Anime Collector: Starting With the Malevolent Shrine

'Could it be my imagination?' Though Daiki explained it that way, Miku wouldn't believe it.

She had noticed it earlier on their way to pray at the Star Shrine. The change hadn't been as obvious then, but she had still noticed it without saying anything.

Following Miku's reminder, Nino's gaze fell on his face.

'Compared to a few days ago, Daiki-kun's aura has definitely changed. I'll have to take a closer look next time I stay at his place.' As if remembering something, her face flushed red.

Her charming, shy expression was captured by a disheartened Ichika.

'Damn it! Nino! Wake up!' Physically and mentally exhausted, her face was full of despair.

Right now, Nino's feelings were like a runaway train. No words could persuade her to turn back. Moreover, she might even want to drag her sisters too...

Her gaze darted quickly to Daiki.

The blush that appeared on her pretty face resembled the glow of sunset on her cheeks.

'What's happening with Daiki-kun's aura? Why can't I look away after just one glance?' Struggling to withdraw her gaze, Ichika hurriedly looked aside.

She feared a second look would only reveal more of his good qualities.

"Sniff... sniff..." While everyone else held back, Yotsuba acted boldly.

Her nose twitching, she followed the faint fragrance toward Daiki.

"Yotsuba, what are you doing!" Itsuki grabbed her sister and pulled her away just as she was about to sniff his neck.

"It's nothing, I just think Daiki-kun smells even better than Nino!" Yotsuba waved her hands in explanation. To prove her innocence, she tried pushing Itsuki toward him.

Seeing this, Miku quickly stepped in, shielding Daiki behind herself.

"Yotsuba, don't be reckless!" Itsuki's face burned with embarrassment, looking ready to kick her sister out.

"It might be because of my recent breakthrough in power." Daiki pondered briefly, then showed a look of sudden realization.

The cultivation of the Art of Breathing was evolving his flesh and blood toward perfection. He hadn't expected such results from just the initial practice.

"Huh! Can a Sorcerer's breakthrough even change their aura?" Keika, standing not far away, asked in surprise.

"I'm special." Daiki smiled calmly.

Keika's gaze grew unfocused, and she turned away with reddened cheeks.

Jealousy stirred in Miku's heart, her cheeks puffing out involuntarily.

"Really? Let me smell." She said coldly.

Then, in front of everyone, she leaned close to his Adam's apple. The faint natural fragrance was indeed invigorating and captivating. As if entranced, Miku touched her tongue to his throat.

Crack!

Nino's fist made a creaking sound as she clenched it. Behind her, Ichika's expression turned to horror.

Fortunately, after steadying her breathing, Nino managed to maintain her composure. This brazen public display had left her heart in turmoil.

The others, oblivious to her reaction, simply blushed in unison. They'd come to watch a show, only to be served a display of shameless affection.

"Shameless..." Ginko muttered, lowering her head.

If not for wanting to play shōgi with Daiki, she would have left immediately.

Miku buried her face in his chest, mortified into silence. She hadn't meant to act so impulsively, especially with everyone watching.

Watching Miku's timidity, Ichika could barely contain her frustration.

'Why are you being shy now, Miku? Keep going! You've already thrown down the gauntlet to Nino!'

If this display made Nino back off, that would be acceptable. But Miku had only made one bold move before freezing completely.

I gave you an opportunity, but you wasted it! No wonder Nino had gotten ahead while she remained clueless.

Perhaps she should give Miku some hints? At this rate, Nino would have a child before this girl made any progress!

"Um... everyone, breakfast is ready at the shrine. Miss Miku, could we have a private word with Daiki-kun?" Haruno said, appearing in the corridor where everyone had gathered.

"Sorry, we'll leave then." Keika grabbed Ginko's hand and hurried from the room.

Miku and Daiki exchanged a glance before she followed Nino and the others out.

A moment later, only three people remained: Daiki, Haruno, and Yukino.

The sisters sat side by side, with him sitting opposite them.

"Daiki-kun! Please help save the Yukino family!"

The two women bowed deeply in perfect sync, their foreheads touching the floor.

Daiki looked at their prostrate forms in surprise.

"I know our request seems unreasonable, but besides you, Daiki-kun, we have nowhere else to turn." Haruno raised her head, her expression full of meaning.

"Though my request might seem shameless, I still hope you can help us — if not for me, then for our bond as classmates." Yukino raised her head, meeting his gaze with serious eyes.

"I agree!" Daiki answered without hesitation.

His quick response sent a chill through both Yukino and Haruno.

'Won't such an easy answer make Yukino suspicious?'

'Won't such an easy answer make sister suspicious?'

The same thought struck them both at once.

"Don't overthink it. I've been tracking that Zombie Devil for some time now. The main issue is that its true form remains deeply hidden. I haven't acted yet because I was worried about alerting it too soon."

His explanation brought sighs of relief from both women, though they knew they still had to maintain their act.

"Really? You're not deceiving us, are you, Daiki-kun? If you can save our family, we'll give you half our annual profits!" Haruno fixed him with a sincere look, adding a playful wink.

"Of course not. I have no reason to deceive you." His words brought delighted smiles to their faces.

"Thank you so much, Daiki-kun. Yukino, I've prepared a profit-sharing contract in my room — please fetch it and organize the documents while you're there."

Haruno tapped her forehead as if suddenly remembering something important.

Yukino froze in surprise, clearly not having expected her sister to have actually prepared a contract.

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