Chapter 25 — Music Sent After School

Open Frequency's inbox filled up after the listening session. Some letters have only one line of thanks, some letters are up to six pages long, and some letters ask to delete a sentence sent a few weeks ago. Nhien creates a tracking table, clearly stating the date of receipt, the person handling it, and the response deadline. Duy installed an offline backup, while Khang set a warning when too many files were downloaded.

Lam asked what to do if a person who sent a letter wants to withdraw it but doesn't remember the file name. The group sat down and tried searching by voice, date sent, and subject. They realized their system still relied too much on the manager's memory. Khang suggested that each recording have an easy-to-read code, but Ms. Mai reminded that the code should not turn the sender into a number.

Finally, they agreed to use the code for the file, the real name is only stored in a separate table with a key. Nhien writes instructions in normal language, avoiding words that only technology people will understand. Duy tried reading it and said "delete recording" sounds lighter than "destroy data". Lam notes both, so users can choose how to call, making it easier for them to request.

The hall is arranged with chairs in an arc instead of straight rows. Listeners see each other, not just the stage. There is a sign at the door: “You can leave at any time.”

Nhien checks the volume, Duy checks the copyright, Lam checks the narration. Minh Quang stood in the last row, Ms. Lan participated via the screen. No one is allowed to speak unless invited, but everyone is allowed to ask questions.

Public listening session

The conference room was full. Students sit in the front, teachers in the middle, parents and business representatives in the back. There is no logo on the stage. There's just an old microphone, a sound spectrum display, and a table of four principles.

Lam opened: "Today is not a trial. This is a controlled listening session, so that everyone knows where the data comes from, who authorized it and who is responsible."

Ms. Lan talked about the 2014 project. She did not read the last page, only explained the clause giving decision-making power to Huy and the contributors. Bao presented his technical log, admitting that he had changed advertising files under Vu Tan's orders. Ngoc talked about editing metadata to hide the source, and apologized for being silent.

Duy sat next to Nhien, his hands on his knees. When it was his turn, he said: "I don't want the tape to become a product. I want my father's name to be recorded correctly, and the voices on it not to be used without consent."

Minh Quang stood up. He took responsibility for signing the access, not making the incident public and giving others the opportunity to clear Huy's name. He did not accept the job of taking the tape. The lawyer confirmed that the records do not prove that he took them, but prove that the company's procedures at that time were wrong.

Vu Tan's representative objected, saying Huy had received project money. Ms. Lan gave the receipt: the amount was for equipment and operating fees, not for transferring copyright of the work. Truong's lawyer showed that the addendum contained a non-transfer clause.

The auditorium was buzzing, but Ms. Mai kept the rhythm. She asked that all questions go through the microphone, no booing.

A student asked Duy if he wanted to hand out the original. Duy looked at Nhien, then said: "No. The original contains the voice of a child who could not give consent at that time. I will not turn the crying into entertaining evidence."

One parent asked why the school let the matter drag on. The principal replied: "Because the school thought closing was a peaceful way. We were wrong."

Course presents the rules New program: licensed recording, independent repository, withdrawal rights, access log, and student council oversight. She said the broadcasting office cannot fix the past, but it cannot repeat that way of silence.

The listening session ended with the song “After Listening”, played by Duy and conducted by Nhien. Do not use old tape. There are only sounds from the school map, the sound of the train, and space for the listener to breathe.

After the show, someone in the audience recognized Vu Tan standing at the door. He did not move forward, just sent the lawyer a piece of paper. When checking out, it's a request to hear the original as a project participant.

Duy refused that right. “He has no right to my voice.”

The lawyer explained that Vu's rights need to be determined, but copies cannot be forced to be released without consent. Vu Tan left without saying a word.

That night, the after.school.archive account posted the last words: **I am Ms. Mai. I sent the file to help you find the truth, but I didn't think things would go far. Thanks for not playing the hardest part.**

Lam read, then turned to Ms. Mai. “You confessed so quickly?”

“I don't want a hidden account to exist forever.”

“So the threat file?”

"Not me."

The whole room was silent.

Khang checked the file addresses. The files Ms. Mai sent had the same signature, but the threatening files came from a different network. The second sender has not yet been revealed.

Duy said: "Maybe Vu Tan."

“Maybe,” Nhien reminded.

“I'm learning how to say that.”

They did not continue their pursuit at night. Ms. Mai asked everyone to rest. Nhien and Duy walked around the yard. The gate lamp shines rings of light on the brick floor.

“Do you feel lighter?” Nhien asked.

"A little. But my father's song still doesn't have an official name."

“The absent person can keep a separate name.”

“I'll call it 'The Letter Without an Envelope'.”

"Pretty."

“What about our version?”

“After Listening.”

Duy nodded. “I want to send it to you.”

Nhien looked at him. “I heard it.”

“No. Sent in a different sense.”

He gave her a piece of paper, on it was the license to use the music, stating Nhien's name as the co-author of the sound. Nhien was surprised.

“I don't need a name.”

“I contributed.”

“Are you sure?”

“The data is clear.”

Nhien burst out laughing. She signed the consent section, then added a line: **Do not use for advertising without asking.**

“This line is for both,” she said.

"Okay."

The next day, the school announced that room 3C would be retained for at least a year, with the general budget. SoundSeed completely withdraws the right to use, Ha Audio sponsors the equipment according to the public appendix. Vu Tan filed a lawsuit, but the lawyer said the file was weak.

The news gradually changed to something else. The cut clip is still available on some accounts, but a correction has been included. Duy doesn't read comments anymore. The same goes for Nhien.

In the mailbox, a new file appeared from an unprecedented address. There was no threat, just the sound of a key falling and a sentence:

“The person behind the door is still at school.”

Duy wants to investigate. Ms. Mai said she would report it to the school and not monitor it herself. They save the file, then go back to collecting the map.

There are secrets that don't go away. But now they no longer control the room.

After the listening session, administrators opened a small question-and-answer session for students who did not enter the auditorium. Nhien and Duy answered every question, even the difficult ones. One friend asked why they didn't release the entire tape to prove it. Duy said the right to remain silent also needs to be protected right to speak.

Another friend asked if Minh Quang was trustworthy. Nhien replied: "Trust is not granted once. It is a series of actions that can be checked."

Ms. Mai added that the school is also responsible for leaving the old room and account unmanaged.

Minh Quang signed the equipment transfer record. Aunt Huong signed to receive part of the radio for the community workshop. Bao and Ngoc join the security team. Those who once stood outside the door must now learn to stand in the process.

Duy kept a copy of "The Letter Without Envelope" in a secret warehouse. He heard no more during the day. Nhien did not ask.

They focused on perfecting the new music. The sound of the train from the studio connects with the sound of the school bell. Duy wanted to add the sound of the key, Nhien suggested reducing the volume. The two tried many versions, asking a small group of listeners before choosing.

Lam named the preview version "No One Cuts It arbitrarily". Khang said the name was too long. Nhien replied: "A clear name is easy to remember."

At the end of the week, they post a transparent description: audio source, author, conditions of use, contact person. No advertising sentences. The number of listens increases slowly, but the response is of better quality.

One teacher sent a letter saying the music helped her class talk about privacy. One friend sent a message saying he asked his friend's permission before posting the video. Small changes prove that the club is not just solving an old problem.

In the mailbox, the anonymous user sent a "thank you". No attached files. Nhien replied with the word "received".

That short message stays in the mailbox longer than the threatening files. Not because it's mysterious, but because it doesn't require them to do anything extra. Some people just want to know that their voice has arrived.

Nhien puts this principle into the report: not every contact needs to be turned into content. A thank you note can be kept separate.

Duy and Lam arrange the distribution schedule for the new semester. Khang trained two 10th graders. Ms. Mai asked the school to open a short course on sound rights. Minh Quang sponsored the printing costs of the document, which did not appear on the cover.

Room 3C has a new clock. Aunt Huong brought the old one and placed it next to it. The two cars ran a little differently, but no one immediately fixed it. Nhien said it was a way of reminding that each person's time does not always coincide.

Duy agreed, then recorded the sounds of two watches. One slow beat, one fast beat, then gradually closer. He didn't know if it would be used in the music or not; They wait for comments.

The month-end broadcast ended with the question: "What do you want to hear tomorrow?" The mailbox filled up before Lam could turn off the phone.