There was no use hiding it any longer. JK would have to control the damage as best as he could, "okay, okay ... I need help. I wouldn't ask you unless I was in a pinch. We're friends, aren't we?" It was an audacious line but it was true, or had been. They had been through enough together that he'd thought he could still count on her, "I'm sorry, Tomoko-chan. I can't trust anyone else."