Chapter 26 — Elections and Hearts

May brings with it the scorching heat of early summer, which is also the time when letters announcing university admission results begin to be sent one after another to grade 12 students at Nguyen Tat Thang School. The atmosphere in the school became both exciting and tense, mixed with a feeling of nostalgia for the last days at the school where we had been together for three years.

Ngoc received an email announcing her admission from her dream university on a Tuesday afternoon, while working in the Student Council room with Khang. Her hands shook as she opened the email, her eyes read and reread the words "Congratulations on your admission" many times to make sure she didn't read it wrong.

"Khang! I... I passed!" Ngoc shouted, her voice shaking with emotion, turning the phone screen for Khang to see.

Khang quickly read the notice, his face lit up with joy. "Congratulations, Ngoc! I knew you could do it!" He hugged her tightly, spinning around in a small circle in the middle of the familiar office room, making them both burst out laughing.

Just a few days later, it was Khang's turn to receive similar good news - he was accepted into the Faculty of Architecture of a prestigious university, the exact major he had been quietly pursuing for the past two years.

"What will my dad say when he hears this news," Khang said, his voice both nervous and excited as he prepared to tell his family the news.

That evening, when Khang announced the results to his parents, Mr. Do Thanh Lam was silent for a long time, looking at his son with complicated eyes before finally speaking.

"You've decided, right?" he asked, his voice no longer as stern as in similar conversations before.

"Yes, dad," Khang replied, maintaining his stance even though he was still a little worried. "I know this is not the path you wanted for me, but this is the path I really want to pursue."

Mr. Lam nodded slowly, a rare but sincere smile appearing on his face. "I respect your decision. Honestly, after seeing you put all your heart into the Creative Space project, I realized that you have enough bravery and passion to confidently walk your own path. I believe you will become a good architect, Khang."

Khang couldn't hide his emotions at that recognition. It felt like a burden that had been weighing on his shoulders for many years had finally been completely lifted. "Thank you, Dad. I promise I won't disappoint you."

"I have never been disappointed in you, Khang," Mr. Lam replied, his voice rare and warm. "I'm just afraid that you will lose yourself on the path I have set out for you. Now I can rest assured."

Khang's mother, sitting quietly listening throughout the conversation, finally spoke, her voice filled with emotion. "I always believe that you will find the right path for yourself, Khang. I'm just glad that your father finally realized that."

"Thank you, mom," Khang replied, hugging her mother in indescribable happiness. "I will try my best not to disappoint both mom and dad's trust."

That evening's meal became one of the warmest memories Khang has ever had with his family - there was no longer the constant tension and pressure like before, but instead there were laughter and sincere stories shared openly among family members.

The good news spread throughout the close group of friends. Trang also received the admission results majoring in Communications as desired, while Phuc chose to pursue Journalism, continuing the passion he nurtured throughout his years with the Truong Newspaper Club.

The group decided to organize a small party to celebrate together at Ngoc's house, where Mrs. Lan prepared an intimate meal filled with each person's favorite dishes.

"You cook so well," Phuc praised when tasting the sour soup Mrs. Lan cooked, "I think this is the best family meal I've ever had since high school."

"Thank you," Mrs. Lan smiled gently, putting more food into each child's bowl as if they were all children and grandchildren in the house. "Seeing my children grow up and about to enter a new chapter of their lives makes me very happy."

Trang raised her glass of soft drink and asked the whole group to join in a toast. "Congratulations to all of us, for together overcoming the most tumultuous but also meaningful school year ever!"

"Congratulations!" The whole group chanted in unison, bustling laughter echoing throughout the small, cozy house of the Ngoc family.

In the middle of the party, Huy suddenly stood up and tapped the glass of water to attract everyone's attention. "I'd like to say a few words, if you don't mind."

The group was silent, looking towards Huy with curiosity.

"A year ago, if someone told me that I would be sitting here, among such close friends, after everything I've done, I would never have believed it," Huy said, his voice choked but sincere. "I want to thank Ngoc and Khang, for giving me the opportunity to correct mistakes that I should not have received. And thank everyone, for accepting me, despite knowing full well the mistakes I have made."

Ngoc stood up and hugged Huy in a warm hug. "You deserve this, Huy. Everyone deserves a second chance, and you have proven that you appreciate that chance more than anyone."

The whole group clapped together, a warm, emotional atmosphere filled the small room, marking a friendship that had been forged through many challenges, now stronger than ever.

As for Huy, after many nights of thinking, he decided to apply to the Finance major, directly inspired by his days in charge of the financial department of the Companion Scholarship Fund.

"I want to learn how to manage finances more systematically and professionally," Huy shared with the group at a meeting to celebrate his admission results. "Who knows, in the future I can help expand the scholarship fund model to more places, in the most professional and sustainable way possible."

"You will definitely do it," Ngoc said, smiling proudly at Huy's remarkable maturity compared to the gloomy, self-conscious boy of nearly a year ago.

Amid that joyful atmosphere, another important task is also waiting for Ngoc and Khang - preparing to hand over the leadership position of the Student Council to the next generation, marking the complete end of a tumultuous term but also filled with meaningful achievements that the two have built together.

Ms. Ha convened a private meeting with Ngoc and Khang to discuss the handover plan, which took place right in the advisory room where all the important stories of this term were decided.

"You two have done more great things than I ever expected when I first started this semester," Ms. Ha said, her voice filled with pride. "Now, the final task is to ensure that what you two have built will continue to be maintained and developed after you graduate."

"I think we need to prepare a very detailed set of handover documents," Ngoc proposed, "not only about operating procedures, but also lessons learned, and mistakes to avoid, so that the next generation doesn't have to go through what we went through again."

"Very good idea," Ms. Ha nodded in approval. "I also recommend that you two spend time directly mentoring the new leadership in the first few months, to ensure the transition process goes as smoothly as possible."

Khang nodded in agreement. "I think Huy should also continue to act as an advisor to the new scholarship fund's executive board, because he has the most valuable practical experience in the financial sector."

"I completely agree," Ms. Ha smiled. "That is the best way to ensure the legacy they leave behind will continue to live on, even after they leave this school."

Leaving the consulting room, Ngoc and Khang walked slowly through the school yard, looking at every familiar corner - booth No. 3 in front of the library, the large hall where the public debate took place, and the Creative Space, which is now always bustling with students every break time.

"Are you sad to leave this place?" Ngoc asked, her eyes full of nostalgia.

"Yes," Khang nodded, his voice lowered a bit. "But I think what gives me the most peace of mind is knowing that what we build here won't disappear when we leave. It will continue to live on, continuing to help many other generations of students."

Ngoc nodded in agreement, holding Khang's hand tightly as the two continued walking, filled with mixed emotions of nostalgia, pride, and an eager anticipation of the new chapters that lay ahead, even if that path led them far away from this school that had witnessed so many precious memories.