We can call Nami's behavior "comical" but I wonder it if masks an underlying narrative plot, especially concerning Nami's past self. As a general narrative device, the "comic relief" character is always seen as disarming, non-threatening, and inferior to the main character(s).I think Nami is great for comedy, but she's also good at tugging on the heart. I hated Bella initially, but she grew on me as a character. Nami has been rock solid from the very beginning. I absolutely plan to pursue her, though I'd be 100% okay with Nia/Nami pairing. Everybody knows you never eat just one cheeto.
I'm struck by some similarities between Nami's (SG) and Katie's (WIAB) goofiness, and the warning William gives to Miru about Katie...
William to Miru:
Is Nami capable of the same Machiavellian behavior?William (about Katie): "But because she mastered the 'cute doggo look,' nobody ever suspects her."
Miru: "I haven't seen anything weird or manipulative from her yet."
William: "The second she starts to feel comfortable, her little wormy-like fingers will reach for your heart. She's as diabolical as Leia. Even worse, I'd say, because nobody ever sees it coming."
Nika's Therapy Session with Amber:
Nika's visit to Nia:Nika (about Nami in High School): "Nami became popular. She was the cool red head... Almost everyone liked her."
Nika's talk with Nami during a walk:Nika: "You never interacted with Nami in middle slash high school, right?"
Nia: "Noo, she was popular, I was shy and nerdy. And I got the feeling that she was kinda mean."
Nika: "She was."
Many of us suspect that the incident Nami caused in the past was spurred on my her "weird" feelings for Nika and jealousy of Summer.Nika: "I lied to Amber... You are... You are partly responsible for the way I am."
Nami: "We- Nika... But it shouldn't matter what happened?"
Nika: "Nami... Try to understand that these things don't just vanish... They still affect me... They're a reason for my lack of impulse control. And I get the feeling, that all you do is an overcompensation... To make up for-"
Nami: "It's not!"
Nika: "I hope it's not."
Nami: "It really isn't... But if it helps... Talk about it with her. You know I would never be like that again."
In this context, Nami's 'cute doggo look' and commitment to "never be like that again" will be severely tested in future chapters, especially on the Bella path or if Nika makes a move on Nami (end of Ch 4.5) while continuing to pursue other LIs.
As for the lie Nika told Amber and Nika and Nami's pact:
Nika/Amber Therapy Sessions:
Nika: "Yes... She and Nami were very close at the beginning."
Amber: "I assume this changed over the course of your relationship?"
Nika: "...Not just that... they started to kinda dislike each other."
I suspect that the lie Nika told to Amber, at least in part, is that Nami became unhappy because Summer was "ditching" her for Nika, when the truth is Nami was unhappy because Nika was "ditching" her for Summer. I suspect Nami, in her jealousy, did something to change that situation...Amber: "And did Nami tell you that Summer liked you?"
Nika: "Yes. "I guess she hoped it would gross me out."
Amber: "Did it?"
Nika: "I pretended that it did.. but she did leave an impression on me."
Amber: "Nami wasn't happy with it? Please finish your sentence."
Nika: "No... She certainly wasn't happy with that. For her it must've felt like Summer was ditching her for me."
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