Chapter 6 — Elections and Hearts

The second week of campaigning began with a surprise announcement from Ms. Ha: the preliminary mid-term survey results, conducted via anonymous polls distributed to all students in grades 10, 11, and 12, showed that Ngoc and Khang were clearly leading, far ahead of Gia Huy by a large margin.

"This is just a reference survey, not an official result," Ms. Ha emphasized in a short meeting with three candidates in the Doan Doi room, "but it clearly shows the current trend. I want to remind you, whether you are leading or need to make a breakthrough, the spirit of fair play must always come first."

Gia Huy sat silently throughout the meeting, his face still holding the familiar smile, but his eyes flashed with a gloomy glint that only those who are observant will notice. When the meeting ended, he left the room first, not staying to chat as usual.

Meanwhile, Ms. Ha stayed in Doan Doi's room to review the survey data more closely. Ms. Dinh Thu Hang, literature teacher and deputy student council advisor, walked in, carrying a cup of hot tea.

"What do you think about these preliminary results?" Ms. Hang asked, sitting in the chair opposite.

"I'm glad that Ngoc and Khang are performing very well," Ms. Ha replied, closing the notebook. "But I'm a bit worried about Huy. He has many good ideas, but he just hasn't found a way to convey them as effectively as the other two. I'm afraid that too much pressure could lead him down a bad path."

"What are you going to do?" Ms. Hang asked.

"I will find a way to meet him personally and encourage him further," Ms. Ha sighed. "Anyway, this is his first time participating in such a big activity. The pressure of being left behind is not something everyone can bear easily."

The conversation between the two teachers paused when there was a knock on the door, another student needed to get a signature for a document, but Ms. Ha's vague worry about Gia Huy still lingered, like an omen that she herself could not clearly name.

"Huy doesn't seem happy," Khang commented as they both walked out into the hallway.

"He's probably under pressure," Ngoc replied, somewhat sympathetically. "Being far behind expectations probably isn't pleasant."

That afternoon, booth number 3 was crowded with students as usual. But this time, there was a difference: a group of reporters from the Truong Newspaper Club appeared, cameras and notebooks in hand, asking for permission to interview both Ngoc and Khang for the upcoming special issue.

Vu Hoang Phuc, captain of Truong Newspaper Club, Khang's close friend since middle school, led the group of reporters. He is a skinny guy, wears thick glasses, always carries an old notebook and takes notes constantly.

"Hello, Khang," Phuc waved. "We're interviewing all three candidates in parallel for this week's issue. Do you and Ngoc have five minutes?"

"Okay," Khang nodded, glancing at Ngoc for advice. She also nodded in agreement.

Phuc started with the familiar opening question: "What makes you two think you are worthy of becoming Student Council President this year?"

Ngoc answered first, succinctly presenting the Companion Scholarship Fund, emphasizing transparency and direct student participation in the review process.

It was Khang's turn to suddenly share about the project to renovate the warehouse into a creative space - the first time he publicly announced this idea to an official school media channel.

"This is a project I cherished after listening to many students share their feelings of being lost because they are not good at mainstream subjects," Khang explained, his voice much more confident compared to his hesitant speech on the launching ceremony. "I believe that a good school is not only measured by scores, but also by the fact that each student finds space to develop his or her own strengths."

Phuc took notes quickly, his eyes somewhat surprised at the obvious change in his friend's demeanor. "You sound much more confident than the day of the launching ceremony, Khang."

Khang smiled and glanced at Ngoc. "Maybe thanks to someone who inspired me."

Ngoc blushed lightly, deliberately avoiding Phuc's next question to avoid both of their teasing eyes.

Phuc's last question made the atmosphere suddenly more serious: "Many students are wondering, recently there have been a few anonymous comments doubting Ngoc's scholarship story. Do you want any feedback?"

Ngoc paused for a second, not expecting this question to be asked so publicly. She took a breath, trying to keep her voice calm. "I know there are a few comments like that appearing on social networks. I would like to state clearly: the story I told is completely true and can be verified through the school's scholarship records if necessary. I don't mind being transparent about this, because that's exactly why I wanted to build the Companion Scholarship Fund — so that no one would have to doubt the transparency of supporting disadvantaged students anymore."

That straightforward, evasive answer made Phuc nod in approval and carefully write down in his notebook. "Thank you for your very clear answer Ngoc. We will post verbatim to avoid unnecessary misunderstandings."

A younger reporter in the group, holding a camera to capture the interview, gently raised his hand to ask permission to ask more questions. "Mr. Phuc, can I ask one more question?"

Phuc nodded, signaling permission.

"Miss Ngoc," the 10th grade student timidly asked, "if someone continues to spread untrue rumors about you in the future, how will you react? I ask because I was also misunderstood by my friends about something, and that feeling was very uncomfortable."

Ngoc looked at the young student, her eyes softening at the sincerity in that question. "Your question is very good. I think the most important thing is to always keep the truth on my side. Rumors can spread quickly, but the truth, if presented clearly and transparently, will ultimately prevail. I won't respond by spreading rumors or attacking anyone personally — I believe in having frank conversations, like what I just did today."

The student nodded, seemingly satisfied with the answer, carefully taking notes in his own small notebook even though he was not an official reporter.

After the group of reporters left, Khang turned to Ngoc with worried eyes. "Are you okay? I didn't know about that anonymous comment, why didn't you tell me?"

"I don't want to make a big deal out of it," Ngoc sighed, sitting down on the library steps. "Trang discovered a comment on Sunday, just a vague statement, but now hearing Phuc say 'many students have questions', it seems it has spread more widely than I thought."

Khang sat down next to her, his face serious. "Do you think someone is trying to sabotage you?"

Ngoc was silent for a moment, thinking about that possibility. "I don't know. I don't want to have unfounded suspicions, but... it's true that the timing of it appearing is quite suspicious, right after the preliminary survey showed that you and I were in the lead."

"You think it's Huy?" Khang lowered his voice, even though there was no one around.

"I don't want to jump to conclusions," Ngoc shook her head. "But if that's the case, I hope he stops. This is an election, not a battlefield."

Khang nodded, but in his heart he couldn't help but worry. He remembered Huy's fleeting gloomy eyes during the meeting this morning, and an unpleasant premonition began to form in his heart about what might happen next.

“No matter what,” Khang said, his voice steady, “I will be on your side if anything happens. You're not alone in this, Ngoc."

That promise, although simple, made Ngoc feel strangely reassured. She smiled and nodded in thanks, not knowing that that promise would soon have to go through a much greater challenge than either of them could imagine right now.

That evening, Trang called Ngoc, her voice somewhat hurried. "Ngoc, have you seen the interview Phuc posted on the school newspaper? The feedback was very good, many people praised you for answering frankly and not avoiding."

"I just finished watching," Ngoc replied, lying on the bed, the phone pressed to her ear. "I'm so relieved to finally be able to clarify everything, instead of letting the rumors fester forever."

"Yes, but you also have to be more careful," Trang said, her voice serious. "I have a feeling this won't be the last time this happens. Remember to keep all relevant evidence, messages, and screenshots in case you need it."

"I understand," Ngoc nodded even though Trang couldn't see. "Thank you for always taking care of these things for me."

"That's the job of the campaign communications team," Trang smiled, trying to lighten the atmosphere. "Okay, go to bed early, tomorrow you have to compete with your handsome Mr. Khang."

"Not mine!" Ngoc objected, but her voice could not hide a bit of confusion. Hanging up the phone, she lay looking at the ceiling for a long time, thinking about Khang's promise that afternoon, about the unexpected stability he brought her when things started to become more complicated than initially expected.