The following day, when Akiko came back from shopping, there was someone standing at the bottom of the steps to the shrine, carrying a sign. As she got a bit closer, Akiko realised, with a shock, that it was Naoyuki. She could see the sign, as well.

“No Militarism, No Imperialism, No Shintoâ€

Steeling herself for a confrontation, she walked up to the entrance. Naoyuki moved to block the steps, holding the sign up.

“Don’t support the shrine!â€ he said. Akiko could tell he was pretending not to recognise her, but he wasn’t doing it very convincingly.

“Naoyuki, get out of the way.â€

“You should reconsider your support for this superstition. It’s not even harmless; it caused the Pacific War.â€

“I thought it was the decision to bomb Pearl Harbour that caused that? Or the decision to invade China?â€

“But it was Shinto that supported those decisions.â€

“I don’t remember that. Now get out of my way.â€

“No.â€ Naoyuki was defiant. “I tried to warn you about this. You can’t deny that. I told you that you shouldn’t be associated with shrines; look at their history. Well, you wouldn’t listen, so now I have no sympathy for you. Whatever happens to you is your own fault.â€

“Naoyuki Watanabe, are you threatening me?â€ Akiko was shocked, and a bit angry. Naoyuki, however, flinched back visibly when she said that, blushing and shaking his head.

“No, no of course not. I’m warning you.â€

“What’s the difference?â€ Now it was Naoyuki’s turn to look surprised.

“I’m not the one who will cause you the problems.â€

“Who, then? Your friends?â€

“No!â€

“The kami?â€

“Don’t be silly. The kami don’t exist.â€ Akiko smiled wryly. He might even have had a point if he had said the kami, but then it would hardly be a foolish superstition.

“So who?â€

“Look, I’m just warning you.â€ Naoyuki looked rather confused and flustered now, as if he had realised that his claims didn’t entirely make sense.

“Fine. I’m warned. Now are you going to get out of my way?â€ Akiko felt that it was getting darker, and glanced up. Black clouds were indeed thickening overhead. She looked back at Naoyuki, who was looking around, but still hadn’t moved. “Well?â€

“You should get out of the shrine, you know. It’s not good for you.â€

“Oh, since when were you so concerned about me? You only ever wanted to get me naked. And then what about that little girl you were with the other week?â€ He looked confused. “The high school girl. I saw you going into a love hotel.â€

He went bright red, and looked down.

“She…â€ He broke off, obviously unable to think of any defence.

“Right. Well, I don’t know why you are trying to keep me out of the shrine, <em>my home,</em> but if you don’t get out of my way <em>right now</em>, I’m going to call the police and suggest that you might have had something to do with the fire.â€

He looked up in shock.

“That was deliberate?â€ His surprise sounded genuine enough to Akiko, but he still hadn’t moved, and the first drops of rain were falling.

“<em>Move,</em> Naoyuki!â€

And, finally, he stepped aside, watching her as she climbed the steps.

<em>Probably trying to see up my skirt,</em> Akiko thought.