Chapter 39: Multiple Identity
At this point in ti, Furuta Nimura carried multiple identities.
First, he was a logistics mber of "V", an organization operating from the shadows. While most mbers of "V" possessed combat abilities rivaling Special Class Investigators, Furuta's role was far less distinguished—at least, on the surface. Whether this was due to his actual strength or his tendency to play the fool for his own benefit remained uncertain.
Second, he was a student at Kamii University, genuinely attending classes there.
Third, he was a mber of "Joker", an underground organization of ghouls. Within Joker, he was known as "Souta."
Fourth, he was one of the VIP patrons of the Ghoul Restaurant, a prestigious but twisted establishnt that catered to the wealthy elite with a taste for human flesh.
With so many roles, it was clear Furuta did not serve any one faction. His true allegiance was only to himself, weaving each of his identities into a grand plan only he fully understood.
This also ant that his attempt to kill Rize Kamishiro with a falling steel beam had little to do with personal vendetta. She had simply been an integral part of his sche from the very start. If revenge had been his sole motivation, he wouldn't have bothered maintaining so many layers of deception.
That said, Furuta had a long history with Rize. They were childhood acquaintances, both originating from the Washuu bloodline. So degree of attachnt surely existed—perhaps even sentint.
Otherwise, why would he have helped her escape the Washuu family in the first place? Was it genuine care? Or had he already foreseen her role in Kanou Akihiro's twisted experints?
Regardless, Rize had survived that attempt on her life. And now, as fate would have it, they stood face to face once more.
"Furuta?"
The voice was soft yet laced with a chill.
Kamishiro Rize had already spotted him.
Even among the crowd of university students, her sharpened ghoul senses made recognizing him effortless.
Furuta didn't flinch. He had noticed her as well—alongside the man standing next to her.
Ah, so she was using his family na instead of his given na, "Nimura." That ant she had seen through his involvent in the steel beam accident.
A miscalculation. He had underestimated Kanzaki Ryoma—or, rather, his unexpected intervention that day. Furuta had assud the boy would simply die. Instead, not only had Ryoma survived, but he had also saved Rize.
That single failure had changed everything.
Now, instead of a frightened and injured Rize, he was t with her usual playful deanor. It was clear she wasn't going to demand answers—there was no point. Furuta could always lie, and Rize hated wasting her ti with pointless conversations.
"Heh~"
Rize let out a soft chuckle.
Furuta smiled back, his expression unreadable. "Rize, long ti no see."
His tone was lighthearted, as if nothing had ever happened.
"I suppose so."
She smiled, though there was a sharpness behind her eyes.
Furuta shifted his gaze toward Kanzaki Ryoma, feigning surprise.
"Ah! I rember you!" He pointed at Ryoma with an exaggerated expression. "We t in the cafeteria, didn't we?"
Ryoma studied him silently for a mont before responding in a bored tone.
"Yeah. Didn't expect to run into you again so soon."
"Small world, huh?" Furuta chuckled.
Rize, still holding onto Ryoma's arm, tilted her head slightly. "Oh? You two know each other?"
"Just a brief encounter," Furuta answered smoothly.
Then, his lips curled into a teasing grin. "But Rize, you're not a student here, right? What brings you to Kamii University? Don't tell you were looking for ?"
His voice was light, but the intent behind the words was clear.
Was she here to confront him?
Was she planning revenge?
But Rize Kamishiro was a different kind of monster. Unlike Furuta, she didn't play mind gas—she devoured those who tried.
Without missing a beat, she tightened her grip on Ryoma's arm and leaned against him.
"Hmm? Oh no, I wasn't looking for you at all," she said sweetly. "I actually ca here to visit my boyfriend."
The mont the words left her lips, Furuta's smile faltered.
For the first ti in this exchange, his facade cracked—just a little.
A sharp sting hit him. It wasn't about Rize dating soone. No, it was the way she had worded it, the way she had pressed herself against Ryoma, her voice laced with amusent.
It was deliberate.
A personal, well-aid strike.
Even Ryoma was a little surprised. He glanced at Rize but said nothing.
Furuta, however, quickly regained his composure. His expression morphed into a forced smile—one too perfect, too polished.
"Ahaha, is that so? Well then, I hope you both enjoy your little date."
"Thanks, Furuta~" Rize giggled, flashing him a charming smile.
Then, still clinging to Ryoma, she turned away and walked off.
Ryoma allowed himself to be pulled along without protest, though he shot Rize a knowing glance.
That was a bit much, don't you think?
Rize simply smirked.
Behind them, Furuta stood motionless for a few monts.
Then, slowly, he stepped toward a nearby tree, placing one hand against the rough bark. His fingernails dug in.
The forced smile faded.
His lips curled into a snarl.
His other hand clenched into a tight fist.
His shoulders trembled.
And then, in a hushed, venomous whisper, he repeated the sa word over and over again.
"Die... Die... Die... Die... Die..."
His voice grew softer, more deranged with each repetition.
But in the end, none of this mattered.
No matter how much he hated seeing Rize with another man, no matter how much he wished Ryoma would just disappear, it wouldn't change his plans.
He needed Rize.
And Kanou Akihiro needed her, too.
The role had already been set.
No matter how much his blood boiled, Furuta Nimura would play along—just as he always had.
His teeth ground together, his nails scratching against the bark of the tree.
Because deep down, he already knew how this story would end.
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