Yuto and the Desire to Help

A Strange Encounter

It was just another morning.

Yuto was walking to the train station on his usual commute to work.

He was taking a quiet backstreet where there were very few cars or people.
Suddenly, breaking the silence, a short woman approached him and called out in a soft voice.

"Excuse me..."

Her voice behind her face mask was quiet, laced with anxiety.

Yuto stopped, slightly on guard, and replied.

"Yes? How can I help you?"

The woman slowly pulled out a small booklet and showed him the cover.

"I have an official disability ID."

The words *Physical Disability Certificate* were printed on it.

Then, she continued hesitantly.

"I’m so hungry. I haven't eaten anything since yesterday. Could you please give me some money?"

Her language was fluent and natural.

At first, Yuto wondered if she might be from another country, but her perfect accent made him think, *Maybe she is a local...?*

It was the first time anyone had ever stopped him on the street to ask for money, and it sent a wave of unease through his chest.

〈Is she going to be okay...?〉

〈She’s really hungry...〉

〈I want to help her, but... what should I do?〉

〈But still... this situation is a little scary.〉

Though conflicted, Yuto tried his best to keep his voice calm and steady.

"If you are in trouble, it’s best to talk to the police."

"Look, there is a local police station just over there."

"If you speak to the officers, they can give you the proper help you need."

After offering those words, Yuto walked away, his heart still heavy with anxiety.

Even after arriving at the station, his mind couldn't rest.

〈Should I have spoken to her more gently...?〉

〈Should I have walked her to the police station myself...?〉

〈Should I have at least given her enough money to buy some bread and a drink...?〉

Yuto headed to work, carrying a lingering sense of guilt and doubt all day.

That evening.
After returning home, Yuto decided to tell his parents about what had happened.

"Mom, Dad... there's something I need to talk to you about."

After listening to his story, his mother looked surprised but offered a gentle smile.

"Wow, that must have been scary for you. But I don't think your response was wrong at all, Yuto."

His dad nodded quietly in agreement.

"To be honest, if it were me, I might have just handed her ten dollars," his dad said. "But even so, I think you made the right judgment call, Yuto."

Hearing his family’s words, Yuto finally felt the deep tension in his chest begin to melt away.