Michiru Sawano’s British Thoughts: The Battle for Bank Accounts #2

◆The Battle for ‌Bank Accounts #2

“Why? Why can’t⁢ you open a bank account? He ⁤said it was okay, right?” ⁣I ‍asked in shock, and Alex nodded with a⁤ stern look⁢ on his ‌face that​ I had never seen before.

Alex remembered the conversation with the girl at the ⁣counter, who had initially said it ‍was no problem. However, despite his protests on my behalf, the issue persisted.

My English, already poor, became even more difficult to speak fluently due to my nervousness. ​I‌ could only manage to⁢ ask “Why?” repeatedly, ‍feeling like⁢ I​ was on ‍the verge of‍ tears.

Alex looked worried and tried to calm me down, raising his arms up to his chest. “I⁣ can prove that you are an international student. There’s no problem. I have properly communicated that your tuition⁤ fees⁢ have been paid ⁣in advance and that the principal will be your guarantor. That’s enough for you to open a bank⁤ account, as the ​receptionist said, ⁣right?”

I nodded silently, ​still ‍trying ‍to process the situation.

Alex‍ explained that there was another condition for⁣ opening an account: ⁤having‌ an ‌address in the ‌country. He ‍apologized for‍ the oversight, which was not only the receptionist’s mistake but also his ⁤own.

Alex had‍ previously helped students open bank ⁣accounts,⁣ but they had all been living with host families. If they promised to live there for the entire duration of their studies, the place was recognized as their ‌’home.’⁣ However, my situation was different.

I asked why I couldn’t just stay at a B&B,‍ but Alex explained that I would need to pay the ⁣rent in advance as proof ‍of my ⁤intention to stay for an extended period. Unfortunately, I didn’t have the‌ financial means to do ⁣so.

I needed ⁢to open ⁣a ‍bank ​account to receive money from Japan, but ​the lack of a permanent address in the country was a significant obstacle.

About the Author

Michiru Fushino is a Japanese author born in Hyogo Prefecture. He won an⁢ honorable mention in ⁣the entertainment novel category of​ Kodansha’s 3rd White Heart Award for ⁤”Hito-gai Kidan” in 1996. Fushino​ has written several popular series, including the “Kidan” series, “Kidseki Tsuran” series, and “Time-Traveling Glasses” series.