Mebius World Online – Mari’s VRMMO Diary, Embarking on a Laid-back Adventure as a Novice - Chapter 110
110. Mari-nee and the summer night sky (Part 1)
The test results were the same as usual, and given my current condition, it was actually good news that things hadn’t worsened.
Masato and Maki were happy about it, but their interactions on the way back were more intense than usual, likely because they were worried about me.
They had noticed that something was off with me.
I knew I was feeling down, and although I tried to hide it from them, it was no use.
They were perceptive, but I also didn’t have the confidence to put on a convincing front.
The sight of the father and son had shaken me deeply, and the more I tried to forget it, the more it haunted me.
Back home, I had even less appetite than usual. Despite not having eaten since morning, I couldn’t bring myself to eat anything.
I felt bad about worrying my siblings, but my body was reacting to my heavy heart.
I considered taking a sleeping pill, but I feared having terrible nightmares and couldn’t bring myself to do it.
As I lay on the living room sofa, trying to distract myself with the TV, the sun began to set.
Normally, Masato would start preparing dinner around this time, but tonight, there was no sign of him doing so.
Maybe he was holding off because I had no appetite.
I also hadn’t seen Maki for a while.
As I turned my head to look around, I saw the two of them coming out of Maki’s room together.
I knew Masato sometimes went into Maki’s room to clean, but it was rare for them to come out together like this.
As I pondered this, Masato suddenly made a suggestion.
“How about we go out for dinner tonight, Mari-nee?”
He was probably trying to lift my spirits.
“Masato… I appreciate the thought, but I’m not sure I can eat.”
“Don’t worry about it. It’s not just about the food. You don’t have to eat if you don’t want to. That’s not the main point.”
“What do you mean?”
“Come on, just trust me on this one. Let’s go, Onee-chan!” Maki chimed in.
“Hey, don’t say things that make it sound like I’m tricking her!”
I couldn’t help but smile at their usual banter, and I decided to go along with their plan.
When they said we were going out, I thought it would be somewhere nearby where I could get to in my wheelchair, but it turned out we were driving.
I didn’t know where we were heading, but as Masato’s car hit the main road, traffic started to slow down.
I wondered if something had happened, and then I heard several booming sounds in the distance.
“Oh, looks like it’s happening! I was worried when the clouds started to gather, but it looks like we’re in luck!”
“Happening? Oh, is there a fireworks festival?” I asked.
“Exactly! There’s a big one every year by the river, and it’s tonight!” Masato explained.
So that’s why the food wasn’t the main point.
“Thank you. But, I don’t think I can handle the crowds.”
I was attracted to the idea of seeing fireworks against the night sky, but I wanted to avoid the noise and commotion if possible.
As if he had expected my response, Masato gave me a thumbs up.
“Don’t worry about that. We’re not going to the main event.”
He steered the car onto a side road.
As we left the main road, the traffic thinned out, since we were heading in the opposite direction of the fireworks venue.
Despite our destination being the fireworks festival, the buildings along the route seemed increasingly out of place, with tall office buildings dominating the scenery.
Where are we really going?
My unease contrasted with Masato’s confidence, and Maki remained engrossed in her phone.
As we reached a full-fledged office district, Masato stopped the car in front of a particular building.
Amid the towering structures, this building stood out, being exceptionally tall and having an unusual, pure white exterior.
The building’s overall shape was rounded, almost resembling a very tall egg.
As Masato transferred me to the wheelchair and we approached the entrance, I noticed an object resembling a staff with two snakes entwined around it.
“I’ve seen that mark somewhere before… Oh!”
I definitely had seen it.
After all, it was the same symbol on the Blind Circlet that I used every day.
“So, does that mean this building is…”
“Yes, it’s the headquarters of Caduceus!” Maki exclaimed triumphantly.
But Maki, why have you brought me here?
My growing apprehension was interrupted by a sudden figure appearing before us.
“We’ve been expecting you, Mari-san. Today, I, no, Caduceus Corp, will be providing you with our utmost hospitality.”
“Yuuki-san, you too…?”
If we were in MWO, I might have shouted “Et tu, Brute?” at this point.
And what does ‘utmost hospitality’ mean!?
I wanted to turn back immediately, but Masato held the wheelchair firmly, preventing any escape.
Thus, I was escorted into the corporate labyrinth of Caduceus’s headquarters, where hospitality awaited me.
…This hospitality isn’t anything ominous, right?
Yuuki-san’s determined expression didn’t help, but I decided to trust her.