Mebius World Online – Mari’s VRMMO Diary, Embarking on a Laid-back Adventure as a Novice - Extra Chapter 1
Extra 1. Mari-nee and reward for the Sister (Part 1)
When I replaced the church’s straw bedding with Black Wolf fur, I made a promise to Estelle-san.
That promise was to do something to thank Estelle-san, who had been maintaining the room I borrowed at the church.
At that time, I mischievously hinted it would be a “reward.”
However, I should have realized then.
Aside from my younger siblings, I had no experience giving rewards to anyone.
If Estelle-san had been a small child, I could have used my experience with my siblings, but regardless of the exact age difference, Estelle-san looked much more mature than me.
Yes, she is an adult woman.
“What kind of reward would an adult woman like…?”
As I wandered aimlessly through the streets of Eden, pondering this, I found myself in the eastern district lined with shops and stalls.
That’s when Vanessa-san, who was out shopping for groceries, called out to me.
“Well, if it isn’t Maria. What’s got you looking like a child desperately trying to hide that they wet the bed?”
“I don’t wet the bed! And I’m not a child, I’m an older sister!!”
“Haha, just kidding, just kidding.”
Even as a joke, saying I look like I’m hiding bedwetting is too much.
Do I really look like such a small child?
My new outfit should make me look more mature, shouldn’t it?
Or was that just my imagination…?
Seeing me downcast, Vanessa-san must have realized she had gone too far. She spoke in a brighter tone.
“Let me make up for the joke. If you’re in trouble, I’m here to help. After all, Maria, you’re one of us now.”
She patted her ample chest with a “thump” and smiled broadly.
Her quick change in demeanor made me laugh, and I explained the situation.
“I see, a reward for Estelle, huh? That girl has devoted herself to the children as a sister for so long. She probably hasn’t done anything that a girl her age would normally enjoy. How about letting her experience life as an ordinary girl?”
“An ordinary girl…”
With my school, home, and part-time job routine, I didn’t really know what an ordinary girl would enjoy.
Although I have Maki close by… she isn’t much of a reference.
If I asked Maki what she found enjoyable, she’d probably say, “Getting my sisterly daily dose and increasing my assets!” with a big smile.
With her groceries now gathered, Vanessa-san gave me a parting word.
“If you ever need help, just let me know,” and left.
“Now, what should I do…”
Reflecting on my own experiences, the things that brought me joy recently were meeting Estelle-san and Roulette-san, welcoming Nero into my family, and…
“Maybe it was when I wore new equipment.”
Everything Roulette-san made for me was fantastic, and I liked them very much. Come to think of it, Estelle-san complimented my new outfit, too, with a hint of admiration in her eyes.
Although it hasn’t been long since we met, I’ve only ever seen Estelle-san in her nun’s habit. But if that expression I saw wasn’t just my imagination, then perhaps Estelle-san also…
With that thought in mind, I decided to take action.
There’s only one place to go.
I headed straight to Roulette-san’s stall.
There, as usual, was Roulette-san, wearing her spiral glasses.
“Hello, Roulette-san.”
“Hello, Maria-san. What brings you here today? Is there something you’d like adjusted on the equipment I made for you?”
“No, not at all. It’s so wonderful, it’s more than I deserve, and its performance is amazing.”
“That’s great to hear.”
With a gentle smile, I explained the situation to Roulette-san, just as I had to Vanessa-san, adding that I wanted to give Estelle-san some clothes.
“I think she’d love that. But if you want her to enjoy it as an ordinary girl, how about not only giving her new clothes but also taking her shopping and sampling delicious foods along the way?”
“Shopping and sampling food? That doesn’t seem like anything special… oh.”
“Exactly. Isn’t that what enjoying normal activities is all about?”
In focusing so much on making it special, I had forgotten the simple joy of ordinary activities.
As I reflected on this, Roulette-san chuckled and said,
“For clothes that Estelle-san might like…”
She listed various styles effortlessly. It sounded like she was describing traditional outfits from different cultures in reality, but most of them were unfamiliar to me.
So, I decided to leave everything to Roulette-san.
Trusting her sense would result in something much better than relying on mine.
… By the way, the first things that came to my mind as gifts were school uniforms and pajamas, but that’s a secret just between us, okay?