<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“No, this won’t work. Let’s try looping it round here.â€ Akiko started undoing the rope again, while Kazumi held the model spear still. She glanced over at Akira and Shiraishi, who were working on the other mikoshi; the bucket had been much easier to fix, with handles to run the ropes through, so they were already working on the decorations. The mikoshi were certainly light, though. Kazumi and Akiko could carry one between them, although Akiko wouldn’t want to do that for very long. She really hoped that they’d get at least some help.</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Good morning.â€ Akiko looked round, to see Noriko standing at the top of the shrine steps. She quickly bowed a greeting, as Kazumi waved.</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Are these the mikoshi?â€ Noriko asked as she came over, her black kimono shimmering in the light, the white fabric below just visible through the loose weave. Akiko nodded.</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“We’re having trouble getting the spear fixed. The socket isn’t quite deep enough.â€</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Yeah,â€ Kazumi added. “It flops about all over the place, and we can’t have that.â€ She giggled a bit, prompting Noriko to look between the two mikoshi.</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Ah,â€ she said, understanding on her face. “So, this is…?â€</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“The women’s one, of course,â€ Kazumi replied. “That’s why Akira is working on the other one.â€</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Well, then, maybe I can help you,â€ Noriko said, crouching down a bit to look at the socket.</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Really?â€ Akiko was a bit surprised. “I thought you were opposed to the festival?â€</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Mr Fujimura is opposed to the festival.â€ Noriko didn’t look up as she spoke, keeping her eyes on the socket. “I think that it’s Revd Shiraishi’s shrine, and her decision.â€ She did look up, then. “Can you just tie the spear to all four corners?â€ She pointed at the places where the handles of the mikoshi joined the main frame. “That should keep it steady.â€ Akiko looked, and it did look likely to work. They started measuring off lengths of cord, continuing to talk as they got on with the preparations.</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“So, are you going to come to the festival, then?â€</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Oh yes, of course.â€ Noriko sounded genuinely surprised. “I wouldn’t want to miss it.â€</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“And help carry the mikoshi?â€ That was Kazumi’s question.</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Ah… Well, if you’re short of people, I suppose…â€ She didn’t sound entirely enthusiastic.</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“It’s just me and Akiko,â€ Kazumi said.</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Not Revd Shiraishi?â€</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Unfortunately,â€ Shiraishi replied, looking over from the other mikoshi, “I have to do the ceremonies before sending the mikoshi out and for welcoming them back. I have to wait here.â€</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“And you look devastated!â€ Kazumi said, making Akiko blush, but Shiraishi just smiled, and went back to decorating the men’s mikoshi.</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“Actually,â€ Akiko said, “we aren’t sure how many people there will be. We have half a dozen men, at least, but the only women who have been volunteered are Kazumi and me. But we can hope that there will be more tomorrow.â€</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">“I see,â€ Noriko said, giving the spear an exploratory shake. It seemed to be held quite firmly in place, now. “Well, I suppose so…â€</p>
<p style="margin: 8.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 28.0px; font: 13.0px Optima;">The protesters’ chants from the entrance were suddenly interrupted by louder shouting. Sighing, Akiko got to her feet to go and see what the trouble was.</p>