<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Akiko held her cellphone in her hand, arguing with herself about calling. On the one hand, it was a long time since she had called her mother. On the other, she wasn’t sure that she really wanted to call just because she had a boyfriend now, and it might stop her mother complaining about it. On the gripping hand, they had already told Akira’s father, and he was dead.</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Akiko flipped the phone open. She did want to call, and she ought to call. Standing on her dignity was just silly.</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Hello, Akiko?â€ Her mother didn’t even pretend not to know who it was.</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Hi Mum. Is this a good time?â€</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Yes, it’s fine. You haven’t called for a while.â€ Her mother’s voice was reproachful, but Akiko couldn’t argue with her.</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“We’ve been a bit… busy. At the shrine.â€ She wondered how much she should tell her mother. How much could she tell her mother?</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“You’re still at the shrine, then?â€ A disappointed tone.</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Yes, mother. I told you, I’m working as a miko. We’ve had some important festivals recently.â€ <em>Telling her about Tamao is not a good idea,</em> Akiko decided. <em>At least not yet.</em></p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Are you <em>sure</em> that’s what you should be doing?â€</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Yes…â€ Akiko suddenly stopped. <em>Was</em> she sure? While the kegare had been a threat, it had been obvious that she had to stay at the shrine and fight, but now… Now, the problem seemed to be solved, so maybe she didn’t have to stay.</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“You don’t sound entirely sure,â€ her mother said, and Akiko grimaced, glad she couldn’t be seen. Her mother could be very perceptive when it suited her.</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Now that the festivals are over, I’m thinking about it,â€ Akiko said.</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Shall I send you job information?â€</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Mother!â€ Akiko almost shouted, and quickly calmed herself down. “I said I was thinking about it. I might well decide to stay.â€ <em>I can still see the kegare,</em> she thought, <em>and Tamao. Maybe I should stay here.</em></p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“All right, all right. I was just trying to be helpful. It’s your life, so you can make the decisions.â€</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Thank you. Anyway, that’s not why I was calling.â€</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Oh? You have some news?â€ Her mother suddenly sounded very eager. Akiko was sure she wouldn’t be disappointed, and suddenly felt a bit embarrassed. <em>There’s nothing wrong with making your mother happy,</em> she berated herself.</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Yes… I’m, well, seeing someone.â€</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Who is he?â€ Her mother sounded delighted.</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“His name is Akira Takenaka. He’s one of the ujiko of the shrine. His father died a few months ago, and he’s taken over his father’s company. It’s only a small one, though.â€ Akiko hurried through the sentence, hoping to get everything out.</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Ooh, that sounds nice. How old is he?â€</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“A few years younger than me,â€ Akiko admitted. “He had to abandon university to take over the company.â€</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Oh.â€ Her mother sounded a little uncertain, but then brightened. “Well, older wives are quite common these days.â€</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Mother!â€</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“What? Oh. Sorry. Right, you’re not at that stage yet.â€</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Right.â€ Akiko was smiling, though. At least her mother had apologised.</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Well, that’s wonderful news. When do we get to meet him?â€</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“You could come to Tokyo,â€ Akiko suggested. “You could see the shrine as well.â€</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Hmm. I’ll talk to your father. It does seem to have been a long time since we saw you. Anyway, thank you for calling to tell me. I’m really happy for you.â€ She sounded genuine, and, for once, Akiko was happy that she had called.</p>