" The Girl They Called Devil "

Episode 15: The Butterfly Transformation

The first rays of dawn had barely touched the sky, painting the clouds in soft shades of pink and orange, when Yujin’s eyes fluttered open. Her room was quiet and bright, but her mind was already wide awake. She sat up quickly and swung her legs over the edge of the bed. Her hand instinctively reached up to touch her hair—short, light, and swinging just above her shoulders. A happy little smile touched her lips; every time she felt it, she remembered: I am new now.

She stood up and walked to the large mirror on the wall. Gone was the girl who looked heavy, mysterious, and shadowed by her past. The reflection staring back at her was fresh, bright, and full of life. Her new haircut framed her face perfectly, highlighting her sparkling dark eyes and soft features. There was no trace of that cold, distant darkness anymore. She looked lighter, as if a heavy cloak had finally fallen off her shoulders.

Excited and full of energy, she hurried out of her room and down the hall, her footsteps quick and light. She pushed open Woo-jin’s bedroom door carefully and slipped inside. He was still deep asleep, buried comfortably under his warm blanket.

Yujin walked right up to his bed and shook his shoulder gently but firmly, her voice ringing clear and cheerful in the quiet room.

“Brother Jin! Wake up! It’s time to go to school!”

Woo-jin groaned softly, turning his face away and pulling the pillow over his head. He peeked one eye open, squinting at the window where the sun was just rising. He mumbled sleepily, “Yujin… it is way too early. The sun isn’t even fully up yet. Why are you awake so soon?”

Yujin crossed her arms and stood her ground, her new short hair bouncing as she nodded her head confidently. “I know it is early, but that is good! We need to use this time to do some exercise and warm up our bodies. Healthy habits make a strong life, remember? Come on, no more sleeping!”

Woo-jin finally sat up, rubbing his eyes. As he looked properly at her standing near his bed, he froze for a second. He blinked twice, studying her from head to toe. Her posture was upright and lively, her expression open and glowing, and that short haircut gave her such a bright, youthful look. The change was huge—like night turning instantly into day.

He grinned widely, surprise clear in his voice. “Wow… look at you! You have changed so much, inside and out. You used to be quiet and serious, like you carried the whole world on your back… but now? You are bursting with so much energy! It suits you perfectly.”

Yujin giggled, a sound sweeter and livelier than before, and tugged at his arm again. “Yes, and soon everyone will see the new me. Now wake up properly and change! I’ll wait for you downstairs.”

Ten minutes later, they met in the spacious garden behind the mansion. Under the fresh morning sky, they ran laps, stretched, and did light exercises together. Woo-jin couldn’t stop glancing at her—she moved swiftly, full of spirit, laughing when she ran faster than him, and glowing like she held the morning sun inside her chest. The gloomy aura that once surrounded her had vanished completely.

When they finished, they quickly washed up and put on their school uniforms. Yujin adjusted her collar, fixing her hair neatly so it framed her face. She looked cute, tidy, and absolutely charming.

“Ready?” Woo-jin asked, slinging his bag over his shoulder.

“Ready!” she replied with a bright nod.

The black cars pulled up at the school gates, and the doors opened. Usually, students gathered just to see the famous Choi siblings arrive, but today, the murmurs turned into loud gasps and amazed whispers instantly.

First Woo-jin stepped out, handsome and composed as always. Then Yujin stepped out beside him.

She walked forward slowly and gracefully. Her short hair bounced with every step, catching the sunlight, and her face was lit up with a genuine, warm smile that everyone had never seen before. She didn’t walk with heavy steps or a guarded posture anymore. She moved smoothly, freely, and elegantly—it looked like she wasn’t touching the ground at all, like she was floating and flying just like a colorful, free butterfly spreading its wings after a long time inside a cocoon.

Students stopped walking, books hanging loose in their hands, eyes wide. “Is that really Choi Yujin?” someone whispered. “She looks like a different person… so bright and cute!” “She was beautiful before, but now she shines! I can’t look away.”

As they made their way through the crowded hallway, Han Ji-hoon came striding over to meet them, expecting to see the usual quiet girl. But the moment his eyes landed on Yujin, he stopped dead in his tracks, his mouth falling open in surprise. He circled around her once, looking her up and down with admiration, before breaking into a bright smile.

“Wow!” Ji-hoon exclaimed, shaking his head in disbelief. “Your sister looks so different today! I barely recognized her at first glance. You cut your hair, changed your style, and suddenly you have this whole new bright energy! You look incredibly cute, Yujin—like a little star shining right here in school.”

Yujin beamed at his words, her smile reaching all the way to her eyes. “Thank you, Ji-hoon! I wanted to start everything fresh. No more shadows, no more fear.”

Behind them, Kim Seo-ah watched from a distance. She stood alone, quiet and powerless now that her father knew better than to let her cause trouble. She clenched her fists tightly, her heart burning with envy all over again. She thought that after the fight, Yujin would hide away or look hurt. Instead, Yujin had risen higher, become prettier, and looked happier than she ever had.

She is like a butterfly, Seo-ah thought bitterly. And I am just left standing here watching her fly higher and higher, where I can never reach.

When Yujin entered her classroom, heads turned immediately. Her friends—Hana, Mei, and Soo-yeon—ran over, surrounding her with excitement, touching her soft short hair and admiring her fresh glow.

“You look so cute!” Hana squealed happily. “This style is perfect for you, Yujin! It makes you look soft and sweet, yet still confident.”

“You were mysterious and cool before,” Soo-yeon added, grinning. “But now? You are the prettiest, brightest girl in this whole academy.”

Yujin sat down at her desk, feeling lighter than air. She looked out the window at the blue sky and the flying birds. She remembered Woo-jin calling her his bunny sister, but today, she felt like something even more beautiful.

I was trapped in a dark shell for years, she told herself happily. But now, thanks to this family, I have broken free. I have turned into a butterfly. I will fly high, shine bright, and show everyone that Choi Yujin is not a curse, but the greatest blessing this world has ever seen.