Mebius World Online – Mari’s VRMMO Diary, Embarking on a Laid-back Adventure as a Novice - Extra Chapter 2
Extra 2. Mari-nee and reward for the Sister (Part2)
A few days after I had gone to ask for a favor from Roulette-san and Vanessa-san, I decided to put my plan into action. I waited until after breakfast with the children and then approached Estelle-san.
“Good morning, Estelle-san. About the reward I promised you earlier, how about going out and having some fun together?”
“Good morning, Maria-san! …I would love to, but I have the children to take care of.”
The smile that appeared briefly on her face was quickly replaced by a brighter one, though it was filled with resignation.
“Don’t worry about that. I’ll take care of the children.”
“Vanessa-san?”
Vanessa-san appeared just in time, which was part of our plan. However, Estelle-san didn’t seem to notice this and her expression quickly changed to one of relief mixed with confusion.
“You’ve been working hard all this time. It’s okay to let loose a little.”
“But… I only have this nun’s habit. It’s not suitable for going out with you, Maria-san.”
Though she seemed convinced, Estelle now hesitated due to her attire. I understood her reluctance to go out and have fun in a nun’s habit, considering its sacred nature.
“No need to worry about your clothes. Let’s go.”
Without further explanation, I gently pushed Estelle-san’s back.
“Wait, now? Maria-san!?”
While she was looking back at me in surprise, I used my thread manipulation skill to wrap a thread around her feet and started walking with her.
“Alright, Vanessa-san, I’m counting on you.”
Estelle-san seemed too shocked to speak as she found herself unable to stop her feet.
“Leave it to me. If any of the kids misbehave, I’ll make sure they regret it.”
Vanessa-san’s reassuring smile had a hint of danger, causing Van and the others behind her to shiver.
As long as they behave, they’ll be fine… probably.
I took Estelle-san not to Roulette-san’s usual stall but to the inn where she often stayed. Roulette-san was standing at the entrance, waving at us.
“Good morning, Maria-san, Estelle-san.”
“Good morning, Roulette-san. I’ll leave the rest to you.”
As soon as I released the thread,
“Maria-san!”
Estelle raised her voice slightly in protest, but Roulette-san had already moved behind her and grasped her shoulder firmly.
“Roulette-san!?”
“Leave it to me. Now, Estelle-san, let’s go inside.”
Despite her gentle tone, I sensed a mysterious gleam in her eyes behind those glasses, reminiscent of Maki when she was washing me in the bath.
Well, I’m sure it’ll be fine with Roulette-san… probably.
After some time waiting with a slight feeling of unease, the inn’s door opened, and Estelle-san appeared with Roulette-san. She was dressed in a long skirt with embroidered flowers, a matching apron, and a wide-collared blouse with gathered sleeves.
Her long hair was braided into a single plait, draping down her right shoulder.
Yes, she looked just like a girl from the city, no matter how you looked at it. Moreover, given how attractive she already was, she could easily be described as “the girl known for her beauty.”
“You look great, Estelle-san. Roulette-san, you’ve really outdone yourself.”
Blushing furiously and looking down, Estelle-san stood beside Roulette-san, who responded to my praise with a proud thumbs-up as if to say, “I did a great job.”
“I had some leftover fabric, so I made a handkerchief as well. This is for you, Maria-san.”
She mentioned it casually, but the handkerchief handed to me was simple yet intricately edged and embroidered with my name in sky-blue thread, matching my eyes. It didn’t look like something made in her spare time at all.
Roulette-san’s thoughtfulness shone through as she handed it to me as if it were nothing.
“Thank you. I’ll treasure it.”
I accepted it without hesitation, filling my words with sincere gratitude.
Seeing Roulette-san satisfied, I took Estelle-san’s hand, still embarrassed, and started walking towards the East District.
By late morning, the East District was bustling with people. Initially, Estelle-san seemed tense, but as she looked at the trinkets at the stalls and enjoyed skewers and fruit from the vendors, she gradually relaxed.
To be honest, I got so caught up in the fun that I almost forgot it was supposed to be a reward for Estelle-san. After all, I had never gone out with someone other than my family.
Time flew by, and suddenly, Estelle-san’s gaze was fixed on a shop. It was a small accessory store next to a large flower shop. As we approached, I saw rings and necklaces made from various colorful gemstones, all neatly displayed.
“They’re beautiful…”
Estelle-san’s words slipped out with a sigh, seemingly unaware of her own reaction. Understandable, though. Even I, who wasn’t interested in jewelry, was momentarily captivated.
If Estelle-san were to wear one, she’d look even more stunning. The prices, however, were also quite impressive.
“Maybe we should head back now.”
Realizing the prices, Estelle-san hurriedly tried to leave, but I grabbed her hand to stop her. While not cheap, the cost was within my means.
“You still haven’t received your reward from me.”
Since Roulette-san insisted on giving the clothes as a gift and refused any payment, I wanted to give something too.
“Maria-san…”
Finding Estelle’s blushing face adorable, I was about to buy the necklace she had been eyeing when I noticed a small girl running with a bouquet of flowers. Her attention focused on the bouquet, she failed to see where she was going and collided with a group of adventurers rushing past.
The girl fell, and the bouquet was thrown into the air, landing on the ground.
“What a nuisance,” one of the adventurers grumbled, stepping on the bouquet in frustration before disappearing into the crowd before I could reprimand them.
In the meantime, Estelle-san helped the girl up, checking for injuries. Fortunately, she wasn’t hurt, but she looked at the crushed bouquet and cried, “The flowers… they were for my mom…”
Seeing this, Estelle-san’s face filled with pity, and she turned to me with pleading eyes. Her request was clear without words.
“Really, Estelle-san, this is just like you,” I said with a wry smile.
I went to the adjacent flower shop and asked them to make a bouquet suitable for a mother. Since I hadn’t set a budget, the resulting bouquet was impressive, as was the price.
But considering it as a reward for Estelle-san, it was nothing.
When I handed the bouquet to Estelle, her face lit up with a smile, delighted that I understood her intention. She then passed the bouquet to the girl, who had stopped crying out of surprise. Realizing it was for her, the girl hesitantly asked,
“…Is this okay?”
“Of course. I hope your mother will be pleased.”
Estelle-san replied kindly, patting the girl’s head. The girl, now cheered up, thanked us repeatedly and carefully headed home to her mother.
Estelle watched until the girl was out of sight, then turned to me and bowed deeply.
“I’m sorry. I turned your kind gesture into an act of my selfishness.”
“You don’t need to apologize. I respect what you did, Estelle-san. But it is a bit sad that the reward didn’t end up being something you could keep…”
As I pondered, I remembered the handkerchief Roulette-san had given me. I bought some thread from a nearby stall and used my Thread Manipulation skill to crochet lace around the edge of the handkerchief. With my new equipment boosting my dexterity, I was able to craft intricate lacework quickly. Finally, I embroidered Estelle-san’s name on it.
When I handed the finished handkerchief to her, she held it with both hands as if it were a precious treasure.
“Thank you, Maria-san. I’ll cherish it forever.”
“You’re welcome. Oh, but it still has my name on it. I can remove it now—”
Estelle shook her head, stopping me.
“It’s perfect just like this. I want it to stay this way…”
A single tear flowed down her smiling face. I gently wiped it away, took her hand, and we started back towards the church.
We walked in silence, but it felt like we were communicating our feelings without words. Whatever emotions we held—expressing them in words might have made them overflow, so we kept them tucked away in our hearts.
As for anyone who might pry into such feelings, Vanessa-san would take care of them, right?