Akira walked Akiko up the steps and back to the shrine house, but left her at the entrance. He had been very quiet all the way there, and said only the briefest of farewells as she went inside.

“Revd Shiraishi! I’m back!â€ she called out, hoping that the priest was around. Shiraishi emerged from the office almost immediately.

“Welcome back… What’s wrong?â€ Akiko realised that her worry, her fear, was showing on her face.

“Revd Shiraishi, what do you know about angry ghosts and curses?â€

“Legends, mainly. They’re called tatarigami. Why? Oh…â€ Shiraishi’s face fell, as she realised what Akiko meant. Akiko nodded.

“Are they associated with lightning strikes?â€ Shiraishi nodded. “Accidents? Fires?â€ Shiraishi nodded again. “Diseases?â€ Another nod.

“Akiko, what are you suggesting?â€ Akiko took a deep breath. Saying it aloud would make it more real, and she wasn’t sure she was ready for that. But if she didn’t say anything, they couldn’t do anything, and it would just get worse.

“I think Mr Takenaka has become an angry ghost, and is cursing the area. I think he’s particularly targeting the businesses that stopped hiring his company. We went round them today, and found two more devastated; a gas explosion and a fire. That’s four, Revd Shiraishi. Four in a week or so. That’s not normal.â€

“That… No… They…â€ Shiraishi was at a loss for words.

“What do we do?â€

“I don’t know.â€

“You’re the priest!â€

“They’re legends, Ms Tanahata. They’ve always just been legends. I didn’t expect them to come true. I never prepared for them to come true. Akiko, legends aren’t a threat. Legends don’t kill my friends.â€

“Neither will my father.â€

Akiko and Shiraishi both spun to face the door, where Akira stood.

“I… I thought you’d gone home,â€ Akiko stammered out.

“Not quite.â€ He stopped, but his whole attitude suggested he was going to speak again; Akiko waited quietly. “My father was not, is not, a violent man. He wouldn’t kill anyone. The fever is not fatal.â€ That was true; Akiko had heard no reports of deaths yet. “None of the accidents have killed anyone.â€ Akiko remembered the Sugiyamas being carried out of their house, but as far as she knew, that was also true. “He is angry, not psychotic. I think that, if I can get the business going again, he will rest peacefully.â€ Akira’s voice was starting to crack, and Akiko suddenly felt tears rising in her eyes. <em>How can Akira possibly cope with this?</em>

“The business and his family; those were the most important things to my father.â€ Akira was crying openly as he spoke now, struggling to get the words out coherently. “If those are saved, he will rest peacefully. I’m sure of it. I’m sure of it.â€

Akiko, trying to blink back the tears, just bit her lip and nodded, looking at Shiraishi, who also nodded.

“Go home, Akira,â€ the priest said. “You’ve done all you can for today. I’m sure your mother wants to see you.â€ Akira took a shuddering breath, and nodded.

“I’m sorry. I will go home now. Akiko, could you accompany me again tomorrow?â€

“Of course, Akira.â€

When he had gone, and they were sure, Akiko turned back to Shiraishi.

“Do you think he’s right?â€ The priest shrugged, but Akiko could tell she wasn’t convinced.

It was only after she had gone to bed that Akiko realised that Akira had called her by her given name.