[COMPLETED] In which 10 dojo trainees compete in Asia's biggest martial arts tournament for a $500,000 cash prize...
「 ROMCOM • DRAMA • ANGST • ACTION • FLUFF 」
- VINTAGE VIDEO GAMES & CHINESE AESTHETIC.
- SET IN CHINA, YEAR 2000. 🉐
「 Consider thi...
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— 08 | HIP HOP LOVER. 🏀
"Thanks again for helping me carry this stuff Hobi." I talk amongst the vegetable-filled paper bags in my arms. Even at the opposite end of the marketplace, things are still loud and hectic.
We stop at a road crossing to allow the passing red tram, "Anytime. It's nice to be doing something together outside of the dojo for once."
"Tell me about it. *achoo*"
"I've been meaning to ask... Are you sick?"
"*Achoo!* Of course not. I don't get sick."
"Uh-huh." He nods mockingly. Besides Viper, Hoseok and I have known each other the longest, making us naturally close. He can always tell when I'm lying.
"Shut it. I just... Got caught in a little rain last night."
"Well I'd say make sure to drink some soup and rest, but knowing you, you won't listen."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"You believe you have immunity if you fight off your troubles with sweat. Remember Mei, you're only human. Here's an idea, let's all spend the weekend chilling at my house! No rain there."
"Geez you're still on this— Hoseok, you know I have training. And so do you. The tournament's coming up, we can't just—"
"Wait shh shh." He pulls my arm back before I can cross. "...Do you hear that?"
My eyes shift around bluntly... "What? Dozens of Asian men yelling at once?"
"No not that... This way, come on!" He runs off abruptly.
"But the noodle shop— Ugh." I slack my shoulders and catch up without spilling anything.
Once I do, Hoseok stops and looks at me, as if waiting for my expression to change. That's when I hear it.
"You hear it now? Do you hear the music?"
"Yeah... It's coming from—"
"There!" He pulls me into an openly gated, abandoned and graffiti-coated basketball court. Amongst the small crowd of heads now in front are a crew of street kids, blasting hip hop music from a boombox and dancing on open cardboard.
They're all homeless... From tanned and sweaty teenagers to itty bitty kids, all sporting vests, puffy pants, tracksuits, braids and bandanas. One of which wearing a durag and cheek bandaid for fashion breaks into dance in the middle and the cage erupts with energetic cheers.
