In Deep Kimchi by Imari Jade Page A

sort of blended into the crowd. They passed another building. Shaundra stopped to look at it. There weren’t any windows to the place, just a door. “What’s this place?”
    Several of the Asians laughed.
    “What’s so funny?” she asked as she walked around to inspect it.
    Yori took her hand and led her away. “This is love hotel.”
    “Love hotel? Who would rent a room in a place with no windows?”
    “Lovers,” Yori explained.
    Shaundra did not understand at first. “Oh!”
    The Asians continued to laugh at her naivety.
    “In the middle of a shopping district?”
    “It’s very discrete,” Satoshi said, looking down at her and Yori’s interlocked hands.
    Shaundra pulled her hand away. “You mean it’s for secret liaisons?”
    “We have a lot of lonely single men in Japan.”
    There was no way Satoshi or any of Aomori had to visit a place like that. She couldn’t imagine them lacking companionship.
    “It’s a very lucrative business,” Masaaki explained. “It is operated solely for the purpose of allowing couples privacy to have sexual intercourse. It’s windowless so no one can see in. There is minimal interaction with the staff, and the bills are paid through the use of pneumatic tubes or given to a pair of hands behind a pane of frosted glass.”
    She looked back, half expecting to see scantily clad prostitutes lurking about. They walked past another strip of shops with tiny cafes that served snacks and coffee, clothing shops and more video arcades before Masaaki turned the corner and stopped in front of a restaurant. There was also a long line of people waiting to go inside.
    “Maybe we should have made reservations,” Dorothy replied.
    “Already taken care of,” Masaaki answered. “Mr. Niigata has planned ahead.” He walked away from them and to the front of the line to speak with the young woman at the door. He signaled for them to follow him in.
      Shaundra expected some groans from the waiting crowd, but they didn’t offer a peep.
    Delicious aromas assaulted her nostrils as soon as she stepped into the waiting area. Masaaki spoke with the kimono dressed hostess who led them into the restaurant to a large room in the back. Shaundra was thankful to see chairs because she doubted that she could sit down on cushions in the mini dress without flashing everyone.
    Each little area had a small hibachi grill place in front of them. Surprisingly enough, the waitress positioned them in an odd seating arrangement with Yori at her right and Ichiro at her left. The impact of their colognes sent conflicting emotions through her body. Damn, what are they wearing ? Usually, cologne and body sprays made her cough. Thankfully, not this time, she mused as she crossed her legs at her ankles to ignore her raging hormones and dampening panties. This is so embarrassing .
    “Is something wrong, Ms. Morrison?” Chirau Narita asked from across the table. “You look a bit flushed.” Chirau was seated across the table from her between Satoshi and Riley and her cheeks were very rosy too.
    Shaundra looked down shyly. “No, it’s probably from the heat of the grill.”
    Chirau giggled. “Yes, I know exactly what you mean.”
    Shaundra rose. “Excuse me a minute. I need to use the little girl’s room.”
    “I’ll go with you,” Dorothy replied, hopping up from her seat between Harper and Masaaki.
    Dorothy was standing next to her before she could reply. They had to walk out of the room and back into the main dining room to access the ladies room. Shaundra pushed the door open slowly so she wouldn’t knock anyone down. There were a couple of ladies standing before mirrors fixing their hair and makeup. Shaundra ducked into one stall while she heard Dorothy go into the one next to her. She really didn’t have to go, but she needed to get some air and quiet the thoughts in her head. Her bladder complied to justify with Dorothy that she had to go. The next thing she knew, both she and Dorothy were standing at