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The event that made me want to become an adventurer.

Approximately 10 years ago, when I went out together with Hana. A dungeon collapse occurred in a nearby dungeon, causing a large number of monsters to appear on the surface, involving Hana and me.

The next moment when we prepared ourselves to die facing a monster that was much larger than ourselves– an adventurer appeared before us, instantly subduing the monster.

I admired that back and power that he showed in front of us. But now, the memory of that day is vague, and I don’t even know who that adventurer was. Even so, I still remember the passion of wanting to be an adventurer that arose in my heart.

That is why, if I could become an adventurer when I grow up, I wanted to be as strong as him, and become someone who could protect those important to him.

Reasons such as wanting to make some money or wanting to prove to those who looked down on me as incompetent wrong was just an excuse, as the trigger was in fact just a small admiration.

“… I guess that’s about it.”

Although brief, I concluded it like that after finishing talking about the reason why I wanted to become an adventurer. I guess you could say that my reason was a minority—yet not particularly uncommon among the many adventurers who seek status, honor, and money.

I wonder what she would think after hearing that. With that in mind, I was nervously looking at her.

“I think it is wonderful.”

“—-”

Claire said with a gentle smile, making me surprised at the unexpected expression, and fascinated by her beauty at the same time.

“I’ve heard from Yui-san and Rei-san that both of them have been helped by you, and they felt really grateful for that. It’s the same for Yagami-san yesterday. I think you have already achieved that goal.”

“…. I wonder if that’s true.”

“Ee, I am sure it is true. And I wish, at the end of that goal, I too, will….”

As if noticed something, Claire suddenly shuts her mouth.

“What’s wrong?”

“N-no, nothing. Rather than that, it looks like you are about to finish off your tea. Should I ask for another helping?”

“No, it’s fine,”

Saying that, I drank the already cold milk tea. Since the matter that made Claire call me here seems to be over, I guess it’s about time we part. But before that, there is one thing I wanted to ask.

“Can I also ask one question?”

“Yes, what is it?”

“Please tell me why Claire wanted to be an adventurer?”

Just like how Claire wanted to hear mine, I also wanted to hear her reason, as I thought I might be able to know the reason for her strength.

Then, after opening her eyes widely for a moment, Claire’s gentle atmosphere changed. She looked at me– No, at somewhere that wasn’t here with cold eyes that could even freeze the atmosphere and moved her cherry lips.

“To protect, everything—because that is my duty.”

“… Duty?”

Neither objective nor dream, she said duty, as if that word seems to be not of her own—.

“Claire–”

“I guess that’s about it. Looks like it’s not so different from Amane-san’s reason”

“…..”

She interrupted my question, leaving her name that I called dispersing in the air. Although her soft atmosphere is back, it feels like she’s insisting that she doesn’t want me to go any further than that.

And because I stopped speaking, an awkward silence flowed between us, until Claire opened her mouth to break the silent atmosphere between us.

“Amane-san, thanks for giving me some of your time today. I’m glad I could hear a valuable story from you. Now, I think it’s time for us to leave the café.”

Claire then stood after picking up the bills. But I wondered why. From that back of her, I could feel something akin to loneliness. And I thought I had to stop her here.

“Wait, Claire.”

“… Yes?”

Hearing my call, Claire looked back. Although I succeeded in stopping her, I didn’t know what to say from here. But after thinking for a few moments— I arrived at the answer.

“Come to think of it, it seems Wolven ver 2 will appear in the next episode”

“… Another helping of coffee please”

“Ah, please, mine too”

And one hour after that, we finally parted.