The summer passed. I looked almost bleak out the window, while the heavy rain pelted down from the cloudy gray sky. My room was small and consisted mostly of a narrow wooden bed, a small wardrobe and an old desk. I had mint green curtains to remind me of spring. I had painted the walls a whitish light green, the carpet was pine green. Nevertheless, I felt the heavy autumn and didn't feel like doing homework. I took a red umbrella and went outside.

Hardly anyone could be seen in the park in this weather. I wandered aimlessly and mourned the ephemeral things in life. I discovered a blurry figure on a wooden bench.

"Who is that?" I asked myself and became suspicious. It was towards evening and already a bit dark, thanks to this time of the year. So I kept my distance and walked past it as quickly as possible. I secretly cast as inconspicuous a look as possible at this person in the semi-darkness.Big eyes, rimmed with thick eyelashes, looked at me through the rain veil. I recognized a soaked, exhausted figure. It was Yami.

"What are you doing here?"

Instead of answering, he just said:

"Hello. Mariko."

It got a little scary to me. If he continued to sit here like this, he wouldn't just get away with a small cold. But I hardly knew him. How could I help him? Above all: does he even need my help?

"You're all wet. Why don't you go home?"

"Please leave me alone. The water won't harm me."

His voice was dark and aloof. I wondered if I should go away now, because after all, his condition is not my direct concern. But would it not be a failure to provide assistance if he was really here ...?

"Do you want me to take you home?"

"You don't understand. Don't bother about me."

An anger slowly rose in me. What was it all about?Should I just walk away and then grapple with my guilty conscience?

"Forget it!" I said to myself. "I have to take him to a warm, dry place! He doesn't seem to be in his right mind anymore!"

I grabbed his arm and dragged him up. Surprisingly, he hardly resisted it.

"Where do you live?" I asked him.

But he just shook his head. I wondered if I should call an ambulance (?!) And wanted to go to the phone booth a few steps away from the bank. But Yami held me tight:

"Please ... don't let anyone know ..."

I was at a loss. Such a situation was completely alien to me. What should I do? Yami seemed to be barely able to stand up, but he doesn't want any help! Why did I run into him ... But now I can't possibly leave him here alone!

I made a decision even if I dared not think of its consequences. I didn't have time for that either.

I brought Yami to my home.First I wrapped him in a wool blanket and ran hot bath water. When it was done, I sent him to the bathroom with a large towel and a few things from my older brother.

"You know what to do now!" I called after him and closed the door behind me. Somehow I was embarrassed to have to take care of a strange boy like that. But did I have another choice? As a halfway helpful person ?!

Yami hadn't said a word the whole way and let me take her to the apartment. I would much rather if he had at least told me where he lived. But it was too late now anyway.

Fortunately, my parents always came home late and my brother had moved away from home for some time.

After about 15 minutes, I knocked on the bathroom door.

"Are you done now?"

"Woe to him not answering or even passed out! Then I would have even more problems!" I thought meanwhile, probably rather selfishly.Fortunately, I heard his calm voice:

"I'm almost done."

In the kitchen, I made some hot lemon tea and some hot waffles. When Yami came out, I put everything in front of him:

"You have to eat something too!"

He has put on the dry clothes and wrapped himself in the blanket again. Without saying a word, he took the waffles and ate. He also drank the hot tea.

I was reassured to see that he was visibly much better now.

"So no more mortal danger ..." I thought. "My duty would now be done and my conscience eased ..."

When he had finished eating, he asked:

"Do you live alone?"

I looked at him and could not hide my actually unfounded anger so well:

"No. My parents are coming in two hours."

"I'm sorry for giving you so much trouble."

"Oh you're sorry ?!" I thought and: "I have to get him out of here somehow!"

"Now you can make it home alone, right?"But then he scowled at me again and finally said:

"I can't go home anymore."