498 Shin's gift for his grandma

In the warm, familiar confines of the Suzuki household, the air was tinged with a bittersweet mixture of loss and love. Kumiko, grappling with the deep void left by her husband's passing, found herself in the gentle care of her family. Guided by the advice of mental health professionals, she sought solace in the company of her loved ones, moving in with her son Shiro, his wife Airi, and her granddaughter Ruki. While Shiko, Seki, and Reina had carved out their own lives elsewhere, similar to Shin, Ruki remained, offering her presence as a beacon of support in the family home.

The topic of Ruki's future, particularly questions about marriage, often surfaced in conversations with her parents. Yet, Ruki skillfully navigated these discussions, steering them away or gently deflecting, preferring to keep the focus on the present and the care of her grandmother.

On this particular day, Ruki had chosen to engage Kumiko with the captivating world of "Artemis Fowl," reading aloud from the novel in the serene setting of the living room. The act of reading served as both a distraction and a bond, a simple yet profound gesture of togetherness.

"Grandma, you'll love this part," Ruki said with a twinkle in her eye, eager to share the excitement of the plot twist she was about to read. Kumiko's face, though shadowed by sadness, brightened at Ruki's enthusiasm.

"Is it one of those clever tricks Artemis comes up with?" Kumiko asked, her curiosity piqued despite the heaviness in her heart.

"Yes, exactly!" Ruki replied, delighted by her grandmother's engagement. "He's always one step ahead, isn't he?" As Ruki continued to read, her voice filled with animation and warmth, she occasionally glanced at Kumiko, ensuring her grandmother was following along and enjoying the story.

Kumiko nodded, a smile playing at the corners of her lips. "He reminds me a bit of your grandpa," she remarked softly, her smile tinged with nostalgia. "Always thinking, always planning..."

Ruki paused, touched by the comparison. "Grandpa was really something, wasn't he?" she agreed, placing a bookmark in the novel. Closing the book, she decided that this moment was perfect for a more personal connection. "Tell me more about him, Grandma. About the experiences you two had."

As Kumiko began to recount tales of her life with Sazama, the sadness in her eyes was momentarily replaced by a spark of reminiscence. For Ruki, these stories were more than just memories; they were a testament to the enduring love and resilience of her grandparents.

After spending a heartwarming half-hour reminiscing with her grandmother and listening to stories about her grandfather, the sound of the doorbell interrupted their moment of bonding.

"Could you see who that is, dear?" Kumiko asked, gently prompting Ruki to answer the door.

---

As Ruki approached the door, curiosity mingled with surprise at who might be visiting in the afternoon. Opening the door, her eyes widened in delight at the sight of her brother, Shin, standing on the doorstep, a box in his arms.

"Shin!" she exclaimed, wrapping her brother in a warm embrace. "How have you been?"

"I've been good," Shin replied, returning the hug with a smile.

"What brings you over?" Ruki inquired, stepping aside to let him in.

"I came to see Grandma," Shin said, glancing past Ruki. "Is she around?"

Nodding, Ruki led the way to the living room where Kumiko was seated. The sight of Shin brought a bright smile to Kumiko's face. "Little Shin!" she greeted, her voice laced with affection.

"What brings you here, dear? You must be swamped with work at your company," Kumiko remarked, trying to mask her concern with a smile, though her heart swelled with joy at his visit.

Shin, carrying the air of someone bearing gifts, replied with a gentle smile, "Today, I'm here just for you, Grandma."

"Oh? And why's that? Ruki's been keeping me wonderful company," Kumiko said, her words tinted with warmth yet attempting to downplay her excitement.

"I brought something special for you, Grandma," Shin said, his eyes twinkling with anticipation.

"What might that be?" Kumiko asked, leaning forward with a mixture of curiosity and intrigue.

Ruki, too, peered over curiously as Shin presented the box to Kumiko. As the box was opened, both Ruki and Kumiko peered inside to discover an odd-looking goggle-like device nestled within the packaging.

"What's this, Shin?" Kumiko inquired, her voice echoing her curiosity.

Ruki, equally puzzled, added, "That looks quite peculiar!"

With a proud smile, Shin unveiled the surprise. "This, Grandma, is the KiShin VR Headset."

The room was filled with a sense of wonder as Shin prepared to introduce them to a groundbreaking device. The VR headset, a product of Shin's forward-thinking vision, was about to open a door to a world where memories can be rekindle, offering Kumiko a unique way to reconnect with the past and immerse herself in the essence of Sazama once again.

Ruki's gaze shifted between Shin and the intriguing device in her hands. "KiShin VR Headset? What exactly is this?" she inquired, her voice laden with genuine curiosity. As she carefully examined the headset, her interest was palpable, her eyes sparkling with the desire to understand more about this technological marvel her brother had brought into their home.

Ruki's curiosity deepened, not just about the nature of the KiShin VR Headset but also about Shin's intention behind gifting such an unconventional device to their grandmother. "But why this, for Grandma?" she asked, her brows knitting together in puzzled concern. The device, with its futuristic design and apparent complexity, seemed an odd choice for a gift to their elderly grandmother, prompting Ruki to wonder about the deeper significance Shin saw in presenting it to Kumiko.