<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">By the time Akiko got back to the shrine house, a number of ujiko had gathered in the office, and Shiraishi had the building plans spread out on the table. She looked up and beckoned Akiko to join them.</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“… are already paid for,â€ Shiraishi was saying as Akiko entered the office, and the ujiko were nodding.</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“How big is this compared to the old shrine?â€ one of them asked.</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“About the same size,â€ Shiraishi replied. “A little bit bigger, so that there’s properly space for kagura.â€</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Akiko looked around. She recognised everyone, but couldn’t put names to most of the faces. <em>You’re going to have learn the names,</em> she told herself. <em>Now that they are supporting the shrine again.</em></p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“It’s a shame Mr Takenaka isn’t with us anymore,â€ someone commented. “He knew about this sort of thing.â€</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“His son is still running the company,â€ Akiko pointed out, leaping to Akira’s defence and immediately blushing. The man looked at her, and smiled, kindly.</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“That’s true, but he doesn’t have the experience yet. Still, it’s a good point.â€ He turned to Shiraishi. “Don’t you think we should invite him to the next meeting? He could take his father’s place.â€</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Shiraishi nodded, and made a note.</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Yes, that’s a good idea,â€ she said. “It would also be good to have some younger people involved.â€ There was some good-natured chuckling, as Akiko realised that she and Shiraishi were probably the two youngest there.</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“He could lead the youth group,â€ someone else suggested, “Let Ito give it up.â€</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Are you going to steal my youth from me?â€ Mr Ito protested, laughing.</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Your son can join,â€ someone else suggested, provoking more laughter, even Shiraishi joining in.</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“All right,â€ the priest said, as things quietened down. “We’ll get Akira Takenaka along to the next meeting. But, for now, we need to make a decision.â€</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Yes,â€ Mr Ito said. “You say this would cost a further eighty million yen?â€ Shiraishi nodded. “Can we borrow the money?â€</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Shiraishi’s face fell, and she looked very uncomfortable.</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“I’d rather not. That… caused problems before.â€</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“I don’t think we can raise the money that quickly,â€ someone else said, “but we really need to get Tamao’s shrine rebuilt.â€</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“How much do we need to get started?â€</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Shiraishi looked at the plans, and shrugged.</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“I don’t know,â€ she said. “Er… This is interior decoration. That could be left for a while. These bits as well…â€ The ujiko bent over the plans once more.</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“You know,â€ one of them said, “we really need to take the pool into account.â€</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Shiraishi looked up sharply, and out of the window.</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Oh, <em>stupid…</em>â€ she muttered, under her breath. “Of course. That’s going to make it more expensive, I imagine.â€</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Well then, get the architect back, and discuss how we can do things one step at a time,â€ Mr Ito said. “If we have to have the plans redone, we might as well take account of the financial realities.â€</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Shiraishi sighed, and nodded.</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“I’ll call him today,â€ she said. “Let’s see what we can do.â€ She paused for a moment, looking around. “You will all support the rebuilding, won’t you?â€</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Everyone nodded, and everyone looked sincere.</p>