“Ms Tanahata, could you copy these papers, please.â€ Akiko jumped slightly at the request.

“Oh, yes, of course, Mr Tanaka.â€ She got up, taking the papers from the young man and hurrying to the photocopier to cover her embarrassment. As the machine worked, she stood with her back to the office, trying to stifle her yawns; it had taken her a long time to get back to sleep after the strange dream, and she’d been late getting home in any case. Fortunately, copying papers didn’t need a lot of brain power, and she soon handed them over. As ever, a grunt of acknowledgement was all the thanks she got.

As soon as she was sitting back at her desk, one of her friends leaned over.

“You’re looking tired today, Akiko. Big night with Naoyuki?â€ Akiko could feel her face going red.

“No, Megumi, nothing like that.â€

“Really?â€ Megumi was smirking. “You’re looking very red for “nothing like thatâ€.â€

“I just couldn’t sleep well.â€

“Because of Naoyuki?â€ Akiko shook her head in frustration, wishing that Megumi would just drop it. It was just a strange dream, nothing more than that, and she certainly didn’t want to talk about it to her co-workers.

“Are you sure you weren’t with Naoyuki last night?â€ Megumi was very persistent, and Akiko began to get irritated.

“Leave it, Megumi. Or I’m going to make you tell us about Mr Kanayama,â€ another of her co-workers butted in. Akiko smiled at her.

“Thank you Satomi. A bit of priv… Mr Kanayama? What about Megumi and Mr Kanayama?â€ She had the satisfaction of seeing Megumi blush in turn, and the conversation moved safely away from the reasons why Akiko was sleepy.

Her thoughts, however, kept coming back to the subject, even as she tried to continue her work. What had really happened in the shrine? And had she really seen that snake in the bathroom mirror? Thinking back, Akiko could almost convince herself that she hadn’t really seen the snake, just something that looked a bit like it. Then she would remember the eyes.

<em>Blame the fall</em>, she told herself. <em>I fell, so I hallucinated briefly. And then I was upset about the hallucination, so I dreamt it as well. Nothing to worry about. Everything will be back to normal tonight.</em>

“Akiko?â€ Akiko suddenly realised that Satomi was trying to get her attention and turned to look at her. “Lost in thought? Maybe Megumi was on to something.â€ Akiko’s face flushed red again, but she managed to smile.

“Anyway, we’re going to get lunch. Are you coming?â€ Akiko nodded.

“Of course.â€ She started to tidy her desk, closing down the computer.

“We’re going to that new cafe in Takashimaya; the reviews are excellent.â€ Akiko knew which one Satomi meant, and did a quick bit of mental arithmetic. If she ate cup ramen for dinner, she could afford lunch there.

“Excellent idea.â€ Satomi was still hovering, and Akiko could see Megumi by the door. “I’ll catch you up; no need to wait for me now.â€

“See you in a few minutes, then.â€ Satomi and Megumi left, as Akiko finished clearing up.

<em>A normal lunch with my friends. That’s what I need now,</em> she thought as she picked up her bag and walked briskly out of the office.