In Deep Kimchi - By Imari Jade Page 0,39

you're married?" Ichiro asked.

"I have no idea. If she wants a traditional husband, we're going to have severe problems. She's already accusing me of having affairs with our fans."

"You've cheated on her before. Maybe you should just marry her and take her on the road with you," Ichiro suggested.

Satoshi zipped up his bag. "I don't think that is a very good idea. She still won't see Yori that much. Maybe you should end your relationship with her."

Yori gathered up his things. "I don't know."

"He can't do that," Ichiro replied. "They are in love."

Satoshi headed toward the door, and Ichiro and Yori followed. "It would make your life a little easier. Your career is on an uphill climb.

Having a wife will only put pressure on you."

"I'll think about it," Yori said as they walked into the lobby and headed out to the van.

Kenshin spoke to them as they entered and all conversation ceased.

Ichiro climbed into his seat and fixed his seatbelt. If either Yori or Satoshi thought he believed anything they said, they didn't know him very well.

"I'm coming to Tokyo."

Yori stared at the phone as he sat in the restaurant. Maybe he shouldn't have lied earlier. "Why?"

"What do you mean why, Yori? I'm coming to see you."

"I don't think that's a very good idea, Amaya. We're very busy with rehearsing and I won't have much time to spend with you."

Satoshi made a surprised look at him from across the table. Even Ichiro stopped eating long enough to gawk.

"That's okay. My parents are coming with me. They have some business in town and they want to see your concert. They're very excited about it."

Yori grimaced. This couldn't have happened at a worse time. "How did you manage to get tickets? The concerts are sold out."

"My father called Mr. Niigata. He arranged everything."

Great, they will probably be seated next to or very near Shaundra.

"When will you be arriving?"

"In a couple of days. Father has to finalize his plans. Mr. Niigata suggested that we stay at the Dome Hotel since it is close to the concert site."

And close to him. Yori laid his head back against the seat. They were moving over to the Dome Hotel tomorrow so they could be close to the Dome to practice and for dress rehearsals. "Okay, let me know so I can arrange some time off."

"You act like all you do is practice and Mr. Niigata doesn't allow you time to sleep."

If she only knew. There were times when they went days without sleep and practiced to the point of exhaustion. Ichiro had been hospitalized twice for dehydration, and not to the mention the constant broken body parts and colds. To the fans, everything seemed perfect, but for the singers, it was hard work.

"I'll call you later after I talk to father. I'm so excited."

They ended the conversation, Yori slipped his cell phone back into his pocket and went back to his meal. He grimaced again. His noodles were cold. He pushed the bowl of ramen aside.

"Sounds like she's planning a romantic weekend," Satoshi said as he picked up a piece of sushi with wooden chopsticks.

"More like a shopping excursion if she's brining her parents along.

They will also be attending our concert, which is odd since they never showed an interest in my work before."

Satoshi put down the chopsticks. "Smells like a set up to me. Maybe they're coming to get you to set a date."

"Then they are wasting their time," Yori said before he could stop himself. "I won't be pressured into doing something I'm not ready to do."

Ichiro stopped eating his soup. "What has happened in the last couple of weeks that has made you change your mind? Have you found someone else?"

"No, not exactly. I think maybe I've been too hasty. How do I know Amaya is the one I want to spend the rest of my life with?"

"You were sure about it up until now," Ichiro replied, watching him with those all-knowing, cool blue eyes. "That must mean you have met someone else recently. Since the only time we've been out of each other's sight was the other day at the fashion magazine, it's safe to say something happened there."

Yori sighed. "I think I prefer the silent Ich. The one who minds his own business."

"You are my business. You are one-fourth of Aomori. If you're in trouble, we're in trouble. If you break up with Amaya, we break up with her too."

"Ah, that's so sweet," Satoshi teased.

"On the other hand, if Amaya shoots