"Mr Woods told me to take you back to the Conservatory, teachers."

Ngoc Lam is calmly talking to K and M, but the couple pout for about 2 seconds.

“We have no interest in that place!”

As they are speaking, they both make grimaces and wave their hands.

“It's more fun to watch Thac playing music.” M looks at Thac and smiles affectionately.

The couple sit hugging their knees, simultaneously turning towards Thac

“You play music very well, Thac! Bis bis!” K gives him a thumbs up.

Ngoc Lam looks at the warm scene like their family of three, feeling like she has nothing to do with them right now. When she is about to withdraw herself quietly, M calls her.

“Ngoc Lam will stay too! I heard Thac asked you to look at the sheet, didn't he?"

Initially, Ngoc Lam intended to find her two eccentric old teachers and then wait for her brother to finish practising in the martial arts club, so he could take her home later. She has informed her parents already. Now, she knows that if she refuses them, M will immediately stick with her everywhere until her brother arrives. Ngoc Lam, finally, gives in and stays in the Music Room.

There are four people in the room at this moment. K accompanies the piano to help Thac play the trumpet. Under the guidance of the teacher he has just met for a few hours, Thac's trumpet skills gradually improve. Luyen and Thuyen probably also had this feeling when they were interacting with K. He is truly an extraordinary artist and a great teacher, despite his somewhat freaking behaviours.

M slides photos she took of Thac's music sheets and talks and laughs non-stop next to Ngoc Lam. Ngoc Lam listens to her silently. Sometimes she hums in response. She understands the praise that K and M give to Van Thac. He is like a stone in the process of turning into jade. Mr Woods has been keeping the rough stone like him in subduction zones for a long time, waiting for it to be polished when the transformation completes. But if he encounters a better opportunity, he may shorten the jade-forming process, and his talent will shine brighter than ever.

“Ngoc Lam” M calls her again

"Yes?"

“Van Thac does care about you.” M points at the trio rearrangement, “Look! This violin piece suits you very well.”

Ngoc Lam does not respond but she silently focuses on the screen M is showing to her.

“That boy, even when he got frightened, he did not abandon you to find a safe place alone.”

Ngoc Lam hears that and recalls the time he was holding her hand. She feels a bit awkward, and her head tilts slightly, thinking, not knowing how to react to what M says.

“Ngoc Lam” M calls again, pulling Ngoc Lam out of her vague thoughts. “Do you want to play music with Van Thac?”

Ngoc Lam sits still for a moment. The sound of Thac's freestyle trumpet awakens her from her thoughts. She turns to look and sees K excitedly playing an impromptu Jazz rhythm on the keyboard, while Thac, who always interacts with her with reservation, becomes extremely liberal.

“Good job, son!”

K keeps praising Thac whenever he can. It's been many years, but Ngoc Lam's old teachers are still the same. They are passionate about music and enjoy it with all their souls. Everything in her sight reminds Ngoc Lam of happy moments following spontaneous melodies with K and M. There is an unfamiliar feeling fueling inside her heart. For a moment, she has the illusion that she is standing with them again, holding the violin in harmony without hesitation.

M also joins K and Thac, with her violin. They are in a fervent love of music. Ngoc Lam stays in her seat quietly, but in her ears, the music is around, but her heart is filled with chaos of emotions.

About half an hour later, Ngoc Lam's brother comes to find her. Ngoc Lam and Van Thac then lead the couple out of school. K and M have been with Van Thac for a few hours, but they are loath to say goodbye to him.

“See you later, son!” K holds Thac's hand with tears in his eyes, and M standing beside him is dabbing tears in her eyes as a supporter of the touching scene.

Thac, after experiencing countless times of laughing and crying at once, gradually turns numb to the couple. He maintains simple responses like smiling or giving a simple "yes".

Thac returns home and continues texting Luyen and Thuyen

Thac: Ngoc Lam seems to be conciliated

Luyen: Pendulum oscillation

Thuyen: Modified harmonic oscillation

Thac: *angry face*

Luyen: Just kidding

Thuyen: Tell us

Thac: The homeroom teacher told me she talked to Ngoc Lam's parents yesterday.

Looks like they are considering it.

Today both K and M came

When sending those two people home

It seems Ngoc Lam is also affected.

Luyen: The story between K and M was truly unexpected

Thuyen: But the results were beyond expectations.

Luyen: The rest

Thuyen: Let it be

-------------

In the following days, Thac and his classmates practise more often with K and M. Ngoc Lam refuses to stay with them, but Mr Woods tells her to watch them (so that they won't wander somewhere he can't find). She does nothing there but sit still with her homework. Meanwhile, sometimes K points out Thac's mistakes with his part, and sometimes M gives pieces some advice to the classmate who plays the piano.

Ngoc Lam remains unchanged, which makes Van Thac impatient. The deadline to adjust the performance registration list is approaching, and he doesn't want to miss this opportunity.

Time keeps flying, and the weather is getting colder. The breath begins to turn into thin white smoke. This winter will probably be a little harsher.

Thac carefully wraps the scarf over his nose. He knows the requirements of being a trumpet player, so he has to be even more careful to take care of his health. To protect his respiratory system when the temperature is falling, he has asked for the key to the Music Room, so Thac no longer practises at noon outside of the classroom. Lunch breaks suddenly become strangely quiet.

Ngoc Lam has a routine of coming to class early and taking a nap in the school's designated napping room before entering the classroom fifteen minutes earlier. She finds herself alone in the classroom. It has been a while since Van Thac discovered her talent. Ngoc Lam is accustomed to the image of Van Thac always practising outside the class and then eagerly walking in to say hello whenever he sees her. Ngoc Lam is wondering what she needs to do now. She tries to resist the overwhelming feeling of loss that has taken over her limbs. Her mind keeps repeating the word "study" repeatedly. Ngoc Lam follows it and takes out each book from her bag, but she then sits dazed in front of the pages.

When Van Thac enters the classroom five minutes later, Ngoc Lam feels a sense of comfort and relief. She responds to him softly when he calls her name. Her heart unexpectedly anticipates him to stop by and say something to her.

Thac does stop in front of her with his usual reserved attitude. He looks like a mine detector meticulously taking every step forward. Ngoc Lam feels a bit ironic. It seems like her coldness and the aggression of his father and brother have made him so scared all the time, but he has never run away. Even though it annoys her several times, his persistence is worth her appreciation.

As expected, the discussion is mainly focused on the performance participation list. Van Thac expresses his desire to win the first prize, not just for the reward that comes with it, but also because he has never qualified to participate in professional music competitions. He is not yet a student of the Conservatory of Music, and he is not old enough to go abroad to take part in any contests without a guardian. Mr Woods does not want him to participate, and his parents and other teachers at the Conservatory are on the old man's side. Van Thac hopes that if he wins first prize, the school will run a media campaign. Maybe he will gain recognition and support from the audience. With more conditions to develop his career, he will not have to watch his peers, Luyen and Thuyen, get farther and farther away from him.

Above all, Van Thac wishes he could play music with Ngoc Lam.

While discussing this topic, he raises his hand to scratch his red ears, not sure whether it's due to the cold or not.

Ngoc Lam notices that Van Thac is wearing a scarf to cover his nose, so she understands his effort and determination to participate in the upcoming school-level competition. A thought of compromise flashes through her mind. She is able to help him a little. She realizes the competition doesn't require too much professionalism, so she can adjust herself to match her co-stars' level. It won't be a serious issue since there are many actors in the play. She plans to dress simply and blend in with the background to let Thac shine. She believes no one will pay attention to her as long as she stays hidden.

But at the same time, fears also arise in her heart. If things don't go as expected, what should she do?