Sitting on the bus on the way home, Akiko was acutely conscious of what she was, and wasn’t, wearing. An outfit that had drawn attention in Shibuya on a Saturday night was very conspicuous on a Sunday afternoon in Kawasaki, and she berated herself once more for not preparing a more conservative outfit. She stared out of the window so that she wouldn’t have to look at the people she was sure were staring at her.

“Ladies and gentlemen, due to road works we must make a diversion from the usual route. We will not miss any stops, but we will be delayed by approximately five minutes.â€

The announcement didn’t bother Akiko, as it wasn’t as if she was in a hurry to get anywhere. However, as the bus continued along the temporary route, she realised that it was headed in the direction of Tamao Shrine. She looked around nervously; was it really going to go past the shrine?

The bus started to climb the hill, and she realised that it was. She was, fortunately, sitting on the side of the bus away from the shrine, and she turned to stare resolutely out of the window once more, ignoring the reflections she could faintly see.

At the crest of the hill, with a piercing whine, the engine died and the bus came to a stop. The driver made a few attempts to start the engine, but it made very strange noises and did not catch. She heard the doors opening.

“Ladies and gentlemen, my apologies. The bus seems to have broken down. I will try to fix it as quickly as possible, but anyone who wants to get off may do so. Once again, my apologies.â€

Akiko risked a quick glance at the door. It opened directly on to the steps up to the shrine. Turning away again, she fixed her gaze on a small pottery cat decorating the wall of the house opposite. <em>You don’t get me that easily,</em> she thought.

A couple of people got off, and then, as the bus continued to fail to move, a few more. Finally, the driver got back on.

“Ladies and gentlemen, I’m afraid I have to recommend that you get off. The following buses will follow a different diversion route; you can get them at the next stop. Just tell the driver you were on this bus, and you won’t have to pay.â€

Akiko still refused to move. She would have to get off and face those steps, and then who knew what would happen? <em>It’s all just coincidences,</em> she told herself. <em>Just dreams and coincidences. There’s nothing to worry about.</em> Worry was growing inside her anyway. How many coincidences could she really believe in? And what about the things she saw when she wasn’t asleep.

“Miss, I’m sorry, but this bus isn’t going anywhere but the depot now.â€ The driver had come to stand over her seat. Akiko sighed and nodded, getting up and turning to face the door, and the steps. Outside, it had started to rain, and she sighed. Of course it had. It was always raining these days.

She stepped down from the bus, and almost slipped as she turned to walk down the hill, trying to hold her umbrella against the rain. She was some way from the shrine before she realised she was holding her breath.