Chapter 3
1171words
The club reeked of sweat, liquor, and sin. Chaerin froze the moment she entered—the flashing lights, the roaring laughter, the bodies pressed together, all of it felt like a trap. Her friends moved through the chaos as if they belonged.
Ron, Erika’s boyfriend, and his friends Ricky and Derek were already waiting.
Erika: “Hey dear, sorry we’re late.”
Ron: smiling “Nope, you’re not late. And you look beautiful.”
Erika: “Ahh, come on.”
Ron: “Hey Nora, how are you? And who’s that?”
Nora: “Yeah, I’m doing great. And she’s Chaerin—our new friend. She transferred here from Shibuya.”
Chaerin: bowing slightly “Nice to meet you, friends.”
Ron: “Wow… you’re from Japan? I wish I could go there someday. My favorite anime is One Piece.”
Chaerin: coldly “Yeah. I don’t watch One Piece. Just like our author.”
Erika: cutting in “If you two are finished, can we go inside? Otherwise the club will close.”
Ron: “Sorry, my bad. Let’s go. Eat and enjoy—everything’s on me.”
Inside, Chaerin’s discomfort deepened. Men and women laughed too loudly, kissed too hungrily, and drank too greedily. To her friends, this was normal. To her, it was hell.
Ricky appeared at her side, lowering his voice.
Ricky: “Don’t feel uncomfortable. Just stay with us.”
They sat down, drinks were poured. Erika and Nora pushed glasses toward Chaerin.
Chaerin: shaking her head “No… I don’t drink.”
Erika: “Stop being difficult. Drink.”
Nora: “Yeah, Chaerin. Otherwise you won’t fit into society.”
Chaerin hesitated, then took the glass. The wine slid down her throat like poison.
Ron: angrily “Erika, stop! She’s new. Don’t force her.”
Erika: “Shut up, Ron! She must learn new things.”
Nora: “Yeah, Ron. Otherwise she’ll never survive.”
Ricky grabbed Erika’s hand, his voice sharp.
Ricky: “Enough. That’s enough. Don’t force her to drown.”
Ron: calmer “Thanks, Ricky. You did the right thing.”
Ricky: “Sorry I grabbed your hand, Erika.”
Ron: “It’s okay. Don’t worry about it.”
Chaerin, already dizzy from the drink, staggered.
Chaerin: slurring “Leave me alone. I’m going to the washroom.”
The bathroom was colder, quieter—but not safe. She vomited, then leaned over the sink, washing her hands and face.
When she lifted her eyes to the mirror, her heart stopped.
The reflection was not her.
It was a mask of herself, pale and ruined, her eyes empty sockets of shame. For a moment, it looked like the glass was cracking, her image splintering into a thousand broken selves.
She blinked, and it was gone. Only her trembling hands remained.
Back at the table, Ron’s voice cut through the noise.
Ron: “Erika, Nora… you shouldn’t have done this. She’s new here. If something happens to her, what then?”
Erika: watching Chaerin return, her smile sharp as a knife “No. She’s changing. Becoming like us. Strong. If we don’t teach her now, the world will destroy her.”
Ron: sternly “Erika! That’s not the way. Don’t make me repeat myself.”
Chaerin: weakly “Guys… I’m sorry.”
Ron: “No, no. We’re sorry.
Chaerin gave a faint smile.
Ricky: “Can I have some time with Chaerin? You all enjoy the drinks and food.”
Ron: “Yeah, go ahead.”
They moved near the bar. Ricky leaned closer, his eyes searching hers.
Ricky: “Sorry for all of this. Why are you hanging with us if you’re not comfortable with places like this?”
Chaerin: “Because I want freedom. Through freedom, I thought I could finally fit in. I have to force myself.”
Ricky: softly, firmly “Don’t be hard on yourself, Chaerin. Don’t let this world corrupt you.”
The words slammed into her chest. They were exactly what Asumi had once said.
Chaerin: staring at him, shocked “Why… why are you saying this? You sound like her.”
Ricky: confused “Who? Was it a boyfriend?”
Chaerin: “No.”
Ricky: hesitant, then blurting “Chaerin… I think I like you. You’ll think I’m drunk, but I’m not.”
Chaerin: “Out of nowhere? Thank you, but… I’m not like others. Definitely not like Erika or Nora. I’m just a simple girl. I don’t think I deserve you.”
Ricky leaned closer and kissed her.
Ricky: “That’s why I like you. Do you like me?
Chaerin: hesitating “Give me time to think, Ricky.”
Ricky: smiling faintly “Okay. I won’t force you. Come on, let’s go. Otherwise we’ll be late.”
When Chaerin returned, she froze.
Nora was slumped in her chair, already unconscious. But it wasn’t sleep. On the table beside her was a syringe, carelessly tossed aside, its needle glittering under the strobe lights.
Chaerin’s stomach lurched. But what shook her even more was that Erika, Ron, Ricky—all of them—noticed it.
And no one cared.
For them, it was normal. Just another part of the night.
Chaerin sat down slowly, her hands trembling. She forced herself to stay quiet. Forced herself to accept.
She realized something cruel: sin didn’t always scream. Sometimes it sat beside you, smiled, and dared you to pretend nothing was wrong.
Chaerin: “Erika, I think we should go home now. It’s late.”
Ron: “Where did you two go? I thought you’d moved to Japan without saying goodbye. But Ricky’s right—we should go home.”
Erika: “Yeah, let’s go. Nora, wake up!”
Ricky: deadpan “She’s been asleep the whole time.”
Chaerin’s eyes flickered to the syringe again. Everyone else ignored it.
She said nothing.
Ron: “Don’t worry, I’ll drop everyone off in my car.”
Erika: “You’re the best, honey.”
In the car, Erika turned to Chaerin.
Erika: “So? Did you enjoy it?”
Chaerin: “Yes. It was… the best night of my life.”
Ron: sighs “Still, sorry on behalf of Erika.”
Erika: “Hey, come on. I was just helping her.”
Chaerin: smiles faintly “It’s okay. I know you’re teaching me what real freedom looks like.”
When they reached her house, Erika waved.
Erika: “Bye, Chaerin. Good night. See you tomorrow at school.”
Nora: murmurs half-asleep “Tomorrow’s Sunday… you’re drunk, Erika.”
Erika: laughs “I forgot. Too much wine.”
Chaerin: “Bye, everyone. Take care.”
Ron: “Oh, and Derek? He stayed back at the club. As always.”
Ricky: softly “Good night, Chaerin. Remember what I said.”
Chaerin smiled, hiding her storm. “Okay. Bye, friends.”
She crept quietly to her room while her parents slept.
In the Car
Ron: “Ricky, what was that about?”
Ricky: defensive “What? Nothing.”
Erika: smirking “Ricky… do you love Chaerin?”
Ron: genuinely “If that’s true, I’m happy for you.”
Ricky: “Yeah… I confessed. But she didn’t say anything. I’ll wait.”
Erika: “Give her time. She’s never been in situations like these. She’s learning.”
Ron: “Erika’s right. Be patient.”
Ricky’s phone buzzed. A message from Chaerin:
“Do you want to hangout with me tomorrow?”
He smiled silently.
Ron and Erika: “Congrats, Ricky. Take care of her.”
But Chaerin, in her room, stared at her lily. The flower still stood white and pure. Her reflection in the window, however, was darker, shadowed, tainted.
She whispered to herself, almost like a confession:
Sin doesn’t drag you. It waits for you to walk into it… and I walked.
