The early morning sun cast golden threads across the countryside of Uji as Phuby stood on the veranda of the old farmhouse. Despite its current rustic condition, he could already envision the transformation: sturdy new beams, wide glass windows with sliding wooden panels, and inside—a cozy, minimalistic space where modern comforts met traditional charm.
Today was the day Mr. Tanaka and his team would arrive to inspect the site and finalize the plans. Phuby had woken early, made himself and Hana some tea, and sat outside to prepare mentally for the discussions to come.
A soft knock on the door came as Om Luky joined him with his usual calm presence. "Tanaka-san is already on his way," Om Luky said, sipping his coffee.
"Good," Phuby nodded. "I want to get this moving before we return to Indonesia."
Before long, a black van rolled up the gravel road, parking just outside the property. Mr. Atsushi Tanaka stepped out, flanked by two junior architects and a structural engineer. He bowed politely, and Phuby returned the gesture with gratitude.
"Nice to see you again, Tanaka-san," Phuby greeted.
"And you, Phuby-san. Shall we begin?"
They began with a full site walkthrough. Mr. Tanaka noted the structural damage—mostly superficial, thankfully. The foundation was stable, and much of the wooden framework could be restored with the right reinforcement. The main living area would remain mostly intact, keeping its shoji panels and tatami floors. The kitchen, however, would be modernized with energy-efficient appliances.
The biggest change was beneath their feet.
"We'll dig out a basement underneath the western wing," Tanaka explained. "It will house your entertainment room, complete with soundproofing, projector-ready walls, and proper ventilation."
"Excellent," Phuby replied. "What about off-grid power and water?"
"For that," Tanaka gestured to one of his assistants, who opened a folder. "We'll install a high-capacity solar panel system, the newest lithium battery bank that stores three days' worth of energy, and for water—deep well drilling with triple filtration."
The plan even included a top-tier water pump and underground storage tanks, one beneath the garden and another above the kitchen section to maintain water pressure.
Phuby's eyes lit up. "Perfect. Can you also include space to grow strawberries and tea?"
"We've marked out the garden section already," Tanaka smiled. "You'll need a small greenhouse if you want strawberries year-round. I'll add that as an option."
Everything was coming together faster than Phuby had imagined.
As the team worked through measurements, Hana arrived with her parents and Mrs. Wulan. She stepped out of the car with a beaming smile and a basket of snacks for everyone.
"Project supervisor mode?" Hana teased as she walked up beside Phuby.
"Just a farmer-in-training," he replied.
She handed him a rice ball and looked over the field. "This land… it feels peaceful. I can't wait to see it bloom."
"Neither can I."
When the group gathered beneath the large camphor tree on the edge of the land, Tanaka presented the final proposal and cost breakdown.
Estimated Renovation Cost: ¥18,000,000Equivalent in Rupiah: Rp 2,035,000,000
Phuby didn't hesitate. With a deep breath, he turned to Hana.
"What do you think?" he asked.
Hana nodded. "Do it. This is our place now."
He tapped the confirmation into his system menu, choosing to process the purchase through the Shop's internal function to gain the benefits. The screen flashed brightly.
✅ Purchase Confirmed🏠 Renovation Project Authorized💰 Cashback: Rp 4,070,000,000📃 Legal processing required (handled manually)
As the confirmation settled in, a satisfied smile crept across Phuby's face. From Rp 2 billion spent, he gained twice that amount in cashback—enough to consider yet another project later.
His current balance ticked upward, reflecting the new amount. The project would begin immediately, with the construction phase expected to last several weeks—even months.
Tanaka stood and bowed again. "We'll treat this as if it were our own home. You'll be proud."
"I know I will," Phuby said with gratitude.
As the sun climbed higher in the sky, the entire group stayed back for a small picnic under the camphor tree. Hana leaned her head against Phuby's shoulder, her fingers tangled with his.
"When this place is done," she whispered, "let's spend a season here. Just the two of us."
"Promise," he whispered back. "And next year, we'll invite everyone over to taste our first strawberries."
From across the blanket, Mrs. Wulan raised her teacup. "To new roots."
"To new roots," they echoed together, the sound carried by the soft breeze rustling through the tall grass.