The Female Leads Truly Loves You - Chapter 155

Chapter 155: Maybe we could be friends
“I’m at the Summer Camp Experience, why haven’t you gone to bed yet?”

Because Milo left early, Sam can now call at night without any worries, not having to fret about the volume disturbing others’ sleep.

As for who would call Sam at this time… obviously, it would be no one else but his sister Ava.

Sitting by the window, he gazed at the night sky outside.

Though lacking a telescope, it’s this kind of distant haziness that’s seen as the most enduringly beautiful distance. It makes people believe that what hangs in the patchy Milky Way are countless eyes with different colors.

Ava’s voice came through the phone, as haughty and charming as ever.

Indeed, voice is one of a person’s tags; just a particular word from her, and he could conjure up the face and expression on the other end of the phone.

What expression it should be, what kind of body language, as if all were already imprinted in Sam’s mind.

“Since when does a young person go to bed at ten? Are you living like an old man, brother? This is the Summer Camp Experience, by the way! Are there any other girls around you?”

What a weird question?

Sam replied with annoyance: “Of course, there are. Who would go to a Summer Camp Experience that’s all boys? Not me, for sure.”

Right, the girls present might have nothing to do with him, but it wouldn’t do for them to be absent.

Hearing Sam’s response, Ava immediately became dissatisfied.

“Why are you talking to me in that tone? You’re not staying with girls, are you?”

“Get real, you’ve been to Summer Camp Experience yourself, how could boys and girls stay together?”

It’s the Summer Camp Experience, not some promiscuous party, what is she thinking?

“Hmph! Who knows what you’re up to there, with no one to supervise you… So you could do whatever you want, huh?”

Sam felt like laughing.

“Enough already, you’re calling me at this time just to ask this?”

Ava’s voice went silent for a moment, and then Sam clearly heard her take a sharp intake of breath, as if she was gathering courage to say something significant.

What big news could she possibly have?

Yet, Sam couldn’t help but feel unnecessarily anxious.

Why the nervous buildup?

Then, the girl on the other end of the line began to speak.

“Um… there’s a middle school swimming competition this month…”

Sam was taken aback. He knew Ava was a member of the school swimming team, and since this year she was in her final year of junior high, it meant this would be her last chance to participate.

If she could make it to the national competition and secure a decent ranking, high schools across the country with swimming teams would open their doors to this girl.

So, this competition was very important to Ava.

“Really? Are you participating?”

“Yes.”

“When does it start?” Sam asked.

Ava quickly replied.

“Um… at the end of October, around November, but it’s just the selection round.”

“Is the selection round… a big deal?”

Sam asked, fully confident in Ava’s abilities.

Ava promptly responded with a proud snort.

“Of course, don’t you know who your sister is? I’m definitely moving on to the nationals; I’m already preparing for it!”

Sam couldn’t help but laugh.

“Don’t be too proud, every big goal starts with small steps. Just prepare well and don’t put too much pressure on yourself.”

“Um~ If I make it to the nationals… it will be held in Kuhang.”

Although she didn’t finish her sentence, the implication was quite clear.

Sam naturally understood what his sister meant, and said with a laugh.

“You want me to come watch? I thought you hated it the most when your brother watches your performance?”

Ava retorted with a pout, “This isn’t a performance; it’s a competition. This is where I shine, and I want you to see my true strength. That incident at the pool was just an accident!”

She was still holding onto that day’s events.

But, that’s just like her. Sam’s sister is great in many ways but perhaps a bit too competitive.

In truth, she’s a gentle and sensitive person, or else she wouldn’t have noticed Sam’s discomfort that night and spoken those words to him.

Yet… this sensitivity also has another side, such as how she would act upon their reunion after a farewell. Sam himself didn’t have an answer.

“Alright then, practice well, and I’ll be waiting for the day you make it to Kuhang.”

“Of course~ Oh, by the way…”

Ava lowered her voice.

“Yes?”

“It’s just… how have things been with that Heiress recently?”

As expected, the conversation shifted to that girl. It seemed his sister viewed Angel as a rival…

“What do you mean ‘how’? Which aspect are you referring to?”

“Every aspect! Are you an idiot, idiot brother?”

Sam chuckled and replied, “What else? Things are the same as always, haven’t seen her lately. But school’s starting soon, so I’ll probably see her there.”

“Eh? You haven’t seen each other recently?”

“Of course, why would we?”

“Oh~ Hehe.”

“What are you laughing at?”

“I’m not laughing~ You must have heard wrong.”

Ava flatly denied it.

Sam smiled, “I hope I did hear wrong.”

“Hmm-hmm~ You did hear wrong.”

“Aren’t you going to sleep?”

Sam felt the conversation should end there, as there wasn’t much else to talk about, especially since he was somewhat concerned Ava might bring up more sensitive topics.

As the saying goes, what you fear often comes to pass.

Ava’s next words came through the phone, her voice soft and slightly trembling.

“Wait a sec… By the way, lately…”

“Lately?”

“Um… have you missed me?”

Ava’s voice quivered, and Sam could almost picture the girl on the other end, holding her phone, her cheeks probably flushed.

She was likely nervously clutching her blanket, lying on her pillow, with her legs tightly squeezed together.

Indeed, it was a difficult question.

Sam was momentarily at a loss for words. During the brief silence, he could distinctly hear her anxious breathing.

Sam didn’t want to hurt the girl in any way… but in his mind, they were siblings.

“Um… of course, I’ve only been away from home for a short while, and I’ve already started missing you and our parents.”

“Eh… that’s so boring, brother, saying things like that.”

Clearly, this wasn’t what Ava wanted to hear, but there was nothing technically wrong with his response. After all, in Sam’s view, they were family, and such a sentiment was perfectly normal.

But Ava was seeking a unique, special favoritism, not this generic type of affection.

Sam said with a laugh, “Alright, what else do you want to hear? It’s about time to sleep now, goodnight.”

Since she wouldn’t end the call, he thought it best to do so himself.

That’s what Sam figured.

Ava seemed to run out of options. Though still somewhat reluctant, she had no choice but to concede.

“Fine! You just don’t want to talk to me, so I won’t talk to you either, you mean brother!”

“Ha ha ha, then next time I’ll call you.”

“I definitely won’t answer your calls! Goodnight!”

With that, Ava took the initiative to hang up the phone, just like every other time.

Sam took a deep breath as he watched the phone screen gradually dim.

Gazing at the seemingly unchanged night sky through the window, he wasn’t sure how to properly handle his relationship with Ava. It seemed like an utterly unexpected situation for Sam, one he felt temporarily powerless to address.

What should he do?

He couldn’t possibly treat her the same way he did other girls, and moreover… did her storyline really have so much depth in the game? Would there be developments similar to those with the female leads? That would be truly alarming.

Sam lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling.

He turned off his phone, deciding not to respond to any messages from anyone.

Just leave it at that.

School would start the day after tomorrow, so it was best to focus on what was immediately ahead.

He managed to sleep well for once, without waking up or dreaming.

The day’s schedule was straightforward—two hours of class in the morning, followed by the ride home.

Interestingly, a figure took the spot beside him.

Sam turned his head to see Sophie, carrying a suitcase and wearing a backpack.

She had changed into a white T-shirt and denim shorts.

Her long hair carried a subtle fragrance that complemented her cool demeanor.

Yet, she sat down as if she hadn’t seen Sam, immediately engrossed in her phone.

Only when Sam kept staring at her until she couldn’t help but blush did she reluctantly turn towards him.

“What are you looking at?”

Sam smiled. “You’re very special today.”

Sophie replied, “Nonsense. There was nowhere else to sit, that’s all. Besides, no one else wanted to sit next to you. I’m here so you won’t look too pitiful.”

“Oh, is that the reason?”

“Believe it or not!”

Sam simply smiled.

He didn’t bring up the events of the previous night, which, of course, was what Sophie dreaded most. She feared Sam would mention the details of last night, especially since, upon reflection, she realized her acting was terrible, full of flaws.

Thankfully, Sam didn’t mention it. Instead, he leaned back in his seat as the bus started its journey, quietly listening to music with his eyes gently closed.

Seeing this, Sophie felt a peculiar sense of security, as if Sam’s quiet presence beside her was a safe harbor where any ship could dock.

She had initially thought this school-organized activity would be dull and had no expectations for it.

But she hadn’t anticipated so many events occurring.

Nor had she expected Sam to become her beacon of hope…

It seemed that because of Sam, this otherwise tedious trip had gained some significance, a reason to be remembered…

This was troublesome.

Sophie found herself repeatedly breaking the promises she had made to herself.

But what could she do? What would the future hold?

She didn’t know.

After several hours of travel, the bus stopped at a familiar place, where Sophie had requested to get off, close to her home… and Sam’s, too.

Watching Sam start to pack his things, Sophie calmed her emotions, grabbed her backpack, and bent down to pick up the somewhat heavy case containing a telescope.

But another hand was quicker, lifting the case before she could.

Surprised, Sophie looked up to see Sam effortlessly holding the case, standing up, and looking at her with a calm expression.

“What are you spacing out for? We’re getting off.”

Normally, Sophie would have refused the help, insisting she could manage on her own and didn’t need anyone’s assistance.

But this time she didn’t say anything.

“Let’s go then. Goodbye to all the teachers and classmates.”

“Take care, Sam, and you too, Sophie.”

The two of them got off the bus, which quickly left, heading towards its next stop.

With only Sam and Sophie left, neither of them spoke much, and Sophie wasn’t sure what to say.

The sun shone brightly on them, casting their shadows on the familiar street as they walked.

Sam was slightly ahead, with Sophie trailing behind, observing his silhouette.

The sun greedily kissed his cheeks, every strand of his hair.

There was an irrational wish that this journey could last forever—quiet, serene, beautiful even without conversation.

But, alas, every journey has its end, and everyone has their destination.

They arrived at Sam’s apartment first.

Sam stopped, turned with a smile, and handed the box over to Sophie.

“Here you go, this is yours. I’m heading home now.”

Sophie nodded, and as she took the box, her fingers inadvertently brushed against his hand.

That brief contact sent a jolt through her, a strange sensation that burrowed deep into her heart.

But then Sam let go, and that odd feeling vanished as quickly as it had appeared, as if it had never been there at all.

She looked up at the boy about to turn away.

“Sam.”

Sophie tried to keep her voice steady.

“Hmm? What is it?”

Sam turned back, curious.

Sophie turned to face the apartment, to avoid looking directly at Sam.

“I’m starting to agree with what you said.”

Sam looked amused, seeing only her profile.

“Which part?”

“That our lives aren’t always spent alone…”

“And?”

Sophie’s heartbeat quickened again. She tried to stay calm, speaking in as normal a tone as possible.

“So… maybe we could be friends…”

Sam seemed to pause for a moment, then his face broke into a smile.

“Hmm, I’ll think about it. Goodbye.”

“…”