by Jade, Imari
“I’ve done everything except get on my knees and kiss her ass,” Ichiro said angrily.
“Maybe you should try that,” Satoshi said.
“Urg,” Ichiro said. “You are so rude.”
“What? Women like a little kink.”
“They do?” Ichiro asked.
Ichiro was still so gullible. “Sure they do.”
Takumijo entered the dining room alone, dressed in a pair of pajama bottoms and a thin robe opened at the chest.
“Where’s Amaterasu?” Satoshi asked.
Takumijo didn’t act embarrassed to find out they knew she was upstairs in his bedroom. “She won’t be joining us for breakfast. She’s recuperating.”
Ichiro shook his head and went back to his meal.
“See,” Satoshi said. “He probably tried something freaky with her.”
The puzzled look on Ichiro’s face was priceless. He rose to get Takumijo’s breakfast and left the dining room.
“What were you idiots discussing?” Takumijo asked.
“Getting freaky with our women. I suggested he try something different with Shaundra like kissing her butt.”
This got a big laugh out of Takumijo. “I can just picture him trying and her kicking him out of the bed.” He stopped laughing. “Wait, he can’t even get near her to kiss her. Doesn’t she have some big-ass bodyguard protecting her gorgeous body?”
Satoshi nodded. “You should see him. He looks like he can destroy a world if someone gets near Shaundra.”
“Damn,” Takumijo explained. “No wonder Ich is sulking.”
Satoshi lifted his chopsticks. “Yes, there’s nothing like a good old-fashioned ass-kicking to put things into perspective.”
Takumijo chuckled. “Yeah, have you apologized to Cristal yet?”
Satoshi grimaced. He hadn’t meant to draw Takumijo’s wrath on him. “I’ve tried, but she won’t see me or return my calls. I guess I’ll have to give her more time.”
“You need to send her some candy, sexy lingerie, and kiss her ass too.”
Should he? Would Cristal accept a gift in place of a personal apology? The ass-kissing part was out of the question. He wouldn’t stoop so low for any woman. “I’ll get on it right after breakfast,” Satoshi lied.
Ichiro reentered the room with Takumijo’s breakfast and placed it before him. And then he joined them at the table. Satoshi knew Takumijo would not discuss the little incident with Cristal around Ichiro. For this he was grateful because Ichiro would probably try to kick his ass too for putting his hand on the farmhouse princess.
“Have you started making plans for the christening?” Takumijo asked Ichiro.
“There’s nothing much for me to do. Daichi has taken care of everything. I just need to show up.”
“Aren’t we supposed to perform some songs or something?” Satoshi asked. He did remember Daichi mentioning something like that before they left for Europe.
“Yeah; I thought we could do the lullaby I wrote for the babies since Shaundra hasn’t heard it yet.”
“That might score you some brownie points,” Takumijo said as he attacked his breakfast.
“I’m not doing it to score brownie points,” Ichiro said. He picked up his cup of tea and sipped.
“Then you better be good at ass-kissing, because that’s the only way you’re going to win her back,” Takumijo told him.
Ichiro put his cup down. “What is with you guys with this ass-kissing? I am not going to beg Shaundra. If she doesn’t want to return, she can stay.” He rose again and walked out the room in a huff.
“What’s with him?” Takumijo asked.
“Don’t pay him any attention,” Satoshi said. “He’s probably going up to his room to search the Internet for the definition of freaky sex.”
Both Satoshi and Takumijo laughed at Ichiro’s expense.
“What’s on the agenda for today?” Takumijo asked once they stopped laughing.
“We’re meeting Yori in town for lunch.”
“Oh yeah. He wants to get away from Amaya for a couple of hours. Count me in.”
“Do you think Ichiro will go?” Satoshi asked.
Takumijo nodded. “He’ll be there if I have to carry him.”
Three years ago, Takumijo probably could have done so, but Ichiro was now as tall and muscular as Takumijo.
“Besides, he and Yori are getting along splendidly now.”
True, Satoshi thought. They were not trying to kill each other over Shaundra at the moment. “It should be fun, and I’m looking forward to the trip to Kagawa.”
Takumijo agreed. “Yeah, I can use a change of scenery.”
Ichiro returned a few minutes later looking cool and collected. He poured himself a fresh cup of tea and rejoined them at the table.
Amaterasu entered a few minutes later, fully dressed and looking rejuvenated. “Good morning,” she said.
“Good morning,” Ichiro and Satoshi said to her.
“What are you doing up, woman?” Takumijo asked.
Amaterasu slid into the chair next to him. “I have things to do, plus I’ve heard so much about Ichiro’s fine cooking I didn’t want to miss breakfast.”
Ichiro rose. “I can take a hint. I have your plate ready in the kitchen.” He walked out the dining room.
“I didn’t mean to interrupt you guys,” Amaterasu said.
“You didn’t interrupt anything,” Satoshi said, enjoying how nice she and Takumijo looked seated next to each other. The two of them would have some truly gorgeous babies if by some miracle they stuck together that long. But he seriously doubted it knowing Takumijo’s track record with relationships. He’d never been the monogamous type and rumors had circulated in Europe that Amaterasu might be the same way. But it would be nice if both of them decided to settle down and put that foolishness behind them.
Ichiro reappeared with Amaterasu’s food and placed it before her. He removed the silver covers from the bowls and then handed her a napkin and chopsticks.
“Ooh, look at all this food,” Amaterasu said happily. “You’re going to make me fat, Ich.”
“A well-rounded breakfast is good for you,” Ichiro told her. “And besides, we treat our womenfolk like queens.”
Satoshi smirked and Takumijo chuckled warmly at Ichiro’s attempt at flirting.
“Thank you,” Amaterasu said, looking a bit surprised by Ichiro’s words.
“Would you like coffee, tea, or juice?” Ichiro asked her.
“Tea, please,” she answered.
Ichiro left her side, walked over to a cart, and poured tea for Amaterasu. He placed the cup in front of her and Takumijo passed the condiment bowl to her.
Amaterasu shook her head. “I prefer my tea natural.”
“Good choice,” Ichiro said, returning to his seat. “Sugar clogs arteries.”
Satoshi smirked. If he didn’t know better, he’d swear Ichiro was trying to butter Amaterasu up. Maybe he thought she was perfect for Takumijo too.
Takumijo’s cell phone beeped with a text. He slid it out of his pocket and looked down at the display. He texted something back and slid the phone back into his pocket.
“Anything wrong?” Amaterasu asked him as he speared a rolled egg with her chopsticks.
“No,” Takumijo answered. “Just a friend welcoming me back to Korea.”
“Oh,” Amaterasu said.
Oh, oh, trouble in paradise, Satoshi thought. The look on Takumijo’s face led him to believe their choreographer was being less than honest with his girl. And the funny part of the matter was that he believed Amaterasu didn’t believe Takumijo, but accepted his response.
“Yori has invited us to join him for lunch today, Ichiro,” Takumijo said, changing the subject. “Will you be able to attend?”
Ichiro put down his teacup. “Yes, I don’t have any other plans until later.”
“Good,” Takumijo said.
“Where can you guys possibly have lunch without getting mobbed?” Amaterasu asked.
“Do your fans ever find out you’re at the restaurants?”
“Yes,” Satoshi answered for Takumijo. “We have to sign a few autographs, but they’re normally a well-behaved crowd. And it means extra business for the restaurant. So it’s usually a win-win situation.”
“I’m hoping for a peaceful, relaxing lunch,” Ichiro said. “Fans are nice, but sometimes I don’t want to smile for a picture.”
Takumijo chuckled. “Ichiro has this thing about private space and boundaries. He’s okay with fans, just as long as they admire him from a distance.”
“But you’re so cute,” Amaterasu told Ich. “I had your picture all over my walls after your debut.”
Satoshi looked over to Ich to get his reaction. Their youngest members blushed profusely.
“Thank you,” Ichiro said.
“Did you have my picture on your wall too?” Takumijo asked her.
“No,” Amaterasu answered honestly. “You were kind of a wild child back then, and I was into the shy, quite types.”
“What about now?” he asked. “Is Ichiro’s picture still on your walls?”
Amaterasu giggled like a teenager. “Just a small one, but I have a gigantic poster of you over my bed.”
Both Ichiro and Satoshi laughed.
“Since when?” Takumijo asked.
“Since we returned from Europe. I like waking up looking at you.”
“Good answer,” Takumijo said good-naturedly. “You just scored major brownie points with these guys.” He went back to his food.
Amaterasu looked over at Satoshi for confirmation.
Satoshi nodded. “You just satisfied the biggest ego in Osaka.”
That got a chuckle out of Ichiro. “The biggest,” he said.
“Yup,” Takumijo said. “I think she’s a keeper.”
“What time are we meeting Yori?” Ichiro asked.
“Noon,” Takumijo answered.
“Good,” Ichiro said. “I want to call and check on the boys. I have to let them know that Daddy loves them.”
“They’re just a little over a month old,” Satoshi said. “They don’t know you from a grapefruit.”
Takumijo and Amaterasu laughed at Satoshi’s joke.
“You’re not helping,” Ichiro said to Satoshi.
“I’m just trying to be honest,” Satoshi said. “Now, me, they know.”
Ichiro scowled at him. “Why?”
“Because I’m supercute and hard to forget.”
“Yeah, right,” Ichiro said. “You better practice changing diapers because I’m assigning you permanent diaper duty when they move back into the farmhouse.”
“Is Shaundra moving back?” Amaterasu asked.
“I don’t know,” Ichiro answered. “Maybe, but if not, this is where my boys will be with or without her.”
Satoshi raised an eyebrow. How is Ich going to swing this? He changed the subject. “I think we need to get a little rehearsing in the afternoon when we return from lunch if we want to sound good for the christening.”
“What christening?” Amaterasu asked. “You guys are christening the twins?”
Satoshi glared at Takumijo. Apparently, the big lummox neglected to tell his girl about the upcoming family event.
“Yes; Shaundra and Ichiro are christening the twins this weekend in Kagawa, and Aomori is scheduled to perform.”
“I’ve never heard of a group performing at a small christening,” she said.
“It won’t be small,” Ichiro said. “My brother has arranged a festival in the town where we were born. It’s going to be a big celebration. I’m surprised Takumijo hasn’t mentioned it.”
Amaterasu looked at Takumijo, who stared daggers at him and Ichiro for letting the cat out the bag. “Sorry, babe. I thought I mentioned it. I guess I forgot.” He sighed. “I’d really like for you to be there, but I guess you have other plans.”
Satoshi smirked. Takumijo was trying to dig himself out of a bad situation and failing badly.
“No, I don’t have anything planned. I’d love to go with you to Kagawa.”
Takumijo smiled, but the look in his eyes threatened to kill both him and Ichiro. Knowing Takumijo, he probably had some other scheming plan for the trip and they had foiled it.
“Good,” Ichiro said. “Now we’re going to be one big happy family.” He paused. “Or we will be if Cristal is going.”
Takumijo and Ichiro laughed.
Amaterasu just looked puzzled, apparently not getting the joke, which unfortunately was on him since the others knew their publicist wasn’t speaking to him.
****
Shaundra’s home phone rang several times. Ichiro was just about to hang up when someone finally answered.
“Hello,” a deep male voice said. “This is the Morrison residence. How may I help you?”
Ichiro frowned, recognizing Dae-Hyun’s voice.
“Yes, this is her husband, Ichiro. May I speak to Shaundra?”
“I’m sorry, Mr. Yoshida. Ms. Morrison is showering at the moment. Would you like to leave her a message?”
“First of all, her name is Mrs. Yoshida, and yes, have her call me the moment she steps out the shower.”
“I’ll make sure she gets your message,” Dae-Hyun said. He hung up.
Ichiro glared at the receiver. Arrogant bastard. Ichiro still hadn’t forgotten their first meeting and had the intention for paying Dae-Hyun back for whipping and embarrassing him in front of Shaundra and Satoshi. True, it had been his own fault for underestimating the other man’s strength, but he’d be prepared next time. Being bigger did not make Dae-Hyun the better fighter. He’d just been caught off guard. The next time they met, Ichiro planned to be on the defense. If Dae-Hyun got a kick out of what he’d done, Ichiro planned to wipe the smile from his face.
Ichiro’s phone rang fifteen minutes later. He recognized the number on the display as Shaundra’s new home phone number. He quickly picked up the receiver. “Hello?”
“Hello, Ich, this is Shaundra. I’m just returning your call. Is something wrong?”
“No, does anything have to be wrong for me to call my wife?”
Shaundra didn’t respond. Apparently, she was still mad at him. In all his life, he had never met anyone who could carry a grudge longer than Shaundra.
“I’m just calling to check on my sons.”
“They’re fine,” Shaundra said. “They have a pediatrician visit this morning.”
“What for?” Ichiro asked. They’d looked perfectly healthy to him the last time he saw them.
“It’s just a routine visit, and afterward I’m picking up their christening outfits. Daichi said they’re ready.”
“How are you going to manage all that? Do you want me to accompany you?”
“No,” Shaundra answered quickly. “Dae-Hyun will help me with the boys. That’s why I hired him.”
“I’m their father, Shaundra. I should be the one helping you.”
“It takes more than a sperm deposit to be a father, Ich.”
“What do you mean by that?” He hated when she treated him like a child.
“Nothing, listen. I have to get ready. I’ll bring the boys over to see you this evening.”
“Will you stay for dinner?”
“Sure,” Shaundra said.
“Great,” Ichiro said. “I’ll see you around six.” He hung up, a little pissed off for being dismissed like a child and for her insult of his parental skills. He’d be a better father than Dae-Hyun ever could be. He’d show Shaundra. If she wanted to go there, he’d go there with her. He didn’t have any concert plans coming up and he planned to spend time with his boys whether Shaundra liked it or not. He looked at his watch. He still had some time before they were scheduled to meet with Yori. Ichiro grabbed his keys and headed downstairs, passing Satoshi along the way.<
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“Where are you going?” Satoshi asked.
“To the gym,” Ichiro said. “I need to blow off some steam.”
“Don’t forget we’re meeting Yori at noon.”
“I’ll be back by eleven,” Ichiro said. He left the house.
Chapter Two
Yori removed his coat and handed it to the waitress assigned to the private room at the Japanese restaurant he’d chosen to share lunch with his fellow members of Aomori. It was still bitterly cold outside, and it had been snowing most of the morning. In some areas, the snow was so deep the roads were near impassable, but he was sure the others would have no problem getting there. He hadn’t seen any of them for at least a week, and for some insane reason, he missed them.
Life had returned back to normal, and Amaya had gone off to work, leaving him alone to tend for himself. A task, believe it or not, he excelled in since he hadn’t actually transitioned into married life well. True, he took care of his husbandly duties and paid the bills, but emotionally, he still felt single and free. He’d expected things would get better between him and Amaya as they grew older. But since Amaya’s suicide attempt, Yori doubted their marriage would make it past their second anniversary. Amaya seemed happier now since they’d had that long talk about Shaundra. Amaya went to work every day, and she was doing well with her clothing designs. He, on the other hand, just went through the motions. He didn’t want to hurt Amaya or send her over the edge again, but he didn’t think he could go on much longer pretending to be in love with her. He loved her as a friend, but his heart did not belong to her and never had. That’s why he needed to meet with his friends for lunch. He was at his happiest hanging out with them when he didn’t have to think about his personal life.
Yori looked down at his watch. It was nearly noon. The door to the room opened. Takumijo sauntered in first, followed by Satoshi and Ichiro.
Yori rose and slapped hands with them. “Glad you idiots could make it. Where’s Kenshin?”
“In the studio,” Satoshi said as he got out of his coat. “Masaaki has him working on a solo album.”
Kenshin, or Kenny as they called him, had just joined Aomori on the road in Hong Kong to replace Ichiro temporarily while Ichiro returned to Osaka to search for Shaundra, who had disappeared. And Kenny had joined them for the tour in Europe, but Aomori had always been a four-member group, not five, so Masaaki and their boss, Mr. Niigata, decided Kenny would do better as a solo act to establish his identity.
