At the shrine, Akiko paid her respects first, and then pressed the bell to call Shiraishi. The priest soon appeared, and smiled when she saw Akiko.

“Thank you for coming back,â€ she said.

“Did you think I wouldn’t?â€ Akiko was a little surprised.

“I wondered… Anyway, please come in.â€ The priest led the way into the house, and to the reception room where they normally talked. She indicated that Akiko should sit down, and knelt opposite, her hands clasped on the table.

For a long time, she said nothing.

“Well, I’ve thought about what you said.â€

Akiko nodded, far more nervous than she’d expected. Shiraishi stopped again, and looked at the table for a while, before looking Akiko straight in the eyes.

“Can I be completely honest?â€

Akiko felt herself blushing as she nodded, her heart beating quickly and her stomach knotting. Surely at least one person would believe her?

“I thought about everything you said, and about the dust. And…â€ She paused, then took a deep breath before continuing. “I can’t just believe you.â€ Akiko felt the blood drain from her face, and she was very glad she was sitting down. The priest, however, wasn’t looking at her, and, staring at the table, she went on. “Seeing the kami, seeing what sound like spirits of kegare, claiming to have entered a version of the shrine that doesn’t actually exist. I mean, that’s just not plausible.â€ Akiko realised that she was shaking as she gripped the table. What had she expected, though? It wasn’t as if the story were believable.

The priest wasn’t finished, though.

“But… It’s a ridiculous story. If you were trying to con me, you’d come up with something a bit more plausible. In fact, I can’t think of any reason why you would make up a story like that, and you don’t seem to be insane.

“So, I have to consider the possibility that you are right. That you really have seen the kami. That you were chased by a spirit of kegare to the shrine, but that it couldn’t enter.â€ She looked up briefly, but quickly looked back down at the table. Akiko was even more nervous, but less despairing. Where was the priest going with this?

In front of her, the priest spread her hands on the table, and then looked up, looking straight at Akiko.

“I’ve decided to act as if I believe you. If you are lying to me or mad, then the worst that can happen is that I look rather foolish. But if you are right…â€ She paused, and shook her head. “If you are right, I really don’t know what is going on, but it must be important. And I think you might need my help.â€

Akiko dropped her eyes first, unsure of how to respond. Did the priest believe her, or not? She looked up again, searching Shiraishi’s face for clues.

“Do you believe me?â€ She hadn’t really meant to ask that question out loud, but it was said, now.

“I… Yes.â€ The priest nodded. “Yes, I choose to believe you. What do we do now?â€