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Short filmTranscript
00:00There are places, outside quiet as a blank sheet of paper, but inside are lines of words that no one reads out loud.
00:10I came to this place not to break a system, but to hear a truth being eliminated behind glass walls.
00:17They protect me, silence. They protect me from messing up everything that is stable.
00:23But since when is silence a sign of truth? And then I stand before them, in front of the whole hall, not necessary to give a speech, but to remove a layer of mask.
00:37Because of repetition when the truth does not require anyone to believe it, it just needs to be said.
00:46There are walls made of concrete. There are walls made of eyes. But the truth is, always passable. If we have enough frames and walk slowly.
00:59This morning, the sky is surprisingly clear. Not a cloud. Not a strong wind. Lakeshore City seems to protect itself with a layer of surprising peace.
01:10On the campus of the prestigious high school, the flags are falling, relaxing with the breath of time.
01:19A grand ceremony is being prepared. The equipment is neatly arranged. Each red ribbon is hung on the fence.
01:27The expression is stretched. Proud to be the most comprehensive school in the area.
01:33Backstage, the technical staff is busy checking the sound, lighting and live transmission.
01:39The live broadcast system is connected to hundreds of schools, parents and local media.
01:47Clara is wearing a white dress, covering her blue blazer.
01:52She holds the speech pad, invitingly looking at her watch.
01:56Her face is tense in a fake perfection.
02:00Everything had to flow really well, like a script that had been written.
02:04A moment later, the MC stepped onto the stage.
02:08His voice rang out clearly through the loudspeaker.
02:12Ladies and gentlemen, dear parents, dear students.
02:16Today's ceremony is an opportunity for us to honour the efforts, achievements and commitment to comprehensive education development that this school has been pursuing.
02:26William stood at the far end, behind the glass wall, overlooking the schoolyard.
02:32He was wearing a white shirt, a neat jacket.
02:36There was no visitor card, no name tag.
02:39In his hand, he held a small leather bag, inside which were all the evidence he had collected over the years.
02:48James approached and said softly,
02:50William looked at the void that was filling up with students and teachers.
03:01Those who were waiting for an important ceremony did not know that.
03:06In just a few minutes, a layer of mask would be peeled off in the light of day.
03:12He knocked his head.
03:13Not fast.
03:14Not slow.
03:15Then he walked briskly towards the stage.
03:17The MC had just finished his long introduction, inviting the head of the cymbal, Clara, to step up to the stage.
03:26She adjusted her collar, step by step, to her usual micro-style.
03:31Her smile was cultivated just enough.
03:34Not too intimate, nor too cold.
03:38Each sentence was carefully chosen.
03:40We pride ourselves on building a learning environment, where every student has the opportunity to develop.
03:47We not only teach knowledge, but also nurture character.
03:52Below, some students were staring.
03:55Some teachers were silently looking away.
03:58William was silently waiting near the stage.
04:01He felt his pulse slow down.
04:04But inside, there was an irresistible energy, like a large stream of water gathering before a storm.
04:11Clara finished her speech to thunderous applause.
04:15But before the MC could step forward, William's calm voice rang out from the stage.
04:22Excuse me.
04:23I would like to make a small discovery.
04:26The audience was asked to turn around.
04:29Some recognized him as the independent education consultant mentioned in the panelists' list.
04:36Clara paused.
04:39Her eyes began to move.
04:41There was something familiar about him.
04:44In the way he stood upright and in that deep voice.
04:47William stepped onto the stage.
04:50No paper.
04:51No support.
04:52He just placed his leather bag on the wood, looking straight at the crowd below.
04:56I thanked the school and the Allutra group for inviting me to attend today's ceremony.
05:03But instead of saying good things, I want to talk about something that no one here has said.
05:09There was no time for silence.
05:12Some people began to whisper.
05:14Clara looked at him, her eyes suspicious.
05:18William opened his bag and took out a small tape recorder.
05:21He turned it on.
05:23Teacher Amelia's voice rang out.
05:25Lydia is not that weak.
05:27But she was forced to study because she did not meet the image standards.
05:32They did not want to affect the school's excellent report card.
05:36Then came Evan's voice, trembling, tense.
05:41We are supposed to smile when visitors come.
05:44To say thank you for the comprehensive learning opportunity.
05:47Even when I feel myself gradually disappearing from myself, followed by a dialogue between two students, taken from a recording in the internal gallery.
05:59Just eliminate some of the low-scoring children.
06:04I will keep the best ratio.
06:06That's good enough for the media.
06:08The whole hall fell into a dead state.
06:12Some parents looked at each other.
06:14Some students were confused.
06:16Their sleeves were tight.
06:18William kept repeating.
06:19I didn't come here to start the ceremony.
06:22I came here to remind you that if a place called education hides the truth, it is no longer education.
06:30It is a stage.
06:32And the students are just reluctant speakers.
06:37Clara stood still.
06:38Her face was pale.
06:39Her mouth opened as if to say something.
06:43But then stopped.
06:45She looked straight at William.
06:47And for the first time she realized.
06:50She couldn't take her eyes off that face.
06:53His height.
06:54His familiar voice.
06:56In that brief moment, Clara felt memories rushing back like a waterfall.
07:02William.
07:03The man she had known ten years ago.
07:05The man who had said he would change the world in his own way.
07:09The man she had left because she in front of hundreds of people.
07:14In the morning sunlight.
07:16With eyes that were so straight that they could not confirm.
07:19She took a step back.
07:21Not afraid.
07:22But confused.
07:24In her head echoed the conversation a few days ago.
07:28When she had blandly refused a strange man's invitation to coffee.
07:33It was him.
07:34It was William.
07:36Below the sound of tables began to increase.
07:39Reporters in the area windows recording continuously.
07:44A few cameras panned to William.
07:46His name was whispered.
07:48A parent asked quietly.
07:51Is this William Johnson?
07:53The president of W.J. Manhattan?
07:56James stood at the end of the stage.
07:58His hand lightly holding the edge of his shirt.
08:01He did not take his eyes off William.
08:03There was no need to say anything.
08:06There was no need for a document.
08:09It was time for William to step into the light in his own way.
08:14On stage, William looked out at the entire hall.
08:17His voice was not high.
08:19Not harsh.
08:21But there was a heavy tone that could not be ignored.
08:24I do not represent any organization today.
08:29I am just a former student.
08:31From being forced to silence.
08:33And I don't want any other child to feel that way again.
08:36A single hand cry rang out from the student area.
08:40Then another.
08:41And then.
08:42A series of hand powders began to rise.
08:45Not in unison.
08:47Not in a loud voice.
08:49But with a heavy weight.
08:50Clara looked down at her hands.
08:53Her nails were quietly digging into her palms.
08:57She didn't know what she was feeling.
08:59Data?
09:00Regret?
09:01Or?
09:02A sense of disorientation for the first time in years of being a manager?
09:07William pulled a small piece of paper from his pocket.
09:11He looked down at it for a second.
09:13Then zoomed in again.
09:14I was once asked.
09:16Is there any way to end the false truth in this educational system?
09:21He paused.
09:23Then said slowly.
09:25You can't break the truth with money.
09:27But you can cover it up.
09:29Until someone comes along.
09:32No one said anything.
09:34No one moved.
09:36The silence that filled the schoolyard was not a suffocating silence.
09:40But a silence that came when no one spoke.
09:43William relaxed his head.
09:45Then he stepped down from his speech.
09:48The MC froze.
09:50He did not continue the program.
09:52Clara had not moved from her position.
09:55Her face could have been destroyed by the layers of glass she had built herself.
10:00She watched William pass by.
10:02But did not call.
10:04No.
10:04No household registration.
10:07She knew.
10:08All this time was superfluous.
10:11Behind a small student.
10:13Evan.
10:13Evan.
10:14The boy got up.
10:15His voice small but clear.
10:17I want to thank.
10:19Because for the first time someone spoke so closely to me.
10:23The whole schoolyard fell silent.
10:26William paused.
10:27Turned his head.
10:28Smiled gently.
10:30Then continued to leave the ceremony.
10:32Like someone who did not need to win.
10:35Just needed the light to be beneficial right now.
10:38William Johnson stepped out of a silver grey electric taxi and stopped in front of the gate of a large school complex in the heart of Lakeshore City.
10:48The early autumn wind blew through, causing the maple trees to rustle and a few red leaves to fall lightly on his shoulders.
10:58With one hand holding a small leather suitcase and the other holding an invitation, William looked up at the shiny brass sign that read,
11:09Inspiration Academy, Lakeshore, in the morning light, this place was so quiet, so neat, so fake.
11:18The invitation was printed on thick paper, embossed in blue ink.
11:24We respectfully invite Mr. William Johnson, as a community education consultant, to participate in the Values Dialogue and Personality Development Programme.
11:34An anonymous title, just like the way he wanted to be present, he gently pushed the gate open and stepped inside.
11:43The students, dressed in light blue uniforms and dark blue ties, filed into the classroom in silence.
11:51The teachers who passed by nodded, but none paid any attention to the man in a white shirt, a thin wool coat, and casual trousers, as if he were just a lost parent.
12:04Walking through the main hall, William stopped.
12:08In the middle of the hall was a large poster welcoming the new principal, a familiar face.
12:14Clara Whitmore, her, the girl who had dreamed of opening a school, who had written in her diary about how teaching was not a profession, but a way of life.
12:26The girl who had left him, because she believed he was too dreamy with ideals that didn't make money.
12:34William took a deep breath, not bitterly, just quietly.
12:38A meeting between the glass walls.
12:48The closed conference took place in a room with soundproof glass walls, where only a small group of sponsors and school board representatives were invited.
12:58William was introduced as Mr. WJ.
13:02No one recognized him.
13:04He sat at the end of the table, clasping his hands and listening quietly.
13:09Clara walked in.
13:11Her face was still beautiful, her eyes sharp, her gait confident.
13:16She wore a charcoal suit, her hair tied up high, and thin glasses.
13:22When she spoke, her voice was clear.
13:25We are creating an international standard environment, where students are trained to become future leaders.
13:32Not only intelligent, but also brave.
13:36But William heard something else.
13:39In every sentence he realized, something was off.
13:43Phrases like, talented human resource exploitation strategy.
13:48Optimizing the financial contribution coefficient from parents.
13:53Or, building student profiles that match investor needs.
13:58They rang like cold bells in his head.
14:02After the meeting, he pretended to forget his notebook, and turned back.
14:07And happened to see a conversation between Clara and a middle-aged man.
14:13Mr. Barnes, representative of the sponsoring group.
14:17Altogen Holdings, Clara whispered.
14:20We have completed 40% of the request package.
14:23Students who are not suitable for the standard A orientation will be redirected to other facilities.
14:31Mr. Barnes nodded.
14:33Good job.
14:35I know you don't let emotions interfere with your work.
14:38William stood behind the door.
14:41He didn't say anything.
14:43But in his heart, an old door had just opened.
14:47The door of trust.
14:49The next day, William asked to walk around the school grounds under the pretext of surveying the school environment.
14:59A literature teacher, named Ruth, quietly led him along.
15:04When no one was around, Ruth whispered.
15:07Are you sent from outside?
15:09Does anyone really hear the students anymore?
15:12William remained silent.
15:15During recess, he went to the cafeteria.
15:19A student.
15:20A skinny boy with glasses, sitting alone at the table.
15:24Had his food tray taken away by some other students and was laughed at.
15:30This guy doesn't have community achievement points.
15:33Is a bad student.
15:35Poor.
15:36So he has to eat leftovers.
15:38No one intervened.
15:40The teacher on duty looked nervously.
15:43Then turned away.
15:45William walked over and put his hand on the student's shoulder.
15:49He was stunned.
15:51William just whispered.
15:53No one chooses the circumstances of their birth.
15:56But you can choose how you stand up.
15:59That day, he asked for an internal memo from a librarian.
16:03The tables classified students according to their financial contributions.
16:08Media influence points.
16:10Profiles that can be developed into a brand.
16:13Each student was turned into a code number.
16:18Ahem.
16:19That night, a William sat in the backyard of the school.
16:31A place few people frequented.
16:33In his hand was a list of students oriented to transfer to another school.
16:38Clara walked over.
16:40She recognized him.
16:42William?
16:43The wind blew.
16:45Both of them were silent.
16:47She asked.
16:48What are you doing here?
16:50He looked up.
16:52Rather, I'm trying to remember why we wanted to build a school.
16:57Clara hesitated.
16:59Gone was the sharp principle.
17:01There was only a woman, weary, hiding her doubts.
17:06You know, I used to believe that if the system wasn't changed from within, it would be crushed by the system.
17:14William nodded slightly.
17:16But do you realize you're holding a knife?
17:19And cutting into children?
17:21Clara didn't answer.
17:24Her eyes were tearing up.
17:26William stood up, handing her a copy of the list of directed students.
17:31I didn't come here to expose anyone.
17:34I came here to ask.
17:36Does anyone still see students as human beings?
17:39She clutched the paper.
17:42No more words needed.
17:44Just a glance.
17:46And the cracks in the brick wall began to appear.
17:49The morning at Lakeshore was covered in a layer of mist.
17:52The air was cool.
17:54But inside William, everything felt uncomfortably cramped.
17:58He stood still in front of the gates of the prestigious high school he was infiltrating under the guise of trying to remain anonymous.
18:08The windows over grey gates opened, welcoming students in neat uniforms, trained smiles, and eyes trained to stare straight into any hope.
18:18Clara had no idea William was watching.
18:21She appeared on the school grounds with a confident demeanour, report card in hand, a moderate smile, and a steady pace.
18:30Everything here was constructed like a perfect play, and she was the main director.
18:36William was silent, hiding behind a poplar tree, his eyes watching every little movement.
18:43What he saw was not a school, but a model of control.
18:47He had begun to feel suspicious since last week.
18:50When a student named Lydia, a petite figure, with an evasive expression, had her scholarship temporarily revoked, there was no official announcement, no proper solution.
19:04She disappeared as if she had never existed.
19:08In a brief conversation with another student, William heard the sentence,
19:13Lydia doesn't have enough points to represent the school in this regional.
19:18We need someone with better results.
19:20He clearly remembered the chilling feeling at that time.
19:23Under the shell of excellence, something was glimpsed from within.
19:29William found Lydia's old guide, Amelia.
19:34They met at a small café a few streets away from the school.
19:38Amelia looked tired.
19:40Her eyes were absent-minded, but she still kept her sincerity.
19:44When William asked about Lydia, she looked around and said softly,
19:49I shouldn't say this.
19:52But Lydia was forced to drop out.
19:54She wasn't that weak.
19:56It's just, she didn't meet the image standards.
19:59They feared it would affect the school's success rate.
20:03William crushed the coffee in his hand.
20:06Who are they?
20:07The board of directors and… financial support.
20:11They didn't want the Gmail school to be a black mark in the news of achievements.
20:16A fierce anger rose.
20:19He couldn't believe that people who were supposed to put the students first
20:23could be more vulnerable.
20:24But things didn't stop there.
20:26Amelia said that there were a few other teachers who had spoken up.
20:30And just a few weeks later, they had resigned.
20:34No one had given a reason.
20:36No one had reported it.
20:38All the variables were lost as if they had never happened.
20:42I knew I would be suggested soon too.
20:46She smiled faintly.
20:48But I didn't want to be silent anymore.
20:50William didn't answer.
20:53He just silently turned on the recorder in his phone,
20:56letting the teacher's pained voice be recorded.
20:59That night, William returned to his temporary rented apartment.
21:03He sat alone in the dark, listening to the recording.
21:07Each sentence, each word echoed like a stab at trust.
21:12He knew this was no longer the school's job.
21:16It was a microcosm of a larger illness in this society.
21:20He decided to do something about it.
21:23But he knew he couldn't just confront it.
21:26He needed evidence.
21:28And most of all, he needed the truth from the people who were working hard, the students.
21:34Two days later, William began talking to a few students.
21:39He did not use the title of advisor or adult.
21:43He approached them during recess, speaking naturally, creating a sense of trust.
21:50One of the first to speak was a boy named Evan, slim, with deep-set eyes and a tendency to look down.
21:58When William asked about the atmosphere at school, Evan whispered,
22:02Here, we have to study well or disappear.
22:06That statement followed William all afternoon.
22:09He invited Evan to sit down and drink orange juice in the empty cafeteria.
22:14During the conversation, the boy told about students who lost their scholarships
22:19and were eliminated from the team because of a bad test.
22:23Even if those students tried hard, it didn't count.
22:28They said it was to maintain a well-rounded image.
22:32But then, who would dare to be wrong?
22:35William put his hand on the boy's shoulder and said softly,
22:39Do you want to help?
22:41Evan hesitated, then nodded.
22:44William handed him a pocket recorder and gave him careful instructions.
22:48He didn't want him to be in danger, but if he could record internal conversations,
22:53it would be important evidence.
22:55In the following days, William quietly compiled the data.
23:00He had recordings from teachers, students and internal emails
23:04that a technical staff member had accidentally shared.
23:08All of them led to one point.
23:11The system was being controlled not for education, but for reputation and sponsorship benefits.
23:17The corporation behind the school, Alutra Group, held a ceremony
23:22to honor the achievements of students and teachers at the weekend.
23:26They invited many important guests, media reporters, government representatives.
23:33William received an invitation to be a guest speaker from the organizing committee
23:39in the name of an educational consultant and with connections to several support funds.
23:46He accepted, but not to make flowery speeches.
23:51He had another plan.
23:52The night before the holiday, William sat with James, his trusted assistant, in a quiet bar.
23:59James had flown in from Manhattan when he received William's urgent message.
24:04Are you sure? James asked, his eyes filled with worry.
24:09Once you say it, you can't go back.
24:12William nodded slightly.
24:14He took out a file from his briefcase and handed it to James.
24:18If anything happens, give this to the press.
24:23James looked at him for a long time.
24:25Then he said softly, I'll be in the back of the hall.
24:29William smiled slightly.
24:31In the dim light of the bar, his eyes still shone like an unquenchable flame.
24:36On Saturday morning, the schoolyard was decorated splendidly.
24:41Red and white banners hung all over the walkways, banners with the words,
24:46Honouring outstanding students for the future of the country.
24:51The speakers played cheerful, cheery music.
24:55But to William, it all sounded like a forced prelude to a disguised performance.
25:01He arrived early, wearing a white shirt and a simple black jacket.
25:07No tie.
25:08No badge of honour.
25:10He sat in the guest row, right behind the row of Allutra group leaders.
25:15Clara walked past, her eyes quickly glancing at him like a stranger.
25:20She still didn't know who was sitting there.
25:23Everyone took their seats one by one.
25:26The schoolyard gradually quieted down.
25:29The ceremony began.
25:32The MC was a young, articulate teacher.
25:35He introduced each student's achievements with polished words.
25:39The students were called, stepping onto the stage with faces tense with pressure.
25:45Hands shaking as they received their certificates, smiling as if programmed.
25:50Among them, there was a girl named Myra, an eleventh grader.
25:55William knew that she had failed the semester test, but was still kept because she was a media representative.
26:03She had cried to her teacher that she couldn't stand having to pretend every day.
26:08And now, she was standing on stage, reading a speech that had been prepared in advance.
26:14I thank the school board for always creating conditions for us to develop comprehensively.
26:20Thank you for the support from Allutra group, for providing a quality educational environment.
26:27her voice gradually softened.
26:30Her eyes reddened.
26:31Her hands clenched the piece of paper.
26:34There was a moment.
26:36She stopped.
26:38William noticed the struggle in her eyes.
26:41But then, she still bowed her head, finished her last sentences, and left the stage to steady, emotionless applause.
26:51That was the moment William knew.
26:53He couldn't wait any longer.
26:55The MC introduced the next part.
26:58Speech from guest speaker, Mr. William Johnson, independent education consultant, representative of several youth development funds in Manhattan.
27:10Applause broke out.
27:12Clara turned to look, her eyes polite at first, then paused for a few seconds.
27:18Her expression changed slightly, but she still didn't notice anything unusual.
27:23William stepped up to the podium.
27:26He didn't have a printed speech.
27:29There was no grand opening, just a simple man standing before the crowd with his eyes looking straight ahead.
27:36He took a deep breath, and then began with a gentle sentence.
27:41I'm not here today to honor anything.
27:44I'm here to talk about things that have been hidden behind this glass wall.
27:49All eyes turned to him.
27:52I've been living here for the past few weeks.
27:54I've met students who were forced to quit because they weren't pretty enough for the transcript.
28:00I've talked to teachers who were fired for asking questions.
28:03I have evidence.
28:05And I'm not here to convince, but to present the truth.
28:09He opened the small bag he carried with him.
28:12Pulled out a tape recorder.
28:14Pressed the button.
28:16Emilia's voice rang out.
28:18Slow.
28:19Shaky.
28:20Then Evans.
28:21Then a conversation between two student managers.
28:24Furtive talk about the scholarship filter list.
28:28The schoolyard fell silent.
28:30Some of the Allutra leadership jumped to their feet.
28:33Some tried to make phone calls.
28:36Clara stood still.
28:38Her face was white.
28:40William looked at her.
28:41His eyes not blaming.
28:43Just a truth given.
28:45I don't need applause.
28:47He continued.
28:48I just want students to learn without having to act.
28:51Teachers to do their jobs without fear.
28:54And society is not painted with pretty numbers, but hollow.
28:58He bowed.
28:59Then stepped down from the podium while the hall had no time to react.
29:05James stood at the far end in a dark blue suit, nodding slightly as William passed by.
29:12He was ready for the consequences.
29:15Three days later, the media began to report.
29:20The recordings were released.
29:22Several major newspapers interviewed William.
29:25He appeared only once, then refused all calls.
29:29Allutra Group issued a statement denying the allegations.
29:33But the education inspectorate soon followed.
29:36An independent investigation was launched.
29:39Many teachers who had been forced to resign were called back.
29:43Students were invited to speak without being recorded.
29:46The wall of silence that had covered the school for years began to crack.
29:51Clara resigned.
29:53No one forced her.
29:55She left a short email.
29:57I used to believe I was doing the right thing.
30:00Now I'm not so sure.
30:02Sorry.
30:03There were no words.
30:05No big scandals.
30:07But internally, everyone knew.
30:10Something had really changed.
30:12A month later, William returned to Lakeshore.
30:16He didn't tell anyone.
30:18He didn't stop by the school.
30:20He just walked through the park behind.
30:23Where the kids were playing ball in the afternoon sun.
30:26He sat down on an old bench.
30:28A paper cup of coffee in his hand.
30:31Eyes looking into the distance.
30:34A moment later, there were light footsteps beside him.
30:38Clara.
30:39She was wearing a long beige coat.
30:42Her hair loose.
30:43No makeup.
30:44Her face no longer had the tough look of a principal.
30:49But a woman, learning to be honest with herself again.
30:52You knew from the beginning, right?
30:54She asked, not looking at him.
30:57William nodded slightly.
30:59I wanted to let it go.
31:01But then I saw Evan.
31:03Clara was silent for a long time.
31:07Then let out a long sigh.
31:09I used to think you would always be an unstable person.
31:14Now I see.
31:15It was me who wasn't brave enough.
31:18William didn't answer.
31:20He just smiled slightly.
31:22There was no resentment.
31:24No regret.
31:25Just two people.
31:27Sitting next to each other.
31:29As if they had grown up once more.
31:32Children's laughter.
31:33Sunlight filtering through the trees.
31:36No one said anything more.
31:38But the silence was not as heavy as before.
31:41The investigation moved faster than anyone could have imagined.
31:45Within the first week of the incident,
31:48a series of articles were published.
31:50Reporting irregularities in Lakeshore High School's selection process.
31:55The pressure for achievement.
31:57And the quiet intervention of the sponsoring corporation Elutra.
32:02The media was in a frenzy.
32:05But William said nothing.
32:07He let the facts speak for themselves.
32:10Elutra issued a statement denying any involvement.
32:14But it was not convincing enough.
32:16Several board members were suspended.
32:18And sponsorship deals were frozen.
32:21Clara, who had been the principal, formally resigned.
32:25She did not appear before the press.
32:28Did not make any corrections.
32:30And did not rebut.
32:32The school seemed quiet for a while.
32:35But in the silence, changes began to take shape.
32:38Teachers who had been forced out were invited back.
32:42They entered the new meeting room, where the new leader did not speak at length, but bowed his head and said one sentence.
32:52We were wrong.
32:53And we hope the teachers will give us a chance to correct it.
32:57A board was removed from the hallway.
33:00It had once read, excellence is the standard.
33:04In its place was a hand-drawn picture of a student.
33:07A small classroom.
33:09A few open books.
33:10A half-hearted but genuine smile.
33:13Students who had been forced to transfer schools, or lose their scholarships, were given official apologies.
33:21Some received their scholarships back.
33:23Some chose not to return.
33:25But all were given the right to choose.
33:28During an internal meeting, the new vice-principal took the microphone, his voice trembling.
33:35We will no longer be a school that is pretty on paper, but a place where people can make mistakes and learn how to correct them.
33:45A few weeks later, the weather began to get cold.
33:49The leaves turned yellow, then brown, then fell to the ground in every corner of Lakeshore High School.
33:56William returned to the city without notice.
34:00He walked along the old path, past the familiar trees, through the campus now devoid of rigid slogans.
34:07Only the sounds of children running and playing.
34:11The voices of teachers lecturing from open classrooms.
34:15He chose a stone bench at the end of the yard.
34:18Sat quietly.
34:19In his hand was a paper cup of coffee, half cold.
34:23His eyes followed a group of small students drawing with crayons on the tile floor.
34:28One child drew a giant fish, another a purple horizon.
34:33No one was warned.
34:35No one was corrected.
34:37There was only a very real, very fragile freedom.
34:41But beautiful.
34:43Light footsteps sounded behind him.
34:46William didn't need to turn around to know who it was.
34:50Clara sat down next to him, just enough distance away.
34:54She wore no makeup.
34:56Carried no documents.
34:58Just an unusually calm expression.
35:01The two of them were silent for a long time.
35:04Then Clara said,
35:06School has started again.
35:08Maybe…
35:09It's not too late.
35:11William nodded, not looking at her.
35:16He said softly,
35:17When people choose right, it's never too late.
35:21Clara smiled slightly.
35:23Not bitterly.
35:24Not nostalgically.
35:26Just a real smile.
35:28In a real moment.
35:30No one said anything more.
35:32A gentle wind blew.
35:34The last yellow leaf fell between them.
35:37They both looked at it.
35:38Not touching it.
35:39Not picking it up.
35:41In that moment, nothing was restored.
35:44There was no reconciliation like in a novel.
35:48But something else appeared.
35:50Respect.
35:51Respect between two people who chose to stand on the right side.
35:56Even though the past was different.
35:58Even though the future was uncertain.
36:01With the first two people who chose to be certain.
36:04Maybe you should try to find a chain on the right side.
36:06I'll be certain.