The Female Leads Truly Loves You - Chapter 166

Chapter 166: Now this will be interesting
Dahlia was indeed dragged in.

Her expression was somewhat uneasy, probably feeling that the situation didn’t seem normal. She was indeed seeking help… but why did it feel like she had entered a pirate’s den?

Especially this senior named Isabella, why was she looking at her with such fervent eyes…

Sam noticed the girl’s discomfort. He coughed slightly, using a covert glance to remind Isabella not to go overboard.

Isabella then realized her earlier behavior might have been too eager and calmed down, adjusting her expression before calmly looking at the bespectacled girl in front of her.

“Hello, you’re from… the Literature Department?”

Dahlia shook her head.

“It’s the Youth Literature Department, not the Literature Department.”

“What’s the difference?”

Isabella glanced at Sam in confusion, and Sam shook his head to indicate he had no idea either.

Dahlia explained softly, “There’s not much difference, but our department focuses on youth literature, which includes stories about boys and girls. Not just love stories, but also friendship, passion, and other genres. The Youth Literature Department at Kuhang High School has been around for five years, and we even have a publication called ‘Green Grass’. Haven’t you seen it?”

Sam shook his head.

“I don’t read much, I’m not in the habit.”

Indeed, his time already seemed very scarce. Although he occasionally felt the urge to pick up a book to enrich himself, it seemed like inexplicable events always occurred, disrupting his plans.

Isabella looked towards Sophie.

She was still engrossed in her book, evidently thinking Dahlia’s request for help had nothing to do with her.

But Sophie seemed to sense Isabella’s gaze and calmly said, “I glanced at it once, then stopped reading.”

This comment clearly made Dahlia feel somewhat awkward.

Isabella, knowing Sophie’s temperament, quickly smoothed things over with a cheerful demeanor.

“Ah, I haven’t had the time to look at it before, didn’t even know you guys had a publication… Mm, I’ll have to check it out later. So, what was it you needed our help with?”

Dahlia explained, “It’s like this… our publication is ready, but the president and I feel it needs to be more refined, especially since this year marks the 30th anniversary of Kuhang High School… So, we ran into a bit of trouble choosing the cover. We couldn’t find a suitable image.

We aimed to capture a boy and a girl who could represent youth, but… we haven’t been satisfied with any of our choices. We even asked students from the photography club to take shots, but the results weren’t great.”

“Is it the photography you need help with?” Isabella asked.

Dahlia shook her head. “Not exactly. The photography club members are very professional, and their technique is not the problem. The issue is with finding the right people for our cover… We haven’t been satisfied with any candidates, so we were hoping you could help with this.”

Isabella quickly caught on, narrowing her eyes at Dahlia.

“Do you mean you want us to help you find the right candidates, or… are you looking to borrow someone from us?”

Dahlia seemed a bit embarrassed and glanced covertly at Sam before saying softly, “To borrow… In my view, Sam and Sophie perfectly meet our requirements for this edition’s cover… So, we were hoping the two of you could help us by being on the cover of our publication. I wonder if that would be okay…”

Sam was taken aback. So, she was here for him?

Asking him and Sophie to pose together? What exactly was Dahlia thinking? If nobody saw the publication, it might be fine, but if it got attention, wouldn’t that lead to misunderstandings?

Before Sam and Sophie could voice their opinions, Isabella turned to the bespectacled girl and asked, “Oh? You’ve picked two elites from our club, I see.”

Sam couldn’t help but mockingly think to himself, “Senior, let’s be clear, our The Ultimate Human Department only has three members.”

“What’s the reason for choosing the two of them for the shoot?” Isabella seemed genuinely interested, almost like an investigative reporter ready for a deep dive.

Dahlia hesitated, apparently not expecting such a question, but after a moment, she honestly replied, “Ah… well… Sam is very handsome, and Sophie is beautiful. Most importantly, they both embody a certain youthful quality that’s hard to describe.

It’s a feeling they carry, an aura of youth that stands out significantly, something that others can’t easily replicate… As for why else… actually, it’s easy to spot the two around school since they’re quite distinctive students. It’s just that they probably never noticed me.”

Dahlia laughed self-deprecatingly, without showing any particular emotion, making Sam feel a bit embarrassed.

However, Isabella narrowed her eyes. “Then why not choose me?”

“Ah?” Dahlia looked surprised by the question.

Isabella confidently continued, somewhat taken aback by Dahlia’s reaction. “Is it because Sam and I don’t have a ‘CP feel’? I think we do! Like a brother-sister romance! What do you think, Sam?”

Sam simply covered his forehead with his hand, resignedly saying, “Whatever you say.”

Dahlia laughed awkwardly. “Um… it’s not really about a ‘CP feel.’ Our cover doesn’t specifically emphasize romance. Choosing a boy and a girl is just about representing both elements of youth… It’s more of a symbol. Of course, you’re also beautiful, senior! It’s just slightly off from our target, but there are no issues otherwise…”

“I see… Well, we still need to ask for their opinions. Would you two be interested in helping the Youth Literature Department by shooting for their cover?”

Before Sam could respond, Sophie immediately spoke up.

“Sorry, I can’t help with this.”

“Why?” Dahlia asked, puzzled.

Sophie glanced at Sam and then sighed to herself.

“I have no experience in photoshoots and no interest in it, especially taking photos with someone else. It makes me uncomfortable.”

Sam thought Sophie had made some progress, at least learning not to speak ill of herself in front of others.

Dahlia looked earnestly at Sophie.

“Really? It’s just a few simple shots, and you don’t need to pose in any special way with Sam, let alone any intimate actions. Just being in the same photo would be enough… You really are our best choice, Sophie. Are you sure you can’t help?”

Sophie shook her head again.

“There should be many people willing to do it. Just find another girl; I really don’t want to do this sort of thing.”

“But… it would feel completely wrong with anyone else…” Dahlia said regretfully, her face showing her disappointment.

At this point, Isabella chimed in, looking at Sophie.

“Sophie, you’re backing away again. How many times is this when you shy away from unexpected situations?”

Sophie retorted, “How is this backing away? Everyone should have the right to choose their own way of life. If I don’t like doing something, I won’t do it. That’s my philosophy, not for any other reason.”

“Is it because of Sam?”

“What did you say?”

The moment Sam’s name was mentioned, Sophie’s mood visibly shifted.

Isabella smiled slightly.

“It’s just that, because it involves Sam, you have many concerns. If it were just you, or if it were you and me, maybe you’d agree. But because it’s Sam, you subconsciously retreat.”

“Why would it be because of him!”

“Who knows, maybe it’s guilt? Trying to hide something, afraid others will notice…”

“What nonsense are you talking about?”

Just as it seemed the argument between them was about to escalate, Sam was preparing to intervene. However, Dahlia stood up at that moment and addressed both of them.

“Please don’t argue… I’m really sorry for the trouble, but I hope it won’t affect your relationship… If it’s really not possible, I’ll look for another solution. Not everything can be perfect, we’ll just have to make do with what we have this year. Sorry…”

And just as Dahlia was about to apologize and leave,

“Wait.”

The person who spoke up was Sophie.

Dahlia paused, turning towards her.

Sophie took a deep breath, smoothing over the uncomfortable expression on her face, and said in an extremely calm voice, “When does the shoot start?”

Dahlia’s face lit up with unexpected joy. “Anytime! We’ve arranged everything in advance, as long as you agree, the photography club members are ready to help with the shoot immediately!”

Sophie asked, “There’s no need for makeup or specific outfits, right? It’s raining outside; is the scene okay?”

Dahlia shook her head. “No need. Since it’s a youth theme, makeup and such would detract from the effect. Besides, in my opinion, both of you don’t need any makeup to look good. As for the scene, we’ll choose the school. A rainy backdrop has its own significance.”

“Okay, then.” Sophie agreed.

Isabella wore a slightly smug expression. “That’s more like it. This is in line with our Ultimate Human Department’s goal, to continually challenge ourselves with things we dislike or have never tried before. Alright, The Ultimate Human Department, prepare to embark!”

At this moment, a hand tentatively raised.

Sam looked at the three of them. “I have a question. Up to this point, it seems like no one has asked for my opinion, right?”

Isabella smiled at Sam, “What objections could you have?”

Sophie’s gaze, narrowing slightly towards Sam, seemed to say that she had reluctantly agreed to something she would normally never consider, and now Sam was thinking of refusing?

After gauging the expressions of the three, Sam lowered his hand.

“Alright, I have no objections.”

What objections could Sam have now? He simply had to follow them out of the club room and towards another location.

“I really didn’t expect you to agree, this is such great news. When our publication is released, please make sure to attend our club’s dinner gathering!” The Youth Literature Department’s president, another student with glasses but a boy this time, was visibly excited.

Isabella, smiling at him, said, “It’s normal for students to help each other out, no need to be so formal. Where are we planning to shoot?”

The photography club member, currently discussing with Dahlia, pointed towards the corridor outside with his camera.

“Let’s shoot under the eaves in the hallway. You two will stand with your backs to the rain, capturing the moment while the rain is clearly visible… Sam holding an umbrella, with Sophie standing next to him, under the umbrella, both carrying backpacks, looking at the camera, just show your most natural expressions, it should be very picturesque.”

Everyone moved quickly as there was no reason to delay.

Soon, a group gathered downstairs from the club room, with Sam holding the umbrella, back against the drizzling rain, feeling a bit damp at his back.

Sophie moved next to Sam, sheltered by the umbrella, a young pair beneath it. Sam’s arm, raised to hold the umbrella, showed a slight curve of muscle.

Sophie’s presence was marked by a subtle fragrance, her usual indifferent demeanor to everyone, seemingly emotionless as she faced forward.

Once the pose was set, the shoot began promptly.

However, the photographer kept adjusting angles, directing them to tweak their distance and minor posture changes, but then he suddenly looked troubled.

“What’s the problem?” Dahlia asked, concerned.

The photographer furrowed his brow, “I don’t know how to put this… but it feels like… there’s something off between Sam and Sophie, especially Sophie. It’s like there’s no connection or bond between them when they stand together, it’s too disjointed.”

“What do we do then?” Dahlia was a bit frantic, having finally convinced Sophie to help, only to face this issue now.

Indeed, the problem was there. The two, against the backdrop of heavy rain, indeed presented a visually appealing image, but… although it wasn’t a theme of youthful romance, the lack of any connection made it seem as if unrelated elements were put together, failing to convey the intended feeling, thus losing the desired effect.

Isabella suggested after a moment’s thought, “How about Sophie holding Sam’s arm, or Sam putting his arm around Sophie’s shoulder? Would that be better?”

The photographer’s eyes lit up, “That’s a good idea…”

But before Sam could respond, Sophie immediately said, “Impossible, I won’t do that.”

Her direct refusal left everyone feeling perplexed.

Sam knew Sophie’s temperament well but also recognized the crux of the problem.

In essence, Sophie hadn’t embraced the spirit of the task, treating it as an uncomfortable favor, devoid of emotional investment.

Naturally, she wouldn’t project the most genuine emotions. Even creating a contrast with Sam in the frame, making the combination, regardless of their individual attractiveness, appear discordant.

Just as Dahlia was about to try persuading Sophie to compromise a little,

“If you’ve chosen the wrong person, of course, the shoot won’t go well. Let me do it.”

The sudden voice made everyone turn their heads.

Even Sophie couldn’t help but look in that direction.

At the sound of that voice, Sam felt as if his heart had stopped, despairingly looking towards the source.

And there she was, a familiar figure elegantly appearing before everyone.

With her backpack slung over her shoulder and an umbrella in hand, she walked from the rain, her smile seemingly mocking the mortals below.

Isabella couldn’t help but exclaim, “Angel’s here… Now this will be interesting.”