Anime Collector: Starting With the Malevolent Shrine

"If anyone else knew Daiki-senpai's secret, they'd surely use it to threaten him and ruin his reputation! But as his junior, I'd never do something so despicable as to exploit someone's weakness! However... I've been jogging to lose weight lately, and I often lack an appetite. It's such a bother! Daiki-senpai, any suggestions?"

Iroha, transformed into a little devil, looked at Daiki expectantly. Her face might as well have read, "Please cook a meal for me".

Employing both carrot and stick, blending softness with strength while feigning natural cuteness — no wonder she'd later become the manager of Sobu High School's soccer club.

"Iroha-chan, have you forgotten whose home this is? How can you just waltz in and try to negotiate? Aren't you worried something unpleasant might happen?"

The surrounding paths were deserted. A damp, cold breeze brushed against their skin, making them instinctively straighten their backs.

"Haha... Senpai... you wouldn't do anything improper to your junior, right?" Realizing the situation had turned precarious, she took two steps back.

Having observed for hours, she knew how deserted this area was. With the recent spell of continuous rain, who'd be out wandering around?

"That's hard to say! I originally wanted to interact with you as a gentle senpai. But since you've discovered it, I guess I can't pretend anymore."

If this had happened two days ago, Iroha would've thought he was joking. But now... Nino had already proven it with her actions. The Daiki before her was a predator.

Her high spirits vanished, and she suddenly felt her heart skip a beat. Watching him approach, she turned to flee.

But Daiki caught her with one hand and pulled her directly to his side.

Just as she thought she couldn't escape, he didn't continue. Instead, he asked, "Where did you get that bracelet on your wrist?"

"Huh?" Iroha's thoughts were a jumbled mess.

Daiki released his grip, and she immediately retreated four or five steps.

"Stop running. If I truly intended harm, you'd already be in trouble." He said flatly, glancing at her.

She realized she'd been tricked and puffed up her cheeks, but didn't dare provoke him further.

"This is a blessed bracelet from the Sanko Shrine! They say the gods blessed it to exorcise Evil Spirits!" Iroha held up her wrist vigilantly, "Hmph! It might even drive away the evil in your heart, Senpai!"

She raised her chin, attempting to exorcise him with the bracelet.

"Don't trust those dubious shrines. You should discard that bracelet — it might attract filthy spirits." With his Far Sight ability, Daiki clearly saw the bracelet's prayer beads.

The beads bore strange engravings and a golden fox design, similar to the technique sealing Sukuna's fingers. However, this seal was fragile. Once it failed, the power within would burst forth.

Inside wasn't Cursed Energy, but the power of Evil Spirits.

"Hm?" Iroha clearly didn't understand. She examined the bracelet, then looked back at him.

Suddenly, she had an epiphany!

"Daiki-senpai! Are you subtly showing concern for me, hoping to confess your feelings? I'm sorry, but while you're handsome, being a playboy is unacceptable. It's impossible." She stepped back and bowed, rejecting him skillfully.

Unfazed by this friend-zoning, Daiki simply said, "Suit yourself. Let's exchange contact information. It might be useful later."

Since she didn't believe him, further persuasion was pointless. Better to use her as bait.

Persuasion wasn't ineffective, but baiting had a better cost-performance ratio. It might attract valuable Evil Spirits worth collecting.

Iroha hesitated briefly but exchanged contacts.

"Senpai! Won't you let me keep your secret?" The persistent girl asked.

"If it leaks, I'll come for you — whether it's your fault or not." Daiki's gaze swept meaningfully over her youthful figure.

"Senpai! How can you act like this? I completely misjudged you!" Her face flushed crimson as she quickly raised her hands to shield herself from his gaze.

With a casual wave, Daiki turned and bid her farewell, heading home.

Disappointed at not getting the meal she'd hoped for and instead being threatened by her jerky senpai, Iroha ran her fingers through her disheveled hair, feeling deflated.

"Hmph, even if evil spirits do appear, they'd surely devour you first! What malevolent entity could resist a cute, beautiful girl like me?"

Shaking off her muddled thoughts, she set off for home.

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Meanwhile, back at the luxurious apartment...

Nino returned safely, greeted by a disgruntled Ichika who had been waiting for some time.

"You warned us against going out a couple of days ago, yet you stayed out all night yourself." She said, her tone laced with discontent.

Caught off guard, Nino smiled sheepishly, "It was unexpected! Who knew a manicure would take so long? I'll try to avoid it in the future."

"Avoid in the future? I'm dying of hunger here, Nino!" Yotsuba whined, sprawled weakly on the sofa, her usual energy depleted.

Nino's eyes widened in disbelief as she noticed her listless sisters, "Don't tell me you haven't had lunch yet?"

Itsuki and the others exchanged awkward smiles.

With a sigh, she massaged her temples and made her way to the kitchen, "I really don't know how you'll survive without me in the future."

"Hehe! We're quintuplets! We'll never be apart!" Yotsuba mustered her remaining strength to raise an arm and shout.

Nino's body trembled slightly. She retrieved some cookies from the cabinet and began brewing tea.

"Here, have these to tide you over. I'll check what ingredients we have in the fridge." She said, turning towards the refrigerator.

"Eh? Green tea? Nino, don't you prefer black tea?" Itsuki asked, surprise evident in her voice as she caught the aroma.

Miku favored green tea, while Nino typically opted for black — a preference that often sparked playful bickering between the two. Nino had never willingly brewed green tea before, and had even opposed it at times.

Even Miku glanced up, eyeing her sister's back with curiosity.

"Black tea's become a bit cloying lately. Green tea has its own unique charm." Nino replied vaguely, her flickering eyes hidden from her sisters.

Miku inhaled the subtle fragrance, a satisfied smile playing on her lips, "Nino, you've finally developed some taste."

Nino remained silent, her mind secretly contemplating various dishes that Miku enjoyed.

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