While looking at the inn I was taking note of the damage.
Surprisingly the inside had minimal damage, the biggest thing was the long standing dust on the floor.
The wood thankfully had a clear topcoat. So, with some proper cleaning and a new coat of polish it should be fine. The only other thing that needed to be done inside was update the accents, because the 80s definitely took root in a few places.
The lighting fixtures were tacky. But otherwise, it was a light Yamato style that I really liked. It was very refreshing even in the dim light.
There were plenty of windows for natural light but the plants and trees obscured most of the sunlight.
Most of the damage would most likely be external, from plants growing into the siding, or just simple weathering.
It was winter so the sun wouldn't be up for long. I locked up and made my way to the super market to get some supplies.
I got a car to drive me to the home improvement store, which was owned by a couple of familiar names. The ShinjuDonyoku home improvement store. Which was right across the street from the Donyoku and another family name drug store.
In the home improvement store I got gardening tools and cleaning supplies.
I brought them back out to the car waiting and drove back to the inn I bought. I left the tools and cleaning supplies in the entry way then made my way back to the inn to get dinner.
When I arrived at the inn I saw Kitsumi Kiyo making a phone call outside. She was far enough away that her voice was only a whisper, but that was enough for the glasses to pick up what she was saying.
"Things are not exactly going to plan."
"..."
"Yeah. I did my best, but there have been some unexpected actions."
"..."
"Yes. Sir, I will do my best to rectify the situation and get the plan back on track."
"..."
"Yes, sir. I understand, thank you. I will keep you updated."
With that she hung up the phone and turned in my direction. She was momentarily startled but then gave herself a reassuring smile and walked in my direction with confidence.
When she got close I asked, "Was that good or bad news for me?"
She smiled and said, "Good news. They have decided to pick up the pace. An inspector will be sent out tomorrow. It was a good move to buy a house here, that really lit a fire under their seats."
"Oh, well, I needed something to do. So, I bought an old inn to work on. It wasn't my intention to play any mind games. But, I guess if it works."
"Right… If it works then that's good."
We went inside and the night passed uneventfully.
…
The next day I woke up early, well before the sun rose. I stopped at the convenience store that was basically next door for breakfast as well as a few lunch boxes.
I was planning to spend the whole day working on the inn. If I could get it cleaned up and functional I would move into here.
The main thing I was worried about was heating. Even though it doesn't get that cold here during the day around 40 degrees fahrenheit or about 4.5 degrees celsius. At night it drops down to 30 degrees fahrenheit or about -1.1 degrees celsius.
So, it wasn't crazy cold but it was cold enough to be uncomfortable.
I got to the property around the time the sky was starting to lighten. The forest was still extremely dark. I have been using my phone for light. The inn faces west so I would get amazing sunsets but the mornings would always be dark.
I shuffled around looking for heating and realized something dire.
There was no central heating; the only heating was kerosene heaters. Every room had their own kerosene heater otherwise, there was no heat.
Not only that, while looking at the insulating features. I noticed that all of the windows, even the floor to ceiling ones, were single pane.
Even the interior walls were thin.
This project started to look a lot more challenging.
Whatever, let's just clean the upstairs main bedroom and bathroom while I wait for the sun to rise.
I grabbed some cleaning supplies and made my way using my phone for light. While walking up the stairs I suddenly realized how horror game like this was.
A completely dark, run down inn, lit only with minimal light, I was by myself.
Huh, suddenly, I was feeling really vulnerable.
But, as I have said before, I am an adult. Ghosts aren't real, I am just in the dark. I need to get the work done, so stop worrying about it.
I got my head down and worked for two hours before I noticed the slightest bit of light making its way through the leaves.
The rising sun had touched the tops of the trees and the light dimly filtered down.
Since it was bright enough to see without my phone, only barely, but it was enough. I decided to work outside.
While I was thinking about it I contacted the electric company to have the power turned on and the water company for the same reason.
They were expeditious and said they would have someone sent out today to have them turned on.
Great! With a little extra light now I could get right into the yard work.
I grabbed the mini machete called a nata and got to removing plants that were too close to the building.
Vines, weeds, small trees, they all had to go.
I spent hours working on the foliage. I worked with a burning passion. I hate when people slowly work on things like this. I will bulldoze the plants and pull them away with all of the pent up anger that comes from nowhere.
I made a nice big pile of brush to burn. Assuming I am allied to burn brush here. I know there are things like burning bans as well as town ordinances.