“I think he was threatening to destroy Kawasaki.â€ Akiko finished telling Shiraishi about her vision. The priest looked worried, drumming her fingers on the table.

“Do you think he means it?â€

“I imagine so. He seemed very angry.â€

“Do you think he can?â€

That was a very good question. Akiko thought for a moment.

“Well, if he causes a storm, flood, and earthquake all together, he can certainly do a lot of damage. Maybe not destroy the city, but I’m sure he can kill a lot of people.â€

Shiraishi dropped her head into her hands.

“What are we doing?â€ She didn’t look up as she spoke, and Akiko couldn’t interpret her tone.

“What do you mean?â€

“Why are we still serving at a shrine?â€ The priest did look up now, and Akiko could see tears on her face. “I re-read some of the legends. Kami hiding in toilets to rape women. Kami making volcanos erupt. Kami causing famine, or plague, or typhoons. Mr Akiyama was right.â€

Akiko didn’t know what to say. She couldn’t deny what the priest was saying, but, on the other hand, she knew she really didn’t have any choice but to serve at the shrine. Tamao wouldn’t let her do anything else.

“Maybe we should just give up.â€ The priest hid her face in her hands again, and Akiko sat, stunned, for several moments.

“We… we can’t give up,â€ she said, finally. “If we do nothing, Tamao will do whatever he is threatening to do to the city. People will die.â€

Shiraishi looked up again, and sniffed, wiping tears from her face.

“Yes. You’re right. We have to do something. What?â€

Akiko blinked, her mind going blank for a moment.

“I don’t know,â€ she finally answered. “What did priests used to do with violent kami?â€

“Well, enshrined them, like we did with Hideo Takenaka. But we can’t rebuild Tamao’s shrine that quickly. That’s probably why he’s angry. I suppose.â€

“Isn’t there anything else?â€

The priest looked blank for a moment.

“Festivals, but none of them are due. Jichinsai.â€

“Jichinsai?â€ Akiko asked.

“A ceremony to placate the…â€ Shiraishi paused. “Spirits of the area before building a house,â€ she finished. “That’s it. We can perform a ceremony to calm Tamao’s spirit. Tamashi shizume. Some of the oldest ceremonies were for that.â€

“So, you know how to do it?â€

“Well, it’s not that common these days. Jinja Honcho don’t emphasise it; it isn’t a standard ceremony. But I’m sure I can put one together. The elements aren’t that obscure.â€

Akiko nodded.

“That sounds like a good idea. We can at least get a bit more time.â€

“And, Akiko, I think it’s time to formally make you a miko.â€

“What?â€ Akiko was surprised.

“Oh, there are still things for you to learn, but you’ve learned enough to help at ceremonies. Since Tamao seems to have been very keen for you to become a miko, formally making you one might also help to calm him.â€

“Er, yes.â€ Akiko realised that she still hadn’t really been thinking of herself as a miko. If she let Shiraishi incorporate it in the ceremony, she’d be committed.

“That’s… a good idea,â€ Akiko said. Did she have a choice?