The harae finished, Akiko risked looking at the kegare. For a moment, she wondered if she had actually managed to shift, because everything looked clean, but then she walked over to the entrance to look outside, and saw the pollution hanging heavy over the street. She looked back at Shiraishi, and smiled, nodding.

“Did someone say something about a bath?â€ It was Kazumi, and Akiko only barely suppressed a laugh.

“Yes, I did,â€ Shiraishi said. “You’re very welcome to borrow the bath here if you want to, before you go. Thank you for all your help.â€

“Great!â€ Then Kazumi looked around, and her face fell. “I bet I get to go last, right? Youngest and all that.â€

“The bath’s huge,â€ Akiko said. “We can all go in together.â€

“Really?â€ Noriko looked a bit surprised. Shiraishi also looked rather surprised, and was blushing, maybe because she hadn’t thought of it.

“Oh yes,â€ Akiko said. “Bigger than some onsens I’ve been to.â€

“Yay! Bath!â€ Kazumi was already making her way to the entrance hall, where she was standing dripping on the floor when the others joined her, looking at the tatami corridor leading inside.

“The bathroom is down there,â€ Akiko said, pointing. Kazumi nodded, and started pulling her clothes off. Akiko heard Shiraishi’s sharp intake of breath, followed by the crash of the door being slammed shut behind them. “Ms Miura, <em>what…</em>â€ Akiko began.

“Don’t want to drip on the tatami,â€ she said, pausing, water running from the blouse she was holding in one hand.

“That’s… actually a good point,â€ Noriko said. “It’s better if it doesn’t get too wet. And actually,â€ she giggled a little, slightly awkwardly, “I suppose it doesn’t really make any difference where we get undressed if we’re going in together.â€

“Right!â€ Kazumi continued stripping, and was standing naked in the hallway before Akiko had fully processed the idea. It did actually make sense, she had to admit, but still…

“The bath is ready, isn’t it?â€ Kazumi asked, sounding slightly worried.

Akiko laughed, and that broke her tension, so she started peeling her clothes off, feeling better as each bit of sodden cloth came off.

“You should have asked that a bit earlier! But yes, it is. Far too expensive to empty it.â€ Noriko had also started undressing, but Shiraishi was still fiddling with her top. “Fourth door on the left; the one that’s a door, not a sliding panel.â€

“Ha! I get to go first!â€ Kazumi scampered off down the corridor, disappearing into the bathroom.

“Girls today!â€ Noriko said, her voice amused. Akiko grinned at her, and shook her head.

“I think it’s just her.â€ She dropped the last of her clothes on the pile, and headed into the house, quickly followed by Noriko. As they entered the bathroom, the older woman drew a sudden breath.

“Wow.â€

Akiko nodded, remembering her initial reaction.

“Shiraishi says that there used to actually be a hot spring here, which is why the house has such a large bath.â€

“Not now, though?â€

“No, unfortunately.â€

“Still feels great!â€ Kazumi was submerged in the bath up to her neck, her hands occasionally breaking the surface as she relaxed. Akiko fought down an urge to ask her whether she had washed properly. <em>You are not her mother,</em> she told herself sternly, as she went to shower.

She had almost finished showering before Shiraishi came in, and the priest didn’t join in the conversation in the bath, much of which revolved around Kazumi’s complete ignorance of the subjects Noriko taught. Akiko tried not to reveal that her ignorance was almost as extensive.

Outside, the rain stopped and the sun broke through the clouds.