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Let's continue again
Yuko Mori, a first year student at the local junior college, was in class listening intently to her professor's lecture and scribbling down notes as fast as she could.Though the other students were on the verge of falling asleep thanks to their professor's monotone voice, Yuko's focus was unwavering as she soaked up the information she so hungrily craved.“Mrs.Watanabe is a classic case,” said Professor Akimoto.“She has been collecting the local newspaper for the past thirty years.When asked why she doesn't throw them away, she replies that it would make no sense to do so...
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After class Yuko traveled down the same hall she did every day.But today something about it was different.A bright green flyer was sticking out like a sore thumb amongst all the other pages of white.Yuko usually passed by without ever giving the bulletin board a second look, but the flyer was so bright that she felt compelled to see what it was.The flyer was a posting for a family in need of childcare for their daughter.Hoping to someday work with children, Yuko decided it would be well worth her time to at least check things out.The prospect of earning a little extra spending money also helped to push Yuko in that direction.
The next day Yuko was invited to the Suzuki home to meet Mrs. Suzuki.The two took to the living room and conversed over cups of tea.“We just need someone to watch Minami for a few hours every day,” said Mrs. Suzuki.“It would be a great help while I go out on interviews.And since we're new to the area, it gives Minami the opportunity to make at least one new friend.”“She doesn't have any friends yet?”asked Yuko.“Minami has always had difficulty making new friends.Which is why it was so difficult for us to make this move.I'm starting to worry about her.She spends so much time in her room these days.But the worst thing is, she ...”Mrs. Suzuki was clearly hesitant to tell Yuko the full truth about her daughter.
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What is it?There's nothing wrong with her, is there?”“Well, it might be nothing, but she has an imaginary friend,” explained Mrs. Suzuki.“I don't know if this is normal behavior or something I should be worried about.”“It sounds perfectly normal to me,” said Yuko.“When I was younger my family moved quite a bit.I always felt so alone when we moved into a new house.I didn't have any friends and everything was new and strange to me.”“Do you think this might all just go away soon?”“It's hard to say.But for the time being I would let Minami have her friend.Imaginary friends can help provide comfort for a child in times of great stress.The family moving is the direct reason why your daughter has been acting this way.She also needs companionship.
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Maybe I should spend more time with her.I do my best, but things are so busy these days that I don't have much free time.”“Children need friends their own age, or at least someone younger than their parents,” explained Yuko.“As long as Minami doesn't start showing destructive behavior because of her friend, there really isn't much to worry about.
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You know so much about this,” said a clearly impressed Mrs. Suzuki..
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Thank you,” said Yuko.“I plan on becoming a child psychologist after I graduate from college.Just because someone is young doesn't mean they can't have grown up problems.“I think you could be a big help to Minami.If you want it, the job is yours.”Thank you very much,” said Yuko.“So ... does Minami's imaginary friend have a name?
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Sayaka,” answered Mrs. Suzuki.
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