Chapter 20 — Elections and Hearts

The large hall was filled with students, and the atmosphere was suffocatingly tense when Ms. Ha and the Election Committee representative stepped onto the stage, holding the sealed official results sheet in their hands. Ngoc and Khang stood next to each other in the front row, holding hands tightly under the curious eyes of the surrounding students.

"Dear all students," Ms. Ha opened, her voice echoing through the speaker system, "after a public and transparent vote counting process with the supervision of representatives of all grade levels, the Election Committee would like to announce the official results of the election for the new Student Council President."

The entire hall was absolutely silent, thousands of eyes focused on the stage.

"With a total of one thousand eight hundred and forty-two valid votes," Ms. Ha read aloud, "candidate Ngo Bao Ngoc received nine hundred sixty-seven votes, accounting for fifty-two point four percent. Candidate Do Nguyen Khang received eight hundred seventy-five votes, accounting for forty-seven point six percent."

She paused for a moment, her eyes scanning all the students holding their breath, before announcing the final results. "Candidate Ngo Bao Ngoc was officially elected President of the Student Council for the new term!"

Cheers and applause exploded like waves throughout the hall. Ngoc stood silently for a moment, unable to believe what she had just heard, her hands clasped around her mouth to suppress the overflowing emotions, before Khang turned to hug her, his radiant smile unable to hide his sincere joy for the person he loved.

"Congratulations, President Ngoc," Khang whispered in her ear, his voice full of pride and not a bit of jealousy, squeezing her tightly in his arms as if he wanted to pass all his joy to her.

"Thank you," Ngoc replied, tears of happiness rolling down her cheeks, "for everything, not just today."

Ms. Ha invited both of them onto the stage. Ngoc stepped up amid endless applause, stood in front of the microphone, trying to suppress her surging emotions.

"Thank you all for trusting me with this responsibility," she said, her voice trembling but filled with determination. "But I want to make it clear, today's victory is not mine alone. Just like what Khang announced this morning, I officially ask the board of directors to recognize Khang as Vice President to accompany me throughout the next term, to together realize all the commitments we have made."

Principal Duc stepped onto the stage and nodded in approval in front of the entire school. "The board of directors agrees with this proposal, and believes that this will be a good precedent for future terms of our school."

The applause rang out again and again. Khang stepped onto the stage, stood next to Ngoc, they both bowed in front of the whole school in bursts of happiness, the stage lights shone on their two radiant faces, marking a promising new beginning for the whole school.

Gia Huy, standing in the crowd of students below, applauded enthusiastically, his eyes filled with sincere joy without any jealousy or regret - a marked change from the self-conscious, jealous person of the previous weeks.

After the results announcement ceremony, a small victory party was held right at the school yard, with the participation of the entire campaign team of both candidates, along with many students and teachers who came to congratulate.

Mrs. Lan showed up early and hugged hugged her daughter with uncontrollable tears of happiness. "I'm so proud of you, Ngoc. Your dad is definitely proud of you up there too."

Ngoc hugged her mother tightly, her emotions rising beyond words at the reminder of her deceased father, whom she knew would certainly be so happy if she could witness this moment.

Mr. Do Thanh Lam was also present, standing next to his wife, his eyes following his son with a pride that had never been expressed so clearly before. When Khang approached, he patted his son's shoulder, his voice filled with rare emotion.

"I'm proud of you, Khang," he said, "not because you're Vice President, but because of the way you chose to get there—by sincerity, not by trickery."

"Thank you, dad," Khang replied, embracing his father in a rare hug between two people who always kept a certain distance in their expressions of affection.

Ms. Trinh Thi Lan and Mr. Do Thanh Lam also had the opportunity to talk to each other for the first time, although briefly but meaningfully, amid the bustling laughter of the party.

"Thank you for silently helping my family that year," Ms. Lan said, her voice choked with emotion. "I don't know how to express my gratitude enough."

"There's no need to thank me, sister," Mr. Lam replied, his voice rare and humble. "Seeing Ngoc grow up and become as talented as he is today, that is the biggest reward I can receive."

The two parents looked at each other, a silent sympathy was established between two families that seemed to belong to two completely different worlds, now connected through their own children.

Before the party ended, Trang pulled Ngoc to a private corner and hugged her best friend with uncontrollable tears of happiness. "I'm so proud of you, Ngoc. From the first day you told me the idea for the scholarship fund, I knew you would do something."

"Thank you for always being by my side throughout this journey," Ngoc replied, hugging her friend tightly. "Without you, I probably wouldn't have been able to overcome so many challenges."

Phuc also came to congratulate, shaking Ngoc and Khang's hands tightly. "Truong Newspaper Club will closely follow and report on the implementation process of these two major projects. You two, prepare to be 'filmed' often."

The whole group laughed at that joke, a warm, friendly atmosphere enveloped the group of friends who had gone through so many ups and downs together during the past election season.

The party lasted until late afternoon, laughter and chatter filled the school yard. When dusk began to fall, Ngoc and Khang separated from the crowd and found a quiet corner of the yard near the library - where booth No. 3 had been located throughout the election season, now there was only an empty yard but filled with so many memories.

"We have come a long way," Ngoc said, sitting down on the familiar steps, looking distantly at what had passed.

"That's right," Khang replied, sitting down next to her. "And I think, the road ahead is even longer — not just as Student Council President and Vice President."

Ngoc turned to look at him, clearly understanding the meaning of those words. "Are you still waiting for my answer from last night?"

"I'm willing to wait as long as it takes," Khang smiled, eyes closed wall.

Ngoc smiled, took his hand, without any hesitation anymore. "Then you don't need to wait any longer, Khang. My answer is yes - I also like you, for a long time, I just haven't had the courage to say it first, while there are still so many things to worry about in the campaign."

Khang looked at her, happiness bursting into his eyes, squeezing her hand in his. "Thank you, Ngoc. This is probably the happiest day of my life so far — not just because of the election results, but because I can finally stop hiding my true feelings."

The two of them sat together under the sunset that dyed the sky orange, hand in hand, filled with hope for a bright future waiting ahead — not only with the new leadership role of the Student Council, but also with a chapter of love that had just begun, promising that there would be many more wonderful things waiting for both of them for the rest of their student lives and beyond.

"You know," Ngoc said softly, leaning her head on Khang's shoulder, "I think, today's title of President is meaningful to me not only because it helps me realize the Companion Scholarship Fund, but also because it is proof that, sometimes, the kindest path can also be the path to success."

"I completely agree," Khang replied, gently squeezing her hand. "And I think, the journey ahead - as President and Vice President, with the Scholarship Fund, with the Creative Space - will still have many new challenges. But this time, I know for sure, we will face it together, not alone like before."

In the distance, the music from the party was still echoing, mixed with the laughter of friends and teachers celebrating a new chapter that had just opened - not only for the Student Council of Nguyen Tat Thang School, but also for two hearts that had just found each other amid a journey full of challenges but also filled with valuable lessons about trust, sincerity and true love.