Kazuho and Shinrou had come upon the string of houses, after spending a while just walking through the streets to find it. As they finally reached, both of them were sure to ask for better directions next time although there were signs to this place, which did help since the landlord had been looking for tenants to stay. As he hosted merchants, which meant that he was always in need of one and thus had a permanent sign to tell where he was located.
“It could look worse.” The houses were in decent shape, although none looked spacious. It was something that the houses here in Okiban and also around the country were built to. The lack of land had made it essential to build higher and use lesser space. Something even the Shogun palace followed, with many in awe of height. Where many noted that in terms of space to some countries, it would only be the castle of a minor nobleman.
“How may I help you?” A man stood before them, clear that he was the owner of the place. And from how he had come to them, identifying as visitors.
“We’re looking for a place to buy.” He had kept his tone light, cheery even. As though he was keen on finding a beautiful place to stay, and to the man meant that he might not be able to afford it.or he might not know just how much it cost to have one.
“There’s a couple of houses which are open for buyers.”
He leads them inside, avoiding all of the closest and the smallest houses. Bringing them to the most substantial home in the market, Kazuho knew that this was the strategy. He was unlikely to part with those houses since most rented them, as those houses were within their budget for the duration of their stay. This was mostly unused, too big to be for many to rent. And perhaps only the occasional merchant who might stay. All the while, assessing correctly that many couldn’t afford to buy the house.
But not for him. He knew that this was the best way he could have taken the best deal, and he was not someone who had enough money to throw around, letting others raise the price as they wished. But he did like having more space than others. And this house was the biggest amongst all that was seen.
He entered the place. It was rather significant, having found the place to fit in a garden. He had stepped into the main hall but took the chance to explore further. Looking around him to notice the rooms, there were many of them. But much smaller than the first. There were no futons in those rooms until the last revealed all of them stacked neatly.
It wasn’t too big, but neither had it been too small. He didn’t need a lot of space, just somewhere quiet. The garden was a perk that he could enjoy. “So, are you going to buy it?” Shinrou asked.
Despite all, he still held the decision since he was the one buying. “It’s fine, it is spacious, but it does not have anything too fancy.” Which meant that it was a perfect location for their plans. The landlord had given them the privacy to take a look inside, perhaps guessing that it was best for them to take a look themselves rather than anything.
It was simple enough and did not need to have someone to introduce them to the house. It was rather bare without any furnishings. It was relatively typical for it to be so. He could simply pick out the furniture he preferred and get it for a better price than if he asked for it.
As they stepped out, the man had waited for them to take the chance to look. “How much is the price?”
“For the house, around 5000 yen.” A fair price, according to the market. But for impoverished merchants, this was out of their league. He gave a smug smirk, as though expecting them to be unable to afford it. “You can rent it instead, or maybe you can find cheaper houses to rent from me.”
Renting was something that would benefit him more than buying it. It was right, and he could benefit from it; however, he had wanted as he still owned the place. The same could not be said if they bought it.
“I’ll take it.” The man blinked at his words. “I said I’ll take it.”
He had taken out a set of paper, which was a checkbook. “Is there any ink to be used?” The man nodded, grumbling before allowing them to grab some. It was a sale, and he had offered. If it had been anyone else, they would have been unable to pay. But since it was him, he could.
He had dabbed it into the ink and wrote out the sum along with his name before signing it at last. Knowing that it had belonged to him. When he was done, and after the check dried, he passed it to the man. The man looked at the sum and knew that he had been taken advantage of as well. Even as he grumbled, heading to his office to grab some of the things he would need to hand to them.
There was no case to be made, this was a fair market price for a small house like this. He may have wanted to profit, but he did not want to get too much in trouble with the law should it come. And it did seem so, with how he accepted it. Not even trying to push up the price. Times were hard here, and a bad reputation would have meant the end for them.
“Are you sure that will work?” Shinrou asked in skepticism, the first time he had been using it here. “I remember the laws about how this. It seems a little doubtful.”
“I converted some of my assets over to this name, and thus it would work.” He had sent someone over to do some of the tests, and it had not failed for them. Thus it meant that the transfer had been mostly successful.
The landlord accepted the paper and handed them the deed. Before going off to the bank to have it cashed in. Even as Shinrou went off to find Masami and Yuki and invite them to stay in the house. And that he would still need to find furniture, and tables if he did not want to be writing on the ground.
Tables existed for a good reason, especially when ink could stain clothes and required time to dry. He made a note that it will be the first thing he buys, as he had a surplus of ink and paper on his own. It was not a long wait for them to arrive, where they had come in looking around.
“It looks empty,” Yuki mentioned how there was nothing here. As she was standing at the front while seeing quite a garden but only a couple of small rooms. She stepped further inside, even as Kazuho remained in the main hall seated. He had seen it, and to be honest, he had lived in smaller houses before.
When she was done, she came back. Yuki asked, “and is this really a big house?”
“Yes, it is. The land here is scarce, and you know that we sleep on the floor as compared to a bed.” And that even those beds were often expensive. As it was padded, both the cover and the mattress had been so. She has experienced it too, without much complaint either.
“Why don’t you lay the futon on the ground?”
“You’re going to attract mites and mold might grow. It’s a must to keep it away from the ground.” Masami explained. And why no matter how hard it was, most people kept it. It was expensive to have them, and they required careful maintenance.
That shut her up. “But is this really a bigger house?”
“It is bigger than my own expectations.” It was that of a slightly more significant variation of a standard house. With the rooms on the side, and the middle as a garden. Instead of walkways with paths to many places, there were a couple at the bottom. Most would admit that it could fit perhaps three to four people. And there were six rooms.
As Masami went off to clean up the place, all the while finding a room for herself. Kazuho did not have much preference but knew that there would be two extras. He would likely use one as a guest room while the other to him could be used as a study and allow them to talk. They didn’t really need a teahouse since he was not really versed in the customs. And he was not going to have many visitors over in the first place.
Yuki had got up as well, finding her own room at the end of it. Before Kazuho followed, knowing where he was going to be sleeping. The first room on the left and the next would be a study. Masami had come out of the other end, with Shinrou opposite him. He had taken out the futon and folded it. The only time to bring it out was when they were asleep.
He had grabbed some of his papers over into the study, even as he would like some bookshelves. And made another note to get them. Before putting them on the floor, with the brushes, quills and ink mostly laid out on the floor. He had kept the maps on the floor first.
“Kazuho, there’s someone at the door. Shinrou is seeing to him, but he says to get you.” Masami told him, as he got up knowing that this was serious. Shinrou would never call upon him unless it were important. At the door, he saw the man again.
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