"I know it won't be like the real thing, but..." Miku said as she opened the door, and thought about the house she lived in with Rei until the two of them appeared in the foyer. It was very clean, the smell of citrusy floor wax coupled with the warm smell of summer night air was just how Miku remembered it. Ruri slept on the sill of the window beside the door that led to the living room, kitchen and second floor. "I think some omurice is in order."

The cat on the sill opened one eye and yawned, purposely ignoring her owner and the little girl in virtual reality, just the same way she had in life. Miku's heart panged when she thought about her pet, but led the little girl to the next large room. Outside through the sliding glass door, a gentle rain fell. Two couches framed a coffee table and in the corner, a large TV set sat, unused. To the left, lay the kitchen, separated from the rest of the room by a long bar and its own little partial wall. To the far left of the sliding glass door, a stairwell led up to the second floor where the bedrooms were, though she'd find all of them closed.

For a Japanese house, it was surprisingly spacious. "Please make yourself comfortable, Yuri-chan. This won't take very long," she promised. Miku plucked an apron from where it hung on the wall and put it on.