Anime Collector: Starting With the Malevolent Shrine

"Rizu Ogata-senpai?"

Kirino and Iroha poked their heads out curiously.

Rizu was one of the most renowned students at Sōbu High.

Her grades in science subjects far surpassed her peers. With her petite figure and sweet demeanor, she had earned the nickname "Clockwork Thumbelina" among her fellow students.

Yet this science prodigy wanted to apply to a Psychology university.

This was a mirror image of second-year student Fumino Furuhashi, who excelled in humanities but aspired to study Astronomy.

The board of directors at Sōbu High found themselves at wit's end over this situation.

Kirino had heard these two mentioned as cautionary examples, making the faculty worry that she, an athletic prodigy, might follow a similar path.

"Are you also students at Sōbu High?" Rizu asked, her expression characteristically stoic.

"Yes, we're first-years." Ayase replied, unsurprised by the senpai's reserved demeanor.

Her analytical personality perfectly matched her scientific aptitude.

"Daiki-senpai is next door. What business do you have with him, senpai?"

The sweetness in Iroha's voice made Ayase and Kirino stiffen — they knew from experience that her sugary tone often masked darker intentions.

'That jerk senpai! Where did he find another cute girl? Always flirting with someone new. Can't he ever behave himself?'

While Iroha maintained her innocent junior facade, internally she was seething with frustration at Daiki.

If things progressed according to her senpai's usual pattern, she'd have no chance of surpassing Nino, let alone avoiding relegation to a mere spectator.

"I... I just... need to see Daiki... about something..." Rizu retreated, unnerved by their intensity.

Seeing this, Ayase and Kirino quickly restrained Iroha, exchanging knowing glances and sighing helplessly.

This second-year Daiki-senpai was becoming quite the troublemaker!

Even a cunning fox like Iroha had fallen hopelessly under his spell!

The two held onto their friend to prevent her from losing control.

"That senpai is next door — just knock. But he has a guest, so be prepared." Ayase said, pointing to the adjacent door.

"A guest?" Rizu clenched her hands hesitantly.

Though she and Daiki were merely acquaintances, she hoped to join the Nakano quintuplets' tutoring sessions.

The recent school attack didn't worry her as much as her chances of getting into a liberal arts university.

Since Daiki was a Jujutsu Sorcerer with the power of the Hundred Teaching, studying with him would be more effective than with her teacher Mafuyu.

But she wasn't sure if he would agree.

Standing inside, Ayase's eyes gradually widened.

Could it be... this petite senpai was in a similar situation to Iroha?

"Thank you!" Rizu bowed gratefully.

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With nervous anticipation, she knocked on the next door.

"Come in."

Mei stood up to open the door, welcoming the cute girl inside.

Rizu was surprised to see this older, beautiful woman, especially since she knew Daiki was dating Miku.

The surprise passed quickly.

She turned to Daiki and bowed, pleading, "Daiki-kun, please let me join tomorrow's tutoring sessions. I'll study hard!"

Mei's expression was both amused and exasperated — it wasn't about studying hard. She realized this petite girl might struggle with social interactions.

"Tomorrow's tutoring? If you want to join, then join."

"Eh? Thank you!" Rizu's expression froze in surprise before she bowed again gratefully.

"Don't mention it. Haven't eaten yet? Why not join us?" Mei pressed on her petite shoulders, noticing her swallowing.

"No... no need, the store might still have deliveries to make." Rizu hurriedly waved her hands.

Getting permission to join the Nakano family tutoring was already enough — she couldn't impose further by staying for meals.

Though determined to leave, her gaze lingered.

"Just try one piece? As classmates, give me some feedback." Seeing her cute demeanor, Daiki picked up some beef with clean chopsticks and held it to her mouth.

Though Rizu meant to refuse, she found herself accepting the bite of beef.

"Thank you, Daiki-kun. I'll... I'll bring you udon… tomorrow at tutoring..."She mumbled between bites of the hot beef. Steam puffed from her mouth as her small face turned rosy.

After swallowing, she bowed and thanked him once more before leaving.

"She's really cute. I wonder if our future daughter will be that adorable." Mei gently brushed her white hair, her tone playful.

"Of course she will." Daiki glanced at her.

"Then, my dear Daiki-kun, when can you teach me Black Flash?" She crawled onto his lap, tracing his cheek with her fingertip.

"Tonight." He held her chin, then slowly moved downward.

A blush spread across Mei's face as she closed her eyes to savor the moment.

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Next door, the three girls saw Rizu leave with a flushed face.

"What could senpai have done in less than a minute?" Iroha asked with a serious expression.

She refused to believe Rizu had merely come for a visit. Knowing that jerk senpai, he'd probably start staying out late again starting tomorrow.

Ayase and Kirino exchanged complicated looks.

The scene felt oddly like wives suspecting their husband of infidelity.

"Iroha, maybe it's time to give up on that senpai?" Ayase suggested gently after a moment's hesitation.

"Um... I don't have any relationship with that jerk senpai — I'm just curious! Don't you want to know what's going on between those two?" Iroha protested breathlessly.

Ayase and Kirino shared knowing looks.

"Why don't we stay at your place tonight, just to keep an eye on things?" Kirino suggested, raising her hand.

"A sleepover? Let me check with my mother first." Ayase pulled out her phone to send a message.

Kirino patted her head and reached for her phone as well.

Iroha could only watch helplessly as her friends ignored her protests.

When their mothers responded with approval, Ayase and Kirino clapped with excitement. It wasn't often they got to have a sleepover at a friend's house.

"Tonight will be unforgettable!"

They pictured themselves huddled under blankets, sharing scary stories by flashlight.

Little did they know they were celebrating prematurely.

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Night gradually descended upon the earth.

They quickly finished dinner and prepared a spare bedroom.

Just as Ayase and Kirino settled in to whisper together, the poorly soundproofed walls taught them an awkward lesson.

Faint moans and sighs from next door made both their faces flush bright red.

Ayase stammered and buried her head in her hands, steam practically rising from her face like a train whistle.

Kirino's face burned crimson. Being a closeted otaku, she knew all too well what those sounds meant.

"It's... it's fine, young boys are like monkeys at the zoo — they'll quiet down in a couple minutes."

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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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