Dimensional Kaguya Ōtsutsuki

Even though she didn't like her, why did it hurt so much to hear those words?

Touka Kirishima couldn't understand. She had never felt this way before, as if a heavy stone was pressing on her chest, making it hard to breathe.

She sat on her bed, arms wrapped around her knees, gazing at the night view outside the window. The flickering neon lights reflected the turmoil in her heart, which felt as though something important had been lost, leaving an emptiness inside her.

The bright, round moon gradually disappeared behind the clouds, and the moonlight faded, leaving the night sky once again in darkness. The curtains swayed gently in the cold breeze, making the room feel even more frigid and lonely.

There was a secret she hadn't told anyone—not the manager, not Kaya Irimi, no one. She had long known Kaguya's true identity. No matter how much Kaguya changed—her appearance, clothes, even her figure—there was one thing she couldn't hide.

Her scent.

That's right. Ordinary humans might not perceive such subtle differences, and many wouldn't even distinguish fragrances, but for ghouls, especially someone like Touka, scent recognition was second nature. No amount of disguise could fool her keen senses.

For humans, identifying someone by scent might be difficult, but for ghouls, it was as natural as sight. The unique aroma of Kaguya was deeply etched in her mind. No matter how faint it became, she could always recognize it.

She never imagined that the person who had been protecting them all along was this seemingly unreliable girl—a CCG investigator, no less.

At first, Touka thought Kaguya must have had some hidden agenda, so she was always cold and hostile toward her. But over time, she realized things were far from what she had assumed.

Kaguya had been silently protecting them—or rather, protecting the 20th Ward. If not for her, the café and the entire district might no longer exist. For as long as Touka could remember, she had never felt secure. Her life was a constant struggle for survival, even in the supposed safety of the 20th Ward.

But Kaguya gave her an unprecedented sense of security. When Kaguya was around, it felt like there was nothing to fear.

Yet, despite all this, Kaguya never mentioned any of it. Instead, she thick-skinnedly showed up every day just to mooch meals.

In truth, Touka didn't hate her that much. It was just her habit to put up a front, combined with her natural shyness, making it hard to express herself.

On the contrary, perhaps it was Kaguya's unpretentious demeanor, her thoughtfulness, and the quiet, meticulous care she showed that gradually sparked complex feelings within Touka—emotions she didn't fully understand. Though she never admitted it aloud, she found herself looking forward to seeing Kaguya's cheerful smile, which always seemed to brighten her own mood. Touka herself might not have even realized how much she valued those moments.

Lately, however, with Kaguya's prolonged absence, Touka had been feeling irritable and restless, her heart unsettled. That was what had prompted her to buy a gift and look for Kaguya.

But she hadn't anticipated things turning out this way.

Now she couldn't help but feel a pang of regret. Thinking back, her reaction had been a bit over the top. Anyone could see that Kaguya had just been joking.

Sigh. If I'd known, I wouldn't have acted like that, Touka thought as she rolled over and hugged her pillow tightly, burying her face in it.

That idiot. Does she not know how to come and check on me?

Knock, knock, knock.

The crisp sound of someone knocking at the door startled Touka. She quickly sat up. Could it be—

"Is anyone there?"

A familiar voice sounded from outside the door.

For some reason, a trace of joy suddenly welled up in Touka Kirishima's heart, causing the corners of her lips to lift slightly without her realizing it.

Then she opened her mouth and said, "Go away."

Ahhh!

Why did I say that?!

Touka clutched her head in frustration. She had meant to say, Come in, but somehow, the words came out all wrong. She felt like banging her head against the wall in despair.

"Uh…" Outside the door, Kaguya was taken aback by the harsh response and said, "Don't be mad. It's all my fault. Let me explain."

Wait.

Kaguya suddenly paused, realizing she hadn't done anything wrong. Why was she apologizing in the first place?

"There's no need. Go away. I don't want to see you."

The moment those words left her mouth, Touka regretted them deeply and nearly bashed her head against the wall.

She did want to hear Kaguya's explanation. After all, she didn't actually believe Kaguya could have a close relationship with her coworker. But before she could think it through, her mouth had betrayed her again.

"Uh, tonight was my fault. I shouldn't have… shouldn't have…" Kaguya stumbled over her words, trying to find something to apologize for. Then, a flash of inspiration struck. "I shouldn't have not paid you back."

Touka, who had been smiling faintly and listening intently for an explanation, pursed her lips and spat out a single word: "Leave."

Huh?

Why was she so angry? Kaguya felt completely bewildered. Could it be… that time of the month?

"Well, in that case, I'll come back another day. I left the money I owe you outside the door. Oh, and thanks for the dango."

Though she didn't know why Touka was so upset, it was clear this wasn't the time to explain. Better to wait until her anger subsided.

Hearing the sound of footsteps fading away, Touka froze for a moment, then quickly got out of bed and walked to the door. Once she confirmed there was no one outside, she opened it.

Sitting at the doorstep was an elegant box—the same one she had used to pack the dango she had bought for Kaguya. Touka picked it up and was momentarily stunned. The box was empty. Had Kaguya eaten all the squished dango?

She opened the box hastily, and apart from a few crumbs, it was indeed empty.

After today's tantrum, Kaguya must be angry, Touka thought. Her gaze fell on the stack of cash left at the doorway. She gripped the empty box tightly in her hands.

She's probably not coming back, is she?

The thought made Touka's nose sting, and her eyes grew misty. But why?

Why had it turned out like this?

...

Christmas Eve was supposed to be a sweet night, a chance for Kaguya to take her relationship with Mado Akira to the next level. Who could have predicted such a disastrous turn of events? No shopping, no movie, and worst of all, she had somehow offended Touka Kirishima.

What a calamity.

Physically and mentally drained, Kaguya sighed in resignation.

Was she being too hasty?

As usual, she returned home, opened the door, and was immediately greeted by a shadow darting at her through the darkness like lightning.

Kaguya's lips curled into a smirk.

Still trying to take her on?

With a swift motion, Kaguya grabbed the intruder's ankle and yanked them off balance. A startled cry filled the air as they fell mid-leap, and before they could react, Kaguya delivered a perfectly timed punch that sent them flying into the couch with a resounding crash.

At that moment, a sharp gust of wind rushed toward her from behind.

Kaguya sneered. Too inexperienced.

She sidestepped gracefully at the last moment and retaliated with a powerful kick. Her foot landed squarely on the attacker's backside, launching them into the air. Their startled scream echoed as they collided with the first figure sprawled on the couch, creating a tangled heap of limbs rolling on the floor.

"You amateurs dare to cause trouble in my home?" Kaguya snorted coldly as she reached for the light switch. "Let's see who you—huh?"

What lay before her eyes was not the thieves she had imagined but two beautiful girls. They had fallen awkwardly to the ground, their arms and legs entangled, groaning in pain.

A flash of blue and white undergarments caught Kaguya's eye.

Wait, this isn't the time for that.

"You two—what are you doing here?" Kaguya asked in surprise. "Aren't you supposed to be next door?"

The two gorgeous girls were none other than Kurona Yasuhisa and Nashiro Yasuhisa.

Although sharing her personal space with two beauties wasn't the worst scenario, Kaguya's small apartment was barely enough for herself, let alone three people. That's why she had decided to rent them a separate room—temporarily, of course. Thanks to her "generous sponsor," Furuta Nimura, money wasn't a problem for now.

But she hadn't expected them to show up in her apartment tonight.

"The heater broke," Kurona said curtly.

"It's just too cold," Nashiro added succinctly.

"Oh."

Kaguya paused, scratching her head. She hadn't expected this. In such freezing weather, a broken heater was indeed a major inconvenience. Winter nights could be brutally cold.

"In that case, I'll take a look at it for you. If it's not a big problem, I should be able to fix it," Kaguya offered with a smile, heading to grab some tools.

Having dealt with a perpetually faulty air conditioner in her childhood home, Kaguya had picked up a few repair skills over the years. She figured the heater's issue was likely due to disuse—perhaps rust or a clogged filter. A quick cleaning might do the trick.

But before she could take a step, the twins each grabbed one of her arms.

"No need," Kurona said softly, her voice brushing against Kaguya's ear. Whether intentional or not, the soft, supple curve of her chest lightly pressed against Kaguya's arm.

Meanwhile, Nashiro clung to Kaguya almost entirely, her misty eyes shimmering with an almost smoky allure. "I'm scared," she murmured, her delicate hands wandering across Kaguya's arm.

Fear?

Kaguya's eyelid twitched. If she didn't already know their true nature, she might have actually believed them. How could anyone buy into the idea that these two, who had killed so many, would be afraid of the dark?

Suppressing the urge to throw them out, Kaguya said, "What's there to be afraid of? Just turn on the lights."

"But the lights are too glaring," Kurona whispered, pressing herself against Kaguya's back. She leaned in, her warm breath tickling Kaguya's ear as she added softly, "If you stay with us, we won't be scared."

"Mm-hmm," Nashiro chimed in. Her shoulder strap slipped from her shoulder, exposing the curves of her chest. Still developing but with a budding shape, she leaned in closer. Kaguya could even feel the slight roughness of the small, hardened points brushing against her. "Just stay with us for a little while. Please?"

"Fine, fine..." Kaguya murmured, her gaze growing hazy as her hands subconsciously moved, brushing over their smooth skin, as if entranced.

Kurona and Nashiro exchanged a sly glance, a satisfied smirk forming at the corners of their lips. They leaned closer, their small mouths opening to reveal cute little fangs. Then—

Thud!

Thud!

Two sharp knocks rang out.

"Ah! That hurts!"

"Ouch, that really hurts!"

The two girls squatted on the floor, clutching their heads. Their seductive demeanor had vanished entirely, replaced by pained expressions as they nursed the spots where Kaguya had given them each a solid flick on the forehead.

"Nice try!"

Kaguya retracted her hand and scowled. "Oh, so you've grown bold, huh? Trying to trick me, you little backstabbers."

"This is all your fault!" Nashiro pouted angrily.

"My fault?" Kaguya nearly laughed out loud. "So, what, you biting me is somehow my fault?"

"It is!" Kurona shouted indignantly. "You weren't home all day, there's nothing in the house to eat, and you promised to come back early to cook for us. Now look at the time!"

Kaguya froze, realizing she had indeed promised something along those lines. But between her date with Mado Akira and the unexpected drama with Kirishima Touka, she had completely forgotten. After spending the better part of the day at Touka's place and getting delayed on her way back, it was no wonder the twins were fuming.

Clearing her throat awkwardly, Kaguya said, "Still, that doesn't mean you can do something like this. And besides, you two bean sprouts don't even have anything worth looking at. Immature."

The words felt a little hypocritical even as she said them. Though the twins were still young, they were beginning to show the soft curves of women. In a few years, they were bound to grow into two stunning beauties.

"Who says we don't?" Nashiro shot up, her cheeks puffed with indignation. "You had a reaction!"

"Huh?"

Kaguya's pupils shrank in shock, as if struck by lightning. Could it be? Had she recovered?

Quickly, she unfastened her pants and checked her "little friend," only to confirm that it was, as expected, still gone.

Kaguya's eyelid twitched.

Alright, so what Nashiro had meant was her chest, then.

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