I can't entirely blame some of the citizens for being upset, this could easily turn into a Detroit situation. Living in Detroit is a fate worse than death. When you have a city who's entire economy is based one thing and that thing dries up, it can be disastrous. The brain drain and capital...
poor Haru-chan. Yet another traumatic childhood memory for her, a trauma that at some point in the future she will subject her own children to and continue the cycle.
Of course they know, it's not like it's hard to read the room.
The dad makes me think this might be a like mother like daughter situation. Like he knows something and is trying to give him an out.