Nine blocks away from the house numbered 275 in the neighboring White Street, an empty plot of land in Cerulean Street would soon have a new house erected on it.
Better safe than sorry, the Sakato family thought. While still in the process of selling their house, they had unanimously decided to acquire the land earlier than the sale of their property as they are on a race against time. As it was already June, the weather of Orio and its neighboring countries remain unpredictable.
But as it is summer, thunderstorms have been prominent as per the trend. It is however not exactly known whether this year will have an early or late winter, which is why preparations must be done in advance to avoid a variety of issues that may arise in the soon-to-be construction of their house.
As Gin stood just in front of the lot, his imaginative mind had begun generating images based on the snippets of the current appearance of their family house, then cutting and adding parts that would fit the vision that he has of their future home.
"Narrator, you make me sound like I'm some kind of AI… or that's just how my brain works, goodness. The internet has made me stupid."
With what knowledge he has of construction, he envisioned the processes that would happen over the next months.
While not as frequent as Japan, Orio is also very prone to earthquakes as the island is a part of the Ring of Fire. Therefore, it would be harder to find a house made out of wood or cement boards, as most of the residential buildings in the country have been made of concrete since it was made more available.
The lot was slightly larger than the total area of their original family house, but the area of the house itself would be smaller as rooms would be moved to a second floor which allows for more exterior space as they had planned to do.
"What's got you staring at nothing?"
Approaching towards him, Rin jokingly asked.
"Maybe I'm seeing something that you're not seeing."
"And what would that be?"
"An expensive amount of dirt that would be put in this lot while we're laying out foundations."
"You really went all out, huh…"
For a family that went through years of trauma from incessant flooding, an almost extreme amount of cautiousness was something the Sakato family agreed upon. The Cerulean Street in itself is already a road higher than Queen Street's, but the family had decided to elevate the house up to thigh level for the purpose of future-proofing.
In the place where near the junction between the two streets, there is a communal area where people are encouraged to make it greener. Thus, a few years back, Gin had planted a mikan tree that successfully grew and had produced fruits, although it was now not in season for the year. Since then, the place has become a lot more embraced by nature and a bench has been placed under the natural shade which the couple sat on.
"Mom and Dad always told me that White Street never flooded when they moved here. Shortly after I was born, though, things changed and the situation here got worse slowly, then until to the point where water under our feet became a normal thing for something like six times a year.
It just shows that the places we thought to be elevated could change in a few years. We always joke about it, but I guess it's just our way to cope with it. That's also partially why Anna lived with our relatives before your family moved here. Basically, it has come at a point where we're now fully fed up with it.
Let's say that things go as planned for the two of us—you wouldn't want our kid to experience that, right?"
"Well, I think your house will be safe for quite a while, but that doesn't mean the kid wouldn't see it."
"I guess we'll just have to be good parents when the time comes…"
"Agh, enough family planning talks; when is work going to start anyway?"
"In a week? Maybe in two. As long as the walls get finished before it gets too cold, I think we're in the clear.
We've told our buyer about it when we're discussing the sale, and he sounds like he's willing to give advice when I showed him a rough layout of our plans. Since he knows how to make proper 3D models, we might hire him to make a 3D layout then get spruced up by an architect in the base."
"That does sound like it's cutting it a little too close to your time frame," Rin gently criticized.
"They have the model I did as a base since it was passable as it turns out. What the focus of it would be is where the structure supports have to go, and honestly, he has more experience in making houses than the engineers of the base.
But that said, they had to deal with a lot more complex things since the greatest challenge was how will the space not cave in. It didn't exactly translate on the encounter at the Cotona Square because combat was never their focus, but they are extremely well-coordinated where it matters the most. That's how the base has expanded and stood well for decades."
"That begs the question on how was the Void maintained."
"From what I heard, it had stayed like that untouched since they finished the room. There are still a lot of mysteries there, like how it was so well lit despite not powered by anything. I have some theories of my own that is well within the grasp of what I know with science, but beyond that, the other ones would be something that can only be described as ridiculous because their rationale is very subjective."
"Well, that's so like you. I hope that the process will work out well for you," Rin cheered on while somehow swaying left and right and her legs swung.
"You… look more excited than any of us in the family."
"H-Huh? Am I?"
"You look so giddy right now that all I can guess is that you plan to replace me with Yukihime."
Rin's face then turned pinkish as she looked a way, "W-Well… it's just I just have a lot of fun when I'm with her…"
"Hey, you're not even going to deny replacing me even if that was just a joke?"
"By the way, she gave me the okay to live with us once she starts working here."
"…" Gin could only squint upon getting his question ignored.
"Pfft… it's getting easier to tease you these days."
"I don't know what you're talking about."
▪ ▪ ▪
It didn't take long for Nagi to realize that things are starting to get busy on the house he's staying at. While the office he's using may not let much exterior noise, he could still hear many discussions happening between Gin and his father, including how they will organize the house once the family moves.
It may be true that Nagi is currently renting a room, but it didn't sit well with him that he's doing nothing but do his work, while feeling the creeping anxiety that there must be something that has to be done in his part, which made him talk with the owner of the house over dinner.
"Your family is moving here soon, right?"
"Just focus on your graduation and work."
"Are you thinking that maybe you're going to be in the way because you're occupying a room?"
Nagi was surprised at how Rin deduced what he is brooding over, but more than that, he noticed that she has become more involved with matters that she didn't used to be part of, which just made it clearer how integrated she is already is in the family.
Nevertheless, he couldn't answer.
"Remember that our contract says that you're staying here until you retire from streaming in a year since you moved here with some wiggle room, and that it will be terminated in the event that you choose to renew your contract with your company.
I know it's hard to find a place ideal for the nature of your work, so don't fuss about it. I'm considering every factor that is in this house."
"Won't there be a shortage of rooms here, though?"
"It's funny how the legend of this house was how it has always been too big for one person, but look at where we are now. I'm giving my room to my parents while Anna can take downstairs. I'm the owner of the house so I'll figure out what I'll do with myself.
Sis will probably be next door for a quite a while so… can I crash in your room, Rin?"
"When Yuki isn't with me, sure."
"So unlikely. Well, the living room can fit a futon comfortably and I'd still have an AC."
Suddenly, Gin stopped as if he's lost in thought.
"It sure is going to be lively here for a few months, huh."
"Huh?"
"Sis' baby will probably be born in September if it's on schedule, then construction would be happening, and a lot of people will be here in general."
"Oh, I guess."
"Well, most of us would be at work while Anna will be at school, so you'll probably have my mom and the cats as your company here.
If you want, you can bring Haku to your streams. I've done it on my channel but it's with Haku coming out of spite."
"You two are as close as ever…"
▪ ▪ ▪
"So this is the land, huh…"
With Gin's company, the engineer Yuma Nishina walked around the empty lot as he inspects it.
"I think you have good soil, and I guess it's very common to use pole foundation, but you're also opting for a slab once the floor level is elevated? You could also put a basement, if I were to suggest."
"Sorry but no matter the assurance, we're putting our foot down on it. We're just sick of flooding that we'd probably go mad from even a small leak."
"This area is higher than White Street, though."
"We've seen news of towns never seeing dry earth for years. Sorry if we're being too cautious, maybe absurdly so."
"What about the plans for cabling and pipes, though? I didn't see anything about it from the stuff you sent me."
"We've pretty much planned for the structural integrity and flood proofing of the house, and the water line is basically the only we're thinking about. Still, it's going to be exposed anyway and we'll just put a facade on it. Gas lines aren't really a thing here since we haven't even had winter for ten years, so we're going full electric, and then solar."
Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.
"That makes a good point, I suppose.
But speaking of solar… I heard your house is completely running in solar power?"
"That's why I invited you to my place. We're just a few steps away from it, and I've already prepared lunch for us."
Utilization of solar power is still not commonplace in the country at least in residential areas, which is why it would be easy to distinguish houses with it, especially on a bird's eye view. Even in the neighborhood they are walking at, there are only two houses that Yuma can identify with it.
And so, Gin unlocked the auxiliary gate of his house, but upon his entrance, he could only see a very bitter face from Yuma who is still standing outside, looking at his house.
As Gin expected, it would seem that the engineer is very much upset as he couldn't make the purchase of the property as someone had beaten him to it.
"I suddenly want to give you a middle finger right now, Mr. Sakato."
"I'm sorry."
Nonetheless, Yuma gave the house a look-around, then inspected the solar cells installed on the roof of the house from the distance.
"How long have they been installed?"
"Since… 2019? I haven't really ran into problems since then, and they're getting maintenance every year. Oh, the ones on the roof were installed later, though."
"Uhh…?"
"Yes?"
"I don't quite follow. You said they were installed in 2019 but I see none of them apart from the ones on the roof."
"Well, we're standing under them."
It was almost high noon. The engineer looked up only to see a peculiar glass roof over his porch. As Gin stepped away for a second, he grabbed a rod and slid translucent sheets of fiberglass under the glass roof to diffuse the light.
However, it did not take long for Yuma to catch on.
"Weren't consumer-grade solar windows commercialized just in 2021? And from what I heard, isn't it fairly uncommon still? I understand in business establishments or companies, but this is a residential area…"
In the midst of the deep but vocal thought, the engineer suddenly realized something.
"Can I ask you to remove the diffusers for a moment, Mr. Sakato?"
And so wordlessly, Gin displaced the sheets, then Yuma stepped in and out of the glass roof a few times.
"Is it just me… or is it cooler under the roof even if the sunlight passes through…?"
Gin remained silent as he put back the shade. Instead, he asked, "Mr. Nishina, do you play video games?"
"Yes? From time to time?"
"Do you stay up to date or wait for the release date of recent games?"
"Some of them…?"
"Then you could say that I was a beta tester. No, maybe an alpha tester?"
"Mr. Sakato, be straight with me. What exactly do you do for a living…?"
"W-What…? I'm just a cook and an illustrator on the side. Do you take me for a scientist or something? I'm only a high school graduate, sorry to say."
The engineer sighed, "Aside from flood problem-solving, I feel like I want to move here more and more now that I'm interested on what you did in this house… and maybe even on the construction."
"If you really want to move here soon, then you'll basically find Exiles doing construction.
Also, can you please make up your mind and just make the purchase already?"
Add to that thought, Gin also did not see the reason why he should tell that the solar cells also convert heat, or thermal energy to electricity beside the sunlight. Yuma Nishina is a civil engineer, but Gin got the impression that he also knows about the other fields of engineering, so he surmised that if he saw the back-end of the house's electrical system, he would find out about it.
"Well, if you have questions, I can entertain them over lunch. At least, the ones I can disclose."
"I'm still a bit upset that I didn't get this house.
And here I thought talks with Mr. Hachido were doing well for me a few years ago. Hahh…"
▪ ▪ ▪
Gradually, the neighborhood had gotten a little less quiet over the few days.
The Sakato family house slowly regained space as it got emptier by the day. Neighbors would observe that a lot of things are coming out of the house, and being moved to the place a few blocks away. However, it was obviously impossible that all of the belongings can be moved to Gin's house, which is why segregation had to happen.
Most of the belongings that are non-essential were immediately moved out to Gin's house, while some would be fetched by Kei and be temporarily stored in their apartment ran by Yuuga's family at Sector T1, while large things and appliances they wouldn't need anymore would be put for sale.
The house had gotten barer, but it still had the semblance of a house. In a few days, construction will begin, and discussions with the engineer about the sale of the house would still occur. If anything, the more space exposed, the more the house would be easier to examine.
But in reality, Gin and Amano are simply staring down Yuma Nishina's back intensely to buy the property, behind the courtesy.
The day before the construction starts, Yukihime paid Gin's house a visit.
"Good morning, Gin. Is Aunt Senna around at the other house?"
"Ah, no. She's here if you need to talk to her. All of our laundry is pretty much done here now since moving stuff. Just leave your umbrella outside."
As it was a bit of a rainy day, Yukihime got a bit anxious and thus came to the sector. Upon entering, she rushed to the porch and breathed a sigh of relief after inspecting the yard.
"I know I'm an amateur but at least put a bit of trust in me. Hahahaha."
The yard was unusually darker—darker than the rainy day, as tarps were laid out as a cover to the bags of cement that are arranged on the parts of the yard that are not grass. Feeling the assurance, Yukihime's cold sweat had disappeared.
"Potatooooo, I'm including my clothes in the dryer, okay?
Oh, Yuki?"
"Hi, Ringo."
"Isn't work going to start tomorrow?"
"Your hubby got me anxious for a moment. I was scared the cement would have hardened by tomorrow," Yukihime chuckled.
With the wave of Rin's hand, she guided the other lady to the living room while Gin went to the kitchen to prepare something for the guest to drink.
"You came empty-handed?" Rin asked, only to be received with confusion.
"Y-Yeah? I think most of our equipment has been offloaded here."
"That's not what I meant. You should have brought your change of clothes beforehand."
Then it dawned on her that she will be living at Rin's place, less the weekends, while she is working at the construction site nearby.
"Ah… I sort of came here on a rush."
Upon placing down a glass of iced tea, Gin sat with the two ladies.
"Oh… right. I have to reintroduce my groom to them."
"There you go again," by Yukihime's hands, Rin's forehead was flicked. "I've visited you already."
"Ow… You guys really are blood-related. You flick my forehead just as much, Yuki.
Well, I guess I'll show you my room later."
"That aside…" Gin butted in. "The first deliveries of dirt is going to arrive really early tomorrow, then the first batch of CHB following that."
"Oh, right. Are you guys going to be around? Surely you're not going to just up and trust the receipts on us?"
"We got that sorted already. I'll be taking less days from work, and it's the same for Dad. Thank goodness my boss is an Exile. When I'm not around, Dad will be here, then vice versa. Kei is going to pitch in too, I think.
Besides, I've already informed our contractor that I'm also helping out on labor when I'm here. That'll probably speed things up, yeah?"
Yukihime was however slightly unconvinced and let out with a stern tone, "Just be very careful and mind safety, or you might end up slowing things down instead."
"Roger."
"Then if you understand, you'll definitely be a huge help to us."
In between the cousins, Rin's sudden curious look had leaked out to her words.
"Suddenly, Yuki somehow looks more mature than Potato."
"Can't be helped," Gin sighed, "When it comes to these matters, I'm like a child to her. She's basically my advisor. I wouldn't have redone this house's flooring if it wasn't for her."
"Gotta say, you did a good job in your first project. I haven't seen any cracks after two years.
That aside, I haven't heard anything more about your next project for a while, Gin. I took the measurements already when I was here last time."
"Well, I'm planning on getting it started when the work on the new house gets lighter. That's first priority after all."
"You're building something, Gin?"
"Remember the one I told you about when we were in Kyoto? I think it's about time a get a move on it."
"The wooden porch… I guess?"
"Yup. I think Yukihime and I would be enough to build it."
"…"
All of a sudden, Rin sulked and childishly cried, "It's always about you two so suddenly! I want to help too…!"
For only a short moment, Yukihime gave Gin a look while Rin continued to pout, and said with a blank face, "I think she's jealous."
"This girl…"
Rin and Yukihime may have only gotten close for a short while, but in that time, the latter already had a read on how Rin typically acts with friends, and one of them is that as much as she sees her friends as huggable stuffed toys, the reverse is just as much applicable.
Yukihime then leaned forward and gave Rin a hug followed with a stroke on her head then to her back so as to comfort her, all the while Gin is watching everything unfold in front of him.
"You're still young at heart, I see, Rin-san…"
"I am still young."
▪ ▪ ▪
On schedule, the construction of a new house had started on the Cerulean Street. In a few days, the target elevation was partially filled while reinforcing rebars for the foundations have started gaining height from a few feet underground.
Yuma Nishina had decided to take a look at the construction for the first time and was shocked to see that the workers are all wearing white faceless masks less for one person in the site.
While he could not wrap his head around seeing so many Exiles in one place with his naked eyes, he surmised that it was the reason why his involvement in the construction was minute.
Deciding to watch from afar, he found a bench on the other side of the road where a man wearing a cap was sitting at. Walking closer, beyond that man's cap was hiding long, pure white hair and his crimson eyes similarly watching the construction. Noticing him, he nodded and gave more space for Yuma to sit.
It was an intimidating sight at first, but with the show of courtesy, he quickly minded it less and less.
"Hello," Kuroko then greeted first.
"Ah, hello. Do you perhaps live nearby?"
"I just stopped by to watch. How about you?"
"That… I guess you could say it's in the process."
"You're the buyer of the house in White Street then, I'd suppose? I'm a friend of the Sakato's, by the way."
"Oh, I see…"
"I'm Kuroko Nijisaki, nice to meet you," he introduced himself as he pulled out a contact card.
"I've heard about this troupe. So you write for them?"
"Mostly, but I still work outside of them. But how are you liking the area so far? I frequently visit here myself."
"Coming from the Capital, it's a nice breath of fresh air, literally. And there is so little noise pollution here, so it's getting more convincing to seal the deal."
A shout was then faintly heard over the construction site and the focus was suddenly directed towards the only person without a mask. Not knowing if he was seeing things, Yuma thought that Gin looked at him and the man beside him for a moment, then at the surrounding areas.
With the coast clear, he wrapped a single rebar like a thin wire perpendicular to a bunch on both ends, and carried them on his shoulder as they bent on each end from the pull of the gravity.
"M-Mr. Nijisaki, are you seeing what I'm seeing?"
"Uh, huh? What was it? Sorry, I was looking at my phone for a moment. Something the matter?"
"Ah, no, nevermind, I guess…"
Somehow, Kuroko felt like he gaslit the engineer into thinking he was just seeing things.
Lunch time arrived shortly after and the engineer took his leave, while Gin took off his hard hat and walked across the street.
"You've been visiting for a while now, you know?"
"I made lunch for Yuki again," Kuroko said as he lifted a lunchbox on his hand.
"Like I said, my mom and Rin are making them lunch," Gin sighed. "Don't you have work anyway… Or do you just want to have an excuse to come here?"
"I wonder?"
Then Kuroko's eyes drifted. Even among the many masked people, his eyes locked on one lady who was washing her hands. Thus, they waved at each other.
"Come help me bring down the tarps while you're here."
Eating outside is a great risk for Exiles. As such, an agreement has been made where the household will provide them meals in working days, and the curtains of Gin's house will be closed, while his yard would be completely concealed at lunch from all sides.
Inside, however, Gin had let in Kuroko and joined the family to eat.
"So the other reason you visit is to have free meals?" Rin joked.
"Come on, I'm helping out on cleaning up, right? After that, can I do my work here for a bit, Gin?"
"If you're going to be here anyway, at least help Mom on moving things here when she asks for it."
"I will, I will. You sound and look a bit sour though."
"I'm not."
Kuroko could only chuckle at Gin's look. As it was him, Gin, and his mother at the table, he then asked on a lighthearted tone rather than offensive, "Perhaps you have a problem with me here?"
"None."
It is as Gin said. He didn't mind the presence of Kuroko around, but somewhere within him he could not help but feel slightly irritated, but there was no ill will. If anything, he already knew the reason why.
"You've gotten quite close with Yukihime, huh?"
"Well, yeah. Her mother also asks me to keep an eye on her from time to time.
Also, I haven't seen her come back to the base with others when I'm around."
"What, you haven't heard? She's staying at Rin's place aside from weekends."
"Oh, I knew. I just wanted to make sure."
"…" a flat glare was then directed at him. "I'll just go back to help at the site."
At Gin's exit, Kuroko and Senna looked at each other, then the latter smiled and patted Kuroko's head which left him a little flustered.
"It's strange that it sometimes feels like I'm looking at my brother rather than my son, isn't it?"
"N-No, I completely understand. But I still can't help but find how Gin acts a little funny."
"Even I understand why he's like that. Now then, I need something for you carry back here."
▪ ▪ ▪
Come a few more days, the foundations of the first floor have been completed. Prior to the slab being applied into the entire house, the water and sewage lines have been finalized.
Once again, Yuma stared at the construction and falling in awe with the speed at which things have progressed in a few days. While the existence of Exiles remains to be shrouded in mystery, his impression upon seeing them for the first time had been favorable as he deemed the work he is looking at very much agreeable to modern standards.
On the other hand, he could still feel the tight grip from the hands he shook with, and within his pocket, he could still feel the coldness of the keys that he now gained ownership of along with the house they belong to.
It would however take two weeks for the house to be completely vacant to give time for the two parties to prepare for their arrival and the other's departure.
For the Sakato's, it was a step towards a safer future. For almost two decades of struggling against calamities, it has reached a point where no means of mitigation could keep the family's patience from sinking down in it. In the first place, no one should have deserved to live through such constant suffering. Thus, when the opportune moment arrived, they have stepped on the pedal forward to a place where their feet would remain dry.
For Yuma Nishina, it was a step towards a regressive future. It is with a heart to restore the street's former self, and perhaps even a larger scale that he accepted a sacrifice and with the drive to put himself in people's shoes to see the root of the problem and see a sight that would that reflects the safer past in a much more difficult future.
…
"Geh. You're here again…?"
"Sounds like you're fed up of me, haha. Since it's a Friday, I'll take home Yuki again later."
"Hahh…"
For Kuroko Nijisaki, he simply wants to take a step towards a happier future.