Higurashi Guest House by kaoruhana

The Guest House is Born

                Mrs. Higurashi never lied to her children if she could help it.  Still, today, as she sat there at the dining table she wondered what she would tell them.  She had never let her children go hungry and most things they wanted they could afford.  They weren’t rich, nor were their finances ever this strained, but this time, Mrs. Higurashi really had no clue what to do. 

Thus, when her eldest child, her daughter, found her hunched over the dining table with a row of bills scattered in front of her, it was only reasonable that she answered Kagome properly when asked. 

“Grandfather’s surgery cost quite a bit of money.” 

It was not a lie, but it did not answer her daughter’s question.  Mrs. Higurashi never had to answer that question further though because her daughter rounded the table and took note of the information in front of her before her mother could hide anything. 

“We’re short on funds aren’t we?”  Kagome stated looking her mother carefully in the eyes. 

Mrs. Higurashi averted her daughter’s gaze but nodded.  Kagome sighed and then moved away leaving Mrs. Higurashi to wonder what her daughter thought about what she had seen. 

* * * * *

                What the elder woman didn’t expect was for her daughter to be as troubled as she was by the news.  In fact, she hardly expected her daughter to do what she did.

                “A guest house for rent?”  Mrs. Higurashi repeated as the family sat down for dinner, two days after she had admitted to Kagome the financial situation the family was in. 

                “It’s not like we use that guest house.”  Kagome answered helping herself to some rice.  “In fact, I think we could easily rent it out to some college students for money.” 

                It took Mrs. Higurashi a few days before she decided her daughter’s idea held validity.  It took a few more weeks before things began to fall into place.  And then, a whole six months after the idea had been hatched, Mrs. Higurashi looked at the refurbished guest house with the property lawyer and real estate agent next to her. 

                “Well, Higurashi-san, the property meets the guidelines set up the Tokyo Housing Authority.  Here’s your paperwork for the renting income.  Good luck!”  Taking the paper from the lawyer Mrs. Higurashi smiled. 

                It was time for the Higurashi guest house to open for business.