Akira appeared at the shrine early the following morning, before Shiraishi could start on any sort of training.

“Akiko, we need to talk.â€

Akiko couldn’t argue with that, but she wasn’t looking forward to the conversation; normal rules of etiquette didn’t seem to cover telling someone that his dead father was cursing the neighbourhood. Still, she went to the reception room with him, and sat down at the table. Shiraishi hovered for a moment, and then went to make them tea.

“I heard that the Sugiyamas were struck by lightning,â€ Akira said, jumping straight in.

“Well, their house was, yes.â€

“And you were there.â€

“I went to warn them.â€

“Why?â€

Akiko took a deep breath, and then let it out slowly, staring at her hands, which were folded in her lap. How could she answer that question? She glanced up, and Akira was watching her intently, but saying nothing. She drew breath again, but again let it out without actually saying anything. This time, she looked out of the window, at the garden.

At that point Shiraishi came in with the tea and small sweets, buying her a bit of time, which she used to muster all her courage. As soon as the priest had gone, she looked Akira in the eye, and began her explanation.

“While I was ill, I saw your father’s ghost. He was standing outside the shrine precincts, shouting about people who had betrayed him. While he was doing that, he specifically threatened to strike the Sugiyamas with lightning. So I went to warn them.â€

“And then the lightning struck.â€ Akira said it in an entirely matter-of-fact tone, and Akiko nodded, watching his face anxiously. She couldn’t read his expression, though.

“Do you believe me?â€

Akira looked away, blinking rapidly, and then, drawing a shuddering breath, looked back at Akiko.

“I think I have to. You knew about Mr Sugiyama, which you really shouldn’t have, and then lightning did strike them. I mean, it <em>could</em> be coincidence, but…â€ He left the thought unfinished. “So, why?â€

“Why what?â€ Akiko was completely confused.

“Why is my father’s ghost striking people with lightning?â€

“Oh. I don’t know. He seemed very angry.â€ Akira nodded, his jaw set. He looked down, then out of the window, then up at the ceiling. Akiko could see muscles working in his neck as he fought for control. Finally, he looked back at her.

“I think I need to go through my father’s papers. Will you help me? You might spot something I wouldn’t know was important.â€ Akiko was surprised; she hadn’t thought she knew the Takenakas that well. But she didn’t think she could refuse.

On their way over to Akira’s house, he filled her in on his father’s background.

“He graduated in management from Waseda University, and worked in a bank for a while, and then used his savings to set up a construction sub-contractor, in plumbing. He met my mother shortly after that, and they married once the business was doing well. He has, <em>had,</em> about a dozen employees, so it’s a small business, but it was doing well. I guess I’m in charge of it now. I’m still working out what to do with it… No, that’s not true. I’ve not been able to face it so far. But now, I think I have to.â€

Hideo Takenaka’s office was very neat and tidy, and Akiko noticed that Akira was fighting back tears as soon as they entered. She discreetly looked around the shelves, looking at the labels on the files, giving him some time to control himself.

“Right, let’s look at the Sugiyama files first.â€ Akira was trying to sound business-like, but he couldn’t keep the wavering out of his voice.

They spent several hours looking through files and accounts together, and soon pieced the story together. The business had been doing well for years, since before Akira was born, but in the last year or so the number of contracts had dropped off very sharply. Akiko saw a name she recognised in the files, and pointed it out to Akira.

“Did he have a lot of dealings with Wakabayashi Construction?â€

Akira nodded.

“That was one of his major clients. I actually met Mr Wakabayashi a few times.â€ Akiko frowned, and double-checked the files.

“But he didn’t get any jobs from them in the last year. And about six months ago, jobs from other companies started to dry up, as well.â€ She showed Akira the files, and he frowned.

“That’s right. Odd. But he didn’t let any of the staff go; look.â€ He showed her a different set of accounts. All the wages were being paid, right up to the last month. “He borrowed a lot of money to keep this going. The business is in a lot of trouble.â€ Akira sighed, and looked down. Akiko got up again, to give him some space, and looked at the earliest records of the company.

“Akira?â€

“Yes?â€

“I thought you said your father used his savings from the bank to set the business up?â€

“Yes, he did.â€

She showed him the earliest accounts, with the large loans from consumer credit companies, gradually paid off, then cleared with bank loans, which were paid off in turn. Akira frowned again.

“That’s strange. He always said…â€

“Did he ever say <em>which</em> bank?â€ Akira shook his head, the lines of worry deepening. He went to another file, and started looking through it.

“What are you looking for?â€

“His Waseda graduation certificate. He never would show it to me.â€ He looked through the file once, and then again, then sat back. “Not there.â€ He sat silently for a moment, and then went to the office door.

“Mr Nakayama! Could you come here for a moment?â€ An older man came over, dressed in overalls.

“What is it, Akira, er, sorry, Mr Takenaka.â€ Akira shook his head.

“Akira is still fine, Uncle Ken. You’ve been working here since the company was founded, right?â€ Mr Nakayama’s face was instantly wary, and Akira noticed it as well. “OK, so there was something my father didn’t tell us. What was it?â€ Mr Nakayama looked around, as if looking for an escape route, and then sighed.

“I suppose it would be best to say now. Your father never graduated from Waseda. He never even attended Waseda. To be honest, I doubt he graduated from high school. He was, however, a damn good plumber, and the best boss I ever had. He built this business from absolutely nothing, and stood by all his employees, through anything.â€ His tone was almost defiant, as if challenging Akira to say anything bad about his father.

“What did he do before, then?â€

“He didn’t like to talk about it, but I think he had another plumbing business, over Chiba way. I think that one went bankrupt.â€ Mr Nakayama stopped abruptly, taking a deep breath. Akira nodded.

“Thank you.â€ He turned to look around the office again. “So he was doing everything he could to stop the same thing happening again, and he failed. Do you know why Wakabayashi stopped giving you business?â€ Mr Nakayama shook his head.

“He never said. It happened all sudden-like, though. I think the others were under pressure from Wakabayashi.â€

“The others?â€

“The other companies that stopped working with us. We’ve not had any work for two months. Didn’t stop your father paying us.â€

“Won’t stop me, either.â€ Akira looked more determined than he had, but Akiko was feeling very nervous, remembering Wakabayashi at the shrine, kegare following him, and at her office, just before she was fired. What was he up to?