Dimensional Kaguya Ōtsutsuki

"Commander, do we really have to do this?" A handsome young man with blond hair spoke anxiously, "This is way too dangerous. If anything goes wrong, the consequences could be dire—even you could be harmed."

This handsome young man with a touch of delicate elegance was none other than Kyouhei Kannazuki, the Deputy Commander of Ratatoskr and a notorious pervert.

"Enough," interrupted a pink-haired girl with twin-tails who was sitting in the chair. She turned to face him. "I've made my decision. You don't need to say any more."

The lovely twin-tailed girl was Kotori Itsuka, who had previously met with Kaguya and requested a date.

"But if you go through with this, Commander, you'll be putting yourself in serious danger," Kyouhei said, his usual carefree expression replaced by a grave look. "You have to remember who we're dealing with here—she's no small-time foe. She's killed hundreds of thousands, a demon who's merciless, ruthless, and violently savage. This is just too dangerous."

"Do you have a better plan, then?" Kotori said softly, biting down on her lollipop as she looked out into the dark night beyond the vessel. "No one can stop her anymore. If we do nothing, she'll wreak havoc unchecked, and there's a real chance she could destroy the entire world. Or would you rather stand by and watch the world burn?"

If Kaguya were here, she would probably scoff, thinking, "Destroy the world? That's absurd! You're all just paranoid." But at the moment, Kyouhei and Kotori had already painted a dark, bloodthirsty image of Kaguya in their minds.

"But..." Kyouhei gritted his teeth. He knew it was futile now; no one could stop her. AST was destroyed, DEM had fallen, and even the mighty United States had issued a public statement supporting the formation of the Spirit Alliance, pledging all possible assistance. Their intentions could not have been more transparent.

"If there's anyone who can stand up to her," Kotori said, standing from her chair, her large, beautiful eyes filled with determination, "then it's me. If I use that method, it will definitely work."

"But what if the information is wrong?" Kyouhei said worriedly. "We haven't actually observed her actions or confirmed her preferences. What if she doesn't actually like women?"

"She does," Kotori waved her hand dismissively. "I've confirmed it. There's no doubt."

"What?" Kyouhei was stunned. "You...you've confirmed it?"

"What? Is there a problem?" Kotori snorted, a slight blush coloring her face.

Kyouhei's expression turned sorrowful, and he said with a sigh, "I never expected you, Commander, would sacrifice so much for the world. Your innocent and youthful body is no longer pure, is it?"

"'Pure,' my foot!"

Something dark shot across the room, hitting Kyouhei in the head with a loud thud, sending him flying.

Kotori, red-faced and furious, maintained her throwing stance, her expression radiating annoyance.

Kyouhei scrambled back to his feet, an excited gleam in his eyes. "Could it be, Commander—"

"Drop dead!"

Bang!

"Ouch!"

No sooner had Kyouhei gotten back up than he was knocked down again.

Getting back up once more, Kyouhei wisely refrained from further teasing his now-fuming Commander. Clearing his throat, he put on a serious face and asked, "Commander, are you truly prepared for this?"

"Yes." Kotori nodded. "Only by doing this can we prevent further tragedy. Spirits like her don't belong in this world."

She glanced at a photo on the console, a family portrait showing a happy family of three. The adorable girl in the middle was none other than Kotori herself.

"If that's the case..." Kyouhei said, pulling out an extravagant outfit from behind him with a grin. "This is my treasure, the finest among my collection of women's clothing. If you need it, Commander, I'm willing to part with it."

Looking at the black lace, skimpy garment that resembled a fetish outfit more than anything else, Kotori's brow twitched as she clenched her fist, grinding out, "You sick pervert—drop dead!"

With those words, she landed a flying kick squarely to Kyouhei's face.

Meanwhile, a very different scene was unfolding at the apartment.

Soft moans drifted from the room, reaching the ears of the girl eavesdropping outside, Natsumi. She could hear faint panting sounds and an occasional, nearly inaudible sucking noise.

Natsumi's pale cheeks were now flushed a deep red. Her whole body felt hot, as though her strength had drained away, and her legs felt weak. It was like a current was running through her body, sending faint tremors wherever it went.

She had no idea what was happening to her; all she knew was that her body felt strange, almost as if it wasn't her own anymore. This heat, so foreign and uncomfortable, seemed as if it was about to consume her. Driven by instinct, her hands roamed over her still-developing body, as if only this action could bring her some relief from the intense heat.

...

Finally, everything stopped. Natsumi collapsed against the door, forgetting that it was only half-closed, and tumbled forward, landing on the floor with a thud.

"Oh no!"

A sense of dread filled her heart as she looked up to find a pair of silver eyes staring back at her. A silver-haired girl was standing there in the doorway, utterly unashamed of her own lack of clothing.

"I...I was just passing by!" Natsumi stammered, her voice shaking as the girl looked at her with a predatory glint in her eyes.

Without responding, the silver-haired girl reached out, lightning-fast, grabbed her wrist, and dragged her into the room before she could resist.

"Let… let me go!" Natsumi cried in a panic, struggling desperately as she squirmed, but her delicate and weak frame was no match for Kaguya. With her spirit powers sealed, Natsumi was nothing more than an ordinary girl.

Kaguya remained unmoved, gripping Natsumi's slender arm and dragging her unceremoniously further into the room. Natsumi was helpless, like a doll, completely unable to resist.

When Natsumi saw what awaited her inside, her panic only intensified, her face filling with dread. The recent memory was all too vivid in her mind, especially that moment when Kaguya had used her fingers to… It terrified her to even think about it.

That small space—just a slight pressure could make it hurt like hell. How could anyone possibly reach inside with their fingers? It seemed impossible.

It must have hurt like crazy. Judging from the expressions on their faces, it was obviously some kind of brutal torture.

Yes, that had to be it. It was absolutely a torture technique of hers.

That awful creature—had her gentleness over the past few days just been an act? How naive she had been, or perhaps just stupid, to believe this person was good. Clearly, that wasn't the case at all; she was, in fact, an utterly unforgivable monster.

But… was she about to be tortured too?

Caught by the wrist, Natsumi desperately wondered, terrified. She struggled as hard as she could, but the hand on her wrist felt like a vice, completely unyielding.

Was she really going to be tortured, just like the others?

Natsumi looked sorrowfully at the two "unconscious" girls on the bed, thinking with dread.

Just then, a figure suddenly rushed over. In her despair, Natsumi froze, her eyes widening as she realized it was none other than Mukuro Hoshimiya.

If Natsumi had any real friends, Yoshino would count as one, and though she wouldn't exactly call Mukuro a friend, there was nothing she found unpleasant about her either. Even when Mukuro teased her, she always held back somewhat, like she had some sort of sense of propriety.

If there was anyone Natsumi didn't want to see hurt, it was definitely Mukuro Hoshimiya.

"D-don't come any closer," Natsumi yelled desperately, "Get out of here! Run!"

"Huh?" Mukuro slowed her steps, her eyes slightly dazed as she looked around. "What are you talking about?"

"Idiot! Get out of here now!" Natsumi shouted furiously. "Leave!"

Kaguya smirked as she turned to glance at Mukuro, her grip on Natsumi loosening just slightly, enough that Natsumi's wrist fell out of her grasp. Kaguya stepped forward, causing Natsumi to fall unceremoniously to the floor, yet she still turned her head toward Mukuro with urgency.

Natsumi, fuming with anger, yelled at Mukuro, "Are you here to be tortured too? Don't just stand there!"

"Why should I leave?" Mukuro said calmly, meeting Natsumi's frantic gaze without even a hint of panic. "And what are you so worried about?"

In that moment, Mukuro flashed a bold smirk, strutting over to Kaguya, her gaze unwavering as she firmly pressed her ample chest against Kaguya's.

"You… what are you…" Natsumi stammered in confusion, momentarily stunned by the scene before her, unable to comprehend Mukuro's intent.

But Mukuro ignored her, standing close to Kaguya as she confidently wrapped an arm around Kaguya's neck, leaning close to her face, with an expression as if she were about to kiss her.

Kaguya was taken aback, but quickly composed herself, inwardly marveling at Mukuro's boldness. Mukuro's gentle yet provocative actions carried an innocence that held a certain charm, one that was amplified by her youthful face and alluring demeanor.

Seeing Natsumi watching with wide eyes, Kaguya was amused to learn that the girl even had a penchant for eavesdropping. Although Kaguya enjoyed being surrounded by people, she didn't appreciate someone listening in on her from outside the door—it made her uncomfortable. If it had been a man lurking outside, she would have had no hesitation in erasing him.

Since Natsumi had been listening in, a punishment was necessary to remind her not to overstep her bounds, especially at critical times like this. Judging by Natsumi's once-flushed face that had now turned pale as if she were a wilted flower, it seemed Kaguya had indeed frightened her enough.

Kaguya felt a slight pang of guilt—maybe she had gone too far. But then she saw Mukuro's knowing smile, and any hesitation vanished.

This girl only seemed to grow more enchanting. Since she had been initiated by Kaguya, her unique charm had only increased, enhanced all the more by her youthful features.

Watching Mukuro's actions, Natsumi felt her whole being crumble inside as she looked on at this "betrayal." She trembled in anger, her fists clenching with helpless frustration.

If only she were stronger, she thought with anguish, she wouldn't have to endure such humiliation, and neither would her friend have to suffer through such torment. It was her fault, all of it. Tightening her fists in grief and indignation, Natsumi vowed silently to save Mukuro and herself from this shameful captivity, no matter the cost.

What Natsumi didn't know, however, was that in the room, Mukuro had already slipped into Kaguya's arms. She seemed calm, even daring, as her slender fingers traced along Kaguya's shoulder, sending gentle shivers down Kaguya's back.

What would Natsumi think if she could see that scene?

Ever since that night, Natsumi's gaze toward Kaguya had turned peculiar—filled with resentment mixed with a touch of fear. Whenever Kaguya looked her way, she would quickly avert her eyes, trying to conceal her unease. Unless absolutely necessary, Natsumi would avoid appearing before Kaguya altogether, as though deliberately trying to stay out of her way.

It was understandable. For a girl who had never experienced such things before, the events of that night had undoubtedly left a deep impression.

Especially after Kaguya had pretended to scare her further, making her fear Kaguya as though she were a venomous serpent. To Natsumi, Kaguya had become the embodiment of a terrifying demon king.

And the sight of the weakened girl the next day, unable to muster any strength, only served to solidify Natsumi's belief that Kaguya was a ruthless tyrant.

To have tormented a sweet and innocent girl into such a state… It's utterly unforgivable, she thought, filled with indignation.

Every time Natsumi recalled the humiliation she endured, her anger flared. She even fantasized about grabbing a kitchen knife and hacking Kaguya to pieces. Yet, whenever Kaguya's gaze shifted toward her, she quickly pretended to focus on cooking, her childish heart growing ever more sorrowful at her own helplessness.

Am I really this scared of her now? she thought with dismay.

The trauma of that night haunted her dreams as well. In one vivid nightmare, she saw Kaguya's wicked smile as the silver-haired girl approached her step by step. No matter how far she ran, she couldn't escape Kaguya's grasp. At the climactic moment, Kaguya seized her, and with a cruel grin…

This alone was enough to showcase the lasting impact of that event on Natsumi's fragile mind.

Kaguya, however, remained oblivious—or perhaps indifferent—to Natsumi's feelings. Her focus had shifted entirely to another matter.

"The Lantern Festival?" Tohka suddenly sprang up from the couch, her eyes lighting up with excitement. "What's that? Can you eat it?"

Is eating all she ever thinks about? Truly a bottomless pit of a glutton.

"No, of course not," Kaguya replied, exasperated. "The Lantern Festival is part of the Mid-Autumn Festival celebrations."

With that, Kaguya began explaining the origins and significance of the Mid-Autumn Festival to the group of ignorant Spirits. However, the cultural and historical nuances seemed to fly over their heads, especially Tohka's.

"Ah…" Tohka's enthusiasm visibly deflated. To her, nothing was as interesting as food.

"But," Kaguya added with a smile as she ruffled Tohka's hair, "there will be lots of fun things to do, and plenty of delicious food to eat."

"Really?!" Tohka's energy returned instantly, her large, sparkling eyes practically glowing.

Not only Tohka but even Yoshino seemed intrigued. It had been a long time since she had gone out, and while staying home was comfortable, the idea of venturing out for some fresh air was equally appealing.

As for Kurumi, she remained nonchalant, merely nodding at Kaguya's words. She rarely displayed strong reactions unless something directly interested her.

Origami, ever cautious, spoke up with her usual seriousness. "I have no objections to going out to the festival. However, considering the number of attacks we've faced recently, isn't there a risk of being discovered? We should proceed cautiously."

"I've already thought about that," Kaguya said, pulling out several pitch-black orbs from her pocket and distributing them to the girls. "Keep these on you. If you encounter any danger, these will automatically activate to protect you, and I'll be alerted to your location."

The orbs were Kaguya's Truth-Seeking Balls, capable of transforming into protective barriers in the event of an attack. They could withstand most forms of assault, giving the Spirits sufficient time to escape even from significant threats.

"You're giving us these because you're planning to go somewhere, aren't you?" Origami immediately grasped the underlying implication, her sharp eyes narrowing slightly.

The other Spirits quickly turned their attention to Kaguya, their curiosity piqued.

"Where are you going?" Tohka asked, her tone laced with surprise. Then, as if a thought struck her, her expression turned somber. "Don't tell me you're planning to leave us again, like last time. Are you…"

Before she could finish, Kaguya flicked her forehead lightly. "Stop imagining things. If I wanted to leave you, I wouldn't still be here. Don't overthink it."

Realizing her mistake, Tohka quickly latched onto Kaguya's arm, her tone coquettish as she said, "I was just worried about you…"

"Since no one has any objections," Kaguya announced, "we'll go to the Lantern Festival tomorrow."

"I object," a clear and crisp voice rang out.

Everyone turned to the source of the voice—a girl with light green hair sitting on a stool. It was none other than Natsumi.

"Oh?" Kaguya turned toward her, curiosity evident on her face. "Do you have an opinion about this?"

Initially confident, Natsumi faltered under Kaguya's gaze. The memory of that night flashed through her mind, and she found herself growing nervous. "W-Why? Can't I?"

"Of course, you can," Kaguya replied, her gentle smile unwavering. "But I'd like to hear your reasoning."

"I… I just don't want to go," Natsumi muttered, turning her head away and letting out a soft huff.

"Why not?" Kaguya asked, perplexed. "The Lantern Festival is fun. There's lots to do, and plenty of unique snacks."

"I said I'm not going, and that's that!" Natsumi snapped, her voice tinged with irritation. "You can all go without me."

"But didn't you say you loved going to the Lantern Festival before?" Kaguya asked, bewildered.

"You…" Natsumi's face flushed crimson. "You've been eavesdropping on me?!"

Her previous conversation with Yoshino about her fondness for the Lantern Festival came rushing back. She had admitted that she loved the festive crowds and the warmth they brought, feelings she rarely experienced in her otherwise lonely life. Yoshino had agreed wholeheartedly, empathizing with her sentiments.

"That's not the point—"

"I said I'm not going, so stop asking!" Natsumi yelled, her voice trembling with frustration. She stormed off to her room, slamming the door shut behind her.

Kaguya stood there for a moment, blinking at the shut door before letting out a sigh. "Well, I guess that's settled."

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