"Aqua Chrysalis houses the most bizarre tenants who call each other by their animal code names. In this jungle of a building.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."

Mr. Shark and Miss Butterfly

Mr. Shark showed me more of his hunting skills. This time, without the help of his minions. He seems to have mastered several different martial art techniques, delivering them smoothly. His eyes were void of emotion as he demonstrated his moves.


"Do you see now, Butterfly? You can pull off something like this too."


I shook my head. "I'm not certain if I can. Unlike you, Mr. Shark, my body is small and weak."


He paused to think. "Then you'll have to use your brain. You're smart, right?"


"But I've never done combat strategies."


Why is Mr. Shark willing to help me? Is it out of pity? Or perhaps boredom? Maybe he sees it as a challenge. Whatever his reason is, I can't imagine it to be kindness.


After the talk on defense strategies, we ate dinner quietly. I was starting to become accustomed to the dark, menacing atmosphere of Mr. Shark's lair.


I looked at him. He was deep in thought. Probably creating a strategy. His slender hands played around with his fork.


The spaghetti on the plate tasted sweet and familiar, much like the pasta cooked back home. Remembering only made me sad. It was a home I couldn't return to temporarily.


"What's wrong?" asked Mr. Shark when he saw my sad expression.


I didn't want to have to explain to him about why I was down.


He didn't take my word for it. "If you have a problem with the food..."


"It's not the food!" I said fast and accidentally raised my voice while wanting to avoid a misunderstanding.


Mr. Shark was stunned by my sudden tone. Then, he laughed. "Relax, Butterfly."


I slumped back in embarrassment. I was stiff from wanting to avoid triggering his rage.


"Can I ask you something?" Mr. Shark asked.


"Why were you brought here to Aqua Chrysalis?" Mr. Shark asked.


I swallowed hard, wanting to avoid any bad memories. "I don't know. Perhaps it's because I'm different?"


He closed his eyes for a short while. "I see."


I asked out of curiosity: "W-What about you, Mr. Shark? Why are you in Aqua Chrysalis?"


He simply smiled. "Because I need to be." He wiped his mouth with a napkin and placed it neatly back on the table. "Butterfly, we'll start training tomorrow. You better not skip it. Otherwise, you won't survive a month here."


Chapter 6