# Chapter 93
“Then what is it?”
Sano had received only the most basic life education instead of formal schooling for a long time. Even that came only from researchers who weren’t professional educators. Because of this, he tended to interpret words literally. He probably thought he would gain the superpower to transform into a butterfly.
As Jeongyeon rummaged through his bag, a thin children’s book with yellow butterflies all over the cover emerged. Writing a book report on this was one of Jeongyeon’s summer vacation assignments.
His classmates had grumbled about why they were being assigned a mere children’s book report at their age, but truthfully, Jeongyeon liked this assignment. He loved fairy tales. He had read a lot of them especially when he was at the orphanage. Fairy tales were always warm and happy.
Until a few years ago, such fairy-tale moments were rare in Jeongyeon’s life, but recently they had been increasing. When he received his name from his parents, when he first called his parents mom and dad, when he went out with his parents, when they took pictures together…
And now, talking with Sano.
Such fleeting moments constituted Jeongyeon’s heart. It was impossible not to love them.
Anyway, he had brought the book, but being busy playing with Sano, he had completely forgotten about it until now, when half of the vacation had already passed. Wanting to quickly finish his homework so he could play, he had hurriedly read it last night, and as he read, he thought of Sano.
It was a story about a caterpillar becoming a butterfly.
“Butterflies are originally caterpillars. They go through metamorphosis. They transform into beautiful butterflies through an extremely difficult process.”
Jeongyeon explained articulately, imitating a teacher. The book was full of bright, colorful illustrations. The colorful pictures reflected in Sano’s black eyes.
“So you’re currently in the caterpillar stage. But if you successfully complete your treatment, you’ll shed your skin and become a butterfly. Not a real butterfly, but a metaphorical expression.”
“Caterpillar…”
Sano’s eyes fixed on the image of a caterpillar covered in fuzzy hair.
“It’s ugly.”
“Why? It’s cute.”
Jeongyeon tilted his head as if he couldn’t understand. The fairy tale caterpillar, embellished unlike the real thing, looked plump and cute. But Sano turned away with a disgusted expression.
“I didn’t care before.”
“Huh?”
“Now I want to become a butterfly.”
Though Sano’s face remained as impassive as usual while he grumbled, something rippled endlessly beneath his pupils. Jeongyeon stared at him intently.
After a moment of hesitation, Jeongyeon spoke with determination.
“You said you could leave here once you become a butterfly.”
Sano’s gaze quietly returned. Feeling his palms getting a bit sweaty, Jeongyeon clenched his fists.
“Then, could you live near my house?”
“…”
“It would be good to have a friend to attend school with. If you get superpowers, we could go to the same school… And on weekends, let’s go out together. There’s so much more to do outside than in here. I’ll show you everything. You like basketball, right? There’s a huge basketball court near my house.”
When silence came instead of an answer, his speaking pace gradually accelerated.
“If you don’t have anywhere to go, I can ask my parents. My room is so big that one more person could easily live there. I’ll ask them to move to a bigger house when we move to Chohosi…”
His slightly mumbling voice, lacking confidence, flowed continuously. Sano found himself staring at that face. The eyebrows of the face expressing its wishes while checking his reaction were drooping, and the lips trembled. It was an expression that seemed worried about possible rejection.
For the first time in his life, Sano felt something filling the space inside his ribs. The unfamiliar, ticklish sensation was somewhat irritating, but when looking at the white boy in front of him, it seemed not to matter at all.
It felt like everything would be fine if he just followed him.
“Okay.”
At the answer that came without much contemplation, Jeongyeon’s eyes widened, and then he smiled brightly, saying it was a good decision.
Sano had seen this face just moments ago. The feeling of it being directed entirely at him was quite nice.
*
“Have you become good friends with No. 3?”
His uncle suddenly asked while they were having breakfast together. Jeongyeon nodded with his mouth full of sandwich. His instincts had been right. Though Sano’s way of speaking was a bit unpleasant, he had become a good friend anyway. …He was a friend, right? It wasn’t just Jeongyeon who thought so, was it?
“When will the treatment end? When can he go outside?”
At those words, his uncle frowned as if troubled.
“Well… there’s been a problem.”
“What? He can’t go?”
“No, no. It’s not that serious.”
His uncle paused for a few beats as if thinking, then asked.
“I think it would be okay if Jeongyeon helped a little more. But that might be hard for you.”
“That’s fine!”
The answer came immediately. His uncle stroked his head, saying he was very grateful. Jeongyeon smiled proudly. It felt good to be helpful with his uncle’s work, and it was good to help with Sano’s treatment too. There was no reason not to do it.
The subsequent collection was a bit different from before. Unlike before, when only one arm was wrapped in cloth and connected to the machine, now both arms were wrapped in cloth and connected with wires. Jeongyeon exhaled deeply, “Whew,” and laid his head on the bed. It was the posture his uncle had taught him on the first day of collection, telling him to be comfortable.
“You’ll feel a bit weaker than usual. It will come back if you eat well and rest well, so don’t worry too much.”
His uncle, after patting Jeongyeon’s head a few times, operated the machine. Soon there was a whirring sound as the components began to work. He felt something being drawn out from his arms wrapped in cloth, but apart from feeling slightly dizzy, it wasn’t too difficult. As Jeongyeon endured well, his uncle stared at the monitor and muttered.
“…More than I expected…”
That must be good, right? Jeongyeon thought to himself, having somehow heard the quiet voice. He wished Sano would become a butterfly quickly. With that hope, he quietly kept breathing, and soon the collection time was over.
His uncle, unwrapping the cloth, handed him a red ginseng candy, saying he’d done well. Ugh, this tastes awful. Jeongyeon’s expression darkened, but there was no escaping his uncle’s stare, saying he should eat it now. Only after putting it in his mouth could he leave the collection room.
But now it was free time. Gotta go see Sano. Jeongyeon headed to Sano’s room with light steps. What should we play today? Maybe we could take a nap together, since he felt a bit drowsy after the collection.
It would be nice to go outside the research center and take a nap in the sunshine, but his uncle strictly prohibited Sano from leaving the room. Still, they could sleep near the window… Though disappointing, everything would be resolved once Sano became a butterfly.
“…measurements…”
“At this rate… No. 3…”
Jeongyeon stopped walking. Beyond a door that wasn’t properly closed, he heard people talking. Since it wasn’t Sano’s voice, it must be the researcher hyungs and noonas.
‘What is it?’
Normally he would have just passed by, but the faint conversation included the term “No. 3.” It was certainly a conversation related to Sano.
Jeongyeon’s ears perked up. Quietly approaching and putting his ear to the door, he heard more distinct voices.
“But we can’t exclude No. 3 at this point.”
“But there hasn’t been any significant progress.”
“That’s because…”
“We’re already short on time. The external cameras have captured more than one instance. They’re definitely targeting us.”
“If only Director Choi’s side hadn’t been caught…”
“It might be better to find a completely new subject.”
“A body this suitable is extremely rare.”
Jeongyeon blinked. Half of the content was incomprehensible, but that meant he understood about half of it.
Sano’s treatment wasn’t showing much progress. …They might give up on him.
Thump. His heart beat heavily. Jeongyeon carefully backed away, unable to control his trembling eyes. Sano had said he needed to become a butterfly to leave.
Then what about Sano who couldn’t become a butterfly?
“The hallway might collapse.”
At the sound of the door clicking, Sano, who was reflexively turning his head to criticize, looked puzzled. Jeongyeon, with flushed cheeks, was gasping for breath, clinging to the doorknob.
“Did something happen?”
Being with Jeongyeon, Sano had gradually started to mimic his way of speaking. Without time to rejoice at this change, Jeongyeon made a sad face.
“Has anything changed for you?”
“…What are you talking about?”
The sudden question had no context, so Sano just asked back in confusion. Jeongyeon incoherently explained what he had heard. Though his disorganized words must have been difficult to understand, Sano quietly listened until Jeongyeon finished his story.
“I’ve vaguely suspected it.”
After a while, a quiet voice came from Sano.
The researchers always asked if there was any change in his body before treatment. It was easy to notice that there was supposed to be a change.
But Sano had always remained the same throughout the long period. It wasn’t difficult to guess that this wasn’t a good sign.
“It can’t be helped.”
But there was a bit of weakness in Sano’s voice as he said that.
It was the first time Jeongyeon had heard him speak in such a tone. Rather, startled, Jeongyeon shook his head vigorously. Sano blinked at the rough gesture.
“Every caterpillar can become a butterfly.”
Eyes full of certainty were staring straight at him. Sano gazed at those eyes as if entranced.
“So, you can do it too.”
