novelraw Chapter 132: Returning to the Hometown! The Nohara Family's First Meeting
Chapter 132: Returning to the Hometown! The Nohara Family's First Meeting
Akita Prefecture, Omagari City.
Compared to Tokyo's never-ending prosperity, time here seemed to be half a beat slower.
The wind was slow, the clouds were slow, and even the aroma wafting from the roadside cafe carried a lazy, lingering scent.
A brand-new Toyota Land Cruiser, like a dormant steel behemoth, was quietly parked by the road outside the cafe.
This car formed a stark contrast with the unpretentious family cars around it. Its massive body and metallic, gleaming paint silently announced the unique status and wealth of its owner.
Inside the car, Nohara Semashi grasped the steering wheel. Those large hands, covered in thick calluses from years of dealing with soil and farm tools, felt somewhat out of place at the moment.
He was wearing the Armani suit bought in Ginza. The crisp lines perfectly outlined his burly, muscular figure.
The man reflected in the mirror had a resolute face and simple, honest eyes. Yet, because of this outfit, he had added a touch of urban elite temperament that even he himself found unfamiliar.
This set of clothes cost more than all the clothes he had worn in his past twenty-eight years combined.
His younger brother Hiroshi said this was his "battle armor" and the "facade" of the future President of the "Nohara Agricultural Corporation". But Nohara Semashi always felt like a country boy who had stolen a big shot's clothes, feeling uncomfortable all over.
The only thing that could make him feel at ease was the glass door of the cafe with the "OPEN" sign at the end of his gaze.
He was waiting for Ikuna to get off work.
This thought was like a drop of honey buried deep in his heart, making his heart, which was pounding from nervousness, ripple with traces of sweetness.
However, this sweetness was soon shattered by an unharmonious scene.
A young man wearing a trendy floral shirt, his hair slicked back with shiny pomade, was blocking the cafe's entrance while holding a bouquet of vibrant, dripping red roses.
Ogano Junro.
The young master of the Ogano Rice Shop in town, self-proclaimed as the "playboy" of Omagari City. Recently—no, for quite some time now—he had been obnoxiously launching fierce pursuits toward Ikuna.
Even though Ikuna had always disliked him, he continued to pester her relentlessly!
Nohara Semashi's brows furrowed subconsciously.
A gleam of vigilance, the kind a male creature exhibits when its territory is invaded, flashed through his simple eyes.
He saw Ogano Junro exaggeratedly offering the bouquet of roses to Ikuna, wearing what he thought was a dashing smile on his face: "Ikuna-chan! This is the freshest Corolla rose I specially bought for you from the flower shop! Look, it's just like you—beautiful and passionate. You are my muse!"
Ikuna, wearing her cafe waitress uniform, didn't show the slightest hint of being touched on her delicate face. Instead, it was filled with undisguised annoyance.
She took a step back, distancing herself from the bouquet of roses, her voice cold and firm: "Mr. Ogano, I've already made it very clear. Please don't come and disturb my work anymore. I will not accept your flowers."
"Don't be like that, Ikuna-chan." However, Ogano Junro acted as if he couldn't understand human words and leaned a step forward, his voice becoming greasy: "I know, you're testing me, right? It's okay. My heart, just like these roses, can withstand any test! Be my girlfriend, and I promise you won't be able to finish eating the rice from our family for the rest of your life!"
This confession, which could only be described as a cheesy pick-up line, made Ikuna's face darken completely.
"Ogano Junro!" Her voice suddenly rose, carrying an anger that had been pushed to the limit: "I'll say it for the last time. Please leave immediately! Otherwise, I'm calling the police!"
Saying that, she turned around, wanting to go back into the shop, but Ogano stepped sideways to block the glass door, still wanting to pester her:
"Ikuna-chan, you..."
And right at this moment.
"Bang—"
A steady and powerful sound of a car door closing, like the beating of a war drum, instantly attracted everyone's attention.
Nohara Semashi stepped down from that domineering Land Cruiser.
He didn't speak but merely walked over step by step with steady strides. The afternoon sun cast a long shadow behind him, and the expensive suit reflected a low-key yet luxurious luster in the sunlight.
His exceptionally burly figure, a result of years of physical labor, unexpectedly brought an oppressive feeling akin to a mountain at this moment.
"..." Ogano Junro subconsciously released his grip on Ikuna's hand.
He looked at the man who had suddenly appeared before him, then looked at the Toyota Land Cruiser, which was considered a luxury car in all of Omagari City. His face, originally full of a determination to win, instantly turned somewhat pale.
It was this damn guy again!
His romantic rival!
If it weren't for this damn guy, he probably would have already caught this cute and charming Ikuna!
"Ikuna."
But Nohara Semashi's gaze hadn't so much as glanced at the floral shirt from beginning to end.
He merely looked at Ikuna. A somewhat clumsy but incredibly sincere smile appeared on his resolute face: "I came to pick you up from work."
His voice was deep and rich, like mature rice in autumn, giving people a grounded and reassuring feeling.
"Semashi-san!"
The moment she saw Nohara Semashi, Ikuna's bright eyes instantly burst with light as dazzling as the stars.
All the anger and agitation from just a moment ago vanished into thin air.
Like a little bird that had found its sanctuary, she quickly ran to Nohara Semashi's side, a shy blush appearing on her delicate face.
"Why... why are you here?" Ikuna asked charmingly.
"I was afraid you'd be tired, so I drove out to take you home." Nohara Semashi's answer was simple and direct.
"Damn it! Damn it! Damn it!" Standing on the side, Ogano Junro felt like a clown watching this intimate scene.
The bouquet of roses in his hands seemed incredibly sarcastic at this moment.
He looked at Nohara Semashi's outfit, which was clearly worth a fortune at first glance, and then at his own flashy shirt;
he looked at the other party's Land Cruiser that could safely crash through country dirt roads, and then at the broken-down little Honda parked at the street corner...
An inferiority complex flooded over him like a tide.
In the past, he was always the one making others feel inferior, but now he never expected to be the one feeling inferior!
"Um... I... I suddenly remembered there's still business at the shop, I'm leaving first!"
He practically fled in panic, forgetting to even take the expensive bouquet of roses, his miserable figure disappearing around the street corner.
Watching his comical back, Ikuna couldn't help but let out a 'pfft' and laugh.
She turned her head, her crescent-moon eyes unblinkingly watching the man beside her who had bailed her out.
Twenty-eight-year-old Nohara Semashi might just be an ordinary country man in a metropolis like Tokyo.
However, in the eyes of twenty-year-old Ikuna, the aura he carried—a mixture of a farmer's simplicity and a mature man's steadiness—held a fatal attraction.
He wasn't a glib talker like Ogano Junro;
his words were always direct and even a bit clumsy.
But every word he said made a person feel incredibly dependable.
"Semashi-san, wait for me a moment!" As Ikuna spoke, she turned and ran back into the shop.
A short while later, she ran out holding a glass of iced lemon soda radiating slight coldness, carefully handing it to Nohara Semashi.
"The weather's hot;
drink some of this to cool down." Her small face carried a bit of anticipation and a hint of shyness: "I... made this myself."
Nohara Semashi looked at the crystal-clear drink under the sun, then at the girl's sparkling eyes. He felt as if his simple, honest heart had been gently scratched by a kitten's paw.
It was itchy, tingling, and sweet.
He took the glass and tilted his head back, taking a large gulp. The cold, sweet liquid slid down his throat, instantly dispelling the summer heat and smoothing out that trace of nervousness in his heart.
"It's delicious." he praised sincerely.
Ikuna's smile grew even brighter.
"By the way," Nohara Semashi remembered the main business: "My parents said they'd like to invite you to our house to sit for a bit and have a casual dinner this afternoon."
"Eh? To... to Uncle and Auntie's house?" Hearing this, Ikuna's face instantly turned bright red. She nervously twisted the hem of her clothes, "Isn't... isn't this a bit too fast?"
"It's not fast. They... they really like you." Looking at her shy appearance, Nohara Semashi also felt a surge of heat in his heart.
Ikuna bit her lower lip, hesitated for a moment, and finally summoned her courage, nodding heavily: "Okay! I'll go!"
As if she had made some resolution, she added: "Then... then I have to go buy some pastries to bring over. It's my first visit, I can't go empty-handed."
"No need, no need. We have everything at home, don't waste that money." Nohara Semashi subconsciously revealed his frugal nature again.
"No way!" Ikuna pouted and said in a very serious tone: "It's manners! I must buy something! This is a token of appreciation for Uncle and Auntie!"
Looking at the girl's serious expression, Nohara Semashi's heart felt as if it had been filled with something warm.
He didn't insist anymore, just opening his mouth to reveal an honest smile.
"Alright, I'll listen to you."
...
Towards evening, the setting sun dyed the sky a warm shade of orange-red.
The Land Cruiser drove steadily on the country path. Outside the car window were vast expanses of emerald green paddy fields, rippling with golden waves in the evening breeze.
Ikuna sat in the passenger seat, hugging an exquisitely packaged box of wagashi. Her small face was filled with the nerves and anticipation of meeting the other party's parents soon.
As the car slowly approached the traditional farmhouse of the Nohara family, Ikuna's eyes were drawn to another car parked in front of the door.
It was an entirely black sedan with smooth, elegant lines, radiating a restrained yet dignified luster in the afterglow of the setting sun.
"Wow..." Ikuna couldn't help but let out a gasp of admiration, "Semashi-san, why is there... such a beautiful luxury car parked in front of your house? I don't think I've ever seen this logo before."
As a girl who also grew up in the countryside, the best-looking car she knew was Nohara Semashi's Land Cruiser.
But the car before her, whether in design or aura, was clearly on a level more than a notch higher.
Nohara Semashi followed her gaze and was slightly startled at first. Immediately after, an ecstatic light burst out from those eyes that were usually as calm as an ancient well!
Toyota Crown!
And it's the highest specs Majesta!
He wouldn't mistake it! He had seen this car in Tokyo!
"It's Hiroshi! Hiroshi is back!"
Nohara Semashi's voice was filled with irrepressible excitement.
He practically parked the car in a flurry, a smile blooming on his resolute face.
That younger brother who had carved out a piece of the sky in Tokyo, the pillar who single-handedly planned the future of the "Nohara Family", had actually... returned!
The immense surprise made him light-headed. He unbuckled his seatbelt, turned around, and without a second thought, grabbed the soft little hand of Ikuna beside him.
"Let's go! Ikuna! I'll take you to meet my brother! Let me tell you, my brother is... he's super amazing!"
Like a child eager to show off his beloved toy, he grabbed Ikuna's hand and rushed into the house.
Ikuna was stunned by his sudden action. The rough yet warm touch coming from her palm made her little face instantly turn so red it looked like it was about to bleed.
She wanted to pull her hand back, but couldn't bear to let go of that warmth.
In the end, she merely lowered her head shyly, turned her hand over, and gently yet incredibly firmly grasped that large hand belonging to Nohara Semashi.
...
Time rewind to past 1 PM.
"Creak—"
The wooden door of the old house, polished smooth and warm by the years, was slowly pushed open from the outside.
A scent mixing urban atmosphere and travel dust, accompanied by two young figures, poured into this peaceful Japanese-style room full of rustic charm.
"Mom, we are back."
Nohara Hiroshi's voice carried a hint of fatigue, but more so, it carried the utter relaxation of returning to a safe haven.
Especially looking at the familiar old house before him, a look of nostalgia appeared in his eyes.
Although he was a transmigrator.
He had transmigrated since he was young. Since he opened his eyes, he had spent over a dozen years of his entire childhood to middle school right here.
"Oh my! Hiroshi! Misae-chan!"
Nohara Tsuru came out to welcome them from the kitchen almost instantly. When she saw the two travel-worn figures, especially her son's slightly tired face, her expression was instantly overtaken by heartache.
She walked up quickly, grabbing Misae's soft, boneless little hand with one hand, while the other hand affectionately caressed Nohara Hiroshi's cheek. The complaint in her eyes was so gentle it could wring out water.
"What's going on with you child? Didn't I tell you to take the Shinkansen back? It takes five or six hours to drive here from Tokyo! How tiring! Look at you, your face has thinned out!" As she spoke, she pulled the two into the house, her posture like an old mother hen protecting her chicks: "You're not allowed to do this next time! If you want to come back, just call ahead, and I'll have your brother pick you up at the station, how convenient that would be!"
"Mom, it's fine, driving back is convenient, and we brought a lot of things." Nohara Hiroshi smiled as he explained. The warmth belonging to a wanderer returning home swept away all the fatigue in his heart.
"Exactly!"
Nohara Ginnosuke, who had been sitting on the side acting profound, finally found an opportunity to chime in. He puffed out his chest, putting on airs, and nodded seriously with a tone full of a seasoned senior's experience: "What do you know, Tsuru? This is called returning home in glory! A man of our Nohara family must make something of himself when he goes out! When he makes something of himself, he must drive a nice car, bring back a beautiful wife, and return with great prestige! Otherwise, why did we spend so much money to send him to university in Tokyo? Is it to let him ride that slow, rundown electric train?!"
As he spoke, those bushy eyebrows that were identical to his youngest son's danced up and down smugly. He didn't forget to glance out the window at the black behemoth that could be considered an "alien" in all of Omagari City.
The meaning was self-evident—See that? That's my son's ride! How grand!
"..." A few distinct black lines instantly popped up on Nohara Hiroshi's forehead.
Although he did indeed drive it back to show off a bit.
But being called out by his old man like this.
It was a bit awkward.
He massaged his forehead helplessly. The bit of warmth that had just risen in his heart was instantly scattered by his old man's Versailles-like logic.
As expected of his biological father, his thought process was always bizarrely self-righteous.
And the car he drove back to flex from a place of Versailles-like boasting...
Will probably be used by his dad to boast all over again!
That's so annoying!
"Pfft—"
Misae on the side couldn't hold it back anymore, covering her mouth and letting out a silver bell-like, charming laugh.
She leaned close to her future mother-in-law, Nohara Tsuru's ear, and muttered in a low voice that only the two of them could hear: "Auntie, you see, Uncle and Hiroshi-kun are really quite alike in some aspects."
These words were like an embroidery needle, accurately piercing the inherently fragile nerves of the father and son pair who were currently having a "conversation between men" with their eyes.
The faces of Nohara Ginnosuke and Nohara Hiroshi visibly flushed red up to their ears at a speed recognizable to the naked eye.
"Ahem, ahem!"
"Ahem!"
The two of them simultaneously averted their gazes. One pretended to look at the ceiling, while the other pretended to study the pattern on the tatami mats. That embarrassed, "the lady doth protest too much" look caused the two women to tremble with laughter.
"Alright, alright, don't just stand at the door, come in and sit down."
After the joking around, Nohara Tsuru finally remembered and hurriedly gestured for the two to take a seat. But when her gaze landed on Misae's delicate face, which looked slightly thinner due to the exhaustion of the journey, deep shame and remorse appeared on her gentle face.
"Oh my, look at my memory!" She slapped her forehead hard, her voice full of self-reproach: "With you two coming back so suddenly, I... I didn't prepare anything for Misae-chan! This... this is the first official visit, and I don't even have a decent meeting gift. It's too rude!"
"Auntie, please don't say that." Misae hurriedly waved her hands, her exquisite face full of sincerity: "It was a sudden decision by Hiroshi-kun. I'm already very happy that you let us come back. Besides, I've prepared gifts for you and Uncle too!"
She said this like a little girl presenting a treasure, placing the heavy shopping bag printed with luxury brand logos on the low table. Then, she opened those red velvet boxes radiating with golden light one by one.
That dazzling and golden radiance instantly blinded the eyes of Nohara Tsuru and Nohara Ginnosuke.
"This... this is..." Nohara Tsuru looked at the delicately crafted, weighty solid gold necklace, and the pair of gold bangles carved with dragon and phoenix motifs. Her eyes, always gentle as water, were filled with disbelief and shock.
She subconsciously wanted to decline, her voice even stammering slightly: "No, no, no! Misae-chan! This... this is too expensive! We can't accept it!"
The main issue was that they had already received a lot of gifts last time, and this time she hadn't prepared a gift for her future daughter-in-law either.
She felt rather guilty about it!
"Auntie, just accept it." However, Misae didn't give her a chance to argue, personally putting the necklace around her neck. Those obsidian-like big eyes were brimming with a younger generation's adoration for their elders: "This is Hiroshi-kun's token of appreciation, and also a small piece of filial piety from me as a junior. If you like it, I'll buy it for you every day from now on!"
This remark made even Nohara Hiroshi on the side unable to help but smile.
This little money-grubber of his really was naturally gifted when it came to coaxing the elders.
Nohara Tsuru's eyes reddened slightly from this "sweet offense" full of sincerity and filial piety. She touched the cool and heavy sensation on her neck, and her motherly heart had long been completely filled with immense happiness and satisfaction.
She looked at the future daughter-in-law before her, who was beautiful, had a good personality, and knew how to care for others so much. The more she looked, the more satisfied and fond she became.
She thought for a moment, as if she had made some resolution. She suddenly stood up and smiled warmly at Misae.
"Misae-chan, wait for me a moment."
Saying that, she turned and walked into the inner room.
After a while, she carried a carved wooden box made of high-quality paulownia wood, which looked quite ancient, and walked out carefully.
"Tsuru, what are you bringing this out for?" Seeing that box, an unconcealed astonishment also appeared in Nohara Ginnosuke's small eyes.
But he quickly curled his lip and quietly muttered to Nohara Hiroshi beside him with a tone full of a seasoned senior's experience: "Boy, you see that? That's your mom's precious treasure. But let me tell you, the old things inside aren't worth the gold your wife bought. They're all worthless trinkets."
"You dirty old man! What nonsense are you spouting!" Hearing this, Nohara Tsuru glared at him, both annoyed and amused.
She placed the wooden box on the table and gently wiped off the thin layer of dust on top with a soft piece of silk. Her movements were as gentle as if she were caressing a rare treasure.
"Misae-chan." She raised her head and looked at Misae. Her eyes, already lined by the years but still bright and clear, were filled with solemnity and the spirit of inheritance.
"This was given to me by my mother-in-law, Hiroshi's grandmother, when I married into the Nohara family. She said these are the family heirlooms of our Nohara family and must be passed down from generation to generation."
As she spoke, she slowly opened the wooden box.
Inside the box lay a layer of red silk that had already turned slightly yellow. Resting quietly on the silk were two pure gold bracelets with a rustic design but which still radiated a gentle luster.
"Although, just like his dad said, if we calculate according to current gold prices, this thing really isn't worth much money. However, what it represents is a token of appreciation, a form of acknowledgement."
Nohara Tsuru picked up one of the bracelets and gently slipped it onto Misae's pale wrist. The size was just right, neither too big nor too small.
"Originally, there were two in here. I figured it works out perfectly;
you and Ikuna, that is Hiroshi's older brother, Semashi's wife, can have one each, saving you from fighting over them."
"I wouldn't fight with sister-in-law!" Hearing this, Misae's cheeks flushed, and she subconsciously retorted. That naive, maidenly look made Nohara Tsuru laugh so hard she couldn't close her mouth.
But quickly, as if Misae remembered something, she looked at the bracelet on her wrist that was filled with the significance of inheritance. Her delicate little face displayed a maturity and seriousness that did not match her age.
"Auntie." She carefully took the bracelet off and put it back into the box, bowing deeply to Nohara Tsuru: "I accept your sentiments, but this bracelet is too precious. I think... it would be more appropriate for you to personally put it on me when Hiroshi-kun and I are officially engaged."
These words were practically watertight. They not only expressed respect for the elder's sentiments but also appropriately displayed her educated and well-mannered nature.
Nohara Tsuru was completely stunned.
She looked at the girl before her who was not only pretty and sensible but also so tactful and sensible. Her future mother-in-law's heart was already completely filled with immense surprise and satisfaction.
"Good... good child!" She repeated the word 'good' twice, her eyes a bit moist.
She knew that her youngest son, who seemed omnipotent on the outside but was actually a complete "life idiot" in her impression, had truly found a good girl whom he could entrust his whole life to this time.
Fully satisfied, she closed the wooden box and put it back in the inner room. When she came out, that gentle and affection smile had already returned to her face. Taking Misae's hand, she began to eagerly study the clothes full of "Tokyo trendy flair" that Misae had bought back.
"Oh my, isn't this shirt a bit too flashy? With your Uncle's age, aren't you afraid people will laugh if he wears this out?"
"Who says I'm afraid?!" Nohara Ginnosuke, who had been left hanging on the side all this time, instantly instantly perked up. He snatched the Burberry casual jacket printed with loud patterns and sized it up against his body. His old face overflowed with an excitement as if he had found his group: "This is called a trend! Do you understand trends? It's much more fashionable than that old man's shirt I've worn for ten years!"
That improper, smug look of an old man once again caused the whole room to erupt into uproarious laughter.
Amidst this warm and joyful laughter, the steady sound of a car engine came from the yard once again, followed by the polite opening of the house door.
"Dad, Mom, I'm back."
It was Nohara Semashi's voice.
His burly figure appeared at the door. wearing a crisp Armani suit that brought out his muscular physique, honed by years of labor, making him look even more upright.
Beside him stood a pretty girl.
It was exactly Sakurada Ikuna.
Seeing this lively scene in the room, especially seeing the girl sitting next to Nohara Tsuru, who was as exquisitely beautiful as a doll, a blush of shyness and nervousness subconsciously appeared on her pretty face, which always bore a gentle smile.
"Hiroshi, Misae, you're back." Seeing his younger brother and sister-in-law, an honest, heartfelt smile appeared on Nohara Semashi's tanned face.
"Big brother, sister-in-law." Nohara Hiroshi smiled as he stood up to introduce them: "This is Misae. Misae, this is big brother, and... future sister-in-law, Miss Ikuna."
"Hello, sister-in-law."
However, Misae's reaction was faster than anyone else's.
With almost no hesitation whatsoever, she stood up and sweetly addressed the girl who was still a bit uneasy.
That voice, crisp and melodious, was filled with undoubtable intimacy.
Sakurada Ikuna's face instantly went "whoosh" and flushed bright red, like an iron heated in an instant. She somewhat frantically glanced at Nohara Semashi beside her, who was equally dumbfounded by the sudden address. Her maidenly heart had long been completely filled with immense shyness and sweetness.
She didn't deny it.
She merely kept her head down, responding in a tiny, mosquito-like voice: "H... Hello."
Watching this highly dramatic scene, Nohara Ginnosuke and Nohara Tsuru looked at each other, both seeing an immense, heartfelt happiness in each other's eyes.
They knew that starting today, there would no longer be just two lonely old folks in this old house filled with the traces of time.
This home was finally going to become lively again~
"Oh right! I'll go prepare dinner!" Nohara Tsuru wanted to head straight for the kitchen.
But she was stopped by Nohara Semashi: "Mom, my brother and sister-in-law came back together, and Ikuna is here too. How about I call for Bento Delivery to the house? There's a newly opened Izakaya in town, and the food is quite good."
These words were indeed unlike the stingy Nohara Semashi of the past.
"Hmm, then we'll need lots of beer and lots of delicious food!" Nohara Ginnosuke nodded in satisfaction, crossing his arms over his chest in praise: "As expected of the eldest son of the Nohara family. This is indeed the time for you to perform!"
"Of course. After all, Hiroshi is back. If I, the older brother, am too stingy, that would be going too far!" Nohara Semashi also embarrassedly scratched the back of his head.
Instantly, the room was once again filled with warm laughter.