<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">The protesters, led by Mrs Watanabe, were heavily laden with kegare, with spirits riding them, pulling at their limbs so that they stumbled. One protester carried something that looked like a giant maggot, and Akiko realised that it seemed to be chewing on the back of his head. Her gorge rising, Akiko forced her awareness back to the normal world.</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">The protesters approached the bottom of the steps, and looked up at her. Akiko could see the weariness on their faces, and noticed that several had brought folding chairs. For a moment, Mrs Watanabe seemed to want to lead them in a chant, but as she looked round at their listless faces Akiko could see the enthusiasm drain from her face as well. She looked back at Akiko.</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“We aren’t going to give up, you know.â€</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“The police said you had to stay away.â€</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“They said we had to stay away from the festival, and we did. But I heard about what you were wearing. You should be ashamed of yourselves. What kind of example are you setting?â€ The criticism was lacking some of the passion of Mrs Watanabe’s previous rants, and even she seemed to sense it, falling awkwardly silent.</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“If you cause any trouble for people trying to get in, we will call the police again,â€ Akiko warned.</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Don’t worry,â€ a new voice said, “we’ll keep an eye on them.â€ Akiko looked round, to see a group of half a dozen of Mr Fujimura’s men arriving. She was shocked, and just stared at them for a few moments. She really hadn’t expected them to be back.</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">The guards seemed much more energetic than the protesters, so Akiko risked a quick look at the kegare, enough to confirm that they had much less.</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“We would like to have a harae before we start, however. Would that be possible?â€</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“I’ll have to ask the chief priest. Please wait a moment.â€</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“They came back?â€ Shiraishi sounded as surprised as Akiko. “Well, send them away.â€ Akiko nodded, and was already turning when Shiraishi changed her mind. “No, wait. You said that the protesters were back as well, right? As long as they behave, it can’t hurt to have them around. I don’t trust the protesters not to make trouble; the guards should listen to us.â€</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“But will they?â€ Akiko was still unsure.</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“If they don’t, we can call the police,â€ Shiraishi replied. “I really didn’t think Mr Fujimura would send them again, not after the festival.â€ Akiko shook her head.</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“I didn’t, either. But here they are.â€</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Yes. I’ll get ready to perform the harae. Invite them up.â€</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">When Akiko descended the steps once more, she found the protesters and guards staring sullenly at each other, but saying nothing.</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“We will perform the harae,â€ she said, beckoning to the guards. Then, on a sudden impulse, she turned to the protesters. “You may also participate, if you wish.â€ The guards looked shocked, but not nearly as shocked as the protesters.</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“What?â€ Mrs Watanabe almost screeched the word. “How dare you! We are not such hypocrites.â€ She seemed to run out of steam almost immediately, though, and the other protesters said nothing, just glaring at Akiko and the guards. Akiko shrugged, and led the guards up the steps.</p>