The following morning Akiko wanted to call the Tanakas to find out whether they had noticed any changes, but she didn’t feel that she could. They weren’t even former ujiko, like the Itos. On the other hand, she really wanted to know; maybe she could go back to the house? Or perhaps Shiraishi could call them?

Deciding that that was a good idea, Akiko went to look for the priest. She wasn’t in the house, and, looking at the precincts, the only person she could see was one of the protesters, wandering around looking suspiciously at everything. Akiko thought about going out and asking him to leave, but decided that she didn’t want the hassle. It wasn’t like there was anyone for him to get in the way of.

Before she turned away, however, she caught sight of Shiraishi coming out of the woods. The priest walked over to the protester, and Akiko could see her asking him to leave. Rather embarrassed at her lack of initiative, Akiko went out to provide moral support.

It proved to be unnecessary, as the protester was already on his way out when she stepped out of the house. Shiraishi did, however, seem pleased to see her.

“Akiko!â€ she called, as she hurried over. “I’ve just been to the tree.â€ Akiko nodded, not understanding why this was so important. Shiraishi noticed her puzzlement, and elaborated. “I went to the tree, the one that I had never seen before, by myself. I was worried that only you could find it.â€

Akiko realised that that was a reasonable worry, under the circumstances, so she nodded.

“That’s good,â€ she agreed. The priest nodded back, smiling.

“And I think I want to improve our service to the kami.â€

“Improve?â€

“Yes. I’ve… I’ve been neglecting it a bit, I’m afraid. So, we have to offer meals to all the kami, morning and evening.â€

“What does that involve?â€

“Well, rice, salt, water, and sake, of course, but then I suppose we should add seasonal fish and vegetables. The vegetables, at least, ought to be local, but that might not be possible.â€

“Can we afford that?â€ Akiko hated to be the practical one, especially now that Shiraishi was taking the kami completely seriously.

“Oh, we can eat the food afterwards, so yes, I think so. Now, where do we need to make offerings? The go-shintai is still on the kamidana, so there, of course, and Hideo’s shrine. I think we should make offerings at the tree, as well. What do you think?â€

“Definitely.â€ Akiko was getting caught up in the priest’s enthusiasm. “And at the iwakura.â€

“The iwakura? Why?â€

“That’s where Tamao’s aramitama is enshrined.â€

“Oh.â€ Shiraishi turned to look at the stones, her eyes narrowing as if she expected to be able to see some sign of the kami. “Well, in that case we had better include it. Any other locations?â€ Akiko thought for a moment, and then shook her head.

“Just those four, I think.â€

“Well then, we’ll start from this evening. I’ll need to go shopping; we should only offer good-quality food to the kami.â€

Akiko nodded, and looked around the shrine. Would the offerings help, she wondered.