"Oh wow… it's exactly like those photos online," Xinyi murmured, eyes scanning the valley below.
The land stretched out in gentle slopes, and scattered across it were houses with triangular roofs, their wood weathered, each one separated by wide patches of field and grassy plots.
A range of mountains rose in the background, casting a sense of seclusion around the town. Shirakawa-go had that unassuming, quiet charm — quintessential countryside, and as far from bustling city life as Yasushi could imagine.
"There," he said, pointing to a few buildings in the middle of town that stood out with their flat roofs. From their high vantage point, he could make out what seemed like a rooftop setup — umbrellas, chairs, tables — all arranged like they were waiting for a lazy afternoon. "That's gotta be the bakery and restaurant we came for, the one we're supposed to bring back to its old standard."
Summer break had finally come, and Yasushi, joined by a few others, was here to undergo this "test" from Jingliu's father. The arrangement had been simple: help Nino, a friend of the god Shiva, restore the bakery to what it once had been before Nino's son took over and turned it upside down.
Nino had been a legend among the locals, his shop brimming with life and, according to rumor, flavors that would make you taste the seasons. Now, Yasushi stood here, ready to give his part in the project, knowing it was more than just restoring a building; it was about reviving something that had once defined this place.
Furuya wasn't thrilled that Catherine had to be off with Xinyi, though he kept saying he'd work straight through the summer break to save enough for a few good trips and plenty of dates once the new college year rolled around. That was the plan, at least, and he wouldn't let himself get sidetracked.
In the meantime, Yasushi and the people he'd brought along had their own task laid out: dealing with Nino's son and his questionable choices that had turned the once-loved bakery into a mess. It was a daunting mission, considering what they'd heard about the young man and the state of the place. Not a single person felt optimistic, but that wouldn't stop them.
Their plan for the day was clear-cut. First, they'd head to the house where they'd be staying through the entire summer break.
Once they settled in, they'd go meet Nino himself and start hashing out their ideas for bringing the bakery back to what it had once been. Nino's son would be their last stop, once they'd gotten a firm plan in place.
It was a lot to take on for their first day, but everyone felt ready.
"Shall we get going then?" Yinhaie asked, giving a small gesture toward the road stretching ahead.
They nodded, falling in line as they started the descent down the hill. The path wasn't too steep, making the walk comfortable, and with summer in full swing, the green of the grass seemed almost vibrant against the clear sky. Plants and wildflowers crowded the edges, and insects darted about, filling the air with a quiet, soft hum.
As they walked, they reached a wooden bridge spanning a narrow river, its gentle flow carving a path through the rocks below. They crossed it, pausing to take in the sight before moving on to a nearby road sign that stood beside the path. After another ten minutes of walking, they found themselves nearing one of the town's main entrances.
"Should I be grateful they actually have internet here?" Xinyi wondered aloud, casting a curious glance at their surroundings. "Feels pretty isolated from the rest of the country."
They could see locals passing by, going about their usual routines, hardly sparing a look at the group. Each person was absorbed in their own tasks, caught up in the rhythm of small-town life.
"Just being out here, disconnected, feels refreshing," Yasushi replied, shrugging slightly. "Not that we city folk can handle it for long, though." He started moving along the road, stepping forward to join Yinhaie.
They made their way past a series of small homes and modest shops, noting how the road beneath them was more dirt than stone, with grass creeping close to the edges.
Vehicles seemed scarce; the absence of cars made Yasushi wonder how the locals managed when the store needed parts, repairs, or supplies that couldn't be easily found.
Once they reached the town's center, they paused before a simple house. Yinhaie stepped forward and knocked. A moment later, the door swung open, revealing an elderly man. He wore a straw hat that had seen better days, a towel draped across his shoulders, and his eyes remained nearly shut beneath a head of silver hair.
"Ah… and who might you be?" he asked softly, taking a look at each of them.
"I'm Yasushi Futakao. Shiva should've mentioned I was coming?" Yasushi replied.
At this, recognition dawned on the man's face. His name, Nino, came back to Yasushi's mind as the man's expression brightened, his mouth lifting into a smile. He nodded several times. "Ah… yes, yes, that's right. You've arrived for the summer break. Well, come in, all of you," he said, his hand motioning them inside.
+-+
Once they'd settled into Nino's spacious home, which carried a quiet comfort within its walls, they gathered in the living room. Nino soon brought out cold iced tea and a platter of simple sandwiches, setting them down before sitting in his own chair, his face etched with the fatigue of a man wrestling with burdens.
"Thank you for taking this job, Yasushi. It's no simple task, and my son, Kuroti… he isn't exactly the listening type," Nino admitted, his tone carrying a mix of worry and resignation.
Yasushi took a sip of the tea, letting the quiet settle for a beat before responding. "I understand, Nino. Handling people in difficult situations isn't new to me. But I need to know — will he become violent? If it comes to that, do I have your permission to use restraint?"
Nino let out a weary breath and nodded, eyes meeting Yasushi's as he answered. "Yes. Kuroti does have a violent streak. He was different, once — a kind boy. But somewhere along the line, something changed him, and I don't know why or how. The police have given him numerous warnings, likely because of my standing in the community, but I know that patience isn't endless."
Yasushi gave a nod, his expression firm. "We'll figure this out, get to the bottom of Kuroti's behavior, and get your bakery and restaurant back to where they were. This might sound intense, but I'm convinced we can do it, especially if we can help Kuroti find his way back."
Nino's face softened into a small smile. "I appreciate that. I'll be looking forward to it. Now then, let's wrap this up. Have you gone to the house you're staying at for the summer yet? I notice you're still carrying your bags."
Yasushi chuckled, a bit of relief on his face. "The original plan was to head there, but Yinhaie brought us here first to get everything settled. Once we finish up, we'll probably head to the house, then make our way over to your place."
Nino's chuckle came in response, a little warmer now. "Good, good. I'll join you at my second home — my bakery, of course. I'll wait here for your return, so go on now. Get yourselves settled in."
They rose from their seats, thanked Nino, and promised they wouldn't be gone too long. Stepping outside, they followed Yinhaie down the path to their new place, which stood out as a bit bigger than most village houses but nowhere near the scale of their home back in the city or even the villa they'd once stayed at in Kyoto.
Xinyi looked it over, curiosity turning to a mix of relief and surprise. "It's more normal than I expected," she remarked. "Honestly, I was hoping for something like this, and here it is."
"Alright, let's get in, choose our rooms, and head back out. I want to get a look at the restaurant-bakery setup and see what's really going on with this Kuroti," Yasushi added, his focus already shifting to the job ahead.
Everyone agreed and entered the house, taking in the simple yet functional layout. There were six bedrooms, a couple of living rooms, several bathrooms, and a large kitchen with an adjoining dining area. They settled on their rooms — Yasushi and Jingliu taking one together — and, without much delay, stepped back out to make their way toward Nino's bakery-restaurant, ready to dive into the work waiting for them there.
+-+
They met up with Nino soon after, setting off together down the narrow streets toward the bakery and restaurant. From what Yasushi and Yinhaie could observe, the place stood closer to the heart of town, but the journey there revealed a strange scene. While townsfolk strolled along, chatting in small groups and moving about on their errands, it became clear they were all avoiding a particular spot in the distance — Nino's Bakery & Restaurant.
Ahead, through the glass, a man in his late twenties or early thirties could be seen standing behind the counter. His expression was hardened, the way he glared through the window left no question of his mood. This, Yasushi assumed, was Kuroti.
As they reached the doors, Nino led them inside without hesitation. Kuroti's eyes snapped to them, confusion crossing his face. He stepped closer, ruffling his short black hair in apparent frustration.
"Pops, what are you doing here? Didn't I tell you I've got it under control?" His gaze shifted to the newcomers. "And who the hell are they? Guests? Customers?" His voice held an edge, his scrutiny unmistakable as he sized them up, suspicion clear in his tone.
"...the one who helped me launch this place put me in touch with them, Kuro. I want them to help me get this bakery back on track. No sugarcoating here. Ever since I handed the reins over, it seemed alright at first, but look at it now — it's turned into a mess. So I'm asking for their help to bring it back," Nino stated, his voice carrying an undeniable authority.
Kuroti clenched his teeth, his glare zeroing in on Yasushi and his group. He stepped forward, the fury in his eyes flaring as he closed the distance, nearly face-to-face with his father. His face reddened with anger, and as he burst out, a few stray spits accompanied his words.
"I don't need them!" he snapped. "I'm handling it just fine! Yesterday alone, I made ten thousand yen! This damn place is going to thrive under me; I don't need dead weight dragging me down!"
"Kuroti… back when I was running this place, and you were just helping out, we'd make that amount within the first half hour," Nino said, his face carrying a look that held sadness and disappointment. "But the bills — there's so much more to cover to keep this place going. How much of your own savings have you poured in just to keep it afloat?"
"I told you, I got it!" Kuroti shouted, grabbing Nino's shirt collar and lifting him slightly, the frustration and anger pushing him to action.
The room froze. Even Nino's shock held him there, unmoving, speechless. Yasushi took quick action, his hand reaching out, locking onto Kuroti's wrist with a grip that cut through the tension. Kuroti's response came fast, a yelp escaping him as his fingers loosened, releasing his father's shirt. Yasushi stepped in, creating some space between the two, keeping his focus on Kuroti.
"Physical violence is a dead-end," Yasushi stated. "What Nino said is real, and clinging to this isn't going to change that. And after seeing your reaction just now, I have to ask… what if you act like this with a customer? Or worse — has it already happened?" His eyes stayed fixed on him, refusing to let the question drop.
Kuroti sneered. "Outsiders should stick their noses somewhere else." His hand stayed on his wrist, still feeling the pain.
"We were called to help, whether you want us here or not," Xinyi responded, crossing her arms and staring him down. Her look held no patience for his objections.
The others in the group agreed, giving nods before beginning their inspection. They moved around the bakery, noting each corner, the state of every piece of equipment, all while Kuroti's eyes followed them.
He stepped forward to intervene, only to stop in place when Yasushi shifted slightly in his direction. Yasushi let the pause settle between them, banking on the tension to keep Kuroti in check, at least for the moment. Until Kuroti softened his resistance, Yasushi intended to keep this quiet edge, making it clear that he wouldn't be backing down.
Turning toward Nino, who still seemed taken aback by everything that had just unfolded, Yasushi spoke evenly, his tone a touch reassuring. "Stay with us a while longer, Nino. We'll check everything here, get a full view of what's going on, and come up with a plan."
Nino nodded, his face uncertain but resolved. "Yes… that sounds like the right approach," he said, his gaze settling on Kuroti. "Kuroti… try to keep yourself in line," he added, a plea more than a command.
Kuroti gave a frustrated click of his tongue, sidestepping to stand against the wall, his resentment simmering as the group continued their work.