The morning sunlight stretched gently over the hills of Uji, bathing the countryside in a golden warmth that shimmered across dew-speckled leaves. A gentle breeze rustled through the tall grass, carrying with it the unmistakable freshness of rural Kyoto. Birds chirped in harmony as a black Alphard and Om Luky's car pulled up along a small dirt road. In front of them stood the small farmhouse that came with Phuby's latest system purchase—nestled at the edge of a forested slope and surrounded by nearly 2,000 square meters of fertile land.
"Wow..." Hana breathed, stepping out of the car, her shoes crunching softly on the gravel. "It's even more beautiful in person."
"It's got that countryside manga vibe," Phuby added, slinging a backpack over his shoulder. "Like a slice-of-life anime but real."
The rest of the family followed, all equally curious. Mrs. Wulan shielded her eyes from the sun as she looked at the old farmhouse, which—despite its age—stood sturdy and proud. Om Luky let out an impressed whistle, while Haruki and Aiko exchanged glances of pleasant surprise.
"It's bigger than I thought," Haruki said. "You got all this with just one purchase?"
"Yup," Phuby nodded. "And I got double the money back too."
"Unbelievable," Aiko murmured in Japanese. "It's like you're playing real life on cheat mode."
The family walked the perimeter of the land, admiring the views—rolling green hills on one side, a modest bamboo grove to the east, and a glimpse of distant shrines hidden behind sakura trees that had just begun to bloom. Even the farmhouse itself, while simple, radiated charm with its shoji-style windows and moss-covered stone steps.
"I could stay here forever," Hana sighed happily.
"I know," Phuby said, smiling. "Let's make this place something special."
They gathered around the old farmhouse's engawa, its wood sun-warmed and creaking softly beneath their feet. Phuby opened a folder with the ownership documents and renovation ideas he had downloaded from the system's template library. He laid them out for everyone to see.
"We don't have to demolish anything," Phuby explained. "We can keep the traditional frame, but add insulation, upgrade the kitchen and bathroom, and use energy-efficient materials. Maybe add solar panels at the back—but discreetly."
"I like that," Mrs. Wulan said. "Keep the soul, but make it livable."
"We should definitely keep the tatami rooms," Hana added. "Maybe make one into a tearoom. It fits with the Uji area."
Haruki nodded thoughtfully. "This is tea country. Which brings us to another question: what are you two planning to grow here?"
"Tea, strawberries, or vegetables," Phuby replied, scratching his chin. "Each has its charm."
"Strawberries are cute," Hana said immediately, eyes lighting up. "And they'll attract people if we open for agro-tourism."
"But tea is a big deal in Uji," Haruki added. "And a small tea field could tie in nicely with local businesses."
"And veggies," Om Luky chimed in, "are the most practical if you want daily produce or local markets."
"We could even mix them," Phuby said thoughtfully. "A tea corner, a strawberry patch for guests to pick, and a small veggie section for personal and local use."
Everyone murmured agreement. The possibilities seemed endless. With a vision forming in his head, Phuby pulled out his phone and opened a notepad app.
"I'll start listing things we need: contractors, architects, and most importantly… staff."
"Staff?" Hana tilted her head.
"We'll need someone to maintain the land, handle small-scale farming, maybe even someone who understands traditional house restoration."
"Ahh, job offers," Hana said, nodding. "Locals would love that."
Aiko, ever practical, added, "Don't forget permits. Even if it's legal, you'll need to check with the local government for renovation approval and farming activities."
"Already handled," Phuby replied with a grin. "The system includes automatic legal compliance. But I'll go to the town hall this week just to introduce myself and verify."
They spent the rest of the morning walking the land again. Hana took photos from every angle, imagining future guests picking strawberries near the sakura trees. Phuby sketched out zones in his notebook, already planning walkways, rainwater systems, and a small koi pond. Haruki offered to help research tea growing methods, while Om Luky brainstormed ideas for a multi-purpose shed that could store farming tools and become a small café later on.
When the afternoon sun dipped lower, they all sat under a tall cedar tree, unpacked a picnic lunch prepared by Mrs. Wulan, and ate together while watching the light dance across the hills.
"This might be the start of something beautiful," Phuby said, his voice quiet but confident.
Hana leaned against his shoulder, smiling. "No, this is something beautiful."
And as the wind carried the scent of spring blossoms through the air, it felt as though the land itself agreed—ready to become a living part of their story.