In Deep Kimchi - By Imari Jade Page 0,55

from the ceiling and Jay Adams, the photographer friend of Harper's, appeared to talk to the fans about Aomori's involvement with their latest edition. The fans screamed Aomori's name and then Jay unveiled the cover. There was a deafening silence and then stomping and excited screaming of Yori's name.

"Oh, my goodness," Shaundra said, staring at her image bigger than life on the billboard with Yori. Jay had captured them in a very provocative pose on the chaise lounge. She hardly recognized herself due to the hair, makeup and airbrushing of her imperfections. She had to admit that she did look beautiful, and Yori was so handsome. His image seemed to jump from the billboard. Fans pulled out their cameras and their dreaded cell phones. They began taking pictures of the poster and were probably emailing it to their friends and sending it directly to Facebook and YouTube.

"Do you think the fan girls liked the cover?" Shaundra asked Dorothy as she eased her sunglasses out of her purse and put them on.

"I don't know," Dorothy admitted. "But I wouldn't want to be in your shoes at the moment. How are we going to get you out of here without anyone finding out who you are?"

True, she hadn't seen many African American females since they'd entered the Dome, if any. "I hope Harper and Mr. Niigata have a plan for my escape. You know most of them have already seen the two of us together on YouTube. For all I know, they are already planning my demise."

"They're a bunch of teenage girls and young women. What can they do to you?"

The publisher lifted the billboard and left the stage under the shouts for Aomori to return to the stage. Mr. Niigata was smart enough to send in another act. Shaundra scooted down in her seat. She didn't want to think of all the awful things Aomori's fans could do to her before she left Japan.

"Who is that woman?" Kaori Saitama asked Yori after the concert ended and they were all backstage at the after-concert celebration.

"Ichiro's girlfriend," Amaya answered for him.

"So why isn't she posing with him instead of your fiance?"

"That is a good question, Mother. Yori, why isn't she posing with Ichiro?"

"Because the photographer asked me. You know how shy Ich is."

"But to pose so sexy with a stranger is..." Kaori didn't get a chance to finish the sentence.

"Good publicity strategy," her husband, Dai, replied. "Flowing is trying broaden its readership by reaching beyond Japan."

Yori did not expect his future father-in-law to be in agreement or be so knowledgeable about trends.

"I wish I would have known about this issue. I would have put in an ad for our business," Dai replied.

"But, Father, don't you think it's shocking that a woman her age would agree to be photographed in such a way?"

"What's wrong with it?" Dai asked. "She's a beautiful middle-aged woman. Ichiro is a lucky man. It is an honor for an American woman to be asked to grace the cover of a Japanese magazine. It would have been rude for her to refuse."

"Why are you taking her side?" Amaya whined. "She is trying to make a name for herself with her ties to Aomori."

"Ms. Morrison is a successful romance writer in America. Her latest book is number one on the best sellers list. She does not need Aomori to gain fame," Yori said in Shaundra's defense.

"Why are you sticking up for her?" Amaya asked.

"I'm not sticking up for her." He needed a nice stiff drink. He signaled for one of the waiters hired to cater the evening event. He brought with him a tray of mixed drinks. Dai, being the eldest, chose the first glass, and Yori reached for a glass of Bourbon. The women declined alcohol and chose iced tea instead.

Yori scanned the room for Shaundra. He found her off in a corner at a table talking to Ichiro. From where he stood, the two of them seemed pretty friendly. Satoshi and Takumijo were entertaining the other two female Japanese authors and the one named Dorothy was in a heated conversation with John Sampson, their music arranger, and some of his friends.

Ichiro rose from his seat, helped Shaundra up and walked her over to the food. Yori gulped. The black dress she wore hugged all the right places. He rejoined the conversation just in time to see the pissed look on Amaya's face. He finished his drink. Tonight, he'd entertained and pleased thousands of people, was on the top of