<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Akiko could feel that she was bright red by the time they got back to the shrine. She had tried to forget that she was wearing nothing under the yukata, but every time they passed a group of men, Kazumi had said something in an unnecessarily loud voice about how traditional Akiko was, provoking whispering and stares. Kazumi, on the other hand, was having trouble controlling her giggles, and Akiko’s instructions to stop it had not had the desired effect.</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">The protesters at the foot of the steps ignored them, and when they reached the top Akiko could see Shiraishi just finishing Noriko’s harae. Akiko felt herself blushing again; her yukata really couldn’t compare to Noriko’s kimono. She motioned for Kazumi to follow her over to the shrine house, where they waited for the ceremony to finish.</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">When it did, Noriko came over with Shiraishi, and Akiko had to fight down a bit of frustration. She needed to talk to Shiraishi about… well, things she didn’t think she could say in front of Noriko. Noriko was frowning as she approached, and glancing round the shrine.</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Ms Tanahata, can we step into the entrance a moment?â€ she asked. Puzzled, Akiko nodded, and stepped inside, followed by Noriko. As the other two came in, Noriko reached forward and deftly undid Akiko’s belt.</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“That’s not how you… Oh.â€ The yukata had fallen open, and Akiko was sure she was blushing all over. Noriko quickly folded it closed again. “Hold it here, and here. You know, the only reason you traditionally didn’t wear anything under a yukata is that the yukata <em>was</em> the underwear.â€ She started wrapping the belt around.</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Really?â€ It was Kazumi asking, and she sounded disappointed. “So do you always wear underwear with one?â€</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Always for fireworks. Too many people, too much risk. Too many drunk people!â€ She paused, as she turned Akiko so that she could tie the belt. “Never at an onsen. I mean, you’re only going to take it off to get in the pool. For other occasions…â€ There was a pause, and Akiko had to resist the temptation to look round and see what she was doing. “It depends on my mood, and the occasion.â€</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“So, what about now?â€</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Kazumi!â€ Akiko and Shiraishi said it together, but Noriko just laughed.</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“I’m not wearing a yukata. There, you’re done up properly now.â€ Akiko looked round at the mirror. It was true, the yukata did look a lot better now.</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Thank you.â€ She hadn’t the heart to say she had been about to change out of it, and actually, now she looked, maybe she could leave it for a little longer.</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“OK, so what about…â€</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“<em>Kazumi!â€</em> Shiraishi’s voice was quite sharp, and Kazumi quickly fell silent. Noriko was smiling, however.</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“If you like, I’ll give you kimono lessons. That does include full instruction on the appropriate underwear.â€</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Appropriate underwear?â€ Kazumi sounded comically disappointed, and Akiko suddenly had the impression that they were being teased again.</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Ms Miura, I am not naturally cylindrical!â€ Noriko’s voice sounded stern, but she was smiling. She also, apparently, thought she was being teased. “Actually, seriously, if you want lessons, I’ll teach you. Free. You could wear kimonos when off duty, then.â€</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“I’m not sure we have time right now,â€ Shiraishi said, “but that’s a very kind offer.â€</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Oh, no problem.â€ Noriko bowed slightly as she moved towards the exit. “I don’t agree with Mr Fujimura about everything, but I do think that traditional Japanese clothes are more appropriate to a shrine. Well, thank you very much for the ceremony.â€ She bowed again, and Akiko bowed back, as she took her leave.</p>