<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Akiko and Akira walked up the steps to the shrine together in the early light. Kazumi was already there, in her vestments, and when she saw them she stopped dead, looked at each of them a few times, and then grinned.</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Welcome back! Akiko, you’d better get changed quickly.â€ Akiko turned to Akira.</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“She’s right. I need to get changed for the ceremony. See you soon.â€ She turned her face up, and, after a moment, Akira, blushing again, bent down and kissed her quickly and gently on the lips. Kazumi breaking into applause did not help his embarrassment, and Akiko tried to glare at the girl as she hurried into the house, but she couldn’t get the smile off her face.</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">There were still a lot of people at the morning ceremony, although attendance had dropped off a bit, but Akiko couldn’t stop herself glancing at Akira and smiling. Shiraishi went into the office almost as soon as the ceremony was over, and when Akiko went to help clear up, Kazumi shooed her away.</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Go and talk to Akira. I can do this.â€</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“You almost sound like my mother,â€ Akiko said, smiling.</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Well, <em>someone</em> has to manage your love life,â€ Kazumi retorted, and, with a laugh, Akiko went back to talk to Akira.</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“We should tell my father,â€ he said, after a few minutes of walking around the precincts with her.</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Tell… Oh. Yes,â€ Akiko said. “But… isn’t it a bit quick?â€</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“I wasn’t suggesting announcing an engagement <em>just</em> yet,â€ Akira said, smiling and blushing at the same time. “But… you <em>are</em> my girlfriend now, right?â€ Akiko smiled back, and nodded before kissing him quickly. “I think we should tell him,â€ Akira said again. “We don’t want him to think we’re trying to hide it.â€</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“No,â€ Akiko agreed, and they walked over to Hideo Takenaka’s shrine. Akira slightly self-consciously straightened his tie, and then they paid their respects together. After clapping, bowing, and clapping, Akira cleared his throat.</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Father, you know Akiko Tanahata. We have…â€ He stumbled over his words and cleared his throat again. “We have started going out. I hope you approve.â€</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">He bowed again, and Akiko quickly followed suit.</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“It took you long enough.â€</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Akira jerked upright as if someone had pulled him straight, and Akiko was almost as fast. That was Hideo Takenaka’s voice.</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">He was standing beside the shrine, one hand resting on it, dressed in a suit and looking as solid as anything else. He was also smiling.</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“I approve. I was starting to wonder whether you would ever get round to it.â€</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">Akira’s face had gone white, and his throat was working hard as he swallowed. Akiko could see tears forming in his eyes.</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Take good care of each other,â€ Hideo continued. “Akiko, he’s a bit of a spoiled idiot, but I suppose he might not be a complete disaster. You might even think about whether he’s husband material.â€ Akiko blushed at the suggestion, and quickly bowed. “Akira, take good care of her. She needs particular support.â€ He paused, and Akiko risked a quick glance at Akira. The tears were flowing down his cheeks now, and when she looked back, Hideo looked rather embarrassed. “Hmm, yes,â€ he continued. “You’re not doing too badly with the company, either. Keep it up.â€ He paused. “Well, then.â€</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">He vanished.</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Father?â€ Akira finally found his voice. “Father?â€ He was crying openly now.</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“It’s all right, Akira. I saw him too.â€ Akiko said, but Akira was still shaking as he wept.</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">She stepped closer, put her arms round him, and held him while he cried on her shoulder.</p>