No, it’s not Yuya (praise the Lord).

It’s Haruka, my teacup-sized special student who accompanies me on my walk/bike ride to work in the mornings!

A few weeks ago, she began meeting me halfway on my route to work.  

A week later, she started meeting me closer to my home, waiting at the signal light for me to cross the street. 

A week after that, she was on my side of the road.

This week, she was riding her bike up and down my street looking for me.

Today, she was in front of my apartment.

Boy, was I surprised.

I consulted the special education teacher about it—while I’m happy to ride to work with her in the mornings, I’m concerned about her safety, since the street I live on has heavy traffic and I have seen students get hit by cars TWICE in the six months that I have lived here.   Haruka is so tiny and fragile, I would never be able to forgive myself if anything happened to her while crossing the street.

The special ed. teacher told me that I am probably Haruka’s first real friend outside of the special ed. classroom—that could explain the gifts and the morning commutes, leading up to the stalking.  But for her own good, I need to tell her not to cross the street, and even cut down on helping out with the special ed. class, since I won’t be here for much longer…to help ease her heart…this is so heartbreaking!!!