@mikemil828 @Sonaldo Walking into burning building might happen, but don't forget the fire-proof basement that was foreshadowed this very chapter..
I don't remember which year it is, but 1000 Yen should have been around 200 to 500 (contemporary) USD, which in turn would be at least $4000 to 10000 today, which would probably be enough to put some homeless people into action as long as they have any trust that she'll deliver (and some into action on the sheer hope of it - the ones unmoved we don't see.)