Satomi and Megumi chattered cheerfully about about films as they drank their tea, but Akiko found that she couldn’t concentrate on what they were saying, much less take part in the conversation. She still wanted to know what was in and what wasn’t, and scraps of what her colleagues had said seized her attention for a moment, before her worries about the shrine took over.

She realised that, if she didn’t say something soon, the other two would realise that something was the matter, and they might ask questions that were difficult to answer. Akiko waited for a pause in the discussion, and then jumped in.

“I know it’s changing the subject, but have either of you been to a shrine recently?â€ Satomi and Megumi both turned to look at her, their faces surprised.

“No,â€ Megumi replied first, “not since New Year’s. We went to Meiji Shrine then, dressed up in kimono. Why ask all of a sudden? Isn’t the answer obvious?â€

“Same here,â€ Satomi added. “Shichi-go-san, and New Year. Who goes to a shrine at any other time? Have you?â€

Akiko could feel herself starting to blush, and she was sure that Satomi would notice, even though Megumi might not. She thought quickly, searching for a good answer.

“Do you remember the big rainstorm last week? I got caught in it, and took shelter at my local shrine while I called a taxi.â€

“So, a bit like a bus shelter, then?â€ Megumi asked, smiling. Akiko winced slightly, moving quickly to take a sip of tea to cover it up. Describing the shrine as a bus shelter really felt wrong, although, if you put it that way, that was what she had been thinking when she first went in. Still, it wasn’t a good way to think about it.

“I suppose so, a bit,â€ she began. “Rather better built than most bus shelters, though.â€

“Fewer buses, too.â€ Akiko forced a smile. Megumi really wasn’t taking this seriously.

“Yes, that too.â€

“I’ve seen a few shrines from the street,â€ Satomi put in. “There doesn’t seem to be anything interesting in them; temples have prettier buildings, and shrines have no Buddha images to look at, either.â€

<em>Temples don’t have giant multi-coloured snakes, either,</em> Akiko thought. <em>This was a stupid idea. How can I possibly talk to these two about it? And how can I get off the topic?</em>

“Oh, well, then you wouldn’t know about the gate thing, then,â€ she said, grasping at something that might seem reasonable.

“Gate thing? You mean the torii, with the two bars at the top?â€ Satomi asked. “Know what about it?â€

“Um, what it’s called. I see you do.â€ Akiko was a little embarrassed.

“Surely that’s common knowledge?â€ Satomi looked at Megumi, who quickly nodded. Akiko was blushing again, but she was also sure that Megumi hadn’t known. “All shrines have them,â€ Satomi continued, “and temples don’t. It’s how you can tell the difference. Come on, your parents must have told you that, surely?â€

“Not mine…â€ Akiko conceded, although Megumi was nodding in agreement.

“Oh? Well, I guess every family is different. Anyway, about <em>Handsome Suit…</em>â€ The conversation turned back to films, but Akiko still couldn’t really participate.