Ugh- I'm so sorry for making you guys wait again- procrastination will be the death of me OTL 

Hope you won't mind me extending the MC parts, I had always enjoyed their contributions to the show ^^

The chapter I have owed you guys for a long time~~

Episode 6  –  6화 - Tunnel

[Black Room Interviews]

Shin Hye: My thoughts…? It was so “Yong Hwa”. (She laughs)

Shin Hye: (Thoughtfully) Hnn… It was the kind of place I could imagine him taking me to…? (She gesticulates with her hands) “Me” as in “Shin Hye”. “Park Shin Hye”. Not his wife. (She laughs)

[Q: Why do you think this?]

Shin Hye: (Smiling) Although he doesn’t really show it, Yong Hwa’s actually got a childish side which comes out when he’s with people he’s close with. I found this out during the filming of YAB… But knowing Yong Hwa… (She pulls a sceptical expression) For things like first dates, with his wife, or a romantic interest, I would’ve imagined him to have went for a more… stereotypical? Stereotypical date. You know, the ones you see in dramas and stuff. Like… maybe… a movie date? Something like that? (She nods thoughtfully)

***

“Ready? 3… 2… 1… Ja-jjang!”

As he lifted his hands, the eyes of a dazzled Shin Hye slowly opened up like a butterfly stretching its wings for the first time.

You could almost imagine what she was seeing right now, as her face showed clearly that her eyes were adjusting to the vision she now repossessed. Her windows to the world- open.

Her sight fell on the two glowing pillars before her: tall, clear with a width of just over an arm span. Blinking, she thought she could see something continuously rising inside of it along with floating shapes of black and white, but she couldn’t quite pinpoint what it was. Within the background of the pillars, she could just about make out the blur of lilac and neon yellow.

Feeling a little dizzy, her line of sight (which was now coming back) ascended to meet the signboard of the place.

“This is an… aquarium?”

***

[Black Room Interviews]

Yong Hwa: (Inward sigh) I was nervous. Really nervous. I think my palms must’ve been sweaty! (He laughs awkwardly)

Yong Hwa: Since it was our first proper date together, I wanted to do it right. I didn’t actually think of going to an aquarium at first. That was because… plans changed. (He laughs then switches to a more sincere and formal tone) That day was special… so I went for a more special place. (After a few seconds of doubt) …Should I have taken her to see a movie after all? (He laughs)

MC Kim Jung Min: (Impressed) Yahh… Going to an aquarium for the first date isn’t bad!

MC Seulong: ( his chin with his thumb as he listens) Hmm…

MC Kim Jung Min: (Enthusiastically as he turns his head to look at everyone) It’s different! Not many people would think of it..!

MC Kim Na Young: (Deliberately coughs and averts her gaze, scratches her head as she looks upwards)

MC Park Mi-Sun: (Looks at Na Young) Waeyo? (Grins slyly) Are you saying it happened to you?

MC Kim Na Young: (Coyly) Umm… Well… there was once… such a thing… (Smiles shyly)

MC Kim Jung Min: (Bluntly) Dramas don’t count, Kim Na Young-ssi. (To which she pouts)

MC Jeong Jinwoon: (Just hugs his pillow and continues to stare at the screen) …

“Do… Do you like it?” Yong Hwa asks nervously as he waited for a response.

Shin Hye took a step forward in awe, her gaze strolling and lingering, “Yong Hwa… This- This is…” –She presses her hand against the glass pillar and turns to smile at him ear-to-ear-“amazing!! How did you hear of this place??”

He coughs and looks into the distance proudly, “I have my sources…” (It was actually the first result that came up on Naver, Yong Hwa ya…)

Shin Hye stared past the glass.

Everything was 100 times clearer.

Those continuously rising and (she now noticed) occasionally falling “something”s were air bubbles that rose from the rock pebbles below. The floating shapes of black and white were actually angelfishes with yellow tails that were staring back at her as they hovered in their own equilibrium. The blur of colours in the background (lilac in the left pillar, and yellow in the right) were coral plants that resembled trees in the most elegant disposition. All of this, under the warm glow of artificial lighting, which occasional caught itself on the scales of its inhabitants, making the heavens a wave of iridescence. 

She couldn’t help herself.

“Hello~!” Shin Hye spoke, with a tone as though to address a kitten, “Aren’t you beautiful?”

Yong Hwa watched enamoured by her gentleness as she the glass with her fingertip, smiling as she interpreted the fishes’ movements in whatever way she willed. It was a perfect moment. He wanted to capture it.

He got out his phone from his trouser pocket, unlocked it and aimed it at his wife, “Smile, Shin Hye-yah!”

Though caught-of-guard, it only took the girl a split second to improvise a cooperation. Her arms and legs slid naturally around the pillar like a baby koala (whilst sending the fish a-flutter), her features donning the sunniest of smiles. “Kimchi~!!”

Teetering over like a penguin, Shin Hye peeps over to look at the phone in Yong Hwa’s hand, “Eo ddae?”     

Yong Hwa held up this phone with a smile that seemed to reflect hers, “It came out really well.”

Pleased, Shin Hye grins, thumbs up, ‘Mi Nam Mode’ on, “Jjangi da!”

Yong Hwa’s smile widened at that (if it was even possible), he truly did adore that side of her! Reaching out to ruffle her hair, like he used to during YAB, he settled on petting her beanie instead.

That’s when they started noticing that they weren’t the only ones around. A young couple, who had to walk around the filming crew to reach the entrance, each gave them a look of caution before walking through the entrance; arms linked. Then, on the other side, a middle-aged father, holding his young daughter easily in one arm (who looked as though she’d been crying), came out without sparing a glance.

“Maybe we should go in now?” Shin Hye suggests awkwardly before walking through the arch with Yong Hwa, “Is there a ticket booth here?”

Just as they spotted one located on the side, Yong Hwa reaches into his pockets, “Ani, gwenchana,”-He shows her two slips-“I’ve already bought them earlier.”

“One adult and a child?” The woman asked from behind the glass, looking elsewhere as she pushed in the lower tray of the cash register.

Shin Hye stood rooted to the ground.

Well… it wasn’t the first time she had heard this since getting this haircut, but somehow… coming across it now -of all times- was a bit embarrassing.

“Aniyo!” Yong Hwa quipped, “We’re married adults.”

He places the tickets on the counter as the assistant bowed her apologies. Within a few seconds, the designated quarter of their tickets were torn off and the two were making their way to the escalators just ahead of them.

“Is it because I’m short?” Shin Hye wonders as she got onto the moving surface, one step behind Yong Hwa. With a single cameraman following them, a step behind Shin Hye, the rest of the crew seemed to get through fine (after having their heads counted).

“Aniya!” Yong Hwa chuckles in response, “Your height is perfect. Don’t grow any more.”

“Wae? I want to grow~” She pouts, eyebrows furrowed.

“Because… You make me feel taller.”

“Mwo? Yong Hwa!”

He laughed, rubbing his arm (which was now getting used to Shin Hye’s presence) before making a face to the camera; feigning ignorance when Shin Hye turned to question his innocence.

She rolled her eyes.

Reaching the end of the escalators, the couple, along with their cameraman, stepped onto concrete floor once more and, to their surprise, spotted another cameraman standing there recording their arrival.

Shin Hye instinctively waved before scolding herself inwardly. This is a reality-variety show!

Walking past him, both Shin Hye and Yong Hwa gaped in awe. In the middle of the space, greeting them, were cylindrical tanks, spread out like islands, which slightly resembled the pillars they had seen at the entrance, only these ones were much smaller and didn’t reach up to touch the ceiling or a sign board of any kind.

Behind the glass, as Shin Hye walked round to stare at each one, were a variety of small and colourful freshwater and saltwater fish, (the kind you would be able to find at a pet shop or even at your dentist’s); from elegant angelfishes to your classic “Nemo’s” and “Dori’s”.

To which Shin Hye couldn’t help but point out in an endearing voice, “Look! It’s Nemo~!”

“Oh! You’re right.” Yong Hwa answers, bending forwards for a better view of these treasure troves.

Unlike Shin Hye, whose excitement showed effused on her face, Yong Hwa tried his best to remain indifferent, or rather- save it for later. But as hard as he tried, Shin Hye’s excitement was starting to rub off on him as well.

“Psst! You guys! There are more fishes inside!” Came a hushed whisper from Writer Kim, to their left, along with a gesture that suggested they should move.

Sheepishly, the two studied each other, and then the small fish tanks before silently agreeing that they were far too excited for two people who have yet to step foot into the heart of the aquarium itself.

“Ah! Look over there!” Yong Hwa points, as naturally as he could in an attempt to bring back the flow of things, to a shadier-lit corridor that turned right, situated in the far back. “I think we’re supposed to go through that way, other people are…”

And it was true. Despite being an early morning, it was a Saturday after all, and that, of course, encouraged some to fly early to get the worm. There was about 4 other parties (not including the production crew) spread out about the hall, but it was still spacious and welcoming to a bigger capacity. Although the visitors were each going about their own way, the general flow of the current, like Yong Hwa spotted, was filing towards that dark entrance in the back, following in the direction depicted by the bold and friendly arrow stickers plastered to the floor.

“Okay! Kaja~” Shin Hye agreed, taking the first step, following the arrows with a tinge of excitement and a whole lot of anticipation.

A few steps behind the couple they had seen earlier, the two of them reached and walked into the hallway. Continuously to their left, as the corridor directed them right, were traditional paintings on display behind glass in a pattern of every few steps. Shin Hye, with an interest in the arts, observed each with equal attention, leaning in at times, trying to pick up snippets of the messages hidden behind the gracefully inked calligraphy.

It took her only 6 steps and 3 paintings to notice that something was peculiar. Stopping for a second, she tugged onto Yong Hwa’s sleeve.

“Wae?”

She leaned in closer to the one she was studying, “Is it just me or…?” There was definitely…

water. Behind the glass.

“Oh look!”

She turned in the direction Yong Hwa pointed.

The next painting had fish!

There were fish behind the glass!

And I don’t mean in the painting itself, but live goldfish (that resembled Koi), drifting around in a painting-themed tank.

“Daebak!” Yong Hwa gaped in awe as they continued walking, more paintings and their finned inhabitants making an appearance. The blend between the living and breathing and the memory of lives once lived seemed to warm the hearts of passer-bys’ and light their path through the dim and narrow corridor—

to the next phase.

Short but sweet, they came to the end of the prelude where they were met by: paddy fields.

Though hardly in their full glory, the aquarium did a good job in recreating the natural habitats for the smallest and most vulnerable of fish and crustacean, seeming as though to tell the story of life beginning with the shallowest of puddles (and smallest of tanks).

Continuing what seemed to be a colour-theme, the walls here were also painted black, as though drawing all attention to the exhibits which glowed in contrast. All about were the sound of light chatter, that echoed off the walls, under a chorus of running water filters.

Shin Hye couldn’t help but lean in to not only get a better view of the creatures but also to make their acquaintance by name. “’Common Rice Paddy Minnow’… Annyeong!” She beamed with a wave of her hand.

Yong Hwa could only stand by watching in wonder, but not at the fish- at Shin Hye.

It was true, most of the tanks they have seen so far had a bigger ratio of plants and algae (which to Yong Hwa looked no different to weeds) than the proportion of water and fish. Try as he might, he couldn’t work out what was exciting her so much. If you asked him, he was itching to see something bigger and more exciting than… Rice Paddy Minnows and… the river snails that have claimed their land on top of bits of “weed” that Shin Hye were gushing at. But nonetheless, Shin Hye and her proximity with the glass of the exhibits never failed to amuse him.

He got his wish granted sooner than expected.

“Daebak… this is more like it!” Yong Hwa said with a wide grin plastered to his face as they approached a huge window of glass, in which contained the biggest finned creatures they’ve come across so far.

“Grass Carp… Chinese… Sturgeon and—”

“Oh! Oh! Look at that one! Doesn’t it look like a shark?”

Shin Hye’s gaze fixated on the being that had just flaunted its angular features right near the glass before camouflaging itself again behind the mass of ever-flowing scales. She chuckles, “Sharks are bigger than that, Yong Hwa ya…”

“Well… there’s small sharks too…”

She tittered as they moved on, “Do you want to see sharks?”

“Do you think we’ll see some?”

“You’re the one who chose this aquarium; how would I know?”

“I’ve only been here once before…”

“Ah, really?”

“When I was a kid- I don’t remember anything though,” he laughed.

“Well this is my first time, so you can be the guide!” She smiled playfully up at him.

“Arasseo!” Rubbing his hands together as though preparing to give a speech, Yong Hwa clears his throat, presenting the nearest exhibit to her, “These here are,” –He began confidently, peering downwards- “salmonid fish. This exhibition contains river salmon (a species related to common trouts) that have-”

“Yah, Yong Hwa, reading off of the signs don’t count…”

“-I thought it was about time I retired from this job!” He chuckled sheepishly and clasped his hands together as they made their way forwards.

MC Kim Jung Min: Shin Hye-ssi is hard to impress, isn’t she?

MC Jeong Jinwoo: But girls like that attracts guys, don’t they?

MC Kim Jung Min: (Leaning in, whispers suspiciously) It attracts you? (To which he shies away)

MC Seulong: The push and pull technique!

MC Park Mi-Sun: (Nodding her head in comprehension) Ah~!

“What’s over there?”

They had reached their first “congestion” in their stroll where it was visible that two parties (and their children) had gathered around a peculiar spot.

As they got closer, they noticed that the fuss accumulated from the pointing fingers and curious palms of 5-year-olds, as well as the sheltering of their mums and dads, were all situated around three tanks that sat on stands at waist height.

But oddly enough, the measurement of water in those tanks (from what they could see between miniature fingers and heads) was microscopic if not non-existent. Were they empty? Wait- is that a hamster wheel?

“It’s a squirrel!!” Shin Hye squealed in delight.

“I’m sorry, isn’t this an aquarium?” Her husband asked the camera behind him, looking as lost as a pickle in a peanut butter sandwich.

She pulled at his sleeve for attention, “Look! Look! It’s gone into the wheel! It’s like a hamster!” She laughed.

“It looks like you-”

“Its house is so cute!”

“You’re worse than the kids, Shin Hye-yah…” Yong Hwa stated with a chuckle.

“It’s fine; ticket-wise, I look like one anyway~”

“You’re still thinking about that?”

The said-kids (well 2/3 of them anyway) were probably scared off by now from the strange ahjusshis in black coats holding (what seems to them) strange black boxes that had eyes that were eyeing them. And the parents of these said-kids were more than happy to whisk and shepherd their ducklings away before the cameras could take a bite out of them…

All except one little boy.

Dressed in a thick, dark green winter jacket, which only emphasised his natural baby-fat, the little boy was captivated by the furry mammal behind the glass, so much that he continued tapping the glass without noticing that all the other children had moved on; or the fact that he was about to appear on National television at the age of 5 and 3/4.

His mother, who stood behind him, bowed politely before addressing the boy, “Hyun Woo-ya, say ‘Annyeonghaseyo’!”

Shin Hye, crouching down to his height, greeted the boy (who finally noticed the newcomers) with a warm eye-smile, “Annyeonghaseyo! What’s your name?”

The little boy stood there dazed. He looked from Shin Hye, to the camera, to Yong Hwa (who smiled awkwardly) and back to the camera again.

“Hyun Woo-ya~” His mother cooed, “’My name is Lee. Hyun. Woo.’ Say it like that, hmm?”

Hyun Woo, who had been in a trance-like state, suddenly reacted. But not to his mother- or Shin Hye. He pointed softly to the squirrel which had stopped scampering and just sat breathing and twitching its nose inside the wheel and said, “Squirrel is scared.”

“Oh?” Shin Hye blinked, looking at the squirrel which had its head bowed and was shifting itself away from camera-view, “It does look like it, doesn’t it? The poor squirrel…”

His mother laughed slightly, maybe from embarrassment, but crouched down beside her son nonetheless, whispering into his ear and pointing at the squirrel too.

“Do you want to take a picture with your relative?” Yong Hwa offered, reaching into his jacket pocket for their Polaroid camera.

Shin Hye nodded, before her eyes shined- declaring she had come up with an idea, “Together with Hyun Woo?” –She looked at his mother for permission- “Is that okay, m’am?” –To which she happily nodded- “Oh really?? Thank you!” Shin Hye turned to Hyun Woo and asked gently, “Would you like to take a photo with noona, Hyun Woo-ya~?”

With the same dazed expression, Hyun Woo stood for a few seconds before surprising everyone, making a V sign with his fingers. His mother smiled widely and patted his head as though to say “Well done!” before stepping to the side to take a photo of her son on her own digital camera.

Pulling Hyun Woo closer to her, Shin Hye pointed to Yong Hwa, “Smile at the ahjusshi holding the blue camera, ne Hyun Woo?”

“Yah! Who’s an ahjusshi??” Yong Hwa demanded, ready to throw a fuss.

She smiled angelically before sticking her tongue out at him.

He rolled his eyes and sighed, “Hana!”

“Dul!”

“Set!”

SNAP-!

Whirrr…

SNAP-!

Whirrrr…
 

Yong Hwa eyed the polaroid as it churned out the photos whilst Shin Hye shook Hyun Woo’s hand and said goodbye. She appeared next to her virtual husband again, trying to peer over his shoulder as he turned to give her the first shot that had come out warm and crispy.

“Wasn’t he adorable?” She cooed as Yong Hwa waited for the second shot.

“Huh? Yeah…”

“He reminds me of you…”

“H-How?”

“You’re both awkward in front of strangers- I bet he’s actually really sweet and friendly around people he knows well!”

“Hmm…”

She looked at him, perplexed, “Do you not like kids?”

“No… it’s not that I don’t like them,” He started, blowing on the second shot which had just finished printing before laughing awkwardly, “It’s just… I don’t understand them…”

“Yah, you were a child once too, you know-”

“I was a very understandable child.” He replied mock-seriously, unable to hide his goofy grin.

Shin Hye laughed before going behind him to push him along, “Yeah, yeah, whatever~ Lets keep walking!”

In the next tank was a flying squirrel (which made the two jump when it decided to suddenly throw itself from its treehouse to another branch without warning), and in the third was a tarantula. Shin Hye didn’t need to turn to look to know that Yong Hwa had suddenly gained the flexibility of a rock as the furry arachnid made its debut.

“Oh… i-isn’t it cute…?” You could tell by his tone that he was sweating from nervousness.

Shin Hye smiled mischievously, calling to no one in particular, “Excuse me~? This person here would like to hold the t-”

Grabbing her hand, he pulled her away with him, speed-walking as naturally as he could, “Let’s hold the ones in the gift shop? Those ones are cuter-”

MC Seulong: That kid was pretty smart…

(MC Jeong Jinwoon is smiling widely into his cushion.)

MC Park Mi-Sun: (Smiling) Everything for this couple is so... fast! (Counting on her fingers) Banmal and-and skinship... Uwaa it sure is different when you are close already!

MC Kim Jung Min: (Holding back a laugh) “The ones in the gift shop are cuter…” Pfft…

MC Kim Na Young: (Leans forward, dreamily, focused on the screen)

[Shin Hye’s POV]

We walked for about an hour now, I never knew there were this many species of fish! They are all so pretty and colourful… Watching them float so elegantly and so care-free in the water makes me feel slightly jealous… I wish I could float freely like that…

Swiping the screen with my finger, photos that we had just taken appeared in front of me, triggering memories of everything I had witnessed only a while ago…

I particularly loved the salt water tanks- they were massive! –I tapped to enlarge a picture- It was like I had stepped into the deep sea myself, submerging in the breath-taking shoals and schools of surgeonfish, bluestripe snappers, herrings, anchovies and… and… as cheesy as it sounds, it really felt like I had stepped into a whole new world… Oh! And the turtles were so cute!

The ocean is such a beautiful place…

I held back a laugh- that reminds me….

Poor Yong Hwa…

We had finally reached the shark section, only to be told that it was closed for reconstruction and that the sharks had been temporarily moved to another aquarium whilst they remodelled their tanks... So there were no sharks… and boy was he sulky!

Swipe!

So I offered to take a photo of him next to the sleeping crocodile- that’s close enough, right?

I studied his awkwardly cute expression before chuckling, locking my screen and checking on the Polaroid photos we had taken that laid on the surface of the table in front of me.

We were at a café that was set up temporarily to make use of the space that was not taken over by construction borders. As soon as we got here, Yong Hwa needed to use the toilet so I found us a table and took the chance to look through all our photos.

That’s how I got to be here… alone with me, myself and the camera crew.

I looked down at the photos again and poked one with my finger. It was all dry.

I loved that room!

Picking up the picture which we had to ask a passerby to take for us, I grinned at it. It was an exhibit in the shape of a massive traffic light tilted on its side, with the three lights being the tanks themselves. Yong Hwa hugged the side with the green light and I hugged the other side which was red. It came out so cute!

Still not as awesome as the washing machine tank though!

I picked that photo up. It was dry too.

Well of course it would be! I mean, I’ve been here for…

Realisation dawned on me when I checked my phone- 20 minutes… already?

I looked around, left and right – Yong Hwa was nowhere to be seen.

What was talking him so long?

I sneaked a peek at the staff- they seemed unfazed by his absence… So he’s probably fine! Should I just continue waiting here?

…Is he alright?

For some reason, the world suddenly felt too big for comfort, and although I was sitting here, waiting with the production crew, it was silent and I started to feel weirdly alone.

Just when worry was about to tap my shoulder, something small but bright caught my eyes-

Flames.