Akiko checked the house again from the outside, confirming that it looked to be clear of kegare. Shiraishi checked the envelope when they got in the car, and whistled quietly.

“Fifty thousand,â€ she said. “Mr Yamamoto is obviously serious about making up for neglecting us.â€

“What do you mean?â€

“Well, that’s about as much as he would normally have given to the shrine over the last few months, while he has been avoiding us. I wonder whether the ceremony was just an excuse?â€

“I don’t think so,â€ Akiko said. “The kegare was really bad.â€

“Hm. Well, in any case, a good thing.â€ Akiko had to agree, but she had another question.

“Revd Shiraishi, the girl, Mirai, asked me whether it was true that miko didn’t wear knickers.â€ The priest started laughing as she turned the ignition. “It’s not funny! I don’t want people thinking I’m going commando under here.â€

“Oh, Akiko. It’s a very memorable rumour, that’s all. Although,â€ she suddenly became serious, “I wonder whether someone has been spreading it deliberately? It would put a lot of girls off asking for a job as a miko, which wouldn’t help the shrine.â€

“It would, yes.â€ Akiko thought for a moment. “Well, possibly not Kazumi.â€ The priest laughed again.

“No, possibly not her. Oh, no.â€ Akiko looked forward again, at the crowd gathered at the foot of the steps to the shrine. There were a lot of them, and there seemed to be an argument going on. Shiraishi pulled the car over to the side of the road. “We’d better see what’s going on.â€

There was an argument going on, but it died down as people noticed Shiraishi and Akiko approaching, and turned to stare at them, the protesters with hostility, but a significant group with what looked like relief. Akiko didn’t think she recognised any of them, but looking up, she saw Akira standing on the steps, above the protesters, and he was looking at her with what was definitely relief. She smiled and nodded her thanks, while Shiraishi greeted the non-protesters by name. <em>Ujiko, perhaps?</em> Akiko wondered.

Shiraishi turned back to the protesters.

“What is going on here?â€

“We are just putting forward our point of view.â€ It was one of the men who answered, and, looking around, Akiko realised that Mrs Watanabe wasn’t there.

“And what would that be?â€

“That people should not be worshipping at the shrine.â€

“Fine. You’ve put your point to them. Now get out of their way.â€

“It’s not that simple. For the sake of the nation, for the sake of the world, we have to fight for our position.â€

Shiraishi started laughing, and the man looked rather shocked. It clearly wasn’t the reaction her was expecting.

“For the sake of… the world?â€ Shiraishi drew a deep breath, and shook her head, still grinning. “Come <em>on</em>. This is a small local shrine in Kawasaki. Nothing that happens here is going to have any influence on the world. Do you really think it’s worth fighting over? Breaking the law over?â€

The protesters looked a bit sheepish, as if they had also realised that the claim was ridiculously over-inflated. Shiraishi looked at all of them, and then pressed her point.

“The steps are shrine property. You’re all trespassing. Are you going to move before I call the police?â€

“You can’t beat us this easily!â€ the man said, but he was getting off the steps, along with the others, and the ujiko were starting to make their way up. Shiraishi passed the car keys to Akiko.

“Can you park it and bring the things up while I deal with the ujiko?â€ She didn’t stop for an answer, but fortunately Akira had come down the steps, and took the car keys from her.

“I remember that you can’t drive.â€

As the protesters stared sullenly at them, Akiko was also glad not to have been left alone.