The car moved steadily along the rural road as Sato introduced the situation of Asahigaoka to them along the way.
"Although the declining birthrate here isn't very serious, and almost every family has two or three children, many young people leave and never want to come back. So overall, the population here is still gradually decreasing."
"Those who remain mostly make a living through forestry and agriculture. The village has a jointly organized forestry corporation and an agricultural products association. The mountains you see now are actually all collective property of the village."
"Amazing!"
Ritsu pressed herself against the glass, staring in awe at the mountains outside the window.
"All of these belong to your village?"
"That's right!"
Sato nodded with a smile. "Since individual strength can't compare to collective strength, the older generation with foresight joined together to establish a company for unified management. Each household contributes their mountain shares and receives annual dividends, and they can also work within the forestry company."
From Asahigaoka Station all the way here, the desolation they had seen when entering earlier was nowhere to be found.
Along the road were fields and homes everywhere. The houses stood quietly embraced by the forest, as if they had merged with nature itself.
"Everyone, my house is just ahead!"
Sato suddenly turned off the main road onto a smaller path. At the end of this branch road, a house could be seen in the distance.
The girls all leaned out curiously, looking at the building.
"So… so big!"
Mio said in surprise as she looked at the house.
Sato laughed. "Well, since it's the countryside, having a bigger house is normal. I've prepared two rooms for you. You can decide how to split them later. As for bedding, everything is already available at home."
"Thank you!"
Creak
Sato stepped on the brake at the entrance, pulled the handbrake, and smoothly parked the car in his family's parking area.
That's right, his house had a private parking lot.
However, unlike other private parking areas filled with luxury cars, the Nohara family's lot was packed with all kinds of agricultural machinery.
Tractors, harvesters, seeders, rice transplanters, nearly ten different machines in total, dazzling to look at.
"So… so many!"
After getting out of the car, (K-ON) Yui stared at the farm equipment in shock. Faced with machines whose wheels were almost as tall as she was, her legs felt weak.
"Ui… Ui, hold me for a second."
Seeing this, Hirasawa Ui quickly supported her.
"My dad bought all of these. Whenever he sees this kind of stuff, he just can't control himself. My mom has scolded him plenty for it."
Hearing this, the girls silently exchanged glances, then all turned their eyes toward Mio.
Mio opened her mouth slightly, then stepped forward somewhat helplessly.
She asked carefully, "Um… what are your parents like? Is there anything we should pay attention to?"
"You mean their personalities?"
Sato paused for a moment, then smiled at their nervous expressions. "Don't worry. They both have a few quirks, but they're pretty easygoing overall. However…"
As if recalling something, his expression suddenly darkened.
The girls looked at each other and swallowed nervously. What… did he just remember?
Hirasawa Ui asked softly, "Senpai, is there a problem?"
"Well… sometimes those two can be a bit unpredictable. Just don't take it too seriously!"
Sato thought for a moment before forcing a smile.
Unpredictable?!
…
When Sato brought the Light Music Club to the front of the house, Nohara Ginnosuke and Nohara Tsuru were already waiting there.
Seeing the group of youthful, beautiful girls behind Sato, Nohara Ginnosuke let out a chuckle.
He leaned toward Nohara Tsuru and said quietly, "So many pretty girls. Looks like Sato has inherited a bit of my old charm!"
After saying that, he sighed, as if reminiscing about his glorious past.
Nohara Tsuru ignored his bragging. She knew very well what kind of person he had been back then.
Resting her cheek on one hand, she looked at the girls behind Sato with a troubled expression and muttered to herself, "I called Sato at the start of the school term, but I didn't expect him to bring back so many in just one semester. Which one should I choose…"
Nohara Ginnosuke glanced at her. You're going even further than me.
"This is my dad, Nohara Ginnosuke. This is my mom, Nohara Tsuru."
At that moment, Sato had already brought the group in front of them and introduced them in turn.
"Hello, Uncle and Auntie!"
The girls all bowed politely.
"Welcome to Asahigaoka. I've prepared some snacks for you. Come inside and have some."
Nohara Tsuru said with a gentle smile.
"Thank you, Auntie!"
"Alright, I'll take them in first."
After the greetings, Sato quickly led the girls inside.
To be honest, he didn't really want the Light Music Club to have too much contact with the two of them.
After all, the less contact, the less chance of anything being exposed.
If one had to ask why that guy Shinnosuke turned out so different, he felt it had a lot to do with genetics. Specifically from his older brother Hiroshi's side, and the root of it was probably these two right here.
Sato first brought the girls upstairs to put away their luggage. Even though they were only staying for a week, girls really did have a lot of baggage.
Together, they had packed three large suitcases full. If he hadn't mentioned earlier that the car couldn't fit more, there would probably have been even more.
After putting everything away, they met again in the hallway.
"Sato."
Mio suddenly called out to him.
"What is it?"
Sato turned to look at her curiously.
Mio hesitated for a moment, then said, "If we want to practice, what should we do?"
"Oh, that… follow me!"
Sato suddenly revealed a mysterious smile.