But not only was she still a girl of 18, and I a cautious "lady" who had no experience with girls; I also felt a deep, almost compulsive responsibility for her well-being, a responsibility that tethered my actions, holding them back, even when my heart surged with longing.  The thought of anyone else, of any other woman, had become so alien to me that it was like imagining a life without sunlight. Haerin was my universe now. Every glance, every word, every smile of hers was a wave I couldn't resist, sweeping me deeper into its depths.

The idea of marriage wasn't just something that had taken root in my mind. No, this was beyond a mere wish or even desire. It was a certainty, as if my life had led to this moment, to Haerin, and only Haerin. The thought of being without her, of losing her, seemed not only impossible but unimaginable.

I had never believed in fate. But the way I felt for Haerin—this consuming, all-encompassing feeling—felt like something fated. I would never be loyal to another woman the way I was loyal to her. She was not just my love. She was the reason my heart beat, the one person who made sense of a world that had once been dull and detached. Haerin was no longer just someone I cared for. She was everything. 

*****

Here's what I wrote on September 21 in the fall of Haerin's 18th year: At 8 p.m., I bathed her in the tub. Her skin was as fair and smooth as porcelain, untouched by the sun, despite our long days at the beach. Haerin's complexion had always been flawless, and my careful attention to her skin—applying sunscreen diligently, reapplying it even more carefully after each dip in the water—had kept her from darkening. Her skin seemed to drink in the sunlight, yet it remained untouched by its harshness, glowing softly in the evening light.

She looked so delicate, so refined, that even in the bath, it was as though she were dressed in the finest silk. "You're like a perfect pearl," I said. She laughed, the sound like a soft breeze through the trees, and I noticed the small, knowing smile that played at the corners of her lips.

A month later, on October 17, I wrote: Her skin had become even more radiant as time passed. The sun hadn't kissed her the way it kissed others, but rather, she seemed to glow as if the light itself were drawn to her. Her skin was smoother, more luminous than before. As I washed her arms, she watched silently, her gaze soft, almost meditative, as the soap bubbles rolled down her skin, dissolving into the water.

"Beautiful," I said, marveling at the gentle, unmarked perfection of her skin.

"Yes, isn't it?" she said, her voice quiet, almost contemplative. Then, with a small, knowing smile, she added, "I mean the soap bubbles, you know."

*** 

On November 5: We tried using the Western-style tub tonight for the first time. Not being used to it, Haerin slipped and slid around, shrieking with laughter. When I said, "Kitty," she called me "Unnie." After that, we sometimes called each other "Kitty" and "Unnie." She always called me "Unnie" when she was trying to coax something out of me.

"Haerin Grows Up" was the title I gave my diary. Of course, I only wrote about Haerin. Before long, I bought a camera and photographed her face, which was becoming more and more like Tomie's, with a kind of eerie, captivating beauty that seemed to shift and change depending on the light. I pasted the photos here and there among the diary entries.

But the diary has taken me off the subject. According to the diary, Haerin and I began a deeper relationship on April 26 of the year after we moved to Seoul. Because of our unspoken understanding, it came about silently and spontaneously. Neither of us had taken the initiative, and we hardly exchanged a word. Finally, she put her mouth to my ear.

"Minji, don't ever leave me."

"Leave you? Absolutely not. You don't need to worry about that. I think you know how I feel."

"Yes, I do."

"How long have you known?"

"Let's see, how long has it been?"

"What did you think of me when I said I'd take care of you? Did you think that I intended to marry you eventually?"

"Yes, I thought that's what you had in mind."

****

"Then you agreed to come because you were willing to be my wife?"

Without waiting for her answer, I hugged Haerin with all my might.

"Thank you, Haerin, thank you. You understood. I'll be completely honest now. I'm so lucky. I'll always love you... only you... I won't mistreat you the way so many husbands do. I live for your sake, and I'll give you whatever you want."

Haerin remained silent, staring at me, her gaze unwavering. It was like the look of a cat, fixed on its owner—impossible to read, utterly inscrutable. Her expression gave nothing away, and I found myself growing more anxious by the second.

"Haerin, what are you thinking?" I asked, my voice shaky, unable to bear the weight of her silence. "You don't want to be my wife, do you?"

I waited, but still, there was no answer.

I felt a cold shiver of fear run down my spine. What if she hated me? What if she didn't want this life with me? The thought twisted inside me like a knot.

I was trembling now, my worst fear beginning to suffocate me—the fear that she would turn away, that I would lose her. I was terrified of that moment, of seeing the gentle smile I so adored fade into something distant, something foreign.

But Haerin just kept staring at me, her face as unreadable as ever, like a cat that had no intention of responding. It was like she was teasing me, playing with my emotions, drawing out my fears for her amusement.

I, on the other hand, was all too easy to read—like a puppy, vulnerable and innocent. I had no defense against her silent gaze. In my face, she could see all the worry, all the anticipation, the deep longing for her to confirm what I so desperately needed to hear.

The thing was, Haerin understood me completely. She could read my heart with ease, even if I could never truly understand hers. That was the way it had always been. There was no way to decipher the enigmatic woman who held my heart in her hands.

At last, after what seemed like an eternity of silence, Haerin responded, her voice soft but firm. "Yes, Minji. I promise. I'll always listen to you. I'll be the woman you want."

Her words brought relief so overwhelming I almost couldn't breathe. I hugged her tighter, savoring the feeling of her in my arms. We spent the rest of the night talking about the future, about our hopes and dreams. I promised her that I would convince my family, that we would marry soon.

I could see how much she was worried about my family's reaction. I wanted to assure her that, despite the difficulties we might face, I would make it work. I would not let anything stand in our way.

"Can we make this public?"

Haerin had her reasons to worry. We were both women, and if we were to marry and live in South Korea, it could cause quite a stir. The way LGBT people were treated here... well, Haerin knew all too well how the society reacted. It was something we couldn't ignore.

Yet, despite the challenges, Haerin didn't want to live anywhere else. She only wanted to stay in Korea. 

I nodded, understanding the weight of her concern. "I promise you, Haerin, we will find a way. I'll make sure everything is arranged, so we can live freely and happily here. Don't worry about it. We will make it happen."

Haerin, ever cautious, seemed doubtful. She didn't know how I would manage to keep that promise, but I knew one thing: I was determined.

To lighten the mood, I teased her a little, making her laugh softly, her expression finally softening into the smile I loved. She snuggled into my embrace, her worries dissipating.

I couldn't help but feel proud of my ability to calm her, to reassure her. And for Haerin, I would always use it. To keep her close, to keep her safe, and to make sure she never doubted my love for her.

***

We decided to wait two or three years before announcing our marriage publicly, but I wanted to have her officially registered as my wife right away.

I went to meet her mother and brother in Mapo to negotiate. As before, they were nonchalant and everything went smoothly. They may have been a little negligent, but they weren't bad people, and they didn't say anything to suggest they were motivated by greed.

Our relationship evolved rapidly after that. No one knew of the change yet, and outwardly we were just friends. But legally we were now married and had nothing to hide.

Haerin lay down on the sofa with a rose in her hand. She pressed it to her lips and fingered it for a moment, then said suddenly, "Minji?"

Opening her arms, she let the blossom fall and embraced my head. "Haerin," I gasped from beneath her sleeves. "Haerin, I don't just love you—I worship you. You're my treasure. You're like a diamond I found and polished. I'll give you everything you ever want. Don't worry about anything, just be beautiful. I'll make you the most gorgeous woman in Seoul."

"That's all right, you don't need to." Haerin smiled softly, always trying to downplay my intentions. "But if I could, I'd love to have the most beautiful skin, the most perfect look. But you don't need to buy me anything."

"Oh, don't be silly," I replied, grinning. "You deserve everything, Haerin. I'll make sure you're the most stunning person in all of Seoul. Even the most popular K-pop idols won't hold a candle to you. I'll make sure of that."

Her eyes sparkled, her lips curving into a smile that melted me. She loved the idea, and why wouldn't she? She was beautiful, and I knew I could make her even more captivating.

I knew that, given my background, I could afford anything I promised. Money had never been a problem for me. But Haerin didn't need to know the extent of my wealth; I wanted her to focus on me, on us, and our shared dreams. My promises were never just words; they were plans, carefully crafted to elevate her in every way possible.

With that in mind, I decided to create a new kind of concept for Haerin—one that no one had ever seen before.

I hired the best art and fashion team in Korea, the renowned 722 crew, a group known for their unmatched skill. Their roster wasn't just talented—it was legendary. You couldn't hire them just because you had money; it took real connections, reputation, and power to work with them. 

In less than 3 months of research and collaboration, we crafted a set of 27 stunning visual concepts. Each video featured Haerin as the embodiment of Tomie, a character transformed into countless mesmerizing versions: Tomie as a sleeping beauty in the forest, Tomie as Snow White, Tomie as a fairy, Tomie as a witch, Tomie as Sailor Moon, Tomie as a mermaid—the possibilities were endless. Each concept was more breathtaking than the last, all drawn from the vast well of 722's creative genius.

But that wasn't enough. The team also published 72 magazines featuring Haerin as the cover model, showcasing her transformation into Tomie. These magazines were with some of Korea's most influential publications—Vogue, Elle, and Harper's Bazaar, just to name a few. With her unique beauty, she quickly became a living work of art.

The team's creativity and artistry were extraordinary, unparalleled in their attention to detail. Every frame was a masterpiece. The makeup, the lighting, the styling—everything was designed to create the most captivating visuals that had ever graced Korean media. 

The marketing behind the launch was equally brilliant. We didn't just drop the videos and magazines; we built an entire narrative around Haerin, one that kept the public in constant anticipation. Each release was timed perfectly to build hype, and with every new concept, the curiosity and adoration surrounding her grew exponentially. I also made sure the press couldn't get enough of her—exclusive interviews, sneak peeks, teasers—it was like a perfect storm of media attention, all directed at Haerin.

And it worked.

Just six months after her debut, Haerin had become a national sensation. Her interaction numbers skyrocketed, and her visibility spread like wildfire. Social media exploded with fans clamoring for more, her visuals haunting the covers of magazines and billboards across Seoul. No one had ever seen someone quite like her—her beauty, her mystique, her transformation into the haunting Tomie.