Akiko stood in the porch of the shrine house, watching the ambulance crew carry Mr Takenaka’s corpse out of the shrine into the torrential rain, and heard them calling to each other as they tried to manoeuvre the stretcher down the shrine steps. As the last of them passed through the torii, she thought she saw something shadowy spring up and cling onto the upper lintel of the gate, but in the darkness it was impossible to be sure.

She remained standing there even after they were out of sight. She could hear the police officers in the shrine, but she wasn’t looking that way. She wasn’t looking at anything. She felt on the verge of tears, even though she had hardly known Mr Takenaka, and was willing herself not to cry. Akira seemed to be bearing up, and she didn’t want to look to him as though she was acting sadder than she felt.

“Ms Tanahata?â€ She looked round; it was one of the police officers.

“Yes?â€

“Can I ask a few questions?â€

“Oh, yes, of course.â€

“Thank you. When did you first see the body?â€

“A bit before ten, I think. I was with Mr Takenaka and Revd Shiraishi.â€

“Why were you going into the shrine?â€

“We were looking for Mr Takenaka. Er, Hideo Takenaka.â€

“Why?â€

“Akira was worried about him. He said he’d been very worried recently. He certainly looked worried when he came to the shrine this morning.â€ The police officer nodded.

“How well did you know the late Mr Takenaka?â€ Akiko shrugged.

“Not well. We had spoken a few times, but that’s all. I went to his house once, but didn’t go inside.â€

“Apparently, he came to the shrine a lot.â€

“Yes, I mainly met him here.â€

“But only a few times?â€

“Oh, I only moved in a couple of days ago.â€ The officer nodded again.

“I see. Well, thank you for your co-operation. I know finding a suicide must be difficult.â€

Akiko nodded, and involuntarily looked back at the shrine, wondering why Mr Takenaka had chosen to end his life there.

“If you would excuse me…â€ Akiko turned back to bow briefly to the officer, who went to join the others in the shrine. Akiko remained in the porch, ignoring the chill and the spray that struck her, leaving her clothes damp. There was an edge to the smell of the shrine tonight, an edge that was more than the wetness.

“Akiko, you should go inside.â€ It was Akira. She turned to face him, and he quickly looked outside. “There’s nothing you can do, now, and it’s cold.â€

“Mr Takenaka, I’m really…â€ Her voice trailed off. What on earth could she say to him now?

“Mm.â€ He still wasn’t looking at her. “I have to go home, now. My mother will need me, and there’s a flood warning from the rain. Take care.â€ He looked towards her as he bowed, and their eyes met for a moment, before he turned away and hurried into the rain. Akiko felt tears pricking at her eyes, and blinked rapidly to bring them under control.

It was several minutes before she realised that Akira had left his coat, hanging on a peg by the door.