Chapter 17 — The Stage of the Unsaid

That evening, Anh Thu and Kien decided to go to Ms. Huong to tell the whole story, realizing that this was no longer a problem they could solve alone in silence. Ms. Huong listened with a serious expression, anger clearly visible in her eyes at that cruel threatening behavior.

"This is serious cyberbullying," she said, her voice sharp. "We need to report this to the school board immediately, and if necessary, to the authorities."

"But if we report it, will that cause the threat actor to release the video immediately?" Kien asked, his voice filled with worry.

Ms. Huong pondered for a moment before answering. "I can't guarantee that it won't happen. But I believe, letting fear control our decisions only gives the threat actor more power. If you're truly ready, perhaps the best way is to proactively control the situation, instead of letting it control us."

Kien remained silent, carefully considering that proposal. He remembered what Anh Thu had told him just a few hours ago — that he was no longer alone, that this time, he had a whole team ready to stand by his side.

"I think," he said finally, his voice still shaking but with a new resolve, "maybe, it's time for me to stop letting fear control my life. If this threat really does release that video, I will face it, with the support of everyone here."

Ms. Huong nodded, her eyes filled with pride at that amazing growth. "I'm proud of you, Kien. I will report the incident to the school board tomorrow, and coordinate with the school's information technology department to try to find the origin of that anonymous account."

The next morning, when news of the online threat was reported to the school board, the school immediately launched an investigation, coordinating with the technical team to try to identify the person behind the anonymous account. While waiting for the results of the official investigation, Ms. Huong also decided to hold a closed meeting with the entire club's board of directors, not revealing specific details about the content of the threat, but emphasizing the importance of solidarity and mutual support during this sensitive period before the festival.

That meeting, although not mentioned by name, unintentionally made Gia Bach feel extremely uneasy. Sitting in the last row, he heard Ms. Huong talk about "a serious incident related to cyberbullying" that the school was investigating. It felt like each word was digging deep into his guilty conscience.

After the meeting, Gia Bach hurriedly left the hall and went to a deserted corner of the campus to calm down his chaotic spirit. He pulled out his phone and quickly deleted the anonymous account he had used to send the threatening message, his hands shaking in fear of the possibility of being discovered.

"I've gone too far," he whispered to himself, his voice filled with panic. "I need to stop, now."

But even though he deleted his account, he still couldn't erase the feeling of guilt that was tearing at his heart, as well as the constant fear of being discovered at any time. He sat down in a corner of a deserted bench, holding his head with both hands. For the first time in many weeks, tears of true regret fell, not only because of fear of the consequences, but because of the clear realization that the person he had become in the past weeks was completely foreign to his former self - a person who always believed in fairness, always trying to achieve success with his own true abilities.

That afternoon, when the practice session continued, the atmosphere in the club was still filled with tension from the morning meeting, although no one other than Anh Thu, Kien and Ms. Huong knew the entire incident. Kien, although still a little nervous, regained some of the necessary concentration, performing a scene full of emotions so realistic that even Ms. Huong had to nod with satisfaction.

"You did great today," she said after practice, her voice full of encouragement. "I believe, whatever happens next, you are strong enough to face it."

Kien nodded, glanced at Anh Thu standing nearby, his eyes filled with deep gratitude for her unceasing support throughout the past turbulent days. Unbeknownst to him, the person behind that threat is now struggling alone with his own conscience, in an internal battle whose outcome is still unpredictable.

That night, when Anh Thu returned home, she decided to tell her father the whole incident, without hiding any details. Mr. Duc Thang, with many years of experience as a lawyer, listened attentively, his face gradually becoming serious.

"This is a serious violation of the law," he said, his voice sharp. "Threats and mental blackmail based on sensitive personal information - if the identity of the person behind it is found, it can be completely handled according to current legal regulations."

"I'm worried that if I make a big deal about it, the video will be more likely to be spread," Anh Thu admitted, her voice filled with concern.

"I understand your concerns," he replied, his voice softening. "But I think the best way to protect Kien is not to suffer silently, but to act wisely and organizedly. If the school needs more legal support during the investigation process, I am ready to advise for free."

That sincere suggestion made Anh Thu touched by his father's obvious change - from someone who always tried to protect his daughter by controlling him, he has now learned how to support her with what he does best. "Thank you, Dad," she said, her voice choked up. "I will inform Miss Huong about your proposal."

The next morning, when Anh Thu conveyed that information, Ms. Huong could not hide her relief. "This is truly a valuable support," she said. "With professional legal advice, we will have a more solid basis to thoroughly handle this case, regardless of the results of the technological investigation."

The news of that new support brought a new wave of hope to both Kien and Anh Thu, although the pressure before the festival continued to weigh heavily on both of their shoulders. That afternoon, the school's information technology team announced a small development — they were able to identify that the anonymous account sending the threatening messages had logged in from the school's own wifi network, right before practice last Wednesday afternoon, significantly narrowing the scope of suspicion to only those present at the school at that time.

"This is an important clue," Ms. Huong said when she broke the news to Anh Thu and Kien in a private meeting. "The school is continuing to compare security cameras and attendance lists to further narrow the scope."

"Should we wait for the results of the official investigation?" Kien asked, his voice still a little uneasy.

"I think that's the most correct approach," Ms. Huong replied. "We should not arbitrarily suspect or accuse anyone without solid evidence. That will only cause more unnecessary division within the club."

Anh Thu nodded in agreement, although in his heart, doubts about Gia Bach still lingered. She decided that instead of letting that suspicion dictate her actions, she would continue to treat him normally, waiting for the results of the official investigation before drawing any conclusions.

In the evening, when Kien sent Anh Thu home as usual, the two walked in silence for a long time before Kien spoke, his voice full of thought. "Whatever happens next," he said, "I want you to know, having you by my side through these difficult days has been the most precious thing I've ever had."

Anh Thu smiled, held his hand tightly, his eyes filled with warmth and determination. "We'll get through it together," she said, "just like we always have, since the first day we met."

The two continued to walk under the dim streetlights, carrying a fragile but resilient hope in their hearts, heading towards the challenging final days before the regional festival officially began, unaware that the truth about the identity of the person behind that threat, would soon be revealed in a way that neither of them could have predicted.