football match between Germany and Japan. The bar was almost full. He found the only empty seat at the corner beside an Asian lady.

"Are you Japanese?" asked the woman.

"No, I'm Vietnamese" Liem replied.

He thought it was funny. When he was in the United States, Chinese spoke Chinese to him but he understand nothing, a Filipino stared at him and said he was like her fellow-countryman. When he was in Bali, the Indonesian supposed he was an Indonesian. He wondered if Korean would think he was their fellow-citizen, too.

"But I support Japan," he added. "Japan is my favorite team. Are you Japanese?"

"Yes. My name is Ayumi Takahashi."

Ayumi was a 30 year-old Japanese with charming eyes and simple clothing style. Had she been German, he would say Germany was his favorite team which was also true for he liked both Japan and Germany.

He received the bottle of Chang beer from the Thai waitress who was a transgender woman. Then he clinked bottles with the Japanese woman.

"Cheers for Japan"

Sitting next to Ayumi was a young German. He was not like other Germans Liem had ever met or perhaps our protagonist just had never seen a German in a bar. He was energetic, talkative and had some sense of humor. His British female friend was an even more enthusiastic supporter for Germany football team. After Germany scored the opening goal, they were comfortable and teased other people around. The young British woman, who looked beautiful and smart, asked a Thai woman who had a big butterfly tatoo on her back and sat with an old Scottish man.

"You support Japan, don't you?"

The Thai woman nodded.

"Well, if you support Japan, then you should shout f*** Germany, and that means you f*** him because he's a German"

The young British lady laughed loudly with her German friend while the Thai woman was bewildered. Her Scottish boyfriend was apathetic. He seemed not even know the rule of the game he was watching.

"She might not be an admirable woman but she did not deserve to be treated like that," Liem thought to himself, feeling sorry for the Thai woman.

The Japanese team played pretty well but they lacked a bit of luck to score the equalizer before half-time.

"Come on! They need to do better!" Ayumi expressed her disappointment.

"Japan played very well, indeed" Liem told Ayumi. "But Germany is a strong opponent. Japan must try harder"

They did try harder in the second half and scored two goals in ten minutes. When Asano scored the wonderful second goal, the German supporter had his hands on his head, being silent while his British friend almost cried. Whereas, the Thai woman jumped and shouted cheerfully. All the Asians in the Irish bar did the same while the European men suddenly became quiet. Ayumi burst with joy and suddenly hugged Liem.

"Congrats Japan!" he told her. "It's unbelieveable!"

"Thank you. I'm so happy"

When the referee blew the final whistle, a young British man who was wearing the jersey of England danced cheerfully to tease the German. Despite his disappointment, the German supporter tried to comfort his British female friend.

"They played better. We lost and have to accept it but we still have a chance with two other matches"

Then the German, the British, the Thai woman, the Japanese and the Vietnamese all clinked their cups and bottles to cheer for Japan, the winner of the match.

"Come with me!" Ayumi whispered to Liem.

He followed her. They took a stroll on the street, talking about their lives.

"Where do you live in Japan?"

"Kyoto. But now I live here, Bangkok"

"Kyoto is a very beautiful city with amazing temples. I've been there before Covid. I wish I could stay there for a month"

"Are you happy now?"

"It's a strange question," Liem said hesitantly. "My life seemed to be a gloomy ballad. I've always felt unhappy... Until I saw you in the Irish bar tonight"

He suddenly held her hands.

Ayumi smiled shyly. Her face turned red.

"Me too!"

Liem felt a gentle breeze of Bangkok blowing through his hair.

When getting out of the aircraft which arrived in Hanoi, he felt the cold air of winter. Suddenly, his phone rang as he received a text message from Ayumi.

"I miss you!"

While other people shivered with cold, Liem felt warm.

"It won't be a cold winter anymore," he thought to himself.