499 Husband?

Shin listened attentively to Ruki's inquiries, a gentle smile spreading across his face as he prepared to unveil the purpose behind his gift. "You see," he began, his voice tinged with a mixture of excitement and solemnity, "once Grandma puts on the headset and we turn it on, she's in for a beautiful surprise. The KiShin VR Headset prototype is going to show her something truly special."

Ruki, still holding the headset, raised an eyebrow. "She's supposed to wear this? It's not exactly lightweight," she remarked.

Shin's smile didn't waver. "Yes, it's still a prototype, and we're working on making it lighter. But for now, this is the best our technology can offer," he explained, his tone both apologetic and hopeful.

Driven by curiosity, Ruki ventured, "Can I try it on first?"

However, Shin was firm in his response. "No, this first experience is for Grandma. It's specifically designed for her," he insisted, gently emphasizing the personal significance of the device.

"Alright," Ruki acquiesced, her curiosity piqued but respecting Shin's wishes.

Kumiko, observing their exchange with a blend of bemusement and intrigue, finally donned the VR headset with Shin's guidance, adjusting it as instructed.

As Shin connected the VR headset to the KS2 and turned on the TV, Ruki watched in confusion and curiosity. The integration of the VR headset with their home console system was a revelation to her.

"You just hooked that up to the KS2? What's the purpose?" Ruki inquired, her curiosity piqued.

"It allows us to see what Grandma is experiencing inside the VR headset on the TV, thanks to it being connected to the KS2," Shin explained, offering clarity on the setup.

"Oh..." Ruki responded, nodding in understanding as the pieces started to fit together in her mind.

The KS2 system whirred to life, displaying the [KiShin VR Technology] logo on the screen, signaling the start of an immersive experience. After a brief loading period, the environment within the headset—and consequently on the TV—shifted dramatically.

Kumiko, initially bewildered by the change in her vision brought on by the headset, turned her head slightly. To her astonishment, the view shifted accordingly, allowing her a 360-degree perspective of her surroundings, far beyond the capabilities of a simple videotape.

On the TV, Shin and Ruki watched as the camera seemed to track Kumiko's head movements. Shin took this moment to elaborate on the technology behind the VR headset. "This VR Headset is equipped with motion tracking and interactive 3D visualization technologies, among the first of their kind. Despite it being an early-stage prototype, it's designed to create a highly immersive and responsive environment."

Ruki was visibly impressed by the explanation, her understanding of the device's capabilities deepening.

"Grandma, if you press the button on the controller in your hand, you'll be able to explore the environment," Shin guided gently.

Kumiko, albeit advanced in years, was no stranger to video game controllers, thanks to Sazama's occasional gaming ventures. Trusting Shin's instructions, she pressed the designated button and found herself moving within the virtual forest.

Guided by an on-screen path, Kumiko ventured forward, curiosity guiding her steps. As she progressed, a hut emerged in the distance, drawing her closer.

As Kumiko neared the hut, guided by the virtual arrow before her, her curiosity peaked. The door to the hut swung open, and a figure emerged, walking towards her. Both Kumiko, experiencing this through the VR headset, and Ruki, watching the scene unfold on the TV, felt a jolt of shock at the sight of the person who appeared.

The figure was unmistakably old, and while the 3D rendering wasn't perfectly lifelike due to the limitations of the technology at the time, there was no mistaking the resemblance to Sazama. The familiar posture, the hands clasped behind the back as he walked—each detail mirrored Sazama's real-life mannerisms with eerie accuracy.

The initial doubt lingering in Kumiko and Ruki's minds dissipated the moment the figure spoke. "Who are you?" the character inquired, his voice echoing through the VR headset and the television speakers.

The sound of his voice, unmistakably Sazama's, sent waves of astonishment through Kumiko and widened Ruki's eyes in disbelief. The VR experience had promised a surprise, but the manifestation of Sazama, rendered in digital form yet capturing the essence of his being, went beyond what they could have imagined.

Overwhelmed by the sight before her, Kumiko's voice trembled with emotion as she whispered, "Husband?" Tears welled up in her eyes as she gazed at the digital representation of Sazama. Despite the logical part of her mind understanding that this was merely a creation of her grandson's company, made tangible through the innovative VR technology he had developed, the emotional impact of seeing Sazama—even in this virtual form—was profound. The realization that it wasn't truly him did little to dampen the surge of feelings that washed over her.