Anime Collector: Starting With the Malevolent Shrine

The bedroom was so messy it made one question life itself.

Scattered clothes and cosmetics were piled in every corner, leaving Rizu and Miku barely enough space to step.

"Has her living environment always been this terrible?" Miku stared at the chaos, deep in thought.

The Nakano quintuplets' bedrooms had always been their private domains. Even she had rarely entered Ichika's bedroom.

Who would have thought it could be this chaotic?

Rizu picked up a mature-looking bra, her face flushing red.

"Is... is this what the world of my peers is like?" Having never had friends before, she lacked such common experiences.

The clothes strewn across the floor made her feel like she was exploring an alien world.

"Thank goodness we didn't let Daiki stay in this room." Miku noticed black panties hanging directly on the mirror.

Suppressing her irritation, she began cleaning up the scattered clothes, occasionally discovering surprising items Ichika had left behind.

It took a full ten minutes.

She finally managed to get Ichika's bedroom completely cleaned, tossing all the scattered underwear into the laundry basket.

Just as Miku was about to lie down and rest, Itsuki entered.

"Ogata-san, your online clothes order has arrived. The bath is ready with hot water whenever you'd like to freshen up." Forcing a smile, she walked in carrying a fruit platter.

Her mind was racing, filled with things to say but unsure how to express them.

"Thank you, I'll go freshen up now." Rizu bowed and left with her clothes.

Itsuki sat before the vanity mirror with the fruit platter, struggling with her words.

Miku, you're being cheated on!

No, that won't work! It's too direct!

Better to first gauge her feelings on these matters.

Itsuki's eyes flickered as she said softly, "Miku, you and Nino seem to be getting along well lately. Didn't you two used to argue a lot?"

First make Miku notice something's wrong through subtle hints, then gradually reveal the truth.

"Yeah, we were too immature before, always quarreling with her, but her personality has changed a lot now." Miku said thoughtfully while eating watermelon.

Itsuki's mouth twitched — why was Miku finding reasons to blame herself?

"What I mean is, Nino's sudden change in attitude seems suspicious, as if she has ulterior motives. What do you think?" She glanced up, testing the waters.

"Hmm! I thought so at first too, but I've realized her change is genuine, and besides, I have nothing worth plotting over."

Miku's carefree response left Itsuki speechless.

How could she possibly tell her directly that Nino was stealing her boyfriend?

"How are things going between you and Daiki-kun?"

"Oh... If Daiki-kun doesn't mind, I'd like to get married right away." Miku hid behind her headphones, her long hair concealing her eyes.

Itsuki's question had clearly pushed beyond her comfort zone.

How could such a timid performance possibly compete with Nino and the others?

"What if Daiki-kun gets together with someone else in the meantime?" Itsuki asked bluntly.

She couldn't bear watching Miku sink deeper into this quagmire.

Daiki was exceptional — perhaps too exceptional. He presented himself as flawless in every way, and his status as a Special Grade Jujutsu Sorcerer was particularly impressive.

Even the prestigious Yukinoshita family of Chiba was vying for his attention. Their eldest daughter Haruno, known as the Eight-Sided Beauty, was pursuing him despite her high status.

How could Miku possibly compete!

And then there was the Yukinoshita family's second daughter, Yukino — equally stunning and famous for being an ice queen. Itsuki doubted Yukino's constant presence in their room was innocent.

Against such formidable rivals, Miku's chances seemed slim.

Yet Daiki's true feelings remained a mystery.

"That won't happen! With Nino and the others watching, there definitely won't be any problems. And... even if that happened... I still wouldn't give up!"

Itsuki's mouth twitched violently.

Could those very watchdogs be the ones she should guard against?

This was maddening! How could she say such things with a clear conscience?

Given Miku's attitude, revealing the truth would only cause trouble.

Besides, they were still indebted to Daiki for his tutoring!

"Here, have some kiwi, it looks healthy."

"Mm, thanks Itsuki."

Her gratitude only made Itsuki's heart heavier.

She changed the subject and chatted until Rizu returned.

'This isn't working. I can't get through to Miku — I must talk to Daiki-kun.'

He was the source of all this.

'Speaking of which, about the Spiritual Power refinement Nino mentioned...'

If her memory served right, was that method the only way? When Ichika spoke of everyone's benefit, did she mean the Spiritual Power?

Daiki was just Miku's boyfriend — Spiritual Power couldn't materialize from thin air. If it truly required such methods, what was she supposed to say?

These troubling thoughts and questions weighed heavily on her mind.

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Back in her bedroom, Itsuki couldn't focus on reading at all.

As night fell, darkness crept in like a heavy curtain.

When everyone else had gone to rest, she quietly slipped out of her bedroom.

Just as she opened her door, she heard movement — another door opening somewhere in the hallway.

A shadowy figure darted from one bedroom into Miku's room.

'Was that Nino or Ichika?' She wondered, 'But wait — if it's either of them, where's the other one?'

From what she knew, the two had been watching each other closely.

If one made a move, surely the other wouldn't allow it. Unless... they'd reached some kind of agreement?

Itsuki shuddered at the thought.

If they had indeed come to terms, that would mark a truly frightening turn of events.

Taking advantage of the quiet hallway, she crept toward the door.

'Hm? It's not locked?'

She pushed gently, and the door opened just enough to create a narrow gap.

Holding her breath, Itsuki peered through.

Her pupils dilated in shock.

Before her unfolded a scene she never could have imagined.

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In the dim night light.

The Jujutsu Headquarters' orders reached both Jujutsu High Schools and the Sorcerers of the Three Great Jujutsu Families.

For the public execution, they needed to select suitable executioners.

The Headquarters naturally turned first to the strongest in the Jujutsu World.

"What? Satoru Gojo went to suppress parasitic creatures?" An Executive from the Jujutsu Headquarters shouted in disbelief, phone in hand.

Since when do parasitic creatures warrant your personal attention, Satoru?!

[Uh... I only learned about this today myself.]

Tokyo Jujutsu High's principal, Masamichi Yaga, replied helplessly.

Satoru's logic had always defied normal understanding.

"Understood!" The Executive hung up the phone.

As they deliberated over their next choice, a volunteer stepped forward.

It was Naoya Zen'in himself, heir to the Zen'in family — one of the Three Great Families!

"A Special Grade 1 Sorcerer? Why would he be interested in this kind of thing?"

The Headquarters executives were taken aback, given the Zen'in family's prestigious status.

"Word is the Zen'in family has allied with unknown powers to develop a secret weapon. They likely want to test it against this new Special Grade."

Some well-informed executives shared this intelligence.

After brief consideration, they approved Naoya Zen'in's application.

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T/N: If you want more chapters like this, check out my Patreon! Take a look at my other translations too, you might like them!

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