The Hope Kids 𓆉 // A New Beginning

ch: 5// something sparking

The taxi pulled up to the temple gate, its weathered blue-topped roof peeking above the cherry blossom trees. Hiro struggled to lug his heavy suitcase from the back seat, filled to the brim with textbooks, chemical setups, and a few personal gadgets. Miguel hopped out next to him, looking around with wide, curious eyes.

"This place is huge," Miguel breathed, his guitar case slung over his shoulder as he took in the temple's intricate design, his dark eyes lighting up with wonder.

"Yeah, it's something," Hiro said, not nearly as surprised, having seen similar architecture back in the Asian district of San Francisco. But there was still something awe-inspiring about the temple's sheer size and the way it seemed to transport them into a different era.

Hiro reached up to buzz the doorbell, and within seconds, the large iron gate swung open to reveal a woman in a silk qi pao, her hair in a neat updo. Her eyes crinkled with a warm smile as she stepped aside to let them in.

"Welcome," she said with a graceful bow. "My name is Ming, and I'm delighted to be hosting you for these next two weeks. Another girl who'll be dorming with you has already arrived. Come, I'll show you inside."

The boys introduced themselves—Miguel a little more animated, and Hiro keeping his usual calm demeanor—and followed Ming through the temple courtyard. The cherry blossoms overhead swayed gently in the breeze, their petals fluttering down like snowflakes. Miguel was entranced by the surroundings, practically drinking in every detail.

"This is incredible," Miguel murmured. "It's like stepping into another time."

Hiro glanced at him, amused by his wonder but unable to deny that the place did have a unique charm. "I guess I'm more used to seeing temples like this back home. But yeah, it's pretty amazing."

Inside the main temple quarters, they were greeted by rich red-and-gold decor, ornate wooden carvings, and soft lantern light that bathed the hall in a warm glow. The smell of incense lingered in the air, and the sound of distant bells echoed softly in the background.

Ming led them further inside, showing Miguel to his room first. His space was music-themed, with an ancient Chinese touch—delicate wooden instruments displayed in a corner, paper lanterns hanging by the window, and yet, a place for his guitar.

Miguel's jaw dropped. "This... this is amazing," he said, turning in a slow circle to take it all in. "I didn't expect this at all."

Hiro chuckled, but he had to admit the room suited Miguel. Next, Ming led him to his own room. It had a more functional vibe—equipment setups lined the walls, with neatly organized shelves, though still tied together with ancient Chinese aesthetics: bamboo screens, jade statues, and silk pillows. Hiro was impressed by the attention to detail, appreciating how it seemed to balance his scientific mind with the elegance of the temple.

Ming smiled as she opened the door for him. "I figured you'd appreciate some of these additions for your studies, Hiro. You'll find everything you need here."

Hiro nodded in gratitude. "This is perfect. Thanks, Ming."

With a final warm smile, Ming said, "Dinner will be in an hour. Feel free to get comfortable. I'll have Mei come meet you." She paused, her expression softening. "I think you'll get along well with her."

Just as she said it, a flash of red hair appeared at the door. A girl with long, vibrant red locks and a confident stride entered the room, dressed in a stylish but casual outfit that immediately caught Miguel's eye. She had an effortlessly cool vibe, the kind of person who walked into a room and owned it.

"Hey, I'm Mei," she said with a bright smile, extending her hand toward them. Hiro shook it first, already feeling a friendly energy from her.

"I'm Hiro," he said, nodding. "From San Francisco."

Mei's eyes lit up. "No way! The other girl staying here is also from San Francisco."

"Really?" Hiro raised an eyebrow just as a head peeked around the doorframe.

A shy, pretty blonde girl hesitated for a moment before stepping into the room, her blue eyes wide and uncertain. Hiro recognized that nervous look—she probably felt out of place, just like he had when he first walked in.

"Hi, I'm Riley," she said quietly, her voice soft but kind. She was striking in her own way, her beauty subtle yet hard to miss.

Miguel was the first to smile at her, stepping forward with his easygoing charm. "Hey, Riley. I'm Miguel. Nice to meet you."

Hiro followed, offering a smile as well. "I'm Hiro."

The introductions out of the way, the four of them stood in the room for a moment, a light awkwardness lingering. Riley seemed a bit uncomfortable, but Miguel's natural charisma quickly started to ease the tension.

"So, Riley, what brings you here?" Miguel asked, giving her his full attention.

"I'm here for a hockey program," Riley replied, her tone soft but growing more confident as she spoke. "It's... well, I'm kind of nervous, but it's only for two weeks, right?"

Miguel grinned. "That's awesome. I'm here for music. How long have you been playing hockey?"

Riley blushed slightly at the attention. "Since I was a kid, really. My brother got me into it."

Hiro jumped in next. "I'm here for science, mostly working on some chemistry stuff for this exchange program."

"And I'm taking the college program for singing," Mei added, leaning against the doorframe casually. "We've got a pretty interesting mix of people here."

Miguel's eyes widened with interest. "Singing? That's awesome. Maybe we could jam sometime."

Mei grinned, nodding. "Definitely."

Before their conversation could continue, Ming called from the hallway. "Mei, can you help me with dinner?"

Mei's eyes flicked toward the door, then back to the group. "Duty calls," she said with a laugh before running off to help her mom.

The remaining three stood there for a moment, the awkwardness creeping back in without Mei's easy presence to fill the space. Hiro scratched the back of his neck, trying to think of something to say, while Riley seemed to retreat into herself, and Miguel shifted from foot to foot.

"Well," Hiro started, "I guess we should probably unpack and settle in."

"Yeah, probably a good idea," Riley murmured.

Miguel gave them both a small smile. "We'll catch up more at dinner."

With that, the three of them dispersed to their respective rooms, each feeling a little more at ease about the next two weeks but still bracing themselves for what lay ahead.