Mebius World Online – Mari’s VRMMO Diary, Embarking on a Laid-back Adventure as a Novice - Chapter 208
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Seneca : Unrivaled Sewing Skill
208. Mari-Nee and Calm Morning(?)
The day after spending time together with Maki.
Before I knew it, morning had come again.
Toward the end, there had been a lot of time spent in “nothingness,” so it didn’t really feel like an entire day had passed.
But when I turned my gaze to the clock, the date next to it confirmed that, yes, a whole day had indeed gone by.
“So, all that chaos wasn’t just my imagination, huh?”
Stopping Maki with three(?) people had been a real challenge—and the aftermath was no easier.
“Good morning, Mari-Nee. You okay?”
This time, his voice was filled with concern of a different kind than yesterday.
“Good morning, Masato. I think I’m… okay?”
My reply wasn’t the most convincing.
Beside me, a faint and innocent sleep-talking sound escaped.
When Masato pulled back the blanket, there was Maki, sleeping soundly and hugging me like a body pillow.
Her arms were perfectly calibrated—not too tight to burden me but not so loose that I could slip out.
It was like watching a child clutching a stuffed animal to keep it from being taken away.
“Are you really okay?”
“I-I’m fine!”
Does it sound like I’m questioning my own words? No way, that’s not true… probably… maybe…
Masato, with Maki still clinging to me, effortlessly lifted us both and carried us to the living room.
His expression remained calm and composed as he carried us.
Masato really has grown into someone dependable—a proper man.
He gently set us both down on the chair and moved behind to adjust its position.
The entire process was quiet, and Maki’s soft breathing continued uninterrupted.
Of course, her arms stayed locked around me, not budging an inch.
“I’ll bring breakfast.”
“Okay, thank you.”
We exchanged small, sheepish smiles before Masato headed to the kitchen and returned with breakfast.
Today’s meal featured grilled Spanish mackerel in Saikyo miso, miso soup with daikon radish and fried tofu, and spinach simmered in dashi broth.
Freshly cooked rice and Masato’s homemade cucumber pickles in nukazuke were added as sides.
The menu was classic, but the care and attention in preparing each dish were clear from the aroma and presentation.
“It looks delicious.”
I couldn’t help but smile, and Masato, sitting across from me, grinned with pride.
“I think I did a great job today. Let’s eat while it’s still warm. As for Maki… well, she’ll wake up eventually.”
His decision not to force her awake showed how soft Masato could be when it came to Maki.
That’s when I realized something.
With Maki still clinging to me, I couldn’t eat on my own.
Before I could even start to figure out what to do, Masato already had a spoon in hand, ready to feed me.
That’s… a little too quick, isn’t it?
Feeling embarrassed about it? Well, that disappeared within a few days of waking up here.
I accepted his help without hesitation, and breakfast passed by slowly and peacefully.
By the time Masato and I finished eating, Maki finally woke up and started groggily eating her breakfast.
Still half-asleep, she occasionally fumbled with her chopsticks, and Masato would steady them for her while I wiped the mess from her mouth.
It felt nostalgic, like we had gone back to when the roles were reversed—when I took care of her like this.
Once Maki fully woke up and was able to eat on her own, Masato finished brewing some roasted green tea and turned on the TV to catch the news.
The broadcast began with updates on the weather and politics, followed by a report on global affairs.
The screen showed scenes of riots erupting in a certain country, sparked by racial tensions.
Religion, race, countless differences—these are the roots of ongoing conflict in the world.
Watching the news, I was reminded of Joshua-san.
In Liberta, the institution of slavery still exists, even after the great upheaval.
In the real world, slavery emerged thousands of years ago, and while its abolition varied by country, most places ended the practice in the 1800s.
Yet, even with the systems dismantled, the shadows of discrimination and prejudice linger over the world.
I know I can’t solve such a monumental issue on my own, but even so…
“Mari-Nee, is something bothering you?”
Masato, who had just finished serving tea to Maki, fixed me with a steady gaze.
Just like earlier, he always seems to notice even the smallest things.
I was about to brush it off with a “nothing,” but I stopped myself.
I’ve learned firsthand that keeping things to yourself and holding back isn’t always the best course of action.
Meeting Masato’s eyes, I decided to speak up.
“Actually…”
After hearing my story, Masato folded his arms and let out a thoughtful hum.
“It’s a tough issue. You can’t just abolish a system and expect everything to magically work out. You’d have to adjust things for those who benefited from the system, not to mention figure out how to support those who were oppressed by it. Even if they gain freedom, they won’t survive without money or work.”
“Racial differences also play a big role,” Maki added between bites.
“Just being ‘different’ is enough to breed discrimination and prejudice. And once those ideas take root, they’re not easy to get rid of.”
Her voice dropped slightly, likely recalling her middle school years.
I reached out, gently wrapping her trembling fingers in my hands.
As our eyes met, the dark shadow in her gaze gradually faded, replaced by calm.
There, that’s better.
I smoothed a strand of hair that had fallen by her ear, and as I did, an idea struck me.
If being “different” causes rejection, what if we flipped that dynamic?
“Hey, what do you think of this?”
I shared my thoughts with the two of them, and their reactions were surprisingly positive.
“That’s so like you, Mari-Nee,” Masato said with a nod.
“It’s something only you can do, Onee-chan!” Maki chimed in.
Their encouragement gave me the confidence to move forward.
Though I must admit, the subsequent back-and-forth of compliments they exchanged about me could’ve been done somewhere I wasn’t present.