Glenn and Yumiko saw each other for the first time last year. They didn't talk to each other in the same class, but from time to time Glenn noticed her sitting silently alone in the classroom. She was forever writing problems on her notebook and reading books, and that's what they had in common. Glenn loved to read books, too, and in spite of his long hours, he didn't forget his education.
One day, Glenn and Yumiko bumped into each other by chance. The evening street was just showing the arrival of winter weather, and people were wearing warm jackets. Frost was slowly covering still objects, like cars in parking lots and state-grown trees in urban settings.
Yumiko was surprised at the unexpected meeting. They greeted each other. The girl was confused, for she had never before interacted with her classmates outside of school. Sitting on a bench after a few minutes of slow walking, they sat in complete silence, not knowing what topic of conversation to choose. Glenn, after inquiring what Yumiko was doing downtown, learned that she had eaten dinner with her father at a restaurant dozens of minutes earlier and was on her way back home.
Soon, he said, he noticed her at school studying even after school hours. Realizing what she was talking about, the damsel covered her face with a scarf.
"What do you want to be in the future, Yumiko-san?" said Glenn respectfully, but heard no answer. "Personally, I could find myself in helping people. I want to save people from disaster and disease, for in health lies the beauty of man."
Yumiko continued to be silent, covering her reddened hands in the sleeves of her white jacket.
"It was my father's personality that drove me to this decision. He was a medicine man and burned for his work. I want to be like him."
And after these words, Yumiko threw an animated, surprised look at him. Realizing that their gazes had met, Yumiko lowered her head again.
"I'm studying to get into a prestigious university where I can support myself," the girl replied. "Perhaps I wouldn't mind moving abroad."
Yumiko suddenly thought she'd said too much and closed her eyes, wishing with all her might that Glenn hadn't laughed at her. But what a comfort it was to her when Glenn complimented her on her goals for the future.
"What a confident goal you have," Glenn replied, admiringly. "You did well," he added, and soon looked up at the dark, open sky. "It's important to have a purpose for yourself so you don't stay in one place. People are inherently evolving, and that's why they're smart."
Hearing his words, Yumiko also looked up. An amazing picture appeared before her spellbound eyes: millions of bright stars surrounded the entire firmament, and between their glow the girl spotted space dust with surprising accuracy.
"Yumiko-san," Glenn appealed with a peaceful look, "Know your worth. Don't turn your back on her, no matter what."
These beautiful, ear-blissing words Yumiko remembered for the rest of her life.
The next day, Glenn asks Masumi to form a literary club, and after the school day is over, he suggests that Yumiko join. Yumiko, upon entering the club, wondered if no one was really in it, since the office of the club was large, to which Glenn replied that literary clubs are of little use to anyone, so no one but him entered it.
In Glenn's opinion, sincere people deserve to be treated kindly because they are real and accept themselves for who they are. He wanted nothing more in his life, for he had already found his calling. He had never once appeared in a club he himself had created.