The clouds were threatening rain, but not actually producing it, when Akiko got off the train on her way home. She popped into the convenience store next to the station to get the ramen for her evening meal, and her cellphone buzzed. A text message from Naoyuki.

<em>Are you coming round for dinner tonight?</em>

Akiko smiled. Perfect timing. She’d have to cook, but wouldn’t have to buy the ingredients.

<em>Sounds lovely. Just let me go home and change</em>,<em> </em>she texted back. Her phone buzzed again almost as soon as she had left the convenience store.

<em>No need for underwear.</em>

Akiko blushed and quickly blanked the screen. Naoyuki was always saying things like that. As usual, she toyed with the idea of actually not wearing underwear, just to see the look on his face, but the idea was far too embarrassing. That reminded her of wearing the yukata over nothing the previous day, and she decided to avoid going past the shrine on her way home.

Unfortunately, she turned a corner to find the road blocked. Two cars had collided, and now formed a barrier right across the road. The drivers seemed largely unharmed; they were standing by the accident, shouting at each other. Akiko thought about other routes home, and quickly realised that she either had to go past Tamao Shrine, or go a very long way round. For a moment she was tempted by the long route, but she told herself she was being silly. It wasn’t as if the shrine would reach out and attack her.

Nevertheless, she found herself slowing as she crested the hill and the trees and torii came into view. She tried not to look at the shrine precincts, but kept stealing glances at it, until she realised what she was doing. <em>As if I wanted to check that there was no snake!</em> Chiding herself for her stupidity, she made herself look.

The branches of the trees, clothed in green, swayed slightly in the gentle breeze, and the dark grey stone of the torii matched the colour of the threatening clouds overhead. The rustling of the leaves joined the scent of damp earth on the wind, but there was, of course, no sign of the snake.

Akiko realised that she had come to a complete stop, standing in the road and staring at the shrine. <em>What am I worried about?</em> she asked herself. There was no answer; she could hardly be scared of an imaginary snake. Taking a deep breath, she set off again, walking briskly along the road in front of the shrine precincts.

As she crossed in front of the entrance, her right foot slipped, and she nearly fell. Flinging her arms out, she managed to retain her balance, staggering forward a few more steps. After a moment to regain her composure, she set off walking again, away from the shrine. She didn’t look back.

She had to hurry; Naoyuki would be waiting for her, and he didn’t like it when she was late.