Free Down and Dirty by Imari Jade

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