Down and Dirty (8 page)

One of them, Satoshi Hayashi, had actually grown up in the United States and could speak perfect English.

The one named Yori Morioka had a pretty face and looked like a girl. He was a year older, so Mr. Niigata had made him their leader.

Takumijo soon got used to talking to Satoshi and Yori, but it was their youngest member he didn’t know how to deal with.

Little Ichiro Yoshida was just nine years old and didn’t say much. Takumijo remembered thinking Ichiro reminded him of a porcelain doll he’d seen once in a store window. Ichiro had flawless white skin, full pink lips, and the biggest, bluest eyes he’d ever seen. Heck, they were the first blue eyes he’d ever seen on a Japanese citizen, and he couldn’t help looking at the young man because he was so pretty and always smelled so good. Takumijo decided he’d protect Ichiro since he was the youngest and kids would often pick on him in school. Of the three, Ichiro was the one he always felt closer to despite the fact that he and Satoshi hung out more because they were the same age. Yori was always a bit more standoffish, but could be counted on for advice and guidance. He recalled this one time in junior high when these kids were teasing Ichiro unmercifully because they learned Ich’s grandmother had taught him the Japanese tea ceremony. Takumijo had found Yori and Satoshi and they were preparing to defend their youngest member. A fight broke out and to everyone’s surprise, Ichiro beat the hell out of the four guys teasing him. And not with just his fists. Ichiro kicked one of the boys onto a table in the cafeteria and his head required stitches when it was all over. Ichiro had gotten suspended for fighting, but gained Aomori’s respect. Takumijo remembered feeling proud in a big-brotherly way that Ichiro could defend himself, but wondered where the hell a child had learned martial arts.

The arrival of Yori was still his favorite memory. Yori had showed up at the door accompanied by a nanny, a tutor, and a manservant, whom Mr. Niigata quickly sent packing. Yori came from a rich family and he, being the only child, was spoiled rotten and used to getting his way. He’d start arguments with Satoshi every chance he got and the two of them often had to be separated. Yori figured since he was older and the leader that everyone had to listen to him and do what he wanted them to do. But the American raised Satoshi had a life and an agenda. He was the first one to get a girlfriend, which upset Yori to no end. Finally, the two of them had a knockdown, drag-out fight and Satoshi whipped Yori’s ass good and proper. Yori’s entire demeanor changed after Satoshi told him that in order for Aomori to be a success, everyone had to be treated as equals and have a say in their careers. Satoshi was a negotiator even back then, and Yori began to follow Satoshi around like a lost puppy. The two of them became friends, especially when Satoshi filled all of them in on the facts of life and sex, and fixed Yori up with his first girlfriend.

Takumijo liked Satoshi from the beginning. Satoshi was cute and had this grown-up attitude the rest of them didn’t. His father was a Japanese ambassador to the United States and Satoshi hadn’t grown up in a traditional Japanese family like the rest of them. He was comical, played pranks, and basically knew how to have fun. He was the one everyone could trust with secrets, and unfortunately, he was the one who always got them in trouble and got them grounded by their manager Masaaki.

Takumijo sighed. He remembered this one time Satoshi flooded the upstairs bathroom of the farmhouse while sailing a fleet of toy ships he’d received as a birthday present from his Korean friend Yi-jun Lee, who was studying to be an actor. Yi-jun’s father was also an ambassador and he and Satoshi grew up together. Masaaki nearly had a fit and the cleaners had to be called in to dry out the upstairs and replace the upstairs flooring and downstairs ceiling. Masaaki grounded Satoshi for two weeks after that, but not once did Takumijo see Satoshi cry or pout. He just accepted his punishment with a smile and a twinkle in those mischievous brown eyes.

They had made it to Osaka-Nanko. Takumijo woke up from his memories and looked out the window. Osaka-Nanko had certainly changed since the first time he’d seen it. He remembered moving around excitedly when Mr. Niigata’s driver drove through the town on the way to the farmhouse. Takumijo had never seen a modern town and was impressed by what he saw.

The traffic was starting to pick up as Kenshin drove toward the ferry landing. Once they arrived, they would drive onto the ferry to be taken over to Shikoku and then go northeast to Kagawa.

Takumijo glanced over at Amaterasu. She had dozed off and had her head on his shoulder. He smiled. The scent of her hair made up for the numbing feeling in his arm. She’d been so excited last night before they went to bed. Maybe it had something to do with the trip, or maybe she was just happy to be with him. He’d never been in a serious relationship this long before, and hoped he wouldn’t screw it up. Amaterasu moved around, lifted her head from his shoulder, and placed it against the headrest.

“She’s a very nice young lady,” Yori said from his seat across from them. “You did well this time.”

Takumijo nodded.

“Shaundra is also a nice lady,” Yori added.

Takumijo’s happiness and memories faded. He felt bad for what he’d said to Ichiro’s wife the other night, but he’d meant every word of it. He liked Shaundra, but he didn’t like the way she’d been treating Ichiro. True, it wasn’t any of his business, but he couldn’t stand to see Ichiro sad. It reminded him too much of when they were younger. Of the four, Ich had suffered from homesickness, especially after his precious grandmother died. Takumijo remembered how Ich had cried for days after the elderly woman’s funeral. He didn’t do it publicly, just late at night in the kitchen when he thought no one could hear him. It just broke Takumijo’s heart. He wished Shaundra would forgive Ichiro so life could go on for him. “I know. I’ll apologize to her the next time I see her.”

“Make sure that you do,” Yori said. “Or Raiden will grow up and kick your ass.”

The mention of his handsome soon-to-be godson’s name made Takumijo happy. He’d never been responsible for a life before. He planned to do well by the kid…buying him things and taking him places. “I will try to keep my opinions to myself,” he told Yori.

Yori nodded and settled back in his seat.

They reached the ferry landing and Kenshin maneuvered the van onto the boat and found a spot to park.

Takumijo looked out the window again. Beautiful blue water lay ahead of them. He always loved the sea, and some of his happiest memories were of fishing and swimming with Osamu. They were two young boys having fun with no idea about what the future had in store for them.

The cell phone in his pocket vibrated with a text. Takumijo eased it out of his pocket. The message was from Terrie. The message simply stated, “I miss you.”

“I miss you too,” Takumijo wrote back. “I’ll see you in a couple of days.” He sent the message and put the phone back into his pocket. He looked up to find Yori staring at him curiously.

Takumijo just smiled and ignored Yori. Like before, he still had no clue what the future had in store for him.

****

“What a gorgeous day for a trip,” Harper announced to the inhabitants of the van as they wove their way through traffic toward the Osaka-Nanko ferry landing.

Cristal looked out the window. All she saw was traffic and snow. This had to be one of the coldest winters in Japan and she couldn’t wait until it was over.

Joining them were Damien, Mr. Niigata, and Masaaki. She’d been expecting Mr. Niigata’s wife and Masaaki’s girlfriend to accompany them, but both women stayed home because of other obligations.
Fine
, she thought. It wasn’t like this was the first time she’d been the lone female on a trip with the men.

Someone kicked the back of her seat.

Oh yeah, Saburo and his demons were also with them. Kioshi Yamashita sat directly behind her and appeared a bit restless. Damien sat beside her texting Tricia.
His long distance phone bill must be astronomical,
she thought.  “How is she?”

“She’s sad that she’s not here to witness her younger brothers’ christening,” Damien told her. “But she sends her love and wants me to send pictures of them.”

“You can’t send them until after the photo shoot,” Harper reminded him. KiNii Publishing and Harper’s New York publishing company had the rights to the first public photos of the twins, followed by a full magazine spread featured in
Flowing Magazine
, the fashion publication that had done such a beautiful job on Shaundra and the other New York writers when they’d first come to Japan two years ago.

“Awe, she is going to be so disappointed,” Damien said, putting his phone into his pocket.

“She’ll get over it,” Harper said to his son.

“It is business, son,” Goro Niigata said to Damien. “Shaundra and Ichiro will make a fortune and so will our three publications.”

Cristal agreed with her boss. The Yoshida babies were big news on both sides of the Red Sea. The only person allowed to photograph them at the christening was someone Mr. Niigata trusted not to sell the pictures to the media. Now, the Yoshida family in Kagawa might be disappointed, but Mr. Niigata had sent out advance notice that no photo taking would be allowed. Cristal grimaced. He acted like the twins were his, and she wondered what Shaundra thought about all this. She was sure Ichiro didn’t care and would do whatever Mr. Niigata told him to. To Ichiro and the other members of Aomori, Mr. Niigata was a god.

“Ooh, there’s a ferry,” Izanagi said excitedly. “Are we going on it?”

“Yes,” Cristal told him. Izanagi had been very animated since he boarded the van. He’d rewarded her with a pleasant smile when he saw her earlier.

Hiroyuki had been polite and nodded, but the sullen, sleep-deprived Kioshi just mumbled good morning and frowned at her. Maybe he realized she’d been serious when she told him he’d better be up and ready or she’d pull him out the bed. Cristal smirked. He thought that he being naked would hinder her. It did not. She’d seen naked males before. She stopped smiling and groaned. But she had never seen one so young and untouched as Kioshi. He hadn’t even tried to hide all that hairless pale flesh when she entered his bedroom earlier. For an eighteen-year-old, Kioshi had quite the manly body with muscles in all the right places. He also had a narrow waist and nicely shaped legs. He just stepped from his bed and walked to the bathroom, giving her a delightful view of his eighteen-year-old butt. The sight had made her day. Cristal frowned. Did this make her a cougar since she was nearly nine years older than him? She would have to ask Shaundra later when she saw her. If anyone knew, Shaundra did.

“Have any of you guys ever been to Shikoku before?” Harper asked the trio.

“No,” all three answered.

She guessed he didn’t know Mr. Niigata had been keeping the boys in hiding since they arrived from America. They were allowed to go out separately, but never as a trio, except when being accompanied by their manager to the recording studio or to KiNii.

“It’s a great place,” Goro told them. I’ll have the driver take you sightseeing before we return to Osaka, but you can’t leave the van.”

Two of them seemed excited by the announcement. The gloom and doom one behind her didn’t say a word. She hoped he wouldn’t sulk the entire trip. Spoiled as he was, she was sure Mr. Niigata would have a fit if Kioshi didn’t act friendly with the people they were going to meet.

The driver entered the parking lot and drove onto the ferry.

Izanagi leaned forward. “I love the water, Miss Cristal. Do you suppose the hotel has a pool?”

“Yes, it does,” Cristal answered him. “There’s a private one right outside your rooms, and it’s heated so you won’t catch pneumonia.”

“I have packed your swimwear,” Saburo said to him. “I figured you boys could use some exercise.”

Izanagi clapped excitedly.

“I don’t know why you’re so excited,” Kioshi told him. “It’s probably a publicity stunt.”

“That doesn’t mean it won’t be fun,” Izanagi said. “And you need to stop frowning. It will give you wrinkles.”

Cristal listened to their conversation. They sounded nothing like Aomori, who were grown by the time she’d met them. She supposed they had been just as cute and obnoxious at eighteen and nineteen as these three. Distraction was still too young to be corrupted by the glitz and glamour of stardom, and still acted like teens. Well, at least two of them did. The third one was a little too mature for his age and needed a paddling to get his attitude in check.

Masaaki and Saburo chatted as the ferry sailed away from the bank. She thought Masaaki seemed happier these days and not so uptight. She wondered if he was giving the younger Saburo advice on how to handle the trio. Hopefully, he’d tell him about grounding the members if they got out of line. She smirked. Why should she and Aomori be the only ones to suffer? Well, Masaaki couldn’t ground her anymore since she had moved out on her own, but she was sure Mr. Niigata could get at her in other ways like making her Distraction’s publicist. She wondered what she’d done to deserve them.

****

“Why did I think Ichiro lived in a rural little town?” Shaundra asked Dae-Hyun when they entered Kagawa. She discovered Kagawa was a city with a large concentration of company branch offices and the national government branch for Shikoku. They passed the Symbol Tower, a new building located in the Sunport area of the city.

“We’re not actually in his part of town yet,” Dae-Hyun said. “But it isn’t too far away.”

Well, maybe his home was on the outskirts of town, like the farmhouse was in a rural area of Osaka.

“His family is well known here. They run a catering business and a restaurant supply company.”

She knew most of this already, but there was still so much she bet she didn’t know. She and Ich had been married nearly two years now and she’d only met his siblings. Now she would be under the scrutiny of aunts, uncles, and cousins who were all going to judge her because she was older than him.

“Is it a big business?” Shaundra asked, trying to take her mind off her worries.