The morning sun filtered softly through the newly washed windows of the old farmhouse, now cleared and waiting for its transformation. Birds chirped from the edge of the countryside forest that bordered the land. The scent of early spring soil filled the air, clean and hopeful.
Phuby stood beside the front porch of the farmhouse, gazing at the structure that was about to undergo a complete transformation. Beside him, Atsushi Tanaka—Mr. Haruki's long-time friend and the head contractor from the renovation company—adjusted his measuring tape and took a deep breath of the crisp countryside air.
"We'll preserve the roof lines and key wooden structures," Atsushi explained, his voice practical but filled with pride. "But the insulation, plumbing, and all the off-grid features will be state-of-the-art. You won't just be living in a traditional house—you'll be living in the future disguised as the past."
Phuby nodded with genuine appreciation. "Exactly the vibe we want. Something warm and rustic, but self-sufficient and modern behind the walls."
Behind them, Hana walked up with a hot thermos of tea in hand, her cheeks flushed from the cold breeze. "You two look like you're about to launch a samurai base," she teased, handing the thermos to Phuby and giving him a soft smile. "How long do you think the renovation will take?"
Atsushi chuckled. "If weather holds and supplies come on time, we should finish in two months. Maybe faster if you let me bring more workers in."
"I'd rather it be done well than fast," Phuby said. "But I trust your judgment."
Atsushi nodded and began giving instructions to the arriving crew. Trucks began backing up onto the property with scaffolding, tools, and a mobile site office. Meanwhile, Om Luky and Mr. Haruki were reviewing the layout on printed blueprints laid out on a folding table. The plan wasn't just to restore the farmhouse—but to breathe new life into it.
The Renovation Plan:
Reinforce the wooden frame and foundation.
Modern insulation and climate control that's energy efficient.
Solar panels on the rear roof.
Battery storage underground.
Drilled well with a deep water pump and two large holding tanks—one underground, one at roof level.
Smart kitchen with concealed modern appliances behind wooden cabinetry.
A minimalist Japanese-style living room, but with hidden entertainment systems.
Two bedrooms, one study room, and a tatami room for guests.
A wide engawa—veranda—to overlook the future garden and crops.
As Hana sat beside her father watching the workers carefully inspect the farmhouse beams, she leaned closer and whispered, "You know, this already feels like a second home."
Mr. Haruki nodded thoughtfully. "It's a good place to breathe."
Om Luky, flipping through the construction documents, smiled. "It's far from Cirebon, but it has the same heart."
Phuby looked around at his family and the place he was investing so much effort in—not just money, but dreams, care, and legacy. The image of his grandmother's house flashed briefly in his mind, followed by the busy shophouse back in Indonesia. He was building bridges between past and future.
Atsushi returned from the structural check. "We'll begin demolition on non-load-bearing walls tomorrow morning. You can take photos today if you want to remember how it looked."
"We'll take a full set," Hana said brightly. "Before and after!"
Later that day, back at their Kyoto house, Phuby shared the photos with the rest of the family. Mrs. Wulan smiled at the before-shots, while Hana's mother looked impressed at the layout. "That well system," she noted. "Very sustainable."
"Off-grid is important to us," Phuby replied. "Less bills, less dependency."
That night, while sipping warm tea together in the living room, Hana asked softly, "After all this is done… what do you want to plant first?"
"Tea bushes," Phuby replied after a moment's thought. "Then maybe strawberries. Something simple, something peaceful. And something delicious."
She chuckled and leaned against him. "Maybe I'll learn to farm after all."
"You'll wear the straw hat and everything?"
"With a ribbon," she said proudly.
He laughed and pulled her close. "Then it's settled. We build a dream with wooden beams… and grow happiness with strawberries and tea."