Part 1: Love Note
"If you know how to use this notebook properly, you'll have a powerful harem."
Chapter 1: Friendship and Fate
I am Vũ Trang Vân, a second-year IT student at the University of Science and Technology. My looks are average, and my academic performance is mediocre at best. Many might assume I chose this major because of my love for technology. But in reality, it all comes down to one word: boys.
There's nothing shameful in admitting that I am a hopeless romantic, always dreaming of a love story as beautiful as those in movies. Throughout middle and high school, I had the misfortune of being in a female-dominated class. And to make matters worse, with so many girls around, the few boys we had became... well, questionable. When we went out, the girls would take turns carrying the bags, while the boys sat around applying sunscreen and painting their nails. >v<
I was truly unlucky. I couldn't afford to act demure and delicate in an environment like that, and finding my Mr. Right became an impossible mission. After doing some research, I discovered that in previous years, the IT department I was applying to had only a handful of female students— the rest were all male. That was all the motivation I needed to take the entrance exam. I held onto a firm belief: here, I would be considered a rare beauty, like in romance novels. I imagined boys lining up just for the chance to win my heart. The thought of being the only girl among a sea of men was absolutely thrilling.
But then, on my first day of university, my dream shattered. My personal tragedy repeated itself. You can't even begin to understand how I felt at that moment. Two-thirds of my classmates were girls. The few boys we had were huddled in a corner, speaking softly and barely daring to laugh out loud.
At that point, I had no choice but to accept my fate. Thankfully, I've always been adaptable. So, I focused on making friends and trying to study properly. In class, the two people who caught my attention the most were Như Duyên and Hải Anh.
Duyên has a delicate face, slightly cold but undeniably beautiful. Unfortunately for me, she is also an outstanding student. I always believed that beautiful people must have at least one flaw—either they lack intelligence or have a bad personality. But after getting to know Duyên, I realized a harsh truth: some girls are so perfect that they make me jealous to death because, no matter how hard I try, I can't find a single aspect where I surpass them.
Then there was Hải Anh, the boy of my dreams. He was smart, well-dressed, and had the perfect balance of friendliness and composure. My only joy in class was stealing glances at him. Since Hải Anh always chose to sit near Duyên, she naturally became part of my daily sights as well. But I didn't mind—after all, I appreciated beauty, and Duyên was undeniably elegant in her posture, expressions, and speech.
I tried to find any flaw in her but failed miserably. Everything about her screamed perfection, but I could tell that she lived by strict rules, binding herself to rigid expectations. If I were in her shoes, I'd lose my mind. I, on the other hand, spoke when I wanted, laughed loudly when I was excited. That's how life should be lived.
I clung to the hope that Hải Anh and Duyên were merely study buddies, that their conversations revolved strictly around academics, and that he would eventually find Duyên boring. I knew my thoughts were petty—perhaps even mean—but so what? In this world, if you don't look out for yourself, who will?
Sunday, it was pouring rain. I went to the library to read... romance novels to kill time and unexpectedly ran into Duyên. To my surprise, she was the one who approached me first. Later, I found out that Duyên had wanted to befriend me for a long time because, unlike the other girls in class who gathered in groups to gossip, I would always stare out the window with a dreamy, absent-minded look.
For a moment, I felt a pang of disappointment—if only it were Hải Anh instead. I love beauty, but I'm even more foolish when it comes to boys.
And as if summoned by fate, Hải Anh appeared right in front of us. It was like my silent wish had been heard. He had the same tall, slender figure, the same intelligent glow in his eyes, and that charming smile with a single crooked tooth. He handed us two ice creams. Truly deserving of the title "Mr. Right" in my heart—gallant, gentle, and thoughtful.
My mind began to wander again. What if Hải Anh had feelings for me? What if he secretly noticed my quiet admiration that even I had barely acknowledged?
But reality crashed down on me as quickly as I had built up my fantasy. That day, Hải Anh offered to walk Duyên home. Duyên, as graceful as ever, politely declined, and I... I was just an extra, an unnecessary third wheel.
Because life is never like a dream.
I felt sad, yet at the same time, lucky. Lucky that I discovered how well Duyên and I got along. She was kind, considerate, and always knew how to handle situations with grace. We became inseparable. Duyên tutored me before every exam, and in return, I entertained her with my wild and fun ideas. I also had an eye for fashion and color, so Duyên never went shopping for clothes without me.
I may not have had a boyfriend, but at least I had a best friend.
Duyên was beautiful, smart, and eloquent. The girls in our class only interacted with her on a surface level.
As for me, Duyên was so good to me that I couldn't bring myself to be jealous of her. Even though standing beside her made me feel like a shadow, I knew I could never betray her—neither in actions nor in thoughts.
Most days, it didn't bother me. But whenever Hải Anh showed interest in Duyên, my heart ached terribly. I wouldn't have minded if every boy in the world adored Duyên, as long as the one I secretly liked wasn't among them. But Hải Anh was the only boy in our class I had feelings for.
Why was fate so cruel to me?
It was painful to witness, but at least as Duyên's best friend, I had more chances to see Hải Anh, to share meals with him, to be invited out with him. Maybe, just maybe, I could find my own opportunity.