In Deep Kimchi - By Imari Jade Page 0,3

years older than them. Unfortunate for him, he was also shorter than them, and often ridiculed about his five-foot-six stature. Each member of Aomori stood about six feet tall. Masaaki had a complex about his height, which always drew attention when he accompanied them anywhere. Yori understood his discomfort. Sometimes being taller than the average Japanese citizen had its disadvantages too.

Masaaki sat down at his desk and put his paperweight back on a stack of papers. His feet barely touched the floor. He adjusted his eyeglasses on his nose. "First topic. Mr. Niigata has arranged for you guys to give two nights of concerts at the Tokyo Dome to promote your latest album. " Some of the band members squawked. Two back-to-back shows were hard on their bodies.

"It's out of my control, fellows. Both nights are sold out already. Mr.

Niigata is a man of his word and will not back out of this deal."

Yori already knew this. Goro Niigata was a true businessman and he had guided their careers from the beginning. None of them would complain, since it wouldn't do them any good.

"We've done two nights before," Ichiro replied. He was the youngest of their group and the shortest at six feet tall. His function in the family was to take care of the home and prepare their meals. Ichiro took to his job with relish. He was a great chef, taught by his grandmother and a master chef when he was just a child, and he hoped one day to open restaurants all over Asia when he retired from Aomori.

He brushed his long bangs back away from his eyes. "I don't think it will be a problem."

Usually Ichiro never uttered a sound in meetings except when he was spoken to. He was the same way around the apartment that they shared.

The only time he wasn't silent was on stage. Yori felt comfortable having Ichiro at his left when they performed.

Member number four, Takumijo Yamazaki, had yet to utter a sound.

He just sat there like a beautiful statue listening to the conversation going on around him. Takumijo's main concern in life was himself. His unique characteristics was that he was vain, spent money as fast as he earned it on cars or the latest electronics, and he never bought clothes off the rack.

Takumijo had grown up poor and swore never to be in that predicament again.

"So, we all agree?" Masaaki asked.

Four hands flew up in the air to accept the concert dates. Although the four of them had different personalities, they all agreed on one thing - Aomori came first. It took fifteen long years to get them where they were today, at the top of the charts. Their last album, Motion, had been nominated as album on the year, and it had made them Japan's best band.

Motion changed them from amateurs to professionals and Yori still felt awed by it all.

"Second topic, promotion. Mr. Niigata has lined you up for many television and media appearances in the next few weeks. As you know, he has had formed a partnership with the American publishing mogul, Harper Kehoe, and the grand opening of their new publishing company is slated to open in two weeks in Tokyo."

"What does that have to do with us?" Takumijo asked.

"Everything," Masaaki answered. "He plans to use you guys to help promote his new business by having you join forces with four American romance writers."

Takumijo frowned as if he'd smelt something unpleasant.

Yori raised an eyebrow. "That's odd. Do they speak Japanese?"

"I doubt it," Masaaki replied. "And even if they do, it's only a couple of words." He paused. "Besides, you guys know enough English to communicate with them. Satoshi can interpret if you run into a problem. "

Satoshi opened his mouth, but closed it quickly. "Okay."

"I knew you would agree," Masaaki replied. "You have a better grasp on the English language than the rest of them. We're depending on you."

"What other plans has he made?" Yori asked. He was quite curious where this would lead, especially since Satoshi had agreed so quickly.

Masaaki flipped through some paperwork on his desk until he found what he searched for. "A photo session for a magazine, a couple of personal appearances at stores and on television, followed up by the announcement about the opening of the publishing company. There will be some kind of formal party for this too. So be prepared to be photographed a lot."

Ichiro cringed. Of the four of them, Ichiro hated to be photographed.

Yori never