Anime Collector: Starting With the Malevolent Shrine

"According to Nakano-san, there are Evil Spirits and Cursed Spirits in this world. To think Daiki-kun is already a Special Grade Jujutsu Sorcerer at such a young age — it's incredible!"

The fantastical claims left Mafuyu completely stunned.

Fumino and Rizu stood there dumbfounded. Their classmate, whom they saw every day, had another hidden identity — a Special Grade Jujutsu Sorcerer standing at the pinnacle of the Jujutsu World.

Rizu barely knew Daiki. Their seating arrangement meant minimal interaction, and their only connection began when he started eating lunch in class recently.

Fumino's case was different. Sitting directly in front of him, she often discussed difficult science problems with him during breaks. Yet she never suspected his mysterious identity.

Utaha and Saki sat silently on their hospital beds. They were merely acquaintances with Daiki — Utaha even less so.

"Is that Spiritual Power something only Jujutsu Sorcerers have?" Fumino asked with interest after a moment of silence.

"That's unique to Daiki-kun, derived from his Innate Technique." Ichika shook her head, giving an answer that confused the others. Seeing their confusion, she explained, "An Innate Technique is a talent Jujutsu Sorcerers inherit through their bloodlines."

"It's Daiki-kun's unique ability — even his blood descendants might not inherit it. His Innate Technique is rather special. The conditions for refining Spiritual Power are quite strict. We only got it through Miku's connection."

Ginko and Mafuyu nodded in understanding.

Being Daiki's unique ability made it special. Naturally, outsiders couldn't simply purchase Spiritual Power. Such rare things were precious — even if available, they'd be unaffordable.

"Then isn't there anything that can suppress these monsters?" Yumiko asked anxiously.

She had witnessed the Parasites' ferocity firsthand. Their power far exceeded human limits.

Another encounter would leave her helpless against death!

Closing her eyes brought back visions of her classmates' horrible deaths. Without protection, her trauma would persist.

"Well..." Ichika scratched her head.

Ginko spoke up, "Daiki-kun mentioned that Cursed Tools can suppress and dispel Evil Spirits and Cursed Spirits, but they won't work on these monsters. The first two are supernatural events; the latter is an invasive species."

"Where can we buy Cursed Tools?" Yumiko asked desperately, grasping at straws.

Utaha cut in, "Don't count on Cursed Tools for protection. According to Daiki-kun, when their surface seals fail, they actually attract Evil Spirits and Cursed Spirits instead."

Yumiko's face turned pale as she curled up in her bedding, falling silent.

"Why... why hasn't anyone made this public?" Saki asked, confusion evident in her voice.

There were so many disasters in this world. As ordinary people, didn't they deserve to know?

"Daiki-kun mentioned before... that fear and negative emotions increase the number of Cursed Spirits and strengthen Devils' power."

At these words, everyone's eyes widened.

"There are Devils too?"

"Um... yes, Nino encountered one before."

The revelation about demons sent another wave of panic through Mafuyu and the others.

Saki sat there deflated, looking lost.

"Kawasaki-san, don't worry too much — Devils are rarely encountered." Ichika quickly added, trying to lighten the tense atmosphere in the hospital room.

"I'm not afraid of demons, but my little sister is often home alone, and I'm worried..." Saki's voice trailed off, her heart sinking.

The others fell silent at her words.

As the eldest of quintuplets, Ichika felt particular empathy.

After a moment's hesitation, she said, "I'll talk to Daiki-kun — when we get more Spiritual Power, we can give some to your sister."

Utaha and Ginko were the most perceptive.

They noticed something telling in Ichika's choice of words—it was as if she had no doubt Daiki would agree.

"Thank you." Saki replied politely, tempering her hopes.

"Nakano-san, will Daiki-kun agree? That Spiritual Power seems quite precious." Mafuyu said, concern in her eyes.

While she hoped they could get protection, she worried this request might strain Ichika's relationship with him.

"Don't worry, I'm just asking — it might not work out." Ichika said with a smile, rubbing her head, "Anyway, Itsuki should have picked up Saki's sister by now. You all rest first, I'll have Ni... Huh? Where's Nino again?"

Glancing around the hospital room, she couldn't spot her sister. She also noticed Daiki was missing.

'Could it be...' Her relaxed demeanor instantly vanished.

A silent fury began burning in her heart.

Here she was, working hard taking care of their classmates, and Nino was making her look foolish? What kind of NTR plot was this?

The most ridiculous part was that Miku was still sleeping in a nearby hospital bed.

"I'm going to have a talk with Nino. You all rest first — there's fruit over there." Ichika said with a forced smile before leaving the hospital room.

Mafuyu pulled the curtain closed to give Miku and the others privacy while they rested.

Though there were only a few of them in the hospital room, it would still be awkward — they weren't very familiar with each other.

"It's getting late — remember to let your families know you're safe. I'll go outside and see if I can find some suitable dinner to bring back for you."

With those words, she was about to leave.

"Teacher, please don't close the curtains — it feels a bit creepy." Fumino spoke up quickly, stopping her.

"Oh, alright then." Mafuyu simply reopened the curtains without further comment.

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Meanwhile, Ichika had left the room seething with barely contained rage.

She scoured the hospital but found no sign of Nino.

"Where did she disappear to?" Her heart clenched painfully as she stamped her foot in frustration.

As she approached an unchecked bathroom, she heard distinct sounds coming from within.

"Ah... ah... ah..."

The soft sound of running water only fueled her mounting anger. Though she knew it wasn't her place to interfere, she couldn't suppress her fury.

Her last shred of self-control kept her silent as she waited outside the door. What infuriated her most was how the two inside remained completely unaware of her presence.

With trembling hands, Ichika pulled out her phone and called Nino.

[H-hello... Ichika... what's up?]

Nino's voice came through shakily, breaking up between words.

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[Nothing, where are you? Miku's about to wake up and she needs you to take care of her.]

At the mention of Miku, Big Daiki felt suffocated.

"Th-that soon? I... I still have things to do... why don't you take care of her first, and I'll come when I'm done."

[What are you busy with? Do you need my help?]

"N-no... there's traffic... I'll be right back."

Before Ichika could ask anything else, Nino quickly hung up.

"Sorry, Daiki-kun, we'll continue next time I stay over." Breathless, Nino gathered her clothes and hurried out of the bathroom.

"Well, well! Who knew the traffic was so bad it reached all the way to our hospital bathroom?"

The ghostly voice whispered in her ear like a spirit's murmur.

As she adjusted her clothes while walking, Nino's body went rigid — as if an invisible giant hand had suddenly gripped her heart, nearly stopping it from shock.

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