Chapter 4
3425words
Father: “Chaerin! Chaerin! Get dressed—we’re going to church.”
Mother: “Chaerinnn…”
Chaerin walked out slowly. “Mom, Dad…I’m not going. I’m sick today. I don’t feel very well. You two can go without me.”
Mother: “Oh honey, are you alright? Should I stay?”
Chaerin: “No, no, you both can go. I just need some free time so I can rest and sleep well.”
Father: “Okay sweetheart, take care. We’ll be back by 9 o’clock.”
Mother: “Yes, the church is far away from where we live. If you need anything, you can get it from the fridge. And if it’s urgent, call me. Take care, bye.”
Chaerin: “Thanks, Mom! You’re the best.”
Father (jokingly): “And what about me then?”
Chaerin (smiling): “You both are the best.”
Her parents left for church, leaving Chaerin alone. But she had lied—she wasn’t sick. She had promised Ricky to hang out today.
She picked up her phone and dialed.
Chaerin: “Hello, Ricky?”
Ricky: “Yeah, Chaerin. Thanks for being with me. So, where do you want to go?”
Chaerin: “It could be anywhere…just make sure the food is good.”
Ricky: “I know a place. Meet me at the bus station at 10 a.m.”
Chaerin: “Okay.”
Chaerin got ready, wearing something different this time—something immodest, a style that had begun to creep into her life since she started changing.
While waiting at the bus station, the church bell tolled in the distance. The sound struck her, pulling her into a memory—going to church with her parents and her friend Asumi. But the memory was interrupted. Ricky arrived.
Ricky: “Hey, Chaerin…you look beautiful in that dress.”
Chaerin (blushing): “Thanks, Ricky. Actually…it’s my first time wearing this kind of dress.”
Ricky: “It looks good on you. Okay, let’s have coffee at Chilla’s Art Café.”
Chaerin: “Chill Art Café? Weird name.”
Ricky (with a laugh): “Yeah, actually it’s the name of our author’s favorite horror game company, so he picked it for this place.”
Chaerin (smiling): “I see.”
At the café, they ordered coffee. Ricky leaned closer.
Ricky: “So, is this your first date?”
Chaerin: “Yes, it is.”
Ricky: “So…as you know, today is Sunday. Do you usually go to church?”
Chaerin: “Yeah, but I didn’t go today…because we had our date.”
Ricky: “I see. I don’t go to church. I think it’s for boring people who don’t want to have fun in real life. There’s no God out there.”
When Chaerin heard that, she froze. The words didn’t sound like Ricky—they sounded like a devil whispering through him. It terrified her. But she didn’t want to lose him. It was her first date. Yet she couldn’t believe this was the same boy who once told her not to let the world corrupt her.
Suddenly, Ricky lifted his phone and snapped a picture.
Chaerin: “Hey, Ricky, what are you doing?”
Ricky: “I’m just taking your picture. I’ll post it on Instagram.”
Chaerin: “Oh, I see…tag me. So you have Instagram?”
Ricky: “Of course. These days, everyone uses social media.”
Chaerin: “Yeah…you’re right.”
After finishing their coffee, Ricky said,
Ricky: “Okay, let’s go. I have a package to pick up.”
Chaerin: “Yeah, but I need to reach home before my parents arrive.”
Ricky: “What do you mean by that?”
Chaerin: “Oh…I probably didn’t tell you. I actually lied to my parents. I told them I was sick, so I couldn’t go to church today.”
Ricky’s eyes widened. “Very bold of you.”
Instead of correcting her, Ricky praised her sin.
They walked toward the bus station. Passing by a love motel, Ricky grabbed her hand suddenly and rushed toward it.
Chaerin (alarmed): “Hey, Ricky, what are you doing?”
Ricky (whispering): “Come on, Chaerin. Let’s make love tonight. No one is here—it’s only you and me.”
Chaerin (hesitant): “I…I’m not really comfortable with this—”
But Ricky kissed her mid-sentence. And slowly, Chaerin embraced him back. That night, Chaerin lost her virginity. It wasn’t Erika this time. It was Ricky who whispered sin into her ears—he had become the serpent.
Afterward, while dressing in silence, Chaerin’s phone rang. It was her mother.
Mother: “Honey, it’s me. Is everything alright?”
Chaerin (coughing): “Yeah, Mom…everything’s alright.”
Chaerin Mother: “The service ended sooner than expected. We’re coming home in ten minutes.”
Chaerin (calmly): “Okay, Mom.”
The second the call ended, she screamed.
Chaerin: “Ricky! My mother’s coming home in ten minutes! We have to move fast!”
Ricky (shocked): “What?! Okay, let’s take the bus—it’ll be quicker.”
Chaerin (panicking): “No, I don’t have time for the bus! See you tomorrow at school—bye, take care!”
Ricky (under his breath): “This woman…”
Chaerin ran through the streets, kicking off her heels, sprinting barefoot, nearly crashing into a stranger girl. She burst into her house, washed her sweaty clothes, and climbed into bed, pretending to sleep.
Her mother checked in.
Mother: “Do you still have a fever?”
Chaerin (half-asleep): “Mmhm…”
Her mother kissed her forehead and left.
The moment the door closed, Chaerin’s eyes opened. Her phone buzzed—it was Erika.
Erika: “Hey darling, how was your first date?”
Chaerin told her everything.
Erika: “What—you two slept together? Chaerin, now you’re finally understanding. You’re fitting into society. That’s how true freedom looks.”
Chaerin: “I’m not going to lie…I love this version of myself more than my old self.”
Erika (smirking): “Okay sweetheart. Goodnight. Meet you tomorrow at school.”
Chaerin: “Goodnight.”
Her phone buzzed again. Ricky.
Ricky: “Chaerin, did you reach home safely?”
Chaerin: “Yeah, I did. And you?”
Ricky: “Yeah, me too. Thank you for today, Chaerin. I’ll never forget this moment we had together.”
Chaerin: “Me too, Ricky. I love you. Let’s meet tomorrow at school. Goodnight.”
Ricky: “Bye bye, sweetheart. I love you too.”
Chaerin looked out her window. The moon was eerily beautiful. She glanced at her lily flower—but ignored it. She went to bed.
Even though she and Ricky had shared something beautiful, the relationship was poisoned. That night, Ricky whispered the lies…and became the serpent.
The Social Media Trap
Chaerin arrived, sat at her desk, scrolling through Instagram. She searched for Ricky’s account but couldn’t find it. Erika and Nora entered.
Erika: “Hey, morning. So how is it? Do you like it or not?”
Chaerin: “What??”
Erika: “You dummy, I’m talking about you and Ricky.”
Chaerin (blushing): “Yeah…it was good. I’ve really come to like him a lot…”
Before she could finish, Nora gasped.
Nora: “Wait! Can you guys tell me what this is about?”
Erika: “Hold on…you don’t know?”
Chaerin: “How would she? She was sleeping that day. Anyway…yeah, I’ve come to like Ricky. Yesterday, we went on a date.”
Nora (smiling): “Finally, you’re not a weirdo anymore.”
Chaerin: “Yeah, I guess. But hey…do you know Ricky’s Instagram ID?”
Erika: “You don’t know? Why don’t you just ask him?”
Chaerin: “True…but I can’t call him during class.”
Erika gave her Ricky’s ID. Chaerin searched, finding his post—the one where he uploaded her photo. Her heart skipped. So many likes. So many comments. Erika and Nora gasped too.
Erika: “A weirdo like you…getting this much attention?”
Nora: “But look—on Ricky’s post she’s popular. On her own page, barely any likes. Why’s that?”
Erika: “Do I have to explain everything? Ricky has followers, loyal ones. And look at how Chaerin dressed on their date—gorgeous. But on her Instagram? She looks like someone’s grandma.”
Chaerin (softly): “I wish…I could be that popular at school.”
Erika (smirking): “You can be.”
Chaerin: “But…how?”
Erika (leaning closer, eyes gleaming): “Do this. Call Ricky. Tell him to tag you in every post. Second, wear clothes that attract attention, like you did on your date. Do this…and the followers will come.”
Nora (mocking): “The mastermind Erika.”
After school, Ricky called her.
Ricky: “Hey, Chaerin. Want to hang out?”
Ricky: “So, how was your day, Chaerin? Mine was stressful. I got bad results on my exam. My mom’s gonna eat me alive. What about you?”
Chaerin: “It was good…but hey, Ricky, if you don’t mind, could you tag me in all your posts? So I can get followers like you.”
Ricky: “Sure, no problem. I didn’t even check the post I uploaded yesterday. Oh, I see…you want recognition, huh? It’s okay. Give me your ID.”
He tagged her. Almost immediately, Chaerin’s followers began to rise. Erika and Nora praised her.
Erika & Nora: “That’s our girl. Attract the boys by showing your body on IG. You’ll get popular. And who knows—you’ll earn a lot.”
Chaerin: “Earn? What do you mean by that?”
Nora: “It means once you’re popular, you can become a content creator.”
Chaerin: “How much can I earn?”
Nora: “Depends on the content you make.”
Erika leaned in, eyes sharp, words like a knife.
Erika: “Chaerin, do you need money? Do you want to be rich?”
Chaerin: “Yeah…I do need money. But you know what they say—money makes you evil. I don’t want to get involved in that.”
Erika (laughing coldly): “So you think quoting that makes you righteous? Look around you. See how the world works. People who say they don’t rely on money are the ones in debt. They’re weak. They rely on friends to save them, and then they judge you based on your choices. They’re cowards. They’re not true to themselves. Chaerin—don’t be like them.”
Chaerin: “Okay, Erika… sometimes you give me the most boring lectures. Just tell me straight — how am I supposed to make money? What content should I even create?”
Erika: “There is one way to do this… but I don’t know if you’ll have the guts to do it.”
Chaerin: “Tell me, Erika. Whatever it is, I’ll do it. The only thing I want is recognition — and money. Enough money so I don’t have to rely on my stupid parents anymore.”
Erika: “Then listen carefully, Chaerin. We’re going to use Instagram. You’ll use it to attract an audience — likes, followers, all of it. And then… we’ll lead them to another website. From Instagram, they’ll click the link, and on that second site… they’ll buy your content.”
Chaerin: “That’s it? That’s easy.”
Erika smirked, her expression curling like a serpent whispering poison.
Erika: “Yes… easy. But tell me, Chaerin, do you even know how to film yourself properly?”
Chaerin: “I can film myself… but I’m not professional. Do you know someone who could help me with the videos?”
Erika: “Of course I do. Do you remember that night at the club? The one with Ron and Ricky — there was another guy with them.”
Chaerin: “Yeah… I think so. I forgot his name.”
Erika: “His name is Derek. He’s the one who’ll help you. And trust me… he’ll make you rich.”
Nora, who had been listening with wide eyes, cut in with a laugh:
“Chaerin, you’re going to be rich! Don’t forget me when you’re drowning in money. Buy me something, okay?”
Chaerin: “Yes… finally! I think my dream will come true. But…”
Erika narrowed her eyes. “But what?”
Chaerin hesitated, her voice trembling. “What exactly am I going to create? What kind of content, Erika? What… kind of creator do you want me to be?”
Erika leaned forward, her eyes sharp, piercing, almost inhuman. For a moment, it was as if the devil itself was staring into Chaerin’s soul.
Erika: “You are going to be an OnlyFams creator, Chaerin. You’re going to sell yourself. You’re going to make porn.”
The Sodomy Queen
Chaerin: “What do you mean by that, Erika?”
Erika: “Yes, stop pretending to be holy, Chaerin.”
Chaerin: “But… I’ve never done this before. I have a boyfriend—Ricky. If he hears about this, he’s going to leave me.”
Nora: “Yeah… Chaerin is right.”
Erika turned her sharp gaze on Nora. Nora lowered her head, silenced, saying nothing.
Erika: “Chaerin, sweetheart, don’t worry. Does Ricky even follow you on Instagram?”
Chaerin: “No… not yet.”
Erika: “Good. Tell him you don’t use Instagram anymore. Do not let him follow you.”
Chaerin: “…Okay.”
Erika: “We have to go now. I’ll give your number to Derek. Let’s meet at eight o’clock at the same club.”
That night, Chaerin’s mind twisted further into darkness. No longer pure, her thoughts were consumed by greed, lust, and materialism. She dressed, touched up her makeup, and as she opened the door, a soft wind blew through her window.
Her eyes flickered toward the white lily on her desk—its petals glowing faintly in the moonlight.
She ignored it.
Father: “Chaerin, where are you going?”
Chaerin: “Oh, my friend just called. She said she needs some notes.”
Mother: “Okay, honey. Come back soon.”
Chaerin: “Yeah, Mom.”
She left the house. Her phone buzzed—Ricky’s name flashing. She silenced it.
At the club, Erika was waiting.
Erika: “Glad you came. Let’s go inside.”
Chaerin: “Yeah… together.”
Inside, Erika waved toward a man.
Erika: “Here he is—Derek. Hey Derek, how are you?”
Derek: “Hmm, good. Come on, let’s talk inside.”
Erika: “So, Derek, as I told you earlier, this is Chaerin. She wants to be rich by becoming a content creator.”
Derek’s eyes raked over her.
Derek: “I see. She looks good… but fine, I’ll help. The question is—can you really do it? Because this girl looks like she can’t even satisfy her own man.”
Chaerin: “I can do it. Teach me, please.”
Derek smirked and leaned back. “Okay then, prove it. Do one thing for me.”
Slowly, he pulled down his pants.
Chaerin froze, her chest tightening. Erika quickly raised her hand.
Erika: “Not like this, Derek!”
But Derek’s face darkened. He grabbed Erika by the throat, choking her.
Derek: “Don’t forget—you’re in my room. You want my help? You better obey.”
Chaerin’s hands trembled, her voice breaking.
Chaerin: “Y-yeah… I’ll do it.”
Her phone rang again—Ricky.
Chaerin: “Who’s that, Erika?”
Erika glanced at the screen. “It’s Ricky!”
Chaerin: “Silence it.”
Derek laughed coldly.
Derek: “Ricky, huh? So you’re his girl? Never mind. Since he’s useful to me sometimes, I’ll spare you… for now.”
Erika: “Gosh…”
Derek: “Sorry, Erika. But I’m not the type of man who respects women.”
The air in the room grew heavy, suffocating. Chaerin felt as if the walls themselves were breathing with the Devil, waiting to consume her.
Derek leaned forward, his tone sharp.
Derek: “But I have one condition.”
Chaerin: “…What do you want?”
Derek: “Forty percent of your income. Everything you earn through OnlyFans—half of it is mine. I’ll create the links.”
Chaerin’s eyes darted to Erika.
Erika: “Say yes. You’re going to do it anyway.”
Chaerin: “…Okay. But I don’t want to be exposed. Not at school.”
Derek smirked.
Derek: “Don’t worry. I’ll use VPN to change the location of your channel. From now on, I’ll also operate your Instagram. You won’t have to worry about a thing. Just make sure you pick up my calls. I’ll prepare the room where you’ll be filmed. This is your life now—enjoy it. Make money.”
Chaerin’s heart beat faster. The girl she once was… no longer existed. What she accepted wasn’t her voice—it was the Devil himself speaking through her lips.
Derek: “Now… what will you name your channel?”
Chaerin’s eyes gleamed with a twisted smile.
Chaerin: “It will be… Sodomy Queen.”
The next day, Ricky called Chaerin again. This time, she finally picked up.
Ricky: “Chaerin, are you okay? Why didn’t you answer my calls yesterday?”
Chaerin (lying): “Yeah… I’m sorry. I just felt sick and busy. I was sleeping.”
Ricky: “Alright… meet me after school today.”
Chaerin: “Okay, dear.”
At school, Nora ran up to her.
Nora: “Hey Chaerin, how was it yesterday?”
Chaerin: “Yeah… it was great. My first time, but… I think I did well. I just want to know how much money I made.”
Nora (frowning): “It’s not even been a day, and you’re already worried about money?”
Chaerin: “I just want to know.”
She looked around.
Chaerin: “Where’s Erika?”
Nora: “Even I don’t know. She’s never late.”
Chaerin: “Wait, I’ll call her… Hey Erika, where are you? Are you not coming to school today?”
Erika (groggy voice): “I’m on my way… I just overslept. And it’s because of you, dummy. Because of you, I had to attend the club last night.”
Chaerin (giggling): “Hehe… I’m sorry.”
Erika: “Wait, I’ll be there in a minute.”
When Erika arrived, Chaerin pounced on her.
Chaerin: “How much did I make till now?”
Erika (rolling her eyes): “Girl, you just started yesterday. Give it some time. Derek himself will inform you.”
Chaerin: “I’m just too excited…”
Suddenly, Chaerin’s phone buzzed. Ricky was calling. Nervously, she picked up.
Ricky: “Hey, hey, girl. What happened to you? I called you several times yesterday. Are you at school now?”
Chaerin: “Yeah… I told you yesterday, I was sick. I’m at school. Do you want to meet me?”
Ricky: “Of course. Meet me near the park opposite school. Let’s eat something together.”
Later, at the park, Ricky and Chaerin sat together. They talked about many things—everything except what Chaerin had done the night before.
Ricky (smiling softly): “Chaerin, I love you. I always will.”
But Chaerin didn’t reply. Her mind was elsewhere—counting imaginary money, thinking of Derek’s promise, craving the next notification.
Ricky (concerned): “Chaerin… hey, are you okay?”
Chaerin (snapping out of it): “I’m fine. What are you saying?”
Ricky: “I said… I love you.”
Chaerin (flat, uninterested): “Yeah… I love you too.”
Her voice was hollow, stripped of warmth.
They left the café. At the door, Ricky kissed her gently.
Ricky: “Goodbye. Take care, Chaerin. I’m going home safe.”
Chaerin (faking a smile): “Yeah… bye, my love.”
As Ricky walked away, Chaerin sighed. Her phone buzzed again.
A text from Derek lit up her screen:
“Sodomy Queen. Come right now. It’s money time. Bring Erika with you.”
Chaerin stared at the message, then looked at Ricky’s retreating figure. She ignored him as if he meant nothing anymore. Money was all she cared about. Without hesitation, she turned away.
On the way, she texted Erika:
Chaerin: “Derek wants us at the club. Right now.”
Erika (smirking reply): “I’ll be there… in a minute.”
Chaerin’s heart no longer belonged to Ricky, or even herself. It was chained, possessed by greed. The girl who once longed for love was gone. All that remained was the Sodomy Queen
In Shibuya
Asumi was tending the flowers in her garden. As she touched a delicate white lily, it reminded her of her best friend, Chaerin. A wave of longing struck her. She dropped her tools, went inside, and grabbed her phone. She dialed Chaerin’s number.
But Chaerin didn’t pick up.
Later that evening, while having dinner with her parents,
Asumi’s heart still ached. She finally spoke up.
“Asumi: Mom, Dad… I want to go to Seattle to meet Chaerin.”
Her parents exchanged a glance. They knew how close the two girls were. Still, her father frowned.
Father: “No, Asumi. You’re just 18. You can’t go alone. I have no one who can go with you.”
Asumi’s eyes dimmed, but then she remembered her teacher. She looked up with sudden hope.
“Asumi: What about Teacher Wae? She always helps me… maybe she can come.”
The next morning at school, Asumi approached her.
“Asumi: Teacher, would you come with me to Seattle to meet
“Teacher Wae: Are you sure, Asumi? Did you ask your parents first?”
“Asumi: I did, Teacher Wae. They agreed if someone goes with me.”
“Teacher Wae: Then I’ll go with you.”
That night in Seattle, Erika picked up Chaerin’s buzzing phone.
“Erika: Someone called you.”
“Chaerin: Who is it?”
“Erika: …It’s Asumi.”
Chaerin’s eyes widened. She quickly snatched the phone and called back.
“Chaerin: Asumi! I’m so sorry, I was busy…”
“Asumi: It’s okay. Listen—we’re coming to Seattle tomorrow. Teacher Wae is coming with me.”
“Chaerin: What? Really? You’re coming? Okay… I’ll be waiting for you.”
“Asumi: Then give me your address.”
“Chaerin: It’s 1421 Evergreen Heights Ave, Seattle, WA 98121. When you reach, call me—I’ll pick you up.”
“Asumi: Okay. See you tomorrow.”
Chaerin hung up, her heart strangely light.
“Erika: Who was it?”
“Chaerin: My best friend. She’s coming tomorrow. Don’t bother me—I’ll be spending time with her.”
Erika’s smile twisted.
“Erika (whispering coldly): Best friend? You never called me that… never. If she’s your best friend, then what am I? Nothing? …We’ll see how long your little reunion lasts.”
Her voice slithered like poison through the room, her eyes burning with jealousy, as though something dark had awakened inside her.
The Next Day
Asumi finally stepped off the plane in Seattle with Teacher Wae beside her. The city stretched out before them. Her heart raced—tomorrow had arrived, and she would finally see Chaerin again.
