“Excuse me? Thank you for the other day.â€ Akiko looked round to see Mr Fujimura at the entrance to the shrine grounds, dressed in haori and hakama just as before, and holding another small parcel. She quickly bowed, deeply, and was aware of Shiraishi doing the same beside her.

“Mr Fujimura, we should be thanking you for your truly generous offering,â€ the priest said. “Won’t you come inside?â€ Mr Fujimura bowed in return.

“Thank you, that would be most kind.â€ Shiraishi led the way, and Akiko didn’t need to be told to get tea ready.

“…cannot express how grateful we are.â€ Akiko caught the end of Shiraishi’s sentence as she entered the room, and the priest was bowing to Mr Fujimura once more as they knelt at the table. He was shaking his head.

“There is no need. I believe that it is important to show the kami the proper respect, here in their country. I am sure that you agree.â€

“Yes, of course. Would you have some tea?â€

“Thank you.â€ Akiko poured for him, and then knelt off to one side to wait.

“What can we do for you today?â€ Shiraishi asked at length, when the silence became too long.

“Last time I was here, I noticed that you had also lost your Japanese flag in the fire, so I have brought you one.â€ He picked up the package he had brought, and handed it over with a bow.

“That is most kind, but quite unnecessary,â€ Shiraishi said, also bowing.

“I insist. It is a very small thing.â€

Shiraishi bowed once more.

“Well, in that case, I would be delighted to receive it.â€ She took the parcel, placing it next to her on the table. Mr Fujimura bowed his head once more, and then cleared his throat.

“I’m sorry to change the subject, but are those people outside causing you any trouble?â€

“They are rather irritating, but they haven’t yet caused real trouble.â€

“But they try to stop people entering the shrine.â€

Shiraishi shook her head slightly.

“So far, they only seem to try to discourage people. I don’t know of anyone who has actually been turned away.â€

“Surely people should not be discouraged from paying their respects to the kami?â€

“I’d prefer not, but,â€ Shiraishi smiled quickly, “it’s a free country.â€

“Hmm. Some people abuse their freedoms, however.â€ Mr Fujimura did not look happy, and he was silent for a few moments. “In any case, I should like to pay my respects to the kami once more, and ask for the prosperity of our Imperial family.â€

“Of course. Akiko, if you would help me prepare.â€

After the ceremony, Mr Fujimura left an envelope containing his offering, just twenty thousand yen this time, and a business card. Akiko and Shiraishi quickly went into the office to search on the internet.

“Kazuhiko Fujimura,â€ Shiraishi said, as she typed the name in and started the search. “It’s not a name I know. Hmm, well, that one isn’t him. Ah, this is probably it.â€ Akiko looked; it was an account of one of the smaller pre-war industrial conglomerates, which had managed to preserve quite a lot of its integrity even during the Occupation. Its head was one Kazuhiko Fujimura, but very little else was noted.

“Well, that explains why he has so much money,â€ Akiko commented, “but not why us.â€

“No…â€ Shiraishi acknowledged. “And what are we going to do with the flag? I’ve never flown one.â€

“Now would be a good time to start,â€ Akiko said, smiling, and Shiraishi nodded, still looking forward.

“I suppose it can’t hurt.â€