<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">The former protesters did leave, then, although Mrs Watanabe shouted a few choice insults after them as Naoyuki and Mr Akiyama tried to calm her down.</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Well, maybe not a plan, then,â€ Shiraishi commented.</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“No…â€ Akiko agreed. They turned, and started climbing the steps again. “But… cute?â€</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Well, you are,â€ Shiraishi replied.</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Cute?â€ Akiko tried to keep her voice down. “I was hoping for “elegantly beautifulâ€. <em>Kazumi</em> is cute.â€</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Mm.â€ Shiraishi muttered something Akiko couldn’t quite catch.</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Sorry?â€</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Oh, nothing.â€</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Well, I think he said you were cute as well.â€</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">The priest suddenly stopped, looking at Akiko, her face incredulous.</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“I really don’t think…â€</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Why don’t you lot go home, too?â€</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Shiraishi’s face fell.</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Very perceptive man, that. Spotted the fascists as well as the cute miko,â€ she said, quietly.</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Yeah, take your disrespect away, and stop bothering honest Japanese citizens who still know to respect the kami.â€</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Akiko wasn’t about to say it, but she nodded, and they turned back to deal with the new crisis.</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“We are exercising our democratic rights! Japan is not a medieval dictatorship anymore. The emperor is no longer a god.â€ Mr Akiyama was confronting them, but keeping at least as much of an eye on Mrs Watanabe as on the guards.</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Can we please…â€ Shiraishi began, but the guard interrupted.</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“The occupying army made him say that. The emperor is just as much a kami now as he has ever been.â€</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Of course, that’s true,â€ Mr Akiyama said, puzzling Akiko for a moment, and the guard for slightly longer.</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“But… you said…â€ Mr Akiyama smiled as the guard floundered.</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“The ancient customs of Japan are as good for the country now as they were three thousand years ago,â€ Mr Akiyama continued, “and the guidance and wisdom of the kami as valuable as ever. That is why we are protesting.â€</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“But… shouldn’t you be on our side?â€ The guard sounded genuinely confused, and Akiko had to feel a bit sorry for him.</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“You <em>stupid</em> man. The emperor has <em>never</em> been a kami and the ancient customs of Japan were as cruel and oppressive then as they are now. As for the kami, well, <em>I</em> certainly wouldn’t take advice from bloodthirsty bullies.â€ Mrs Watanabe was sneering at them, quite obviously.</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Ah, yes…â€ Shiraishi tried to interrupt again, her tone worried, but it was too late.</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“What did you say about the kami?â€ the guard roared. “How <em>dare</em> you, you stupid old woman.â€ He ran down the steps towards her, and Naoyuki quickly stepped in front of his mother.</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">The guard punched him in the stomach, and then kicked at him as he doubled over, sending him sprawling onto the floor. Mr Akiyama took several hasty steps backwards, but Mrs Watanabe swung a fist at the guard, missing as he dodged out of the way.</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Stop this right now!â€ Shiraishi yelled. “I’ll call the police!â€ The guard, who had raised his fist, seemed to suddenly realise what he was doing, and lowered it again, looking slightly sheepish. Naoyuki got to his feet, cradling his stomach but not looking too badly injured.</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Now, all of you,â€ the priest continued, “get out of here! Just… just go home.â€ The guards didn’t even look at her as they made their way down the steps, but although Mrs Watanabe looked about to protest, Naoyuki took her arm, speaking to her quietly, and firmly guided her away. Mr Akiyama paused for a moment, looking like he was about to say something, but then left without a word.</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Akiko and Shiraishi were left alone on the steps.</p>