Anime Collector: Starting With the Malevolent Shrine

A continuous drizzle fell like a giant curtain.

As the bell signaled the end of class, Itsuki, wearing a gloomy expression, dragged Ichika out of the school. She clearly wanted to discuss the lunchbox matter with her.

Yotsuba and Nino walked together, slowly leaving while holding umbrellas.

Meanwhile, Daiki strolled in the light rain with Miku, sharing an umbrella. Their soft palms were clasped together, their bodies almost pressed against each other. He could even feel the smooth texture of her black stockings.

Iroha, who had just left the academy, also witnessed this scene.

"Ah, it seems the relationship between those two senpais is quite good."

"The one who often wears headphones around her neck, that's Miku-senpai from the second year, right?" Ayase, who had walked up behind, murmured while looking at the umbrella-sharing couple.

"They're said to be quintuplets, almost identical in appearance!" Kirino's eyes were full of amazement.

It was her first time seeing quintuplets who looked so similar. If it weren't for each of them having their own style, she might not have been able to tell them apart.

"Oh, what are the differences between those five senpais?" The bewildered Iroha clearly hadn't paid much attention to the second-year students.

"Ichika-senpai has short hair and a fashionable dress style. Nino-senpai likes nail art, often inviting other senpais to get their nails done together on weekends. Miku-senpai wears headphones around her neck, and her signature style is black stockings!" Kirino suddenly paused, then said in a low voice, "There's a rumor that Miku-senpai often wears stockings because Daiki-senpai… requested it."

Ayase and Iroha both widened their eyes in surprise.

"Is that so? I never would have guessed that Daiki-senpai had such a preference." Iroha found it hard to understand — were black stockings really that attractive?

Ayase, however, was horrified, her conservative nature unable to accept such a notion.

"Hahaha, it's just a rumor!" Kirino added, "Yotsuba-senpai is the most energetic, with excellent sports grades, and Itsuki-senpai... well, she's the one with the biggest appetite."

Ayase and Iroha nodded, their confusion clearing as they could now distinguish between the quintuplets.

"Let's head back." Kirino suggested, glancing at the overcast sky, "Who knows when this light rain will end? We'll probably have to stay in the gymnasium for training."

Her tone was somewhat dejected.

"Yeah, the weather forecast says it'll last for a whole week." Ayase remarked, staring at the sky in confusion, "It was clear just yesterday."

The weather had changed dramatically, promising a week of continuous light rain.

"I heard it's because of Typhoon No. 18 passing by." Iroha explained.

Understanding dawned on the other two.

Meanwhile, walking alongside Miku, Daiki's face was slightly stiff.

Who was spreading such rumors? It was clearly Miku herself who liked wearing black stockings. Even in hot weather, she'd grit her teeth and persist.

Yet somehow Sōbu High was spreading rumors that he forced her to wear them. Although these black stockings did have something...

Daiki's eyes glanced over, his fingers "accidentally" brushing past. Miku's body instantly tensed up, and she glared at him coquettishly. Her slightly puffed cheeks resembled those of an adorable, sulking hamster.

"Ahem, ahem, I didn't notice."

"Hmph..." Miku turned her head away at his explanation. However, a hint of barely noticeable joy gleamed in her eyes.

Taking advantage of his inattention, she quickly leaned close to his ear and whispered.

"If Daiki-kun really can't resist wanting to touch, we can do it at home." Her moist breath spread from his ear throughout his body.

Daiki tightly gripped her small hand, quickening their pace. His determined demeanor made her face flush crimson, her heart racing wildly.

Her mind reeled. How had she not realized the implications of her own words?! Her thoughts were a jumbled mess, coherence slipping away.

He gently embraced her slender waist. The soft body in his arms trembled slightly, offering only token resistance before yielding to his touch.

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Before they knew it, the pair arrived at the entrance of Miku's apartment building.

Miku hastily broke free, turning to enter the apartment.

"Hey, what about me?" Daiki's quick hand caught her as she tried to escape.

"Hmph... Daiki, you meanie... Bullying me on the way home... You can't come in today..." Miku, pulled into his embrace, poked his waist with her finger.

"Then when can I come in?" He asked softly, leaning close to her ear. His nose filled with her faint fragrance.

His warm breath playfully caressed her neck. Daiki felt her body go limp in his arms, as if drained of strength, yielding to his touch.

Miku mustered her strength to lift her head, her gaze meeting his.

Suddenly, her lips felt a cool sensation. Her already weakened body became even softer, more pliant.

A black-haired girl walking nearby rolled her eyes helplessly.

"Really... They should mind their surroundings, even when caught up in the moment." Yukino remarked sarcastically, then stood in place waiting for the two to finish.

A moment later, Daiki and Miku separated. The shy girl raised her small fists, playfully swatting at him until she finally calmed down.

"Hmph... Bad Daiki... If you want to enter the apartment, wait until that cat learns to dance." Miku wiped the corner of her mouth, turned her head away, and "cursed" in a voice as faint as a mosquito's buzz.

Daiki followed her gaze and spotted a stray cat in front of the apartment. It sat in a cardboard box, as if waiting for someone to adopt it.

But this was undoubtedly the wrong place for it. Pets were prohibited for tenants in this high-end apartment building.

"If it could dance right now, then I could go up?" He examined the white kitten hiding in the overturned cardboard box.

"Mm-hmm!" She hummed lightly.

Daiki revealed a slight smile, crouched in front of the box, took out some cat food from nearby, and said, "Little kitty, could you please help me dance?"

Seeing this, Miku couldn't help but cover her mouth and laugh softly.

Where could someone find a dancing kitten? Last time she invited him, he didn't want to go up. This time, he just needed to say a few nice words to her, and it would have been fine.

Hmph! After he fails, she'll take him up to see.

She thought this way, but the smile on her face suddenly froze. She saw that the confused little kitten actually started dancing on the spot!

The incredulous Miku quickly rubbed her eyes, but seeing was believing! Her dumbfounded expression made one want to pinch her little cheeks.

Standing not far away, Yukino gripped her umbrella handle tightly, her face full of shock.

This was too much!

She actually witnessed with her own eyes a little cat... for the sake of cat food... actually flirting shamelessly in broad daylight, under the open sky!

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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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