Akiko was nervous, waiting in the office in her best suit. It was some comfort to see that Shiraishi was nervous as well, pacing back and forth in the small space available. The bank had confirmed that the money was genuine, and paid it into the shrine’s account. Shiraishi had then called Wakabayashi, asking him to come to the shrine to discuss the issue of the loan. She’d asked Akiko to be there, and to go with her when they went to pay the loan off, to make sure that there was at least one witness on the shrine’s side. Akiko was happy to agree; she wanted to see the loan cleared, to be sure the problem was solved. And now, they just had to wait for Wakabayashi.

He should be arriving any minute. Akiko reflected that he, at least, wouldn’t have any problems with the protesters.

Akiko jumped when the doorbell rang, and Shiraishi looked startled as well, for all that they had been anticipating it. Quickly, Akiko stood up, following the priest to the entrance.

Wakabayashi was waiting there, and he bowed formally to them. Akiko focused her attention inward, trying to switch to seeing the kegare she was sure he carried.

“Revd Shiraishi, have you decided to sell me the shrine grounds? A very wise decision. I will even pay you full market price for them, without worrying about the loan amount.â€

“Mr Wakabayashi, will you not reconsider calling in the loan?â€ Shiraishi was polite, but clearly ignoring what Wakabayashi had just said. Akiko thought she nearly had her vision right and then, there.

Smoke and fire still clung close to Wakabayashi, the smoke curling round his body and head while small flames danced over his suit. Something darted out of one pocket and into another, moving so quickly that Akiko could not see what it was.

“We would be happy to pay off the loan under the original terms,â€ Shiraishi continued.

For the first time, Wakabayashi’s mask of politeness slipped.

“No!â€ he barked, shaking his head, and the flames Akiko could see rose up, stronger, stinking of oils and plastics, the greasy smoke hiding Wakabayashi’s face for a moment. As he regained control, they subsided. “It is too late for that,â€ he continued. “You must pay up within the week. Good day.â€ He was bowing to take his leave when Shiraishi interrupted.

“In that case, can I ask you to accompany us to the bank? They have a room ready in which we can do the necessary paperwork.â€

Wakabayashi just stared at her for a moment.

“I’m sorry?â€

“We need to go to the bank so that I can pay off the loan.â€

“That’s impossible! You don’t have enough money to pay the loan off now!â€ Again, the mask slipped, but this time the fires were flickering, more smoke pouring off them, sweeping around Wakabayashi’s head as if driven by a strong wind.

“As I said, we are ready to pay the loan off today.â€ Shiraishi was entirely calm, and polite. Akiko reflected that it was easier to hold that poise when you were the one in the dominant position.

“I… I don’t believe you.â€ Wakabayashi sounded slightly desperate.

“In any case, you can hardly refuse to accompany us to the bank.â€ For a moment, Akiko thought he might; the smoke was thick around him, and the shapes moving within it, glowing like embers as they crawled slowly over his body, took the form of rats, biting at his clothes. She could smell fear in the smoke now.

“Very well. We will continue with this charade.â€ Akiko blinked, and her vision returned to normal. Before she could work out what had happened, and try to change back again, Shiraishi spoke to her.

“Good. Ms Tanahata, if you please.â€