Gambling is the Shortcut to Ruin
The moment we stepped into the aquarium, a sharp yet refreshing fishy water scent hit us. Sharks glided gracefully through massive tanks filled with vibrant tropical fish. Whoa, sharks. They looked so damn cool. No wonder they're the star attractions. Look at those razor-sharp features—pure romance, right? And right next to them, the penguin enclosure. ...Wait, why are penguins next to sharks?
I glanced over. Peeked at the shark. Peeked back at the penguin. Alternating between the two, they seemed even cooler and cuter by contrast—like polar opposites. Kinda starting to get why they'd set it up this way?
That's when one penguin started acting weird. Gruruk!Gwak!Kiruk!Bwooooong! It bobbed its head frantically, flapping its stubby wings like crazy while making these bizarre noises. What the hell? Was it mad?
Other visitors stared oddly at the penguin's antics, and just then, a keeper rushed into the enclosure and whisked it away. ...Is it sick? Kinda worried now...
"Pfft."
Huh? Who laughed? The penguin looked miserable—who laughs at that? What kinda twisted mind... I turned to glare at whoever it was, and there was a familiar face.
"...Why are you laughing?"
"Huh? Wasn't it hilarious?"
...Are you a psychopath? How is that funny?
"Penguins do that when they're in heat!"
"......"
Oh...? In heat? ...Huh, yeah, makes sense. Healthy little guy after all. Glad it's not sick. Phew. Total relief.
Feeling awkward as hell, I hurried away. As I wandered around checking out the exhibits, an announcement blared overhead.
Shortly, the dolphin show will begin.
"Areum! Dolphin show's starting! Let's go!"
Im Nana grabbed my hand and dragged me to the outdoor arena. I figured weekdays in winter meant it'd be empty, but the seats were surprisingly packed—families, couples, everyone buzzing with excitement.
But weirdly, the front row dead center was totally vacant. What gives? Reserved seats? No staff around to stop us. Hell yeah—prime real estate empty? Gotta claim it. I strutted right over, ignoring the murmurs from the back rows. Probably just jealous.
The second we sat, another announcement played.
Welcome to the dolphin show. The performance will begin shortly. Those in the front row...
Japanese, so no clue. But with my human translator Im Nana next to me, no sweat. Except her face got this weird look—furrowed brow, chin in hand, deep in thought. ...What's up? Why so serious? Earthquake evacuation tips? Or...
'Did she say she was still hungry after all that sushi?' Yeah, classic Nana. Probably plotting dinner already.
She nodded to herself, then flashed a serene smile. Alright, menu decided.
"Nana, what'd it say?"
"Huh? Oh~ Just viewing etiquette stuff. No biggie."
"Oh? You looked so grave, I thought you were hungry."
"Pfft... Kinda. Just excited."
She shot a meaningful grin at the stage. Whatever. Upbeat music kicked in, trainers appeared, and the show started. Dolphins sliced through the water to cheers. Trainers introduced them one by one.
"This one's got killer jumps! And that one's super cuddly!"
Nana translated live. Then came a massive, pot-bellied dolphin. The trainer rubbed its belly dramatically.
"And this one's name is 'Nana'! Nana-chan eats a ton of food! Gluttony pro!"
"......"
I slowly turned to her. Nana pretended not to notice. Hey, why skip translating this one? Even I could tell with those gestures.
'Does the name "Nana" come with a passive gluttony gene?'
Dolphin Nana scarfing fish looked just like Nana at the conveyor sushi joint. After intros, the real show: dolphins soaring, flipping, tail-smacking balls. "Whoa!" I clapped like a kid, mesmerized by their acrobatics.
Then the emcee grabbed the mic and approached our seats. "Ooh! Crowd's on fire today! Especially..." His eyes locked on us. "Those two stunners in the front row! Where you from?"
'Gah.' Caught off guard, I froze, but Nana waved casually. "From Korea~!"
He thumbs-upped. "O! Koreans! Welcome! Our dolphin pals prepared a special gift for the beauties!"
Gift? Flowers? On cue, dolphins swarmed our tank. Big guy—Nana—raised its tail high.
'Uh...?'
Dread hit as—SPLOOOSH! A massive wave exploded, blinding white. "Pffft?!" No dodging it. We were drenched head to toe like drowned rats. Icy seawater soaked through my clothes.
I slicked back my sopping hair and glared at Nana. "Bwahaha! Areum, your face! Hilarious! Bwaha!" She was doubled over laughing, soaked too.
"...Nana?"
Her reaction screamed she knew. Betrayal rising, my voice shook. "You... knew, didn't you?"
She wiped tears, nodding. "Yup. Announcement said front row gets splashed hard. Recommended ponchos or move if no raincoat. I ignored it."
"......"
"But it'd be fun to get hit, right? When else you gonna?"
Ah, damn. That serious face wasn't about cold—she was weighing fun vs. not. This woman's crazier than I thought. Dopamine-pickled brain for sure.
"Ehehe! Feels great!"
Her innocent grin killed my anger. Fine, if you're happy...
Post-show, keepers rushed over with towels and heaters. "So sorry! You okay?!" They bowed nonstop. "Usually just a sprinkle, but the dolphins got excited seeing such beauties..."
"See, Areum? Even dolphins dig hotties!"
Dolphins appreciating beauty? Lame excuse, but flattering.
"We're good! It was fun!" Nana waved it off, grabbing a towel. Eh, whatever—they were so apologetic, I smiled and said fine. Not even mad. Life experience, right?
We dried off quick and bolted to the hotel before catching colds. In the taxi, Nana giggled nonstop. "Shoulda seen your lost puppy face, Areum."
That was betrayal rage, not lost puppy.
Showered warm at the hotel, drowsiness hit. But dinner time loomed with a gap. Lounging on the bed, Nana's eyes sparkled. "Areum, how much yen you exchange?"
"Just enough for fun. Why?"
"Wanna hit pachinko?"
"...Huh?"
Pachinko? Gambling?
"Gambling?! No way! Straight path to ruin! On vacation?!"
I flailed. But she shrugged it off. "Nah, it's like an arcade here. 1-yen balls cost peanuts. Just watch marbles roll."
"Still..."
"C'mon, gotta try it here! I'm curious too. Just 5,000 yen. Pleeease?"
Her persistence won. Fair, pachinko's everywhere—if everyone's addicted, Japan's doomed. Little fun should be fine, right?
I won. Tripled my money. What the—am I lucky? Or did Dolphin Nana's splash grant some luck buff?
Just zoned out watching balls roll, mashing buttons and levers. Dings everywhere, flashy screens, nonstop effects. Folks around yelled, "Eh, ehhh?! 10?!" No idea what, but I was the confused one playing.
Cheapest 1-yen balls, sure, but 5k in, triple out—free cash high. Kinda wanna go again. Thrill of unearned gains.
'...This why people get hooked?'
My lips crept up.
"Areum, your face looks dangerous?"
Gah. No, snap out. Bad thoughts.
Back on streets, early evening dusk. Dinner time—where? Then it hit: that airport family mentioned a restaurant...
Mapped the business card address—surprisingly close. Navigating alleys, we arrived quick. Tiny shop mid-alley. Izakaya? Old wooden building with soft lights. Cozy vibe.
Ichinose
"What's it say?"
"Huh? Restaurant name? 'Ichinose'."
"Meaning?"
"Probably a family name?"
Like Korean spots named 'Kim' or 'Park'? ...Kinda weird.
"Nice vibe. Feels like it'll be delicious."
Hmm. Nana senses tingling—probably spot on.
Door opened, white-haired grandpa from the kitchen boomed, "Irasshaimase~!"
Cozy spot. Woman in apron from back spotted us, eyes wide. "Oh! The ones from the airport!"
The kid's mom. She beamed, grabbing our hands. "You came! We were just talking about you."
"Haha, we were nearby. Cute place."
Grandpa—kid's gramps—came out too, all warm greetings. As we sat, footsteps from upstairs stairs.
Thud thud. "Customers?"
More staff? Turned—young woman in comfy sweats yawning down. Flashy hair, though. Bright blonde like that? First time.
Her eyes met Nana's.
1 sec. 2. 3.
"......"
"......"
Silence. Then eyes bulged. Nana clapped hand over mouth, screeching. "Huuuh?! Rika-chan?!"
Blondie rubbed eyes. "Huh...? Ehh?! Nana-chan?!"
They pointed, freaking. "Why're you here?!" "You tell me?!"
Wait, Korean? They hugged, jumping.
"Whoa! No way! Been forever!" "Missed you!"
Everyone stared—even mom and gramps shocked. And me... just standing there, lost.
'...What?'
Rika-chan? Nana-chan? No way—that Japanese friend Nana mentioned? She's this place's daughter?
World's tiny. Too coincidental? We were meeting soon anyway!
Watched their reunion. Sudden outsider vibes.
'...Why do I feel like the idiot again?'
Probability of random restaurant meetup abroad? Nana's life defies novels—zero plausibility.
Slipped to my seat, opened menu. Order first. Starving.