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After the dungeon collapse ended, and after we have finished a simple post-event report. Nanami-san and I, who returned to the Classion's headquarters, were sitting facing each other in a room. I wonder what exactly she wanted to talk about to me. And just when I wondered about that, Nanami-san suddenly opened her mouth.

"First of all, thanks for your hard work, Amane-kun. Thanks to you, we were able to minimize the damage. For that, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. But, is that really fine? Informing people that I was the one who defeated the last boss."

"Yes, it's more convenient for me that way."

"… I see. I’m sure you have your reason, so I won't ask further."

After a pause, Nanami-san continued.

"Now, let's get to the main subject… There is a question that I have to ask you."

"Yes."

"What did you think of her– Claire?"

"… Eh?"

At such an unexpected question, my thoughts stopped, and such an idiotic sound subconsciously came out of my mouth. Looking at my reaction, Nanami-san smiled.

"My bad, looks like the way I asked makes it hard to understand. What I wanted to ask is actually what do you think about Claire's ability as an adventurer?"

"I see, so that's what you mean, huh."

"Well, if you want, I also don't mind if you consult me about your love problems, though."

"… I'm good, thanks."

After parrying that statement, I thought about how to answer her question. Well, the answer itself has been decided from the beginning, though.

"… I don't have any suitable word to say except ‘strong'. To the point that I can't see any chance to win against her, no matter how I struggle."

"I see. That's exactly the impression I had."

"Nanami-san too?"

Nanami-san is an S-rank adventurer. In other words, she is one of those people with a very abnormal power. That fact itself already indicates how she was far stronger than Ifrit or Cerberus. And someone like her just implied that Claire's ability was that overwhelming to the extent that even she couldn't win.

That really made me tilt my head, thinking how unrealistic our conversation is. But then, Nanami-san added.

"I've captured dungeons with Claire-kun several times, but…she always had the impression of a person who distanced herself from other people."

"… She seemed to be pretty close to Nanami-san, though?"

"Un, I did my best to close our distance, after all."

Saying that, Nanami-san laughed joyfully.

"However, even now, I could still feel something like a wall around her, as if she doesn't want to get closer to other people more than necessary. And I think Claire-kun is doing that on purpose… That's why I've come to be interested. In you, the only person whom she gives such a soft reaction to."

"…."

"Intimacy–No, I think it would be more suitable to describe it as the feeling of expectation? That's why, can you tell me how you gained her trust?"

Fumu, this is troubling. This is the second time I've heard how Claire was seen by others, with Shinonome-san being the first one. And I could understand that she was trying to maintain a distance from her surroundings, more than I had expected.

As Nanami-san said, Claire treats me kindly, unlike how she treats others. And to be honest, I don't know what the reason is. However, if there is a moment where I went inside her mind, then it's definitely–

"I vowed."

"Vowed?"

"Yes. I vowed to her that I will definitely catch up to her and overtake her someday."

"… Don't you know how powerful she was?"

"Ee. That's exactly why I vowed."

"——-"

Hearing that, Nanami-san opened her eyes widely. As if she never expected that answer.

But that was also only for a moment, because Nanami-san soon began to laugh.

"I see. I finally understand. That's certainly more than enough reason for her to be interested in you."

"Nanami-san?"

"You know, I gave up. I couldn't guess the weight she was carrying and in the end, I couldn't take that last step. However, if it's you, I'm sure…"

Although I couldn't hear the last part because she said that in a low voice, Nanami-san's expression was bright. Then, she lifted her face and looked at me.

"Thanks for answering my question, Amane-kun. I sincerely hope that your vow will come true."

"… thank you very much."

In the end, since it seemed that was the only thing Nanami-san wanted to ask, we soon disbanded. And then, I left Classion and went home.