Day after day, the door of Thiên Ân's house opened again, and every morning he put on a different outfit.
Energetic mornings followed by exhausted afternoons passed one after another.Time waited for no one — and just like that, three months had gone by, with only exactly three weeks left until the exam day.
Inside Alex's room — decorated in a classic European style — the afternoon light slanted through the lace curtains, laying a thin honey-like golden streak across the piano keys.The room carried a faint scent of old wood, mixed with the delicate jasmine fragrance rising from the porcelain cup placed on the table.The ticking of the wall clock echoed steadily, blending with the soft breeze brushing against the window — quiet, yet containing something sacred.
The piano sounded, blending with the young but earnest voice:
"A… a… á… a… à…""Ting… A… a… á… a… à…"
Then fell silent.
Alex — his teacher — sat before the piano, gently turning toward the boy standing and breathing softly.Sweat still clung to Thiên Ân's face, a few wet strands of hair sticking to his forehead.The orange tint of the afternoon sun washed over that face, highlighting those smoky violet eyes that shone with determination — like a gemstone hidden beneath ashes.
"Alright, that's enough for today."He closed the piano lid, his deep voice resonating in the warm wooden room."It's been three months. Only three weeks left until the performance. Have you chosen a song for the upcoming showcase yet?"
Thiên Ân paused.Since he began learning to sing, he had improved greatly — steadier breath, brighter tone — but that question made him momentarily uneasy.
"Um… I haven't chosen yet. I was thinking of singing Amazing Grace again."His voice grew smaller, his gaze dropping, fingers lightly gripping the hem of his shirt as if looking for an answer there.
Alex watched him in silence for a moment.In the golden light, his eyes sharpened for a brief second, then softened.
"Alright," he said slowly. "Your task today is to find a song that truly suits you. Tell me tomorrow, understood?"
Thiên Ân nodded softly."Yes."
Leaving Alex's house, he rode his bike aimlessly along a sunlit street.The last rays of the day filtered through the row of trees, scattering shimmering patches of gold onto the road.The sounds of the city — car horns, voices, the ding-ding of an ice cream bike passing by — blended with the gentle evening breeze, forming a melody of everyday life.
In his mind, Alex's voice lingered — "A song that truly suits you."
"What kind of song… would suit me… I'm not good at choosing songs…"
He murmured, letting the wind brush softly across his cheek.
After a short while, the phone in his pocket vibrated.Thiên Ân pulled over to the sidewalk and answered:
"Hello?"
On the other end was Đức Minh's slightly husky, calm voice tinged with excitement:"Thiên Ân, are you done with your lesson?"
"Yeah, I just finished, I'm on my way home."
And then, another voice burst in — lively and noisy — Hoàng Nam, who always seemed overcharged with energy.
"Hey, let me talk too!" he yelled into the phone, making Đức Minh wince.
"Move aside, talk properly for once!"Đức Minh shoved him away, but Hoàng Nam — nearly one meter eighty-seven tall — just grinned innocently like nothing happened.
"Haizz…" Đức Minh sighed heavily, then continued:"We're off today. Want to hang out? Let's go to Hoàn Kiếm Lake. What do you think?"
Thiên Ân hesitated for a moment.He planned to go home and find a song, but then again — relaxing first and thinking later didn't sound like a bad idea.He replied:
"Okay. Where are you guys? I'll come."
Đức Minh sent the location.Thiên Ân informed his mom, then pedaled toward the meeting point.
The summer streets were lively.The smell of baked pastries, lotus tea, and traffic fumes mixed into the warm air.Lights from the shops flickered on one by one, casting shimmering gold across the road.
Thiên Ân stopped in front of a sidewalk iced-tea stall — where the two boys were already waiting.
One wore a short-sleeved polo with mesh details, dark navy sports pants, and a white crossbody bag printed with Clover card motifs.The other wore a black Adidas sports jacket over a white tee, dark shorts, and a backwards cap — comfortable yet slightly rebellious.
The two were absorbed in their phones, game sounds ping ping blending with the rhythm of the street.
Đức Minh: "Hey Nam, you're stealing my blue buff!"Hoàng Nam: "Azz, sorry! The enemy Quilen was about to steal it so I— I panicked!"
Their bickering made passersby chuckle.
The bicycle rolled to a stop right in front of them, and the slanting sunlight fell across Thiên Ân's face — today he wore a casual streetwear style: a cream bomber jacket, white tee, and black pants, looking fresh and a bit cool amidst the hot air.
He watched the two completely unaware of his arrival.Only when the screen flashed "Defeat" did they look up with pitiful expressions.
Hoàng Nam jumped in surprise when he saw him:"Holy— you scared me! Thiên Ân, when did you get here?!"
Đức Minh was startled too and quickly hid his phone.
Thiên Ân stood with arms crossed, looking at their dumbfounded faces, speaking lazily:"Done? Can we go now?"
Both nodded frantically.
"Then let's go," Đức Minh said, slinging on his backpack.The two grabbed their bikes and hurried off.
Hoàn Kiếm Lake, late afternoon.Tourists everywhere, crowded food stalls, street vendors shouting, the mouth-watering smell of grilled food drifting from the lakeside.The last sunlight faded, giving way to a pale purple sky reflected in the rippling water.
Thiên Ân slowed down — he hadn't expected it to be this crowded.It felt like the entire Thiên Hòa nation had gathered here.He slightly regretted agreeing to come — but he didn't want to ruin his friends' excitement.
Đức Minh turned to ask:"Do you want to walk around first and then eat, or eat first then look around?"
Hoàng Nam immediately answered:"Obviously walk around first THEN eat!"
Thiên Ân nodded, silently agreeing with Nam.
"Alright then, let's go," Đức Minh said, accommodating them both.
The three walked while taking in the scenery.Lights from cafés and hanging lanterns reflected brilliantly across the water.City sounds, people's voices, and faint guitar music somewhere blended into a vibrant soundtrack.
In the crowd, a group gathered around a small open plaza, electronic music pulsing loudly.The three exchanged curious glances and squeezed their way through.
In the center of the circle, a group of young dancers were performing while filming a video, the livestream lights shining on their bright faces.The music played — a mix of lo-fi and R&B, dreamy yet seductive.
The wanderer passes through a dream like drifting clouds,The wind brushes someone's hair across a fading field.We feel our hearts fall into some distant void,Only the old guitar echoes in the long night...
The voice wove with the steady beat, dancers spinning on the stone tiles.Their hair swayed with the breeze, shirts fluttering with each turn — stage lights scattering like silver scales.The atmosphere was lively yet carried a strange nostalgia, like someone telling the story of their youth.
The three pressed closer and finally reached the front.At first, Thiên Ân wasn't very interested, but the more he watched, the more the melody pulled him in.
Some nameless feeling rose — half nostalgia, half yearning, half like finding something that belonged to him.
Our hearts drift, in falling rain, beneath the sky,Only dreams remain, gently rocking a weary soul...
...
The song ended.The dancers bowed, sweat glistening on their foreheads, smiles radiant.Applause erupted across the street.Lights, wind, and Thiên Ân's heartbeat blended into one.
He asked softly, his voice almost faint:"What song is this?"
Beside him, Đức Minh clapped and answered:"Oh, that's Wild Dream, the current hit by Lê Đức Hữu."
Thiên Ân repeated the name quietly — Wild Dream— as if engraving it into memory.Perhaps in that very moment, he had unknowingly found what he needed.
The crowd dispersed.Hoàng Nam, who earlier was all smiles, now clutched his stomach:"I'm starving…"
Đức Minh laughed, rubbing his belly:"Alright, let's eat. I know a really good place, let's go!"
Hoàng Nam cheered instantly.Thiên Ân calmed the lingering emotion in his chest and followed his two friends, merging into the glowing night crowd.