Chapter 23 — Throwing the Ball Through the Rain

Mai Chi was invited to the provincial selection session on the day the team started practicing for the finals. She wants to go, but is afraid that people will think she quit the team. An told her to ask the team directly. Nhien summoned everyone and heard Mai Chi talk about the end of the schedule and the possibility of having to take a day off. No one answered immediately.

Vy was the first to speak: "Go ahead. If you don't try, we'll think you're a cage." Bap added that the team could film the empty chair scene to remember her. Mai Chi laughed and told him not to turn away from her when crying. Phong suggested adjusting the exercise so that the team does not depend on Mai Chi's throws. Ms. Hanh signed a confirmation of a flexible training schedule.

The day Mai Chi left, the practice team did not have the best shooter. An tried her position and missed a lot. Vy runs, Nhien calls the beat, Bap records. The team was slow but learned how to create other opportunities. At the end of the session, Mai Chi made a video call from the selection arena, her hair disheveled and her face red. She said she missed the final shot but was invited back.

Team shouted. Bap almost dropped the phone. An said Mai Chi didn't need to apologize for failing. Mai Chi replied that she knew, she just wanted to tell it so everyone could laugh along. Nhien said it was a way to keep the team.

Meanwhile, Phong checked the basketball board and saw that the screws were loose again. He told Ms. Hanh to close the yard an hour earlier. Some people complained, but An explained the risks and repair schedule. She didn't want the team to be seen as overdoing it, but safety shouldn't wait until someone falls.

Tran updates the monthly report, including the number of hours the yard must be closed for maintenance. Mr. Vinh responded that number affects efficiency. An replied that if ignored, the effect would only look good on paper. Mr. Vinh did not argue and asked the group to propose a separate maintenance fund. Phong created a materials table, Mai Chi remotely sent ideas to raise funds through the free throw session.

In the afternoon, An received a letter from her old coach: selection could begin in two weeks, coinciding with the handover time of the field. She looked at the calendar and saw that the two roads were no longer parallel but intersected. Nhien said she would not choose instead. An said she needed a night to think, then invited the whole team to practice free throws to raise funds. All agree.

The fundraiser was prepared like a small match. Each person receives a ballot, with voluntary contributions and those who do not want to be photographed. Bap made a scoreboard for the number of fruits entered but did not rank the participants. One parent asked why there was not an award for the best thrower. Mai Chi said the goal is to buy supplies for everyone, not to make anyone feel inferior.

It was raining, so they set up a tarp at the throwing line. Phong checked the ropes, Ms. Hanh limited the number of people standing at the same time. Tran placed the collection box where she could see it, and the two of them counted at the end of the day. Vy guided the children, while Nhien sat and wrote. An received one ballot without a name, five failed votes all year. The thrower laughed and said he contributed money by daring to try. An recorded "5 participations" instead of "0 points".

Mai Chi returned from extra class and saw that her mother had sent bread to the group. She laughed, but still asked Bap to write down the funding source. Bap wrote "Mai Chi's family, without conditions" and then gave the sign to her mother to sign. Mom signed and said just remember to eat on time. Nhien invited her to see how the team inspected the field, but she stayed longer than planned.

A former student came to contribute money and said he was the one who replaced the scoreboard in an old match. He didn't want to give his name, he just wanted to contribute because he didn't know who to ask. Tran gave him an anonymous feedback form, explaining that the data would not be used to guess identities. He wrote a page, writing down what was certain and what he had only heard about. Ms. Hanh received it privately and did not read it in public.

At the end of the day, the team announces income and expenditure and the number of participants. Not a big number, but enough to buy scoreboard circuits, wristbands, and a first aid kit. Mr. Vinh asked what if he lacks money next month. An said they would review what needs to be prioritized, but did not promise it would be enough. He nodded and wrote his answer into the record.

One parent offered to sponsor the entire uniform, but wanted to put a big business logo on the chest. Bap really liked it, Mai Chi asked if the team had the right to refuse. Ms. Hanh explained that sponsorship needs to comply with school regulations and not turn children into billboards. They thanked, offered to accept materials without logo or money with clear conditions. Parents thought about it and finally chose to buy a first aid box.

During the free-throw session, a friend came to watch in a wheelchair. The entrance to the yard has low steps but no ramp. Phong measured about, Tran informed the school board, An moved the registration desk near the gate. You don't want to be filmed, but want to contribute to the design. Vy led her friend to a safe viewing corner, while Lam tried to push a chair blocking the exit. The whole team realized that the field could not be called shared if it was only open.

They made a proposal for a temporary ramp made of boards with handrails, waiting for the official plan. The technician checked the load. Ms. Hanh only allowed it to be used when someone was on duty. You use the wheelchair to say the best viewing angle and ask for more space for the person accompanying you. An writes it all down in the plan, doesn't call you an "inspirational story".

Mai Chi returned from the selection session and said she missed the last shot but was given technical advice. She was happy because the coach said she could learn, not that she had to sacrifice everything. The team congratulated her by letting her choose the exercise, she chose to pass the bag to Vy. The two of them practice until the ball no longer bounces from their hands.

At the end of the day, the fund was less than expected because of purchasing more outreach supplies. Bap looked at the board and said the money had gone bad. An said the plan was better. Tran recorded the expense and explained why. Mr. Vinh responded that the budget needs to add an access item, not cut it. An saw a field kept not just for the fastest runner.

The board asked if the foundation could keep the classes free when funding decreased. The team suggests trying a model of contributing according to ability, with exemption vouchers for young children and people in need of support. One parent worried that the person receiving the exemption would be looked at differently. Tran suggested using colored tickets without a reason, only the person in charge knows. Huyen tried the sample and said it didn't make her feel marked.

Mai Chi returned on the day of checking the scoreboard circuit. She brought with her a note from the coach about comparing numbers. Phong reads and adds to the checklist. An asked her if she was tired. Mai Chi said yes, but wanted to sit for a while. No one pulled her into the exercise right away. The team places chairs outside the running track, so people who need a break don't have to ask.

Bap made a video introducing the fund, only filming the collection box, expense table and hand counting money. One commenter wanted to see the face of the person receiving the benefits. Bap replied that children's image rights are more important than the emotions of the video. An watched the edit and saw that she had learned to omit scenes that were easy to get views.

Phong tested the fixed ramp option using paper drawings. The technician said we needed more handrails and anti-slip surfaces. Lam asked if he could help measure it. Phong allowed under supervision. Both measured slowly, recorded a mistake once and then did it again. An included the drawings in the yard repair plan, not promising a deadline without a budget.

At the end of the week, the money was enough to buy three more first aid boxes. Bap looked at the board and said the team wasn't rich but knew what they were buying. Tran said that's how the budget becomes a responsibility. An placed one box at the gate, one in the warehouse and one in the children's area, recording the date of inspection.

They set up a short first aid session with the medical staff. She did not let the children act out the falling scene, only taught them how to call an adult, keep space and not arbitrarily move the person who is in pain. Huyen asked what if the injured person said "it's okay". The medical lady replied that she still had to ask again, because someone she knew had to endure it. An wrote that question on a reminder sheet and placed it next to the tape box.

Bap wanted to record an instructional video, but three sixth graders didn't want to reveal their voices. He switched to subtitles and a picture of a hand. Phong adjusted the lighting, Tran checked the words. The video is shorter than expected, but everyone understands the first step. An sent a preview to those who appear, waiting for their approval before posting. One person texted to change the word "fall" to "may get hurt". Bap repaired it immediately.

That night, the post received few comments but many messages asking for the large print version. Tran printed more and put it in the gate compartment. An did not see herself as building a brand; She saw that they were leaving a bridge for the next person to come.

That bridge starts from a tape box, but does not end there.

On the first day of testing, Tran opened all three boxes in front of two sixth graders. One box was missing gauze, one box had enough, the third box had expired bandages. They suggested changing the location and writing the date more clearly. The nurse praised the children for not touching the medicine without asking. An realized the best lessons don't come from a finished video, but from people being able to practice seeing a flaw and speaking up.