Anime Collector: Starting With the Malevolent Shrine

"Mmm... Even though the chances are slim, this is all we can do." Haruno's worried expression suddenly brightened up as she considered how to persuade her sister.

All she needed was a reason Yukino would believe. Did the truth of it even matter? After all, she herself didn't know Daiki — how could Yukino?

If not for this shrine visit, Yukino and Daiki would never have crossed paths (romantically). Neither of them truly knew what kind of person he was!

"Then we'll have to rely on little Yukino to negotiate with Daiki-kun." Haruno buried her head in her sister's chest, her voice turning coquettish.

"I just mentioned it casually, don't get your hopes up too high." Yukino coldly pushed her away, maintaining her distance.

"Hehe, my sister is so cute, how could he possibly refuse?" Haruno tried to weaken her resistance by acting sweet and clingy.

But these words made Yukino's brief happiness evaporate.

She knew Daiki wasn't truly interested in her proud cute appearance. Even though he had called her breasts perfect and enjoyed them, she suspected he was just being kind for her to be more… active.

After all, isn't that just how men are?

And women's insecurities clash terribly with men's platitudes.

She was convinced that rather than her modest chest, Daiki must be more attracted to her sister's perfect figure.

She had nearly forgotten this insecurity until Haruno's words brought it rushing back, making her acutely aware of her sister's overwhelming presence.

How could they share the same genes, yet be so different?

"Heh..." Yukino's laugh was cold and bitter.

She knew exactly what kind of person Daiki was, but kept this knowledge to herself, letting Haruno's assumptions stand.

Her only goal now was to keep her sister in the room, preventing any chance of a midnight visit to Daiki!

Ironically, Haruno harbored identical thoughts — why else would she choose to stay in Yukino's room so late?

And so they both masked their true intentions, neither willing to show vulnerability.

'Yukino, I will definitely protect you!'

'Sister, I will definitely protect you!'

Two identical monologues intertwined in the hazy night.

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Meanwhile, Keika and Ginko's thoughts were far more straightforward.

Ginko lay restless on the tatami, the shōgi match replaying endlessly in her mind. Such masterful skill was impossible for a mere beginner!

She tossed and turned, her mind racing. Only concern for disturbing Daiki kept her from challenging him to another match right then.

Keika's thoughts drifted in a different direction. Her mind swirled with questions about Jujutsu Sorcerers and their hidden world.

Could there really be a supernatural realm that ordinary people never glimpsed?

In contrast, the rest of the Nakano family slept peacefully, like infants.

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"Huff—"

Daiki suddenly opened his eyes. As he stretched, his joints made crisp popping sounds.

"The power of Embryonic Breathing is truly formidable. A brief experiment alone can restore perfect condition. With long-term practice, it might even strengthen the body."

Embryonic Breathing appeared to be sleep, but was actually the movement of all bodily cells. As the system had explained, it was a Cultivation Method — different from the usual ones. Though he didn't understand the specific principles, the effects were excellent.

The only flaw was its vast consumption of the body's energy. However, the Art of Breathing and cultivating Qi might compensate for this loss.

Bang!

A pure punch shot out, creating a muffled sound in the air.

۞ Sky Walking! ۞

Daiki jumped out the window, stepping through the air to arrive above the shrine. Dawn was breaking on the horizon.

He sat cross-legged atop the shrine, focusing entirely on circulating the Art of Breathing.

Energy threads from the mountains were drawn in by his breathing. They flowed through his nostrils, transforming into life force that nourished his flesh.

Unlike Embryonic Breathing, this technique couldn't directly strengthen cellular density, but it gradually purified his internal organs of impurities.

His flesh and skin emitted a faint, precious light, his soul seeming to roam heaven and earth. He could hear the gentle breathing of every blade of grass, every flower and leaf.

Daiki couldn't describe this profound state with words — he could only call it magnificent. Even in his first practice, he found himself completely immersed.

As a fiery red sun rose in the east, the spiritual energy floating between heaven and earth grew noticeably purer.

Time passed like a white colt glimpsed through a crack.

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The next morning, the mountain mist gradually began to disperse.

Narrow stone steps stretched from the shrine down to the mountain's foot. The Star Shrine at the mountaintop remained wreathed in thin mist, emanating a mysterious allure that drew people in.

Daiki opened his eyes and turned, walking through the air back toward his room.

Ginko, who had been waiting with her shōgi set, stared in astonishment. She had never seen anyone walk through air as if it were solid ground.

Having just finished practicing, Daiki's body still glowed with ethereal purple Qi. This light, combined with the mysterious quality from his Spirit Devouring Talent and his skin perfected by the Art of Breathing, created an otherworldly sight.

Even Ginko, whose thoughts usually centered solely on shōgi, found herself momentarily dazed.

"Why are you in my room?"

Coming to her senses, her face flushed as she hurriedly explained, "Shōgi! I want to continue playing shōgi! You can name any conditions."

As she spoke, Ginko couldn't help but keep studying Daiki, her cheeks growing redder despite her attempts to maintain composure.

His charm was like something from a novel about supernatural beings — an incubus perhaps. She wondered if he might be enchanting her with some mystical power.

"Shōgi, huh? We can discuss it after you transfer the money to my account."

"Give me your account details — I'll transfer it right now!" Ginko looked at him intently as he washed up.

"I trust your character, but at this rate, won't you go bankrupt?"

[The Proud Queen of the Shōgi World Goes Bankrupt After a Few Matches!]

Daiki had no interest in making headlines in the shōgi world right now.

Before Ginko could respond, Miku and the others burst in.

"…"

"I came to play shōgi with Kuchiki." The atmosphere tensed as Ginko calmly explained.

Of course, Miku and the others didn't doubt her purpose. But they worried the two might develop feelings over time!

"Daiki-kun... you seem... different somehow..." Miku, standing in the doorway examining her boyfriend, found herself unable to look away.

Though he was still Daiki, the change in his aura was unmistakable. The flawlessness of his skin made even Nino, as a girl, jealous.

Even more perfect...

Miku frowned, her heart in turmoil.

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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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