The morning sunlight shimmered through the large windows of the mansion's newly completed living room. Today wasn't just any day. It marked the beginning of something new — the official move-in day.
Boxes had already been unpacked the night before, most of the furniture in place, and Mrs. Wulan had stayed up late arranging the kitchen just the way she liked it. The scent of freshly brewed coffee filled the air, blending with the comforting aroma of warm toast and cheese omelets. Phuby sat at the dining table, his eyes flicking between his cup and Hana, who was quietly eating across from him.
"Are you nervous?" Hana asked, her soft voice filled with a sweet concern.
"Not really," Phuby smiled. "Just... excited, I guess."
It was hard to believe how far things had come. From job hunting and livestreaming to becoming the owner of a bakery, a shophouse, and now — a mansion. And all of it happened within months. Still, Phuby never let the money or the mansion go to his head. If anything, it made him more grounded. This house wasn't just a home for his family — it was a foundation for everyone he cared about.
After breakfast, the group gathered in the front yard where Mbak Citra's landscaping crew had just arrived to begin the garden work. Hana stood with a sketchbook in hand, blushing slightly as she showed everyone her idea for the garden.
"I was thinking... maybe we could have a small Zen garden on this side," she said, pointing toward the northern corner of the yard, where the sun cast a perfect morning light. "With stepping stones, a gravel area, maybe some moss and bamboo... and a corner for meditation."
Mrs. Wulan looked at her warmly. "That sounds peaceful, Hana. I love the idea."
Phuby chuckled. "Of course you'd bring a piece of Japan with you. I like it too." He gave her a wink. "It fits you."
While the others watched the work begin, Phuby quietly walked off toward the back, where something special had been planted earlier that morning. He motioned for Hana to follow him.
"Where are we going?" she asked, her eyes curious.
"You'll see."
They stepped around the side of the house, past the garden tools and carefully arranged stepping stones, until they reached a freshly landscaped spot. Right in the center stood a young Tabebuya tree — pink blossoms already blooming like a scene from a Japanese spring. Hana stopped in her tracks, eyes wide.
"It looks like... sakura," she whispered.
"It's called Tabebuya," Phuby said gently. "They bloom like cherry blossoms, but they're suited for the tropical heat here. I wanted you to have a piece of home, even if it's not real sakura."
Hana turned to him, tears threatening to spill. "You did this for me?"
"I know real sakura trees wouldn't survive long in Cirebon, but this one... it'll bloom beautifully. And it'll remind you of your roots every time you see it."
She took a few steps toward the tree, touched the bark gently, then turned and embraced him tightly. "Thank you, Phuby. It's perfect."
They stood like that for a moment, in silence, under the shade of pink blossoms dancing lightly in the breeze. The sounds of construction faded in the background, and all that remained was the warmth of something blooming — not just in the garden, but between them.
Later that evening, with most of the house already settled, the basement echoed with laughter. The karaoke setup was finished. The walls had been treated with thick layers of soundproofing, and now the space felt like a proper entertainment hub. A foosball table stood beside the billiards corner, and in the middle of the room, a cozy couch and projector setup completed the transformation.
Kotim grabbed the mic first, cueing up a song from ONE OK ROCK, his voice serious but filled with that signature emotional punch he always brought. Everyone nodded to the beat, including Apood, who cheered from the back with a bowl of mie goreng in hand.
"I'm next!" Apood shouted, already cueing up a Dewa 19 hit — his go-to performance on TikTok. He couldn't sing like a pro, but his enthusiasm made the whole room light up.
"Wih, dangdut rock!" Mamad laughed. "If Kotim sings, I sing!"
"You always just copy him!" Dhe'ik teased, handing Mamad a mic.
"Better than your Japanese gibberish!" Amad joked, dodging the pillow Dhe'ik hurled his way.
Meanwhile, Phuby stayed in the back, smiling. It had been so long since the whole group was together in one place like this — laughing, teasing, singing their hearts out. Even though they had grown older, had jobs, responsibilities, and different lives, the bond they shared never faded.
Hana finally took the mic with a grin. "I'll sing this one for you all," she said shyly. A Japanese ballad began playing — soft and heartfelt — and her voice carried the emotion of home and hope. Even Dhe'ik, who usually joked during performances, fell silent.
When the song ended, everyone clapped.
And as the night wore on, the room filled with music, laughter, and memories. A group of friends — and now family — beginning a new chapter under one roof.
Phuby leaned back, looking around the room. This — this was what it was all for.
And outside, the Tabebuya tree continued to bloom under the starlit sky.