The injustice of Shiraishi’s accusation stung Akiko, bothering her all through the night and even the next morning. She’d gone to talk about something that was probably quite important for the priest, after all. If the kami was appearing, the priest should want to know, surely. And not accuse the person bringing the news of being a con artist. Akiko replayed the conversation dozens of times, every time coming up with better responses, and leaving Shiraishi utterly convinced that she was in the wrong.

She was half way through constructing another one in the office when Satomi came to her desk.

“Akiko, can I have a quick word?â€ Akiko looked up, a little startled.

“What? Oh, yes, certainly.â€ Satomi left the desk, and Akiko realised that she wanted to have the conversation outside the office.

The break area was almost deserted, and it was easy to find a corner where they couldn’t be overheard. Satomi looked a bit uncomfortable, and Akiko wondered what it could be about. The shrine? Had Satomi seen the kami or something?

“Akiko, you’ve been a bit distracted at work recently.â€ Satomi pronounced  it as a question, but it was really a statement.

“Er, yes, I suppose I have.â€

“I wouldn’t normally say this, but, well, other people have started commenting.â€ Akiko felt her face heating up, but didn’t know what to say. “An off day now and then is to be expected, but you’ve been like this for several days. Is it anything serious?â€

For a moment, Akiko had no idea how to answer that question. She wasn’t going to have anything more to do with the shrine, so even if it were the kami he should start leaving her alone. And the hallucinations would surely stop, if that’s what they were. But if she were going mad… Then mentioning it wouldn’t help her situation at all. Better to say nothing.

“No, not really. Just…â€ What? <em>Keep lies simple,</em> she remembered. <em>And something that she won’t follow up.</em> “Just something with Naoyuki.â€ <em>Yes, that’s good. She can’t politely pry into that.</em>

“Oh, I see.â€ Akiko caught a flash of a smile on Satomi’s face, before her co-worker suppressed it. “Well, I guess we’ve all been there. Look, it’s not really a problem yet; if you pick up your work again everyone will have forgotten in a few days, I’m sure.â€ <em>That</em> didn’t quite ring true.

“So why go to the trouble of having a little talk about it?â€ Akiko was sure Satomi flushed a little at the question, but she really was very good at keeping her expression under control.

“Because I overheard Mr Kanayama mention it to Tanaka. If they’ve started talking about it, you want to nip the idea in the bud, before you get a reputation. If people think of you as the slacker, you’ll be the one to lose your job.â€

“That’s…â€ <em>probably true,</em> Akiko thought. “Very kind of you.â€ Satomi shrugged.

“You actually <em>need</em> the job, I think, unlike Megumi and me. Anyway, I hope it’s no problem.â€ She smiled again, and headed back to the office.

<em>That really was very kind,</em> thought Akiko, <em>so why do I feel so patronised?</em>