Iain Kelly

Shūkichi and Tomi waved to their son and daughter as they got into the taxi

‘A pleasant visit,’ Tomi said to her husband when they were on the train back to Onomichi in the countryside. ‘They are both doing well in their careers.’

‘Hai,’ Shūkichi nodded.

‘And such a lovely apartment they live in. So high up.’ Tomi looked out the window and watched the skyscrapers of Tokyo fade away.

Back at the apartment they had borrowed for the day, Kōichi handed over ¥2,000 to the caretaker.

He caught up with Shige outside. They left behind the plush newly-built skyscrapers and walked through the Chuo area until they reached the small room they rented in a rundown block.

Shige had to go and open the salon for the afternoon. Kōichi had a night shift at the hospital.

It would shame their parents if they saw where their children lived, but it was all they could afford.

Written for ‘What Pegman Saw’, a weekly prompt based on a view from Google Maps. The idea is to write a piece of fiction of around 150 words based on the prompt. Full details can be found HERE. This week we’re in the suburbs of Tokyo, and a small homage to the great Yasujirō Ozu and the most well-known of his films.

More information about the film Tokyo Story HERE.

For more stories based on this week’s prompt, visit HERE.