Chapter 3

Episode 30 – Idol and Friendship

"Okay, let's see" Nanaimo scanned the menu of the deli she was at for lunch. "What do I want to eat?" She thought for a moment. "I'll have the tuna roll combo, please" she told the cashier; he handed the small platter as she paid him. Nanami smiled as she took a bite out of her tuna roll. Delicious!

"Enjoying your food?" A familiar voice said

Nanami turned around to see Isshu, smug as ever, leaning against the wall of the building she was eating outside. Her eyes narrowed at the younger Kasumi brother, who just smirked at her.

"What do you want?" She said. "There isn't any Jakanja around here."

"Just wanted to give you a piece of advice" Isshu stood up off the wall. "It seems you might need it."

Nanami put one her hand on her hip with the other holding the tuna roll platter. "Oh yeah? About what?'

"About Furabijo" He said, referring to her new idol partner and the former jakanja leader.

"What about her?" Nanami didn't see any flaws in the seemingly reformed Furabijo; the two of them were becoming pretty close and were a great team.

"Look, you may think she's your friend" Isshu said. "But don't forget who she is, don't let your guard completely down."

"I haven't forgotten" Nanami said. "But I really think she's changed; sure she made some mistakes, but who doesn't? I think she really wants to make a fresh start."

"Furabijo may look sweet and harmless but that doesn't mean she is" Isshu shook his head. "You can't trust that girl; she's one of them, she's one of the seven spears."

"They kicked her out, Isshu, it broke her heart" Nanami defended.

"Uh, hello? She isn't human, she doesn't have a heart" Isshu said. "Just be careful and don't think she won't turn on you. Maybe I'm wrong, maybe we all are, but if we're right…."

"Look, I appreciate you showing concern" Nanami said. "But I can handle this myself; it's sort of a girl-to-girl thing."
"I didn't say I was concerned" Isshu said. "I just thought I'd warn you, that's all."

"Thanks, but-whoa!" The water ninja slipped on the wet floor where someone had mopped and began to fall forward. Instead of hitting the ground, she fell right into the arms of Isshu and caught her balance as she clung to his arm. As Nanami regained her posture, she realized she was still holding onto him; she looked up and met his eyes. They stood in a daze, lost in each other's eyes; Nanami still held onto him, moving her hand from his forearm to the tip of his shoulder as he held onto her elbow and other arm.

"Uhh" Isshu stammered and shook his head, snapping back to reality, and let go as she did. "Soo…just remember what I said. Nanami just nodded, still dazed from what just happened.