Mr Fujimura and his group left soon afterwards, having offered forty thousand yen for the ceremony. Shiraishi sat down heavily in the office, rubbing her eyes.

“Thank goodness they’ve gone.â€ She looked up at Akiko, her face troubled. “What are we going to do?â€

Akiko knew what she meant, but she didn’t have an answer, so she just shrugged.

“Well,â€ the priest continued, “at least there was no violence. Just an argument. But…â€

“Revd Shiraishi, you’re exhausted. Go to bed.â€

“Yes, you’re right. Keep an eye on the shrine.â€

Left alone in the office, Akiko did some paperwork, but as it came up to midday she found herself dozing, and making far too many stupid mistakes to continue. Setting the papers back on the table, she looked out of the window. The day had continued to clear, and now the sun shone from a blue sky. The office was getting hot, and although outside looked no cooler, Akiko decided that she was, at least, unlikely to fall asleep while walking around.

The air was hot and humid, a summer day already, and Akiko was sweating almost as soon as she stepped out. The cicadas were buzzing in the trees, almost, but not quite, drowning out the chanting of the protesters, who were still gathered at the foot of the steps. The air above the iwakura shimmered, but, after a moment, Akiko decided that it was just the effect of the stones getting hot in the sunlight.

There was a commotion from the bottom of the steps. Akiko couldn’t make out the details, and didn’t want to, but when she heard someone running up the steps to the shrine she did look round.

It was Kazumi. She ran into the shrine grounds, looked round at Akiko and grinned, and then ran over to the water basin to cleanse her hands and mouth. Her skirt was still so short that her knickers were visible as she bent over, and Akiko shook her head again. Kazumi, hands and mouth done, went over to stand in front of the iwakura, and bowed twice, clapped twice, and bowed again, before coming over to Akiko.

“Good morning! Hot day, isn’t it!â€ She smiled as she squatted down to get her wallet out. Her knickers almost shone white as the sun caught them, and Akiko suddenly felt that she had to say something.

“Ms Miura, can you please take a bit more care about the way you are dressed?â€

“Huh?â€ Kazumi looked up, puzzled, her legs flexing even further apart.

“Your underwear, Ms Miura. You’re hardly wearing that skirt.â€

Kazumi looked down, as if realising for the first time how exposed she was. Then she looked up again.

“Is that a problem?â€

For a moment, Akiko had no idea how to respond. Wasn’t it obvious?

“Yes,â€ she finally managed. “Yes, it’s a problem. It’s not appropriate dress for a shrine.â€

“But I thought miko didn’t wear knickers at all?â€

“<em>That’s a myth!â€ </em>Akiko realised that she had almost shouted it in her exasperation, and quickly calmed herself down. “And anyway, under these vestments you wouldn’t be able to see anything.â€

“Mm, no.â€ Kazumi stood up, smoothing her skirt down so that it covered her as well as it could. “I’m sorry. I didn’t realise. Er, here.â€ She held out a five hundred yen coin, still looking down, not meeting Akiko’s eyes. Akiko took the coin, and wondered what she should say now.

“I’m sorry,â€ Kazumi repeated, before walking to the steps, holding her skirt down with one hand. Then she started running down the steps, and it flew up again.

“Out of the way!â€ she called, and Akiko couldn’t help smiling, despite herself.