"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 went around the room examining what I had and nodded to himself. "Let's start with traps, Butterfly."


He helped me set up a complicated trap using the poison ivy he found among the plants in my floor, some wires, and a rope.


"Butterflies can't do any major damage alone, but you can use them to blind your opponent while you move in and deal a blow," he advised me after finishing with the traps.


When he began discussing in detail, I tried to take note of everything he mentioned.


"Did you get everything down?" Mr. Shark asked me after the day's lesson.


"Make sure you remember everything well." He glanced at the clock on the wall. "That will be all for today. See me again tomorrow. We'll continue our training." He paused. "Tomorrow, we'll be doing some self-defense, so wear some comfortable clothes."


He examined me from head to toe. I was wearing my school uniform.


"Well, your uniform will do I guess. Training will go on until you're skilled enough to defend your place on your own. Understood?"


When he left, I slumped back against the wall and stared at my notes.


Mr. Shark's after school training went on for about a week. During that time, Lady Jellyfish attempted another night ambush and got caught in one of the ivy traps. After that, she probably suffered from skin irritation, which is why she made no other attempt.


I began to trust Mr. Shark a little. Just a tiny bit. But I still couldn't figure out his motive.


I arrived at the lobby after school one day and saw Mr. Shark chatting with Prof. Dog. They didn't see me, so I hid behind a wall. It was a good spot. I could hear them clearly.


"She'll make a good opponent," said Mr. Shark. With that, their conversation ended.


I wasn't sure how to interpret Mr. Shark's words. It could mean that I'd make a good sparring partner for him. It could also mean that I could take down another tenant, like Lady Jellyfish for example.


The second one made more sense to me. If I manage to drive out another tenant, then there will be a vacancy. 


Perhaps that's Mr. Shark's aim: Using me to drive out a tenant without having to do the work himself.


I already realized long ago that it was something rare to come across.


Chapter 8