Anime Collector: Starting With the Malevolent Shrine-Chapter 197 ⟴ Ships Linked by Iron Chains

Time passed slowly in the torment.

Kaguya sat restlessly gripping her pen, her gaze occasionally darting toward Daiki and Alice, the latter already engaged in cheerful conversation.

Unlike the fearsome Demon Lord she had heard about, his demeanor was surprisingly gentle — almost a complete reversal of her expectations. She had witnessed firsthand how these two people's relationship grew closer, making her both jealous and yearning, yet she lacked the courage to act.

'Alice Nakiri, the second daughter of the Nakiri family, cousin of the renowned "God's Tongue" in the culinary world, hailed as the Heaven Sent Child of Molecular Gastronomy!'

Kaguya was no stranger to the Nakiri family, rulers of the culinary world. The Nakiri family head and the Shinomiya family head maintained quite good private relations.

However, Alice had been accompanying her mother, Leonora Nakiri, residing in Denmark for years to conduct in-depth research on molecular cuisine.

Thus, Kaguya had previously seen Erina at Shinomiya conglomerate banquets, but had barely ever met Alice.

Who would have thought that at their first meeting she would be completely outclassed? Despite being roughly the same age, the other girl surpassed her in both tactics and physique.

By the time she came back to her senses, it was approaching noon. Just as Kaguya was mustering the courage to start a conversation, she was interrupted by a voice from outside the door.

"Daiki-kun!"

Turning around, she saw a girl with cherry-red waist-length hair waving and calling out. If she wasn't mistaken, that was from the Nakano family, right?

Kaguya, who had already known the general situation before coming, restrained herself from speaking, while Ginko keenly noticed her hesitant expression.

"Daiki-kun, where are you going to eat? Can I join you?" Alice noticed the bento box in Nino Nakano's hand and immediately realized the two were going to eat lunch together.

"Hmm? Who is this?" Suddenly seeing many unfamiliar faces surrounding her boyfriend, Nino's heart immediately tensed, and she quickly walked to his side.

"Alice, an exchange student from Tōtsuki!" Daiki introduced the two.

"Hello, I'm Alice. Are you Miss Miku Nakano?"

"No, I'm her older sister, Nino!" Nino frowned and seized Daiki's arm, as if declaring her ownership to the white-haired girl before her.

"Huh? Oh! It's Miss Nino!" Alice appeared to have a sudden realization, but was actually racking her brain to recall information.

Wasn't Daiki's girlfriend Miku? Why did Nino show such strong possessiveness toward him?

The boys in the class secretly gritted their teeth. That Daiki bastard was truly deserving of death! Dating Miku while also being ambiguous with Nino!

If they got married in the future, wouldn't the nights be a seamless transition?

And the newly transferred Alice, in just a single morning, had already reached the level of actively sharing meals with him. If this continued for another two days, they didn't dare imagine what might happen.

Looking at the hesitant demeanor of the Shinomiya conglomerate's young lady Kaguya, it was obvious she wanted to get to know Daiki too but was too reserved to speak.

Sitting beside the 'bastard' was Ginko, her pretty face covered in frost. Everyone could see that her mood was worse than before.

Saeko had a faint smile on her lips, her gaze toward Daiki more gentle than toward ordinary people, making one unwittingly immerse in it.

The science and literature gems of their class also didn't shift their gazes from him. Weren't they silently doing something significant?

Just as everyone was filled with envy and jealousy, the number of people outside the classroom continued to increase. The first to come into view were Miko Yotsuya and her friend Hana from next door.

"Daiki-kun... oh, are there so many people today?"

As soon as Hana spoke, she noticed the entire class's gaze shifting to her, frightening her into shrinking her head and hiding behind Miko.

"Um... Daiki-kun, are you there?"

Everyone's attention shifted again to Yumiko Miura from the class where the explosion had occurred, accompanied by Hina Ebina and Yui Yuigahama.

Yumiko had come to thank Daiki for saving her life, while Yui and Hina had simply come to look.

"What are you all gathering here for?"

This chapter is updat𝓮d by freēnovelkiss.com.

A somewhat cold voice appeared, and everyone's attention shifted again.

It was Yukino Yukinoshita from the international class, the ice beauty of Sōbu High School!

"Whew—"

The students in the class collectively drew in a breath of cold air.

Yukino's class wasn't even here. She must have come to find someone, and the suspect was naturally Daiki standing there.

Their prediction matched reality. Yukino walked into the classroom ignoring everyone else, handed over a bento, and softly said, "Mother and Sister said they would like to invite Daiki-kun to visit our home again."

While speaking, she noticed his white shirt was slightly disheveled, and without hesitation smoothed out the wrinkles, just like a gentle yamato nadeshiko.

This action completely challenged Nino's psychological bottom line. If not for considering they were in the classroom, she would definitely have shown him a thing or two!

'What a scumbag!'

The classmates inwardly wailed.

Daiki had captured all the beautiful second-year girls in one fell swoop — completely inhuman!

"At least the first-year kōhai seeing such scummy behavior will surely keep their distance."

Just as they were thinking hopefully, a sweet "Senpai!" shout shattered everyone's illusions — three cute kōhai girls had also fallen.

'Damn, this isn't just two-timing, I'd call it "ships linked by iron chains"!'

After Daiki left with Nino and the others, the entire class instantly became a vacuum, causing others to widen their eyes and sigh.

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Walking toward the rooftop, Nino couldn't help pinching his waist.

"Daiki-kun, can you explain where all these people came from?"

She had thought the internal competition within the Nakano family was the limit, but upon opening the door, she discovered that outside were all the likes of Yotsuba and Itsuki!

Daiki merely shrugged his shoulders. After all, having displayed such powerful abilities, it would be strange if there was no response, right?

Seeing his reaction, Nino slightly bit her teeth. She felt that the previous internal strife might need to change; they must temporarily unite!

"Speaking of which, isn't Sōbu High School supposed to hold a mountain retreat soon?"

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As she was pondering, Haruno at the Yukinoshita family residence received the news and then sent a message to Sonoka of the Shunkatei.

"Daiki-kun has agreed to come tonight. Little Sonoka, make sure to be there on time. Daiki-kun will get angry if you're not."

"Of course!"

Sonoka, who had been waiting for news all night, breathed a sigh of relief, then called on Rindō and others to prepare ingredients at the Yukinoshita home.

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