When he finally came down from it, his chest was heaving. He looked just as freaked out as she did. One more of those was going to kill him. But it would kill her, too. That was something he wouldn't deal with. No. He wasn't going to sink that low. If it was either her or him, then the choice was easy.

Enough with the pretending, the pretense, and the alternate identity. She needed to understand. "Hina-chan. Listen. I've caused you a lot of pain that I could never, ever, be forgiven for. I know you're a strong person. But if I don't do this, then I really am nothing but a monster." There he was, under that crazy hair and edgy, studded clothing was her brother.