197: Allen’s Determination ②

“Eva-senpai, thank you for the other day. Because of you, a great many lives were saved.”

“Heh heh. Don’t mention it. I only did it for my own benefit. To be honest, I couldn't care less about the lives of others. Besides, it gave me a chance to see an old friend again.”

“...Who were those people, exactly?”

“Who knows? I'm sure our paths will cross again eventually, so maybe you'll find out then.”

Eva-senpai didn't elaborate further. She likely had a lot on her mind, but she simply sat there, staring quietly into the distance as if looking toward the future.

I took a sip of my Melomelon Juice and prepared to pivot to the main topic. I had nothing to lose by asking. I might as well go for it with everything I had. Alright.

“Eva-senpai! I want to get stron—”

“Sure.”

“...Huh?”

“? I said okay.”

“Wait, I haven't even said it yet—”

“You're so transparent. You're hot-blooded, you only ever look forward, and you're single-mindedly obsessed with one thing. You want to get stronger, don't you?”

“W-Well, yes! Exactly! That's why I was hoping you'd spar with—”

“I'll pass on that; it sounds like a pain. But I can help you get stronger.”

“...Really? You'd do that?”

“I'm bored right now anyway. Besides, thanks to you, I've gone from being the one searching to being the one waiting.”

I... didn't quite follow that, but she seemed to understand what I was getting at.

Eva-senpai was the strongest person I knew. This wasn't about finding a shortcut. It was just that ordinary effort wasn't going to be enough for me to catch up. I wouldn't be able to win—not against monsters, not against the Demon Race... and certainly not against Weiss.

“Let's see... First, I suppose we'll go stop the War in the West. After that, we can hunt down some S-class Bounties.”

“...Huh? A-Are you being serious—?”

“You're free to back out, you know?”

“I-I'll do it! Please... let me do it!”

At my exclamation, Eva-senpai broke into a fearless, predatory grin.

“Heh heh, I like that look on your face. Fine—if you're still alive when this is all over, I'll give you that sparring match.”

“Y-Yes, ma'am!”

“Then let's get moving. Oh, and thanks for the meal.”

“Eh? Ah, y-yes! It's my pleasure!”

As Eva-senpai strolled out of the tavern, I tried to rush after her, only to be grabbed by the shopkeeper. Oh. So that’s what she meant by "thanks for the meal."

“Hey, this isn't nearly enough to cover the bill! She had five orders of Baked Cheese, ten glasses of Melomelon Juice, and three extra-large plates of Gotsumori Potato Fries!”

“Wait, what?! She ate that much?! I-I'm sorry! Here!”

“Come on, Allen-kun! Keep up!”

“Coming!”

A-Anyway...

“Eva-senpai, I'm in your hands!”

“Don't worry about it. Like I said, I was bored. In exchange, though, don't you dare complain if you end up dead.”

“...I'm pretty sure I won't be able to complain if I'm dead, but...”

No matter what, I had to give it my all. I'd work and work and work until I couldn't work anymore. I refused to live with any more regrets.