Anime Collector: Starting With the Malevolent Shrine

Gulp!

Haruno downed a glass of red wine with reckless abandon.

Yukino, who had never drunk alcohol before, was already feeling dizzy. Ichika, seated next to Daiki, was also flushed in the face.

"Miss Haruno, please, let's stop here — I can't take anymore." Sonoka pleaded, waving her hands frantically as she struggled to stay conscious.

The Haruno before them now was unrecognizable from her usual refined self.

Mrs. Yukinoshita adjusted her dress with shaky hands as she glanced at her intoxicated daughter.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Daiki. She's been under immense pressure lately." She said with an apologetic bow, steadying her breath.

Daiki gave a slight nod as he observed Haruno's uncharacteristic loss of composure.

The responsibility of managing all Yukinoshita family businesses had fallen to her. Dealing with business elites and ambitious newcomers alone was enough to exhaust anyone, let alone maintaining a facade of perfection day after day.

Mrs. Yukinoshita seemed to understand this, which explained her unusual restraint from scolding.

If not for Daiki's arrival, that facade might have had to continue indefinitely.

Mrs. Yukinoshita gazed at him gratefully from across the table. If only he didn't harbor those inappropriate thoughts, she mused, her fair face flushing as she recalled that mischievous foot exploring between her legs.

She couldn't openly refuse or negotiate. Her only option was to make Daiki understand that nothing could happen between them.

Ichika's head began to droop, her eyelids heavy as lead.

She yawned and leaned against Sonoka, intending only to rest her eyes briefly. But her companion proved too comfortable, and the battle-hardened soldier/spy drifted into deep sleep.

Yukino, her face beautifully flushed, gazed absently at the bright lights.

This first taste of red wine was peculiar — quite unlike any drink she'd had before.

She resolved to take only small sips in the future. Ending up like Sonoka would be dreadful; Daiki might come to dislike her.

Through wine-blurred vision, her eyes drifted across the room to study his profile, taking in every detail of his features in the ambient light.

Despite what it had cost her, she had to acknowledge that Daiki was remarkable in ways that both fascinated and unsettled her. Beyond being a mysterious Jujutsu Sorcerer, he possessed the culinary mastery of a starred chef, and she'd learned he had even decisively beaten Ginko at shōgi the day he departed from the shrine.

And what of her, the so-called "genius Yukinoshita"? Though she learned quickly, she was far from exceptional.

She couldn't match Ginko at shōgi.

She couldn't rival her classmate Mashiro Shiina in art.

She couldn't compete with Utaha Kasumigaoka from the next class in writing.

And in cooking, she fell far short of Sonoka.

She, Yukino Yukinoshita, was nothing special beyond her pretty face.

These thoughts darkened her mood further. The alcohol only amplified her melancholy, leaving her visibly dejected.

The only thing she could do now was try to make Daiki happy, ensuring the Yukinoshita family would keep his protection longer.

She had already given him her most precious thing, but what she truly hoped for now was to genuinely date him.

Though she usually sneered at romance, he was different. Perhaps it was because he was her first, or perhaps it was the wine, but she felt he was truly special — unlike anyone else.

Yukino moved her delicate body, carefully leaning against Daiki's shoulder.

Mrs. Yukinoshita couldn't help but show a relieved expression across from them. Her foolish daughter finally understood.

Contrary to her mother's reaction, Haruno sat bleary-eyed, her thoughts a tangled mess.

Why had she been so intent on making Yukino and Ichika drink? Oh right — to find a chance to thank Daiki for saving their family!

Where was he?

Her gaze swept across, and she immediately spotted the scene.

Her sweet younger sister had her head resting on his shoulder, even nuzzling against his neck, whether deliberately or unconsciously.

Haruno narrowed her beautiful eyes, her restless foot reaching out. Just as she expected, it was caught tightly between his legs.

What was this about? Why act so proper now?

When she gave him her first time, he hadn't been so proper. Now that he had what he wanted, was he trying to use others? Showing complete disdain for her while being so protective of Yukino!

Anger welled up, and her exploring foot pressed harder.

She failed to notice Mrs. Yukinoshita's expression changing nearby.

"Daiki!"

Her mother's trembling voice startled Haruno.

She realized if this continued, her mother might discover what was happening.

Reluctantly, she gave two kicks before standing up, "Mother, I'll go have the maids prepare some guest rooms. I'll be back later."

Supported by a maid, Haruno staggered out of the hall.

Little did she know those final kicks had made the dignified Mrs. Yukinoshita turn pale. She thought Daiki was dissatisfied with her conservative behavior earlier.

That's why he had kicked twice — venting his inner frustration.

After her daughter's figure disappeared, Mrs. Yukinoshita nervously said, "Daiki... that wasn't... if you want... this time..."

She spoke haltingly and vaguely, her face bright red, her gaze unable to meet his eyes.

Daiki fell silent. He had no way to explain that Haruno was responsible for what had happened earlier.

Mrs. Yukinoshita's nervousness only intensified at his silence.

After a furtive glance toward the doorway, she slipped beneath the table.

A sharp intake of breath followed as warmth suddenly enveloped him.

"..."

Before Daiki could formulate a response, he had already penetrated deeper into the warmth. The unfamiliar and intense sensation spreading through her throat caused Mrs. Yukinoshita's eyes to flutter and roll back slightly, her composure completely shattered by this new experience that left her breathless and dizzy.

"Never mind, let it be." Letting himself go, he no longer concerned himself with such matters.

He gently lifted Yukino's delicate chin with his fingertips, and she responded without hesitation, her wine-flushed face tilting upward. Their lips met in a passionate embrace as she instinctively parted hers, allowing their tongues to dance together in an intimate exploration. The sweet taste of red wine lingered between them as they shared this tender moment, their breaths mingling in the dim light of the room.

With one hand tenderly cradling the delicate face of the girl before him, his thumb gently caressing her flushed cheek as their kiss deepened and sent waves of warmth coursing through her entire body, his other hand carefully descended beneath the table's surface to provide subtle guidance to the lady who was presently occupied there, his fingers lightly interwined white her hair to direct her movements with careful consideration.

The dual sensations were overwhelming. He wished he could savor this moment without concealment.

After a long while, Yukino's head rested peacefully on his shoulder as she slept.

Mrs. Yukinoshita emerged, delicately dabbing at the corner of her mouth.

How utterly absurd! She could hardly believe what she had just done. If her daughters ever discovered this, she couldn't imagine their reaction.

To her surprise, Haruno never returned. Instead, a maid arrived with news that the guest rooms were prepared.

Mrs. Yukinoshita calmly directed the maids to escort Ichika and the others to their rooms.

"Daiki, you should get some rest too — you probably have school tomorrow." Her words snapped him back to reality.

Both Mrs. Yukinoshita and Daiki felt the absurdity of the situation.

A Special Grade Jujutsu Sorcerer attending school like any ordinary student. With the Yukinoshita family's wealth and his power, they might not rule the world, but they could certainly dominate Chiba.

Daiki shook his head, cast a meaningful glance at Mrs. Yukinoshita, and walked back to his room.

Her face flushed crimson, understanding his unspoken message.

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Meanwhile...

At the shrine, Mimiko and Nanako were speaking with Suguru Geto on the phone.

"Oh? The Zombie Devil in Chiba? I understand."

Seated on the speeding train, Suguru ended the call with calm composure.

Miguel, the powerful dark-skinned man whom Suguru considered family, spoke up.

"The Zombie Devil in Chiba was cunning — I can't believe it was actually eliminated. Though I haven't witnessed it myself, this mysterious newcomer must possess Special Grade combat abilities, perhaps even Domain Expansion. What's most intriguing is that he wields the King of Curses' fearsome Cursed Power and Techniques. Could he be Sukuna's chosen vessel?"

While Miguel's expression turned grave, Suguru maintained his composed demeanor.

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