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"What the heck are you doing?"

When I asked, Akari raised her face and looked at me with a blank stare in her eyes.

"… Fuu, listen to me, Rin."

After laughing self-deprecatingly, Akari explained. At Classion, there is special equipment and a program to measure the aptitude of their guild members. This is for those who possess several incompatible skills such as swordsmanship and spearmanship at the same time to use the aptitude result as a reference when deciding their future plan regarding skill planning.

And Akari seems to have tried that, but–

"… Look at this."

"Fumu."

–Akari then gave me a piece of paper, which has various aptitudes written on it.

—————

Name: Kurumizawa Akari

【Sword: D】

【Spear: D】

【Bow: E】

【Magic: E】

【Martial Arts: C】

【Shield: S】

【….

Suitable Occupation: Tank

—————

…… So, that’s why.

"Your aptitude for shields sure is overwhelming. Ah, it seems you also have a bit of talent in martial arts. Better yet, why don't you hit the opponent with your shield?"

"Of course, I've already done that before! I just want a talent for magic and sword, you know?!"

She already tried it, huh. Since I said that as a joke, that's actually quite surprising. Or rather,

"Well, isn't it unsurprising for you to get such a result? In the first place, I'm sure you also know that it is commonly known that the skill someone has when they obtain status is given by the level system, after evaluating the talent of each person."

That is why it can be said that it is quite natural for Akari, who possessed various tank-type skills and titles, to get this result.

Hearing that, after staring at the void for a few seconds, Akari sighed.

"…. Yes, I know that. In the end, I guess only shields are suited for me,"

Akari once again self-deprecatingly laughed. Fumu. I've been wondering about this for a while, but why does she not want to be a tank that much? Although the person herself said she just wanted to fight coolly with a sword or magic, I think she has another reason. I don't know what it is, though.

At any rate, there is only one thing I can say to Akari right now.

"For me, it would be reassuring to have Akari together with Hana's party as a tank."

"-! Why do you always say something like that so directly…. Sigh, well, I'll at least think about it."

"That would be great."

After that, our conversation paused for a while, as Akari and I watched the training while leaning our backs against the wall.

Until suddenly, Akari said.

"Nee, Rin. What happened to those girls?"

"Eh?"

Without a doubt, she is talking about Hana, Yui and Rei. And after observing my reaction, Akari continued.

"I'm sure you understand. It's about the level of those three. Leaving aside Rei and Yui, Hana's level was abnormally high for her age. I'm certain everyone from Classion doesn't bother about it because in fact, it's not like there isn't any 18 years old teen with 1,500 levels other than her, but…only I know, that it's only been about two months since she turned 18 years old."

"…"

"Because of that, I think it is very abnormal for her to already be at that level. That's why, I have a little doubt about it"

"That's…"

I wonder what I should answer here. The things related to the battle against Cain weren't something that I can talk about on my own after all.

When she saw me getting troubled about how to answer that, Akari suddenly smiled.

"My bad. It's not like I want to force you to answer. All people have different circumstances, after all. Besides, the one I'm more curious about is rather…"

There, Akari stopped her words and stared at me.

"? Is there something on my face?"

"… No, there is nothing. Rather than that, let's get back to the training."

"I see. Then, I'm going to move my body a little, too."

After that, Akari and I participated in the training. And approximately one hour later, the first day of joint practice was finished.

◇◆◇

"Fuu… The night breeze sure feels so good."

The night of the same day.

— Akari left the lodging prepared by Classion to take a walk under the night sky, as there were some things she wanted to think about alone. However, as it's not midnight yet, there are still many people walking around.

First of all, regarding the joint training, Akari thought it was worth participating in that event. Because until now, she never had the opportunity to interact with anyone other than the party she belongs to. Or rather, she didn't have to.

Ever since becoming an adventurer, her senpai have been always with her when she dived into the dungeons. And since their levels were higher than hers, Akari never got into a threatening situation. However, most likely that is also the reason— why she couldn't believe that she could protect someone, no matter how many people said she has a talent as a tank.

Because until now, the places where she went were places that could be handled even without her being there. She understood very well that she had merely been taking advantage of her senpai until now.

In the first place– there is no way I could protect someone.

"…Hana"

Unconsciously, she muttered her name.

Simultaneously, she recalled the event that happened three years ago. That time, it was decided that the Kurumizawa family would move, leaving the Amane family. However, the distance is in fact not that far. They can always meet whenever they want. But– in the end, until yesterday, she didn't actually meet the two.

That scene still lingers in her mind. About the figure of Hana who was depressed, when she heard that her parents were missing in an accident. She wanted to comfort her. She wanted to do something for her. But, she didn't know what to say to her. And in the end, she just exchanged a word or two with Rin after that and then the day she moved came– After that, without knowing what to say, she left without being able to take any action.

And yesterday, Hana, whom she met for the first time in three years, regained her cheerfulness. That is without a doubt thanks to Rin. Needless to say, she was relieved that Hana could smile once again. But at the same time, she felt helpless. In the end, she couldn't protect someone whom she cherished. Precisely because she realized that… that she thought, there is no way she could be a tank in the same party as Hana.

Even so, Hana, and even Rin said they wanted her to be the tank in Hana's party.

Why–

"… Rin, huh"

— But more than that, there is another thing she had been wondering about.

It's about Rin. She has felt it since the first time they reunited. That his atmosphere has changed significantly from what it used to be three years ago. His eyes were like the eyes of someone who had gone through a number of dangerous situations.

Considering that it has been a few months since Rin defeated the Nameless Knight, Akari thought that Rin's ability shouldn't be that different from herself. In fact, since joining today, he could already fight on an equal footing against Classion's C-rank adventurers in mock battles. Akari was sure that the treatment from Nanami-san likely went well, and now he is already able to move with all his might.

But that is precisely why she didn't understand. Normally— No, of course he has gone through many troubles. But will his atmosphere change that much in just one year of being an adventurer?

She wanted to ask, but she was afraid to take that action. Because for some reason, she ended up thinking,

What kind of burden did he carry before we had met for the first time in three years–

"Kyaaaaaaaa!"

"——hiss!?"

— At that moment, a high-pitched scream suddenly echoed all over the area.