Akiko was still lost in thought over the encounter hours later, when she was suddenly disturbed by the sounds of a commotion at the entrance to the shrine. She hurried out of the office and down the steps, hoping that it would be easy to resolve the problem.

The first person she recognised, with a sinking feeling, was Mrs Watanabe. Her voice was raised and shrill.

“You should not be going in there! Do you know what they believe? What they do?â€

The people she was confronting, however, were the Tanakas, and their grandmother was there, looking much, much healthier than she had when they went to perform the harae. The sight raised Akiko’s spirits significantly, and she hurried down the steps as quickly as she could.

“They helped us! I felt much better after the harae.â€ While Mr Tanaka looked slightly embarrassed, his mother-in-law seemed to have no qualms about arguing back.

“They’re just trying to exploit your weakness. Can’t you see what they’re up to?â€

“How dare you say such things about them? Now let us past. See! You’ve forced the miko to come out of the shrine.â€ The old woman pointed straight at Akiko, and Mrs Watanabe turned round to look at her.

“You should be ashamed of yourself, peddling lies to the elderly and vulnerable.â€

“I am <em>not</em> vulnerable! My mind is still perfectly functional, thank you very much. Now I’ll thank you to get out of my way.â€ Mrs Watanabe swung back round to face the old woman, but didn’t back down.

“I’d say your vulnerability was well proven by your attitude here. You can’t even spot an obvious con trick like the shrine.â€

“They didn’t ask for money.â€

“But you’re going to give them some now.â€

“A con trick where you wait for your victim to decide to give you money isn’t much of a con trick,â€ Mr Tanaka said, finally stung into replying. “Now, we have heard your opinion. Get out of the way.â€

“Mrs Watanabe,â€ Akiko interjected, trying to keep her voice calm, “please let them come into the shrine. You are interfering with their business.â€ The woman turned back to face her.

“Call the police, then. If you care so much, call the police. Let’s see what they have to say about your con tricks.â€

“Slander is a criminal offence as well.â€ Mr Tanaka sounded more annoyed now. “And what do you have to offer? Are you doing anything useful, or just standing here and obstructing us?â€

“We’re trying to protect you!â€ Akiko noticed that Shiraishi had just arrived beside her, and she turned to glance at the priest, who shot her an exasperated look in return.

“Mrs Watanabe,â€ Shiraishi began, but she wasn’t allowed to finish. The grandmother lifted her cane and swung it at Mrs Watanabe, as her daughter, with a scream, grabbed at her arm, and Mrs Watanabe stumbled back out of the way, lost for words.

“Now, we’re going into the shrine,â€ the old woman announced, shaking her daughter off and calmly starting to climb the steps. Mrs Watanabe and the other protesters just looked at her in shock.

When they reached the top, the old woman turned to Shiraishi and bowed.

“I do apologise for my actions just now. Some people just don’t understand any other language.

“Anyway, as you can see, I am much better than I was before you performed the harae, and everyone in the family is feeling a lot better as well. We are all agreed that the harae was the cause.â€ She glanced around at her family, who all nodded.

“So we have come to give thanks.â€