October passed quickly, and November is knocking on every door and bringing the chilly feeling of late autumn to every corner.

November is also the month that students enthusiastically discuss the repertoire for Teachers' Day - November 20. In recent years, Van Thac's High School has been actively promoting its image to attract more new students. This occasion is one of the most ideal events to do that. The school administrators require the upcoming performances to not only meet the KPI but also make an effort to win as many votes as possible from the school's teachers and judges. The rewards, in return, will include souvenirs and cash which make the young even more excited.

The homeroom teacher of class 10D5 suggests that the students should choose a play from the high school literature curriculum. After ages of considerately considering every single play, the class has not reached the final decision. The teacher, to solve the problem quickly, is about to have students draw lots. All of a sudden, Thuy raises her hand.

“Miss, how about Romeo and Juliet? Van Thac knows how to play the trumpet."

Immediately, the whole class turns to look at Van Thac. Some students coming to class early confirm that he can play the trumpet well.

“Trumpet? That's sound good." - The teacher agrees, “But is trumpet only ok? Does anyone else know how to play other musical instruments?

The whole class stir and turn to each other to ask, but they all shake their heads. The music of this play is not easy, you can't do it just by knowing how to play it.

"Miss" - Thac raises his hand - "Ngoc Lam knows how to play the violin."

This time, all eyes turn towards the excellent students at the top of the grade. It is not strange to everyone that Van Thac knows how to play musical instruments, but Ngoc Lam playing an instrument is absolutely a different image in their mind.

Ngoc Lam turns to glare at Thac. "Oops", Thac's heart jumps wildly in his chess. A few days ago, Ngoc Lam's father and older brother threatened him and forbade him to come close to her. They even especially emphasized that he was not allowed to mention trivial musical matters. But now, not only has he called her by name, but also has he recommended her to play musical instruments with him.

“Ngoc Lam?” - The homeroom teacher looks unconfident about what she's heard - “Can you play a musical instrument?”

Before Ngoc Lam can open her mouth to refuse, a knock on the door from outside interrupts the conversation. The teacher quickly walks out. From Ngoc Lam's seat, it's not clear enough for her to see who is having a conversation with the teacher, but she can vaguely hear something about the play and music playing. A few minutes later, witnessing the teacher returning to the classroom and calling Ngoc Lam out.

The person waiting outside is Mr Woods.

“Ngoc Lam is more than capable of that play, but it depends on whether she agrees or not.” He talks to the homeroom teacher once he sees Ngoc Lam walking towards them. "Or you just go inside the classroom to discuss further with others, and I'll talk to her for a while."

The teacher and student are sitting on a random stone bench along the hallway. Noisy noises echoed from the classrooms. Occasionally, a burst of laughter comes from some class.

“Mr Woods…” - Ngoc Lam finds it difficult to start a conversation “Recently… how are you doing?”

“Good, as always” - Mr Woods replies - “It's been a while, hasn't it? Five years? You are so much bigger.”

"Yes."

“Your school invited me to be in the judges to the Teacher's Day performances, just in case your brother asks.”

"I see."

“Does that kid Van Thac bother you a lot?” - Mr Woods changes the topic to her classmate.

"He's a bit annoying" - Ngoc Lam doesn't hesitate to tell the truth - "But I can see with my bare eyes that he has a passion for music."

“Is that right?” - The teacher laughs - “The day he deliberately imitated your technique, I recognized it immediately. Well…"

After speaking, the teacher stands up

“I don't intend to persuade you to return to the world that wounded you. But that kid, if he's so annoying, just tell me. Now, go to your class.” After saying that, the man leaves right away.

"Mr Woods!"- Ngoc Lam's sudden call stops Mr Woods walking - "Van Thac made you realize he was imitating me, right? Then why…?”

“Oh, I almost forgot huh? Next week, K and M will come over.” - Teacher Lam avoids Ngoc Lam's question - "Maybe they will find you. His wife and he missed you so much!"

Ngoc Lam returns to class while everyone is still discussing excitedly. Van Thac is asking his homeroom teacher to let him ask Luyen and Thuyen to pre-record the background music for him to play the trumpet in the play. It may need consideration. After all, the two friends are not his schoolmates and have the advantage of being students at the Conservatory of Music, so the chance his suggestion gets accepted is visibly low.

As soon as Ngoc Lam enters the classroom, everybody's attention is on her again, making her uncomfortable. She ignores their eyes and is on her way to her seat as usual.

The activity period quickly passes as the bell rings. Students rush out of the classroom like bees.

--------------------

Van Thac runs to the park next to the Conservatory. Luyen and Thuyen have been back home for a few days. All three eat lunch together, rest and practise as they had done before.

In just one month of travelling like a shuttle with the orchestra, Luyen and Thuyen have become noticeably more mature. It seems they have started to learn on their own more, and Thac has gradually shortened the distance between his two friends, also.

“Ha ha ha ha! My son! My son! My son!" - Luyen pats on the back of Thac, who has just gone out of breath with a piece of music that makes him almost vomit blood.

“Stop it!” - Thac avoids Luyen's hand

"But" - Thuyen says - "You still can't harmonize with us 100%"

"He has to practice in a proper orchestra" - Luyen explains to Thac - "You see, just by interacting with a few orchestras, our levels have already soared."

"Yeah?" - Thuyen seems to realize something then turns to Thac - "You've only met Ngoc Lam for about two months, but you've been improving so quickly."

“Wowwww,” both friends said in chorus, looking at Van Thac “Inspirational!"

Realizing the two friends' hidden meaning behind their words, Thac clears his throat

“You guys… how long do you think it will take me a chance to join the orchestra?”

Luyen and Thuyen look at each other for a moment and then look at Thac

"Right"

"Now!"

“Let's be honest with each other!”

“Now you can go straight to the Conservatory without any worries!”

“In the orchestra, you have to be in the reserve team for a while.”

“When Luyen and I joined, our levels were worse than yours!”

Luyen sits scratching her chin and thinking for a while

"I see you're not a guy without any ability"

"What you need is the environment" - Thuyen also scratches his chin

“But why the teacher hasn't let you enter the Conservatory yet,”

“We don't know!”

That doesn't mean Thac's progress is too slow. The past two months since he met Ngoc Lam have proven one fact: He needs a suitable push to develop. The more Van Thac thinks about it, the more confused he feels about what Mr Woods has taught him.

"Speaking of teachers, did you know that he was a judge for my school's November 20 performance?"

“For real?” - Luyen and Thuyen ask at the same time

“Mr Woods came out of nowhere to join the judges for the school-level competition.”

“Is it be because…”

In their minds, the name Ngoc Lam automatically comes up.

"The teacher called Ngoc Lam to talk this morning" - Thac says as if he's confirming what they are thinking.

“Don't you tell me he's planning to let Ngoc Lam reappear!” Luyen frowns

“The legendary genius reappears in a school performance? Does that sound too incomparable?" Thuyen gets confused and then laughs to himself.

The boys stay silent.

"Right!" Luyen exclaims

"What?" - Thuyen and Thac ask together

“Before we started touring, I had seen Mr Woods talking to someone on the phone. He looked very mysterious.”

"Who is who?" - the other two ask together

“How could I know?” Luyen replies

“Forget it, keep practising!” - Thac ends the conversation.

--------

At an airport on the other side of the world.

“Honey, it's time.” - A woman with reddish brown hair walked up to a man waiting in an airport cafe.

"Let's go." The man stood up straight off.

At a glance, one could see that they were a couple, both looking about 40-50 years old, the man with grey hair, the woman with a slim body in a knee-length dress. The two walked arm in arm to the ticket gate.

“We will meet Ngoc Lam again.”

The man looked at the woman and smiled.