Rent
Japanese mother, with daughter, can't pay the rent
(NOTE: Story ending updated after comments from kind readers. Thank you - Apr 2025)
Landlord John Simpson 55
Japanese mother Miss Saki Yamada 34
Daughter Miku 18
"Miss Yamada, you are now one week behind your rent. Are you able to pay today?" Landlord John asked the fidgeting Japanese woman whilst towering over her as she sat on the bed in the rented one bed apartment.
"I...I don't have the money at the moment," she said worryingly.
"When do you think you will be able to pay?" he asked patiently.
"I'm sure in the next few days; if you'll just give me a few more days," she pleaded.
"Hm. Ok. I'll give you 2 more days. If you're unable to pay then I'm afraid you will have to leave."
"Yes...yes. Thank you," Saki sighed in relief.
"I'll see you in 2 days." John left.
As soon as he left Saki felt like crying, but she bit her lip, she didn't want to worry her young daughter.
"Is everything alright, mum?" Miku asked as she returned from the kitchen.
"Yes, darling," Saki said with a smile, ruffling her young daughter's hair.
"You looked sad. Don't worry, mum, everything will be alright," Miku said cheerfully.
"Oh, baby...," Saki felt like crying again, but this time due to happiness; happy at how innocent and wonderful and clever her young daughter was. Even at 18 she behaved a few years older then her age but at the same time she has the delightful carefree innocence of a child.
------
A few days later the landlord returned to speak with Saki in the room again.
"So, I assume you have the rent money now?"
"Oh, Mr Simpson, I don't know what to say," Saki said, fidgeting nervously.
"You simply say 'Mr Simpson, I have your money. Here it is.'"
"I'm sorry. I will need a few more days," Saki said instead.
"What?! Why? Why haven't you got the money?" John was a patient and a fair man. He understood some people may have issues getting hold of the cash. But he still had to be paid; he was running a business after all.
"I just need a few more days." The truth was that she didn't make enough money to pay for the rent. It all went on bare essentials like food and her feminine hygiene products. She worried what will happen when Miku periods became regular! Must be very soon. Where will she find the money for that also? With the lack of healthy eating it seems to have affected Miku's cycle, making them rare and sporadic still; and where would she find money for medical bills?
"Look, I understand things may be tough, but if I don't get the money by the end of this week I will have no option but to ask you to leave," John didn't like to say these things. It was the worst part of the business; but he will be loosing money otherwise. The room could be rented out to someone else who CAN pay. "You have until the end of the week." Saying the ultimatum John left the room.
This time Saki did start to cry as oblivion stared at her once again. She thought she might be able to get a decent job in this town. But it was proving difficult. She hasn't saved enough for the month's rent. Some of the precious spare cash went on a small cake and a small gift for her precious daughter who turned 18 only last week.
"Mum, why are you crying?" Miku asked.
"Honey, as you've heard, we don't have enough money to pay for the rent and we will be kicked out if we don't pay."
"I can get a job," Miku offered.
"That's so sweet of you. But you're too young. Besides, you need to do your schooling. With good education you'll get a better job; better than what I can get. I'll think of something," Saki lovingly hugged her daughter and both of them rocked side to side. "I'll get a second job. I'll work in the evenings," the troubled mother suggested.
"Mum, I don't want to be alone in the evenings."
"I know honey. I don't want to leave you alone either. But we don't have a choice."
Both hugged tightly trying to comfort each other.
------
End of the week came.
"Miss Yamada, I really hope you have the money today; you are two weeks behind," John said hopefully. He didn't want to go down the other path, especially since there was a young girl involved.
Instantly Saki burst out crying.
"I...I...," Saki blubbered.
"We don't have the money," Miku said apologetically.
"I see. Then you leave me with no choice...," John started.
"Isn't there another way? Can't I pay you later, or isn't there another arrangement we can come to? What will happen to Miku? You can't just throw us out onto the streets. We have no where to go to. PLEASE!"
John's heart ached. He HATED when this happened. Thankfully it didn't happen often. And there had always been an amicable outcome. He was hoping for the same here; like a relative or friends they could go to.
"Isn't there a relative or a friend you can go to?" John asked hopefully.
"No," Saki replied flatly. Her parents had kicked her out because they were angry at her for getting pregnant and giving birth at 15. They wouldn't listen nor tried to understand when she explained that because they had recently emigrated from Japan her English was poor and she was suffering at school. So she was just trying hard to fit in, hoping to stop the boys at school teasing her about her lack of English and her accent; but the boys took advantage of her and she didn't know who the father could have been. Unfortunately, her parents' anger and embarrassment was so great that as soon as she turned 20 she was kicked out with only little money; and was told never to return.
John sighed. This didn't sound good.
"Can I pay you at the end of the month?"
"It's already been two weeks overdue. You knew my terms when you rented here. I only have two weeks worth of deposit which I will keep in lieu of your overdue rent." He paused before adding, "Have you got