There was still more than a month before Vietnamese Women’s Day (October 20th), but the boys of Class 11D at Nhan Hoa High School had already gathered to discuss plans for their class’s tribute to the female students.
During today’s lunch break, the entire group took over several tables in the cafeteria, turning them into a makeshift meeting space.
“I’ll go over the necessary preparations for this year’s 20/10 event.”
Class president Vu Quang Duc glanced at a checklist and read aloud:
“Class decorations, buying flowers, writing cards, placing flowers in the girls’ desks…”
He frowned as he read further.
“We have a class fund for these expenses, but to get better flowers, we’ll each need to chip in a little. Minimum contribution: 100,000 VND per person.”
After speaking, Duc immediately sent a bank QR code to the boys’ private Telegram group for Class 11D.
“Wait, hold on. That’s my bank account, Duc. Did you send the wrong one?”
Vuong looked at him, confused.
“Nope. I’m assigning you as treasurer.”
Vuong hesitated. Duc seized the moment to flatter him.
“Let’s be real—no one in this school manages money better than you. If anyone can make this fund grow before we need to spend it, it’s you. I mean, you’re the ‘Numerology Genius’ for a reason, right?”
“Or,” Vuong grinned mischievously, “the fund could also vanish in a single afternoon if I bet on the wrong lottery number. Think carefully, bro.”
Duc immediately ignored the comment and moved on to another topic.
“Nam, you’re in charge of decorations. Got any ideas yet?”
“Yeah, I’ll send a concept sketch by September 20th.”
“Good, I’ll put your name and deadline in the Excel sheet… The other tasks, like writing cards, are simple. Here, check the second sheet and pick which girls you want to write a card for. If some girls don’t get picked, I’ll cover those along with Du, our class secretary.”
Duc waited as the guys scrolled through the list, choosing names. Then, he suddenly grinned in a way that was way too enthusiastic—a stark contrast to his usual serious class leader persona.
“Haha! Now, this is the highlight of our 20/10 event this year. Whoever came up with this idea is a genius.”
He pulled out a pink cardboard box, decorated with ribbons, hearts, and glittering gemstones—all faded, scratched, and peeling, as if it had been passed around too many rough hands.
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
“Each of you, draw three names from the box. I’ll explain the rules after.”
Once everyone had drawn their slips, Duc continued.
“Our class is the last to draw, so we’re at a slight disadvantage. This game involves the entire school—all three grades, mixed together. The three names on your slips are your ‘princesses’—the girls you must take care of from now until 20/10.”
A low murmur spread across the group.
“Pay attention—each slip includes not just the name and class, but also the specific date when you must start ‘caring’ for them. Stick to the assigned dates; otherwise, we’ll have multiple guys trying to take care of the same girl at the same time. You can choose to focus on just one, or rotate between them week by week according to the schedule.”
“Or… I could just not take care of anyone at all. That’s my decision.”
Vuong grumbled, flat-out rejecting the whole thing.
(Called it.)
Nam had expected this reaction from Vuong.
Vuong was only interested in 2D and 3D girls from manga, anime, and games—real girls didn’t exist in his world.
“Come on, Vuong, you have to do something for the girls.”
“I’d rather do a pole dance.”
“Okay then. I’ll sign you up for a pole-dancing performance in front of the whole school for the music segment of the event.”
“WHAT?!”
“Your choice, bro—either take care of the girls or pole dance.”
“But… but…”
Duc grinned wickedly—he had won this negotiation.
”…You need to line up and get their breakfast and lunch from the cafeteria every day. Occasionally, check in on them via text. Every now and then, buy them small gifts or bubble tea. On 20/10, you’ll get them a bigger gift, depending on your budget…”
“Hold on! What if they don’t like us? What if they don’t want us taking care of them?”
A nervous-looking boy, clearly not confident in his chances, timidly asked.
“That’s why you get three names. More chances for someone to say yes. But if a girl outright refuses, we have to respect her decision.”
Duc’s tone was surprisingly understanding.
The boys of 11D immediately started chattering excitedly, comparing the names they had drawn.
“Did anyone get their crush?”
“Damn, I hit the jackpot! All three of mine are seniors from 12th grade!”
“I can’t do this—my girlfriend will kill me!”
“Why only three names? We still have five weeks until 20/10. Should’ve been five!”
“If all three of my slips have the same name, does that mean we’re destined for each other?”
“What happens after the event? Do you think we’ll end up dating them?”
“Yeah, keep dreaming, dude.”
Overall, most of the boys seemed satisfied with their picks.
Only a handful looked miserable—including Vuong, who had been frowning the entire time.
Duc turned to Nam.
“So, who did you get?”
Nam glanced down at his slips.
“I got… Nguyen Kim Ngoc, Nguyen An Nhi, and Nguyen Yen Nhi. Wait, An Nhi and Yen Nhi—aren’t they twins?”
Unlike the other guys, Nam hadn’t drawn any classmates from 11D.
All three girls were from Class 11A, according to the slips. Since Nam hadn’t even memorized the faces of the girls in his own class yet, it was no surprise that he had no idea who these three were.
“Damn, Nam, you’re one lucky bastard.”
“Dude, swap one of them with me!”
The boys of 11D erupted, cheering for Nam. Apparently, he had drawn the three most beautiful girls in the entire school. Since last year, no one had been able to dethrone Kim Ngoc, An Nhi, and Yen Nhi as Nhan Hoa’s reigning beauties.
Only one person didn’t seem thrilled—Vuong. Instead of congratulating Nam, he simply gave him a look of pity. As if Nam had just been sentenced to suffer in the deepest levels of hell.