Chapter 5 — Appointment Under the Stars

Three weeks passed, and Ngoc Han realized that she had gradually become a familiar member of the Astronomy Club, although she still could not fully understand when that change had taken place. She no longer avoided the telescope like before, and even actively learned how to adjust the focus and record observation data in a common notebook expertly.

"You're progressing really fast," Nhat Quang commented one Thursday afternoon, when they both stayed late to rearrange the club's small equipment warehouse. "Just three weeks ago, I didn't dare go near the telescope, but now I can adjust it myself."

"Maybe I just need time," Ngoc Han replied, still neatly folding the cables. "Besides, you're so patient and don't force me to do anything, so I dare to try little by little."

"It's the only way that works for most things in life," Nhat Quang said, smiling slightly. "Forcing people only makes people more afraid."

Ngoc Han glanced at him, thinking that perhaps that statement applied not only to studying astronomy, but also to the way he treated people around him in general - always patient, always letting things happen naturally at each person's own pace.

The relationship between her and Yen Nhi also changed in a positive direction thanks to this new club. Yen Nhi often asks about what Ngoc Han has learned, sometimes even stops by the rooftop to watch a few sessions, even though she is not an official member.

"You've changed a lot," Yen Nhi commented during recess one morning, when she saw Ngoc Han passionately recounting details about the Seven Stars star cluster that she had just learned last week. "I've never seen you talk so much about a topic before."

"I didn't expect it either," Ngoc Han admitted, a bit embarrassed. "But actually, the more I learn, the more I find astronomy more interesting than I thought. It's not just about bright spots in the sky, but behind each star there is a story of its own."

"So what about the homeroom teacher?" Yen Nhi asked, her voice deliberately prolonged and full of meaning, her eyes glancing at you teasingly. "Is there anything interesting to tell?"

"He's a good homeroom teacher," Ngoc Han replied, trying to keep her voice calm, even though her cheeks heated up a bit. "Patience, enthusiasm, fair treatment of all members."

"I didn't ask about his leadership skills," Yen Nhi giggled, not missing the opportunity to tease. "I asked how you see him, like... a real person."

"I don't know what you're referring to," Ngoc Han avoided, hastily changing the topic to the Math homework she had just assigned, although she couldn't deny that her friend's question touched on something she wasn't ready to face.

However, not everything in the club is as smooth as what Ngoc Han experienced on a personal level. At a midweek activity, when the whole group was busy preparing for the evening observation session, Mr. Dat - the Physics teacher in charge of the club - entered the activity room with a serious face that was different from usual.

"I have something to announce to the group," he said, his voice low. The whole club stopped and turned to pay attention.

"The school board just met to review the club's budget for the next semester," Mr. Dat continued, his eyes clearly showing concern. "With the current number of members, our Astronomy club is at risk of budget cuts, and may even have to be dissolved if there are no significant changes before the end of the semester."

The air in the room slackened immediately. Ngoc Han glanced at Nhat Quang and saw a rarely seen tension flash across his face, even though he still tried to stay calm in front of the other members.

"How much time do we have left, sir?" Nhat Quang asked, his voice was firm even though anyone could see the anxiety hidden behind it.

"By the end of August," Mr. Dat replied. "The school board said if the club could prove its practical value, attract more members, or organize an impressive enough activity to represent the school, they would consider retaining the budget. But if nothing changes, I'm afraid..."

The teacher did not finish his sentence, but everyone clearly understood the meaning behind that silence.

After Mr. Dat left, the group sat quietly for a while, a heavy atmosphere covering the small room that was always filled with laughter.

"So what should we do now?" The Eleventh grade girl asked, her voice worried.

Nhat Quang was silent for a moment, his eyes looking down at his grandfather's old notebook placed on the table, as if looking for answers from pages that had yellowed over the years. Finally, he looked up, his eyes regaining some of their familiar steadfastness.

"We're going to throw a big event," he said, his voice growing more certain with each word. "I've noticed that in August this year there will be the peak of the Perseids meteor shower, one of the largest and easiest to observe meteor showers in recent years. If we organize a public observation session, inviting the whole school and parents to participate, maybe it will be an opportunity to demonstrate the value of the club."

"But how can we prepare for such a big event in just two months?" A male friend asked worriedly. "There are only five people in the group, we still have to take care of equipment, licenses, promotion..."

"It will be difficult," Nhat Quang admitted, not shying away from reality. "But if we don't try, the club will definitely disband. And if we try and fail, at least we tried our best, there's nothing to regret. I think it's worth the bet."

The eleventh grade girl nodded, her eyes gradually changing from worry to determination. "I agree to try. At best we'll fail, but at least we didn't give up without a fight."

The group was silent for a while, then gradually, the worried eyes began to turn to a new ray of hope. Ngoc Han sat there, feeling the determination radiating from Nhat Quang, and somehow, she also felt a desire to contribute to that plan in her heart, even though just three weeks ago, she was the most unfamiliar person with everything related to the night sky.

"I'll help," she heard herself say, her voice so certain it surprised even herself.

Nhat Quang turned to look at her, his eyes full of gratitude and a bit of pleasant surprise. "Thank you," he said softly. "With more companions, everything will be much less difficult."

Before the group dispersed, Nhat Quang roughly assigned tasks to each person - the two boys were in charge of checking and upgrading equipment, the Eleventh grade girl was in charge of designing promotional posters, and he would work directly with teacher Dat to apply for a permit to organize large-scale events on the school's rooftop.

"And Ngoc Han," he said, turning to her with trusting eyes, "can you help me synthesize all the old observation data and prepare presentation content for the presentation to parents and students? You write much better than me."

"Okay," Ngoc Han nodded, feeling a new surge of excitement rising at the thought that she was about to have a specific, important role in this big plan.

On the way home together — because Nhat Quang's house happened to be located on the same street as Ngoc Han's house — the two continued to discuss more about the plan, exchanging ideas so enthusiastically that they forgot the distance was gradually shortening.

"I think we should invite local newspapers to cover the news too," Ngoc Han proposed, her voice filled with rare excitement. "If there is an article, it will definitely make a stronger impression on the school board."

"Good idea," Nhat Quang nodded appreciatively. "You really have strategic thinking, unlike me who only knows how to worry about the technical part."

"The two of us complement each other," Ngoc Han replied, then suddenly realized that the use of the word "the two of us" sounded a bit more intimate than she intended, and hastily added, "I mean, the whole club complements each other."

Nhat Quang laughed at that adorable awkwardness, didn't comment any further, just left a gentle smile that followed them the rest of the way.

That evening, when returning home, Ngoc Han sat at the desk, opened the drawer, and looked at the small wooden box that kept her father's old star map for a long time. For the first time in years, she didn't feel the familiar choking sensation at the thought of it, but instead a vague curiosity about whether her upcoming journey with the club could help her find something long lost.