Mebius World Online – Mari’s VRMMO Diary, Embarking on a Laid-back Adventure as a Novice - Chapter 58
58. Mari-nee and contact from the management
The event was tough, but in the end, we were all able to laugh together and finish it.
But perhaps because I overdid it, the next day I had a fever and the sensor attached to the bed went off loudly, causing quite a commotion, which greatly worried Masato and Maki.
It was a situation that couldn’t be helped, but I couldn’t help but reflect on it.
After being examined at the hospital and being told to rest for 2-3 days, I obediently rested my head and body the next day.
The fever went down and my condition improved, so Masato woke me up and we, along with Maki, had breakfast together.
Considering my condition, breakfast consisted of finely chopped vegetables, grated ginger, and umeboshi as a hidden flavor in the nutritious and gentle rice porridge.
“It’s delicious… Masato, you’ve really become skilled at cooking.”
“Thanks? I guess… though I still have a long way to go compared to Nee-san.”
No need to sneak a glance at Maki’s reaction.
Beside me, Maki glanced over with an expression that seemed to say, “Oh, so you’re aware of it?”
These siblings are still the same as always.
As I chuckled softly, Maki, who had finished her porridge quickly, eagerly asked.
“Onee-chan, I have a question! As a punishment for worrying me and Masato when you had a fever, we demand an explanation of what happened in the game!”
“It’s not really a question anymore… but yeah, there were indeed a lot of things that happened, so I want you two to hear about it.”
The three of us finished breakfast and moved to the sofa in the spacious living room.
It’s fine that Masato is sitting on my left, but…
“Why am I being used as Maki’s cushion?”
“Well, you always let Masato hold you all the time! I want to enjoy the Onee-chanium too!”
“Onee-chanium…?”
I’m not some kind of supplement, you know?
Or rather, Maki, I’m your big sister, you know?
In this position, I seem more like the younger sister… huh.
The soft sensation on my back… it’s clear that Maki surpasses me in that aspect from the moment I woke up, but it’s evident that she’s even more developed now.
Meanwhile, I can’t help but think that I’m not growing, but rather regressing.
Glancing down through the gap in my pajamas, it was remarkably transparent from my chest to my stomach.
“…Maki, you’re such a bully.”
“Why!?”
Apologizing to Maki who was panicking without understanding the situation, Masato redirected the conversation.
“So, what kind of event was it in the first place?”
“Yeah, I’m supposed to explain what happened. Well, can you open the official website first? The overview is there.”
“Got it.”
We projected the official website onto the large screen display on the wall.
While the notice of the end of the first official event was written on the website, the event overview was still there, so based on that, I began to tell them what I had seen, heard, and felt.
Strictly speaking, the event had already begun before the actual event, but I skipped that part.
At the beginning of the event, they listened eagerly, but as soon as the capture targets appeared, the atmosphere grew tense. During the scene where they left the event, Maki hugged me too tightly, and there was even a moment when Masato had to intervene.
Eventually, with everyone’s help, we cleared the event and received commendations afterward.
When I told them that I had topped the rankings, they were delighted as if it were their own accomplishment.
“As expected of Mari-nee. But, you know, it’s like something out of a classic shounen manga. Facing challenges alone and then rallying with your friends. In the end, cooperating and achieving your goal… it’s so exciting.”
“I love stories like that. I’m really satisfied that Onee-chan did so well and got recognized! Especially jumping from last place to the top at the commendation ceremony was amazing! Ah, I wish I could’ve been there to say ‘serve you right!’ too. Hey, are there any videos?”
“Videos!?”
“Somebody must have uploaded one. Let’s search.”
“Wait a minute. I don’t think anyone uploaded a video of me?”
“Gotcha! Wow, there are over a thousand results.”
“Fueaah!?”
I involuntarily made a strange noise.
“…Huh? That’s odd. They all seem to have been deleted. Deleted or… suspended?”
“Suspended?”
I asked, and Masato explained with a puzzled expression.
“It says, ‘This video is currently pending publication due to a report from Caduceus Inc.'”
“Caduceus Inc.?”
“Caduceus Inc. is the production company of Mebius World Online that Mari-nee plays. But it’s strange. Nowadays, game companies usually encourage uploading to the net. It’s good for publicity.”
Maki’s words, as an information enthusiast, were convincing.
Or rather, the production company of Mebius World Online is called Caduceus, huh?
I’ve been relying on them so much, and I just found out.
“Are they up to something… Oh, there’s an incoming call. Huh?”
Looking up, Maki, who was looking at her smartphone screen, tilted her head in confusion.
“What’s wrong?”
“Well, it was a call from Caduceus Inc., the company we were just talking about. They said they want to talk to Onee-chan. Whenever you’re free, preferably in person, although it will be through the net.”
“Me?”
“Yeah. Anytime is fine. They contacted me because I know someone there personally, so it’s okay.”
“If that’s the case, then it’s okay.”
“Ma-nii’s siscon behavior is consistent like always.”
“Did you just imply something weird?”
“Yes, yes, Maki, don’t provoke him. Masato was just worried that I might become a spectacle, right? Thank you.”
“Well, it’s not like I…”
Saying so, he averts his gaze, but his blushing ears are cute about this little brother of mine.
“What do you want to do, Onee-chan?”
“Well… Can we talk now? And preferably, I’d like Masato and Maki to be there with me.”
“Of course!”
“No need to ask.”
The two of them put up their thumbs together firmly.
Really, they’re in sync only at times like this.
With a wry smile, I asked Maki to reply, and soon an icon indicating a notification from Caduceus Corporation appeared on the display.
Seeing it, Masato checked once again with his eyes, and when I nodded, the notification was opened, and the video from the other side was displayed.
There, standing in a plain, almost barren room with no decorations, was a woman with a short haircut.
She seemed to be in her late thirties.
She wore a tight off-white jacket over a black dress, exuding femininity without being overly sweet, giving off a dignified vibe.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Yuki, Sera Yuuki, in charge of public relations at Caduceus Corporation. Thank you very much for taking the time to meet me despite the sudden contact.”
“Nice to meet you, I’m Mari Akizuki. I always enjoy my time on Mebius World Online.”
“Your kind words are much appreciated.”
When I replied, she gracefully smiled.
“Hello, Yuuki-san! It’s been a while since we’ve met like this. It was addressed to my sister, but is it okay if my brother and I join?”
Leaning out from above me, Maki made a sudden request.
Although I had heard they were acquaintances, isn’t this a bit too familiar?
“Yes, of course. I’d welcome it, and from a family perspective, your opinions would provide us with additional reassurance.”
It was good that she easily agreed, but Maki, how broad are your connections?
“This time, despite being a bit forward, I contacted you directly because I would like to ask Mari, I mean, Maria, to appear in the promotional video for the second wave of Mebius World Online software sales.”
“Huh?”
My voice sounded unexpectedly dumbfounded.
“Promotion, like advertising?”
“That’s correct.”
“And, me?”
“Yes.”
“But why me!?”
“Even if you ask why, don’t you have sufficient achievements as the top ranker in the event?”
“That was all thanks to everyone…”
“That may be true. However, without Maria, the event wouldn’t have been cleared. That’s the management’s perspective. For the promotion, there is no one more suitable than Maria.”
“Even so…”
My thoughts couldn’t catch up with such a sudden and significant discussion.
“Can I say something?”
Interrupting to help was Masato, who had been silent until now.
“That means Mari-neechan is going to be in the spotlight, right? In both good and bad ways. What will you do, management, if it’s in a bad way?”
Even though it was our first meeting, Masato’s fearlessness was impressive!
“We will enhance monitoring, deletion, and restraint of malicious posts towards Maria. Currently, we are applying for a hold on any videos of Maria taken during the event whenever we find them.”
“It’s all just defensive, useless talk.”
“Yuuki-san, I agree with my brother. There’s only risk in this, right? Oh, by the way, there’s no need to present any benefits. Even if you pile them up, it wouldn’t match the risk for us. It’s just money left.”
“Masato, Maki…”
Against their decisive statements, Yuuki-san did not offer any explanation.
“That’s a valid point. And we cannot offer benefits that outweigh the risks. Therefore, this is a request from us.”
Her fluent speech seemed like she anticipated the reactions of the two.
And it was not a request but a plea.
Yet, why didn’t Yuuki-san say a certain word?
When I realized that, I felt like I understood what Yuuki-san really wanted to ask.
“I have no choice but to agree.”
As I said that, Yuuki stood up and bowed deeply.
“…Thank you. On behalf of Caduceus Corporation and personally, I appreciate it.”
Taking a break as recommended, I started playing a game called Mebius World Online.
I never would have believed if someone told me before I started the game that I would end up being in the promotion for it.
After that, I conveyed some simple checks and requests to Yuuki-san for consideration.
Then, Yuuki-san offered to provide me with the uncut video footage of myself from various angles for the promotion, but I declined.
I don’t have a hobby of enjoying videos of myself.
So, even though I tried to refuse it with all my might, two people stopped me.
“This is the punishment for worrying us, okay?”
“Confirming if there are any issues in the game is also a family duty. Yeah.”
While Mari hugged me, Masato received the video and started playing it.
These siblings are unbelievable!!
That day, the two of them enjoyed watching my video until late into the night.
As for me? I was just quietly resting because I was still recovering from a fever.
It’s not like I decided to pretend to be asleep, okay?