I didn't know what happened to Yami back then. He didn't want to talk about it when I wanted to talk to him about it later. That evening I put Yami in a nearby youth hostel, at my own expense, because he had hardly any money with him. We agreed to meet up the next day to go to school together. (Was I so worried about him?) Exhausted, I came home that evening and tidied up before my parents got back. What an eventful day! I hastily did my homework, packed my school supplies and fell asleep in my soft bed.

The next day at around 7 a.m. I waited for Yami in front of the youth hostel. I waited over 15 minutes and got more and more impatient. Had he overslept? I asked at the front desk and the woman replied that the key for this room had already been returned.

At first I was shocked by this news but then the anger overcame me again. What was that supposed to mean?Why didn't he let me know beforehand and make me wait here like a fool?

"Are you Mariko?" The woman at the reception suddenly asked me.

"Yes?"

"Here's a message for you."

She handed me a folded sheet of paper. I went outside and read the note as I made my way to school.

"Dear Mariko,

thank you for what you did for me yesterday. Although we hardly knew each other, you helped me like a good friend. But I can't just accept your help anymore. I also have to pull myself together and get back on my feet. We'll see each other at school when I've done the things I have to do.

See you

Yami "

"Well, so what ... So he's gone somewhere and of course I have no idea where ... Will he even go to school? I can wait a long time for my money ... I guess there's nothing you can do about that."

I got to school on time and the day was as boring as it used to be.Since Yami was not present now, I could no longer continue my series of observations. I just didn't know what to do anymore and the whole time I was scribbling something pictorial in my almost empty folder.