It was late afternoon the following day before Akiko woke up. When she found the priest, who was at Takenaka’s shrine, to apologise, Shiraishi brushed it off, saying that being possessed seemed very tiring, and telling her to take things easy for the rest of the day. Akiko tried to spend some time in the shrine precincts, but the protesters kept wandering around, getting in her way, and she gave up, heading back to the house.

Back in her room, she was trying to think of ways to deal with the kegare when she noticed that her cell phone was blinking at her. There were three missed calls, all from her mother. Sighing, Akiko called back.

“Hello, this is Chiaki Tanahata.â€

“Mum, your cell phone tells you it’s me.â€

“Akiko? Oh, so you called back, then.â€

“Yes, Mum. Was there something particular you wanted to talk about?â€

“Noriko Yamada had her wedding a few days ago. Mrs Yamada was showing me the pictures yesterday, and it really looked wonderful. Noriko was beautiful in her wedding dress, and Mrs Yamada looked just right in her kimono.â€

“Mm-hm.â€ It needed no insight at all to see where this conversation was going.

“So, I was wondering when you were going to be having your wedding.â€

<em>Time for the truth,</em> Akiko decided.

“Mum, I’m not going out with Naoyuki any more.â€

“I’m sorry, what?â€

“I’m not going out with Naoyuki any more. It’s over.â€

“So who are you going out with now? Is he in a good job?â€

“I’m not going out with anyone.â€

“What? At your age? Akiko, you’re already over twenty five; you can’t be messing about. You have to find a husband soon.â€ Akiko’s mother sounded almost panic-stricken.

“And I quit my job.â€ A brief surge of bitterness in her mouth made Akiko’s face twist, but she wasn’t about to claim to have been fired. Especially since she had been driven out of the job.

“<em>What?â€</em> It was almost a screech, and her mother really did sound like she was panicking now. “Why? What are you doing now?â€

“I’m living and working at a shrine. I’m a miko.â€ Akiko was surprised at how calm she managed to keep her voice.

“Sorry? Akiko, I thought you said you were a miko at a shrine.â€

“I did, mother.â€

“What on earth…? That’s not a career. And how are you going to meet anyone? Are you dating the son?â€

“No, mother. I told you I’m single. Anyway, the priest is female and she doesn’t have any children.â€

“Akiko, you really need to think about your future. You can’t be a miko for, well, very long at all. Aren’t they supposed to be, ah, young girls?â€

“My age isn’t a problem.â€

“Well, in any case, it isn’t a career. Akiko, what happened? Why have you thrown your future away?â€ Her mother sounded like she was on the verge of tears now. Akiko took a deep breath to steady herself before replying.

“Mum, this is the right thing for me to do now.â€

“Why? How can it be? You’re too old for this kind of foolishness.â€ Akiko shook her head, even though her mother couldn’t see her. She couldn’t explain the real reason. There were strange sounds from the other end of the phone, and, with a shock, Akiko realised that her mother was crying.

“Mum, don’t cry. This is the right decision for me, really. At least for the moment.â€

“Well, I suppose you’re old enough to wreck your own life now. I don’t suppose I can do anything about it.

“I hope you’re happy.â€

And her mother hung up. Akiko put the phone down on the table.

That last sentence hadn’t really sounded like a wish for her happiness.