Akiko’s head was pounding in the morning light, and the inside of her mouth felt awful. For a few moments, she thought she would throw up, but the feeling passed.

<em>Hangover,</em> she thought. <em>That’s something else I’ve not experienced in a long time.</em> As she collected her thoughts, she realised that she was completely naked, and lying on top of the futon. Blushing, she quickly pulled it over her and sat up on the bed.

“Naoyuki?â€

“In the living room,â€ came the reply. “You’re finally awake, then.â€

“Mmm.â€ Akiko looked around for some clothes. She saw her skirt lying on the floor, and the camisole draped over a chair. No sign of the jacket in here, and, of course, no underwear. She suddenly realised that she was going to have to go home in her clubbing outfit. <em>I should have stashed a change of clothes here,</em> she thought.

“Naoyuki?â€

“What?â€

“Have you got anything I can wear?â€

“Do you need anything?â€ Akiko could feel herself going bright red at the thought of parading naked around Naoyuki’s flat.

“Yes!â€

“Oh.â€ Naoyuki sounded disappointed. “Well, there’s a shirt on the chair by the bed.â€

It was a white work shirt, and when Akiko put it on it came a short way down her thighs. She did it up, and looked in the mirror. It wasn’t too bad, but Naoyuki would get a show whenever she moved. Which was doubtless his intention. She could see that she was blushing again, but she resolved to ignore it. Naoyuki was her boyfriend. He’d seen her naked before. They’d bathed together. They’d had sex. It was silly to get embarrassed about appearing before him wearing nothing but his shirt. Yes, completely silly.

Even though she was unconvinced, and still embarrassed, she went through to the living room, where she had a bigger shock. Naoyuki, properly dressed, was making breakfast.

“How… What…?â€ He looked at her and grinned.

“What do you think I do on the days you don’t stay over? Starve?â€ Actually, Akiko realised that she had assumed that he went to the convenience store. She really hadn’t thought he could cook. “I’ll make a promise. Every time you come round without any underwear, I’ll make breakfast.â€ Akiko felt herself blushing again, acutely aware of her state of undress, and she sat down, quickly pulling her chair close to the table.

The breakfast was actually quite good, and although Naoyuki kept trying to get her to undo the buttons on the shirt, Akiko held out. After they finished, Naoyuki cleared the plates away and Akiko stood up and stretched. As she finished, she realised that her boyfriend was staring at her groin, and, with a little scream, she dropped her arms. She’d forgotten how short the shirt was.

At that moment, she realised that she’d also forgotten about the snake in the shrine. No weird dreams. No worrying about mirrors, apart from one moment in that night club. And that could well have been the alcohol.

Mission accomplished, then.