1 Chapter 1

I hate humans.

One moment they say they like something. Then, the next moment they say they hate it.

One moment they get along. The next moment they fight.

They're hopeless, hypocritical beings who are proud and weak.

They continue to hurt people. To destroy what they have in their hands.

In an endless cycle.

That's why I decided not to make any friends.

My name is Butterfly.

Well actually, my name is really Cho. My name means 'Butterfly', so people started calling me that. Since when? I don't remember.

I think the name suits me. Butterflies silently flutter about from flower to flower, watching the world unfold as time moves forward. And keeping distance from interfering in the business of others.

That is the kind of person I am.

A spectator.

A mere butterfly.

I don't want to be part of anyone else's life. I'll hate it if they throw me away. Or replace me. Or forget me.

A butterfly's wings are fragile, after all.

I was sent to live in a tall apartment building they call Aqua Chrysalis. It was located in the middle of the city, the kind that's an exemplary representation of globalization. Each tenant occupies the whole floor.

Isn't one whole floor too big for just a single person? I can't imagine what a person will do with all that space.

"The people who live there are strange," said a passer-by who saw me stare at the building on the day I moved there.

"Is that so?"

"Better keep a good distance from them."

Too late for that.

It's my new home now.

I walked forward and stepped inside the tall blue building that shone under the midday sunlight. It stood out so much that there was no way you'd miss it if you rode a helicopter and stared at the city from above.

"You must be Miss Butterfly!" An old man whose face resembles a frog's greeted me at the entrance. He was dressed in a fancy suit.

"Are you Mr. Frog?" I asked.

"That is correct! This way, this way..."

He showed me to the elevator and punched the 3 button.

"Would you like to meet the other tenants?" Mr. Frog tilted his head.

"No, thank you," I said bluntly.

"As you wish."

The doors opened. In a few seconds, all kinds of butterflies flew into the elevator. Because there were so many, I couldn't see a single thing ahead of me.

"Stop!" I shouted.

The butterflies obeyed and retreated back into their cages.

My floor was a garden. There were varieties of flowers in bloom. In the middle of the room was a large white bed. It looked comfortable.

"I knew it," Mr. Frog folded his arms. "They do obey you. You are their queen."

Queen? What is he talking about?

"I don't understand," I said.

He simply smiled. "You will. Soon."

Afterwards, Mr. Frog left without any further explanation. It was totally a great welcome, leaving the new tenant in deep confusion. I felt integrated already…. Not.

I stood there silently. This is my new home. I will probably get used to the place. I hope.

There was a kitchen, a bathroom, and a living room. These were enclosed in glass to keep the butterflies out. It was a strange place to live in. I had never seen so much greenery inside a modern building before.

What were they thinking letting me live in this weird place? It's strange enough that the tenants are assigned an animal and called that way.

Queen of Butterflies. Aqua Chrysalis.

Why can't I live in a more normal place?

A place that's easier to call 'home'.