Akiko almost ran up the steps to the shrine, one hand on the railing for balance. At the top of the steps she looked around, wondering where the priest was. She couldn’t see anyone, but then she heard a drum beat from the shrine building, its deep sonority starting slow and then speeding up, before coming to a sudden stop.

She started towards the shrine, and went straight past the purification basin. As she did, however, she felt her stomach twist, and she turned back. The water was icy cold as she poured it over her hands, and sharp in her mouth, but as she replaced the ladle she felt much better, somehow lighter in the core of her body.

A chanting voice became audible as she approached the shrine, and as she climbed the steps she began to make out words. It was the priest’s voice, and she almost seemed to be speaking Japanese, but the words did not quite fit together in the right way.

From the top of the steps she could see into the shrine, where Shiraishi had was just standing up from kneeling in front of a large stick with lots of paper streamers stuck onto it. The priest was wearing a long robe over the white kimono and purple hakama this time, and had a black crown-like thing with three peaks at the front on her head. She picked the stick up, and walked to wave it over three other people sitting in the body of the shrine.

There were two men, one older, and one younger, both wearing suits, and an older woman in a kimono. They looked like a family, and Akiko quickly realised that they must be having a more formal prayer said, as Shiraishi had mentioned on Akiko’s last visit. Akiko was a little embarrassed, but she wanted to talk to the priest, so she waited.

Shiraishi went towards the back of the shrine to read something, again in almost-Japanese, and then the older man put a small green branch with white paper tied on it onto a table, before everyone bowed and clapped as Shiraishi had taught her. Akiko wondered whether she should join in, but in the end decided not to.

And then it was over, and the family, turning to leave, spotted her. The woman just nodded, but the younger man, who was, now she could see his face, clearly the son, looked for rather longer, before bowing quickly, as if confused or embarrassed about something. The older man also looked at her for a while, and Akiko looked back, sure that she had seen him somewhere. Suddenly, he smiled and bowed.

“Ah, hello again.â€ As he did, Akiko remembered where she had seen him: he had been leaving the shrine as she came in the last time. The priest looked between them.

“Mr Takenaka, do you know Ms Tanahata?â€ He shook his head.

“I saw her coming to the shrine a few days ago, and just now she looked familiar.â€

“Oh, I see. Well,â€ Shiraishi turned to Akiko, “can I help you with something?â€

“Er, I’d like to talk to you about something.â€ The priest nodded.

“If you can wait a few minutes, I’ll just get changed.â€ Akiko indicated that this was fine, and Shiraishi led the Takenakas out of the shrine.