<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">People came for ceremonies throughout the day, both established ujiko and people Shiraishi had never seen before. Only a couple asked about what had happened at the festival, and Shiraishi put them off, saying that it was something that they had to see for themselves. In a quiet period in the afternoon, Shiraishi raised the issue with Akiko.</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“What do we say to people?â€</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">It was a simple enough question, but surprisingly difficult to answer.</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Well, we told Mr Yamaguchi yesterday,â€ Akiko pointed out.</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Yes,â€ Shiraishi replied, “but he was worried that his mother was going crazy. And he’s been associated with the shrine for years, even if he hadn’t been coming much lately. What about other people?â€</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“It <em>did</em> happen.â€</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“It did. Which is why this is difficult. I don’t want the shrine to turn into a media circus, or a freak show.â€</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“But people are going to talk about it. There will be rumours,â€ Akiko pointed out.</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Rumours are fine. Rumours claim that you aren’t wearing knickers.â€ Shiraishi grinned briefly, and Akiko scowled back. “Most people don’t take rumours seriously,â€ the priest continued, her face serious again. “A few people turning up in the hope of seeing the kami; that’s OK. Camera crews all over the place and bus tours from Osaka; not so good.â€</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“So, keep avoiding the issue and telling people they have to experience it for themselves?â€ Akiko suggested. Shiraishi pulled a face.</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“I was rather hoping you’d come up with a better idea.â€</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Sorry,â€ Akiko apologised. “I really can’t think of anything.â€</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Oh well. I’ll just have to keep being vague. I’m going to start sounding like that fortune-teller woman on television.â€</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Kazumi arrived at the shrine quite early in the afternoon; she explained that the temporary accommodation at the school was only partially finished, so they’d been sent home early.</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“How is school, anyway?â€ Akiko asked.</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“What? It’s school. Boring, pointless…â€ Kazumi trailed off. “But, OK, it’s better than it was. I think the harae did make a difference. I still want a shower before I get into my vestments, though.â€</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">As the afternoon wore on, a steady stream of people came to ask about the evening ceremonies, and Akiko explained that they were held at sunset.</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“I don’t remember it being like this yesterday,â€ she commented, and Shiraishi shook her head.</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Nothing like this. I think people have heard that we do evening ceremonies now.â€</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Well, attendance is good, right?â€</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Yes…â€ Shiraishi didn’t sound entirely sure.</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“What’s the problem?â€</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“It’s all at once. I don’t know how we are going to cope if people keep coming, or if they stop.â€</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“We’ll be able to cope tonight, though.â€</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Yes, I suppose so. Just take it as it comes.â€</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">As sunset approached, however, even Akiko was surprised at the number of people arriving at the shrine, and at how formally they were dressed. Shiraishi was trying not to show any reaction, but Akiko couldn’t tell how much surprise she was hiding. Kazumi, on the other hand, was transparent.</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“It’s the whole population of Kawasaki!â€ she exclaimed, under her breath. “Everyone is here! I’ve seen some people I know from school.â€</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Your school is quite close, you know.â€</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Yeah, but they’ve never come before.â€</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Not embarrassed, are you?â€ Akiko teased her.</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“What? No, don’t be silly. But… It’s <em>everyone</em>.â€</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Akiko looked at the crowd. <em>Well over a hundred people, probably twice that, </em>she thought, shaking her head slightly in wonder. <em>I hope they all make donations.</em></p>