Strangers borrowed my bike.

Last night, my bicycle was parked by someone other than me, and left unlocked at the station as we all headed to Tokyo. After numerous mishaps and examples of headlessness, the evening resulted in some chicken and a beer on the steps of a bank. Getting late, the trains stop running soon, so we head home dulled by pointless adventure, and minus one sprained ankle.
We reached the home station and ambled down the escalator; she decided to go for tea, and I went for my bike. Where did he park it? He had hobbled off long earlier and was no where to be reached, and the conclusion was slowly and painfully reached that my bike had been stolen. I walk when I have to, but otherwise, I always ride my bike. My bike, a wine red, straight posture, one speed, fat seat, with a bell and a basket tilted on the front. And now the thing was gone; not even stolen, it was unlocked after all...
In the morning, she and I went out looking for the bike, and she remarked the feeling that the bike would be found. We walked briskly down the hill on the early sunday, and looked around the station again in the light. My bike has an umbrella jammed in behind the seat, so looking for that, I became disappointed. Soon though, I noticed a bike a lot like mine, right where it had likely been left the evening before.
Yes, the key was still there, unengaged in the spoke lock, but the umbrella was missing.

Whoever stole my bike--borrowed rather--brought it back the next day and parked it in the same spot. The umbrella was no loss at all, and in fact, fine take it; and in fact, take my bike too, if you bring it back the next day, so neatly.

Anyway, I really don't mind strangers using my shit, so long as they treat it right... and bring it back.

only in japan, I think...