In his room, Seiji sank onto his bed.
There was too much to process—Yumi… Haruko… how he was going to get the money for the expert…
Only a few days ago, his life had been so much simpler.
I was a child. I really had been simply a boy until now. It's funny, thinking about the things I used to worry about... Math. Marks. Homework. They are so insignificant when there are such big problems and mysteries out there.
He heard the soft click of his bedroom door opening.
"Seiji?"
Yumi stood in the doorway, silhouetted against the light from the hall.
She was twisting the hem of her nightshirt.
"Seiji," she whispered. "I'm sorry to… bother you again…"
"No problem."
She hesitated where she was.
"Eh…"
Seiji got up and came closer, the amulet pulling him forward.
"It's… it's happening again," she said, her eyes pleading. "The pump isn't working properly... I tried, but I can't..."
She trailed off, her gaze fixed on him.
You're the only cure, her eyes screamed. Please help!
Seiji felt his concerns melt away, replaced by a surge of dark, triumphant power. He hasn't uncovered his grandfather's secrets yet, but in this house, Seiji was already in charge.
He was the cure.
He was the man.
"Don't worry," he said, leading Yumi back to her room.
She sat down on the edge of her bed and, with trembling hands, pulled up her nightshirt, baring her breasts.
They were heavy, swollen, the skin stretched tight.
Look, how readily she's offering herself to me. No hesitation anymore.
Seiji placed his hands on her, just like before. He found the rhythm, the pressure that worked best.
The amulet hummed, and he felt her body relax, a soft sigh escaping her lips as drops of milk ran down his fingers. He worked her, until he thought the flow slowed to a stop.
Seiji was about to pull his hands away.
"No," Yumi breathed urgently. "Wait!"
She looked down at herself, a perfect bead of milk welling up on her nipple, shimmering in the dim light.
"More," she whispered. "There is still some there. It won't go away."
She looked up at her brother, her eyes wide and dark.
"Seiji, I need more."
Her hand clasped his, as if she was afraid he'd leave.
Need. That's the word. She needs more. From me!
The amulet made Seiji really feel it.
He didn't fully understand it, but he felt her need was as strong as the amulet's undeniable pull to satisfy it.
"Seiji?"
He looked at her face, and then at her body. His mind clouded, and the amulet pumped the blood rushing to his temples.
"Please, Seiji."