibly be true.

Every time they met, Touka was either glaring or trying to drive her away. There wasn't even a hint of affection or warmth between them. Most of their interactions consisted of arguments and sarcasm. How could that kind of dynamic possibly lead to any sort of romantic feelings? Was she hit on the head by a door or something?

"So, honestly, how many does she make?"

A familiar voice came from behind. Turning, Kaguya saw Akira Mado looking at her with a faint smile.

"How many what?" Kaguya froze for a moment before quickly denying, "Don't say such nonsense! There's absolutely nothing between us, let alone numbers."

"Isn't she just another innocent girl you've lured in?" Akira said with mock surprise.

"Don't make serious-sounding accusations that are completely baseless!" Kaguya's face twitched.

"When did I ever lure anyone?" she snapped.

"Really?" Akira stared at her intently before breaking into a sly smile. "Alright, then what's the deal with this time?"

"You're asking me? Who am I supposed to ask?" Kaguya threw up her hands in exasperation. "There's nothing between me and that girl, at most it's just—"

She suddenly froze mid-sentence, as if something had just occurred to her.

"There's no such thing as love or hatred without reason," Akira said with a smile. "From the way she reacted, it didn't seem like she was pretending. Which means, something must have happened to make her act like that."

Akira's words were like a bolt of lightning, instantly cutting through the fog in Kaguya's mind.

She was right. Love doesn't arise without cause. Whether it's appearance, speech, character, or thoughtfulness, there's always some reason for affection to develop. Love without conditions simply doesn't exist—it's just a fairy tale for naive teenagers swept up in their hormones.

But if that logic were true, Kaguya hadn't done anything with Touka that would make her develop feelings. There was no reason for her to feel that way. Unless...

Kaguya's pupils contracted sharply.

Could it be... that girl knew her true identity?

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