The Female Leads Truly Loves You - Chapter 360

Chapter 360: Ava loves Sam
Finally, Sam managed to get a little distance from the crowd and took a deep breath, relieved to be away from the unwanted attention.

“Ava, what do you want to play first?” Sam asked.

Ava snapped back to reality, looked around, and pointed towards a nearby haunted house. “There are a lot of people there! How about we start with the haunted house?”

Sam glanced at her, feeling increasingly able to read her thoughts.

Why do boys and girls like going to haunted houses when they visit amusement parks? Girls know how to give guys a sense of achievement. The scare factor in these haunted houses is limited; it’s not a real horror-themed escape room, and whether there are live actors inside is anyone’s guess.

But do girls care if it’s actually scary? Not really. It doesn’t matter how easily frightened they are, as long as they can snuggle up to the guy they like at just the right moment, clutching his shirt or even his hand. Isn’t that how the thrill of romance starts?

As the old saying goes, if the heart is willing, every path is the right one.

Sam looked at her. “You’re interested in the haunted house? I thought you didn’t even watch horror movies.”

Ava protested, “That’s not true! I just don’t like watching them alone. I’ve watched them with friends!”

Sam smirked. “So you’re scared but still want to go to a haunted house. What are you up to?”

Ava felt like her brother had seen right through her, which was unsettling. Why did he have to point out everything today?

“I… I want to challenge myself!” she claimed.

“Oh? Wouldn’t going in alone be the best challenge then?”

“Sam!!” Ava couldn’t take it anymore and even called out his name in frustration.

Sam laughed and shook his head. “Alright, alright, let’s go and see. You’re in charge today.”

“Really?”

“Of course.”

Sam felt a bit melancholic knowing he wouldn’t see her for a while after today, and since it was her first visit to Kuhang, he wanted her to have a good experience.

But little did he know, Ava was secretly praying: Please let it be scary. I hope this haunted house is terrifying enough that he’ll have to hold me!

Unfortunately for Ava, the experience was underwhelming. They queued for nearly ten minutes, but once inside, the haunted house was… lackluster.

The setup was elaborate enough, with immersive music and occasional live actors in disheveled, blood-stained clothes jumping out to scare them.

However, the problem was the crowd. With groups of about ten entering at a time and narrow passages crowded with people, it was hard to feel scared.

And Ava wasn’t easily frightened. Even when watching horror movies with friends, she barely blinked.

But she couldn’t just walk out of the haunted house without trying something. So, she decided to make a move. She watched Sam, who was casually taking photos with his phone, seemingly amused rather than scared.

“Boo!” A not-so-scary sound effect played as a hidden door suddenly opened.

The people at the front screamed, and Ava saw her chance. She let out a scream herself.

“Ah!”

And without another thought, she turned and threw herself into Sam’s arms. It didn’t matter if she was scared or not; what mattered was getting what she wanted.

But Ava hadn’t anticipated Sam’s reaction. With lightning-fast reflexes, he caught her by the shoulders.

Her charge, far from looking frightened, resembled a bull just released in a bullring. But under Sam’s grip, she stopped abruptly, almost like the screech of tires on pavement.

Then she looked up to find Sam trying not to laugh.

The moment was incredibly awkward.

“What are you doing?” he asked.

“I… I got scared! What are you doing grabbing me so hard? You hurt my shoulders!”

Sam finally let go, smiling. “Oh, I thought you were rushing to the bathroom.”

“You… you’re the one who needs the bathroom!”

Ava turned her head away, flushed with embarrassment and annoyance.

Why did he have to react so quickly? It’s so annoying!

As they left the haunted house, Ava’s face was still flushed. Sam found it amusing.

“Did you have fun?”

Ava stammered, “Of… of course I had fun!”

“Oh? Want to go again?”

“Uh?”

Seeing her instantly blush, Sam couldn’t help but laugh out loud.

Ava swatted at his arm, her hit light and playful.

“You’re such a bad brother, the worst!”

Sam held back his laughter. “Alright, alright, what do you want to do next?”

Ava thought seriously this time. Seeing Sam’s reaction, she realized her little tricks might not work on him, so she decided to just enjoy the day.

“I want to go on the pirate ship!”

“Let’s go then.”

Sam was fearless, but he hadn’t expected Ava to be even braver than he thought. She wasn’t screaming in fear but in excitement, her face alight with joy.

Even on the roller coaster, she was the same. Although he couldn’t capture any embarrassing moments or funny faces, seeing her genuinely happy made Sam truly happy.

This was how siblings should be. He was there, and she was laughing.

Hmm? But why did something still feel off?

Next, they went on bumper cars and the carousel, opting for lighter, less thrilling rides.

Ava was thoroughly enjoying herself, happy like a child in a new world.

But watching her smile, so innocent and lovely, Sam felt she was like a fairy who had descended to the mundane world. She should always be carefree and happy.

“Brother, why are you spacing out? Take a picture of me!”

Ava, sitting on the carousel, called out to Sam who was just a seat away.

“Alright.”

Sam took out his phone, initially planning to take a photo, but then he decided to record a video instead.

Watching the girl make a victory sign, then raise her hands and smile, then pretend to be angry and furrow her brows, Sam thought about the future.

If she ever got married… maybe this video could be played at her wedding? To show her how young and green she was.

But why did the thought, which should have been filled with good wishes and hopes, make his chest feel tight?

Something wasn’t right.

He tried to calm himself, smiling at her. “I’m recording.”

“Why are you recording? Are you trying to catch me looking silly?”

Ava pouted, her face youthful and charming.

If there was one person who could perfectly embody the phrase ‘youthful girl,’ it would be Ava.

Sam laughed. “Of course not. I’m just keeping some video footage. Maybe you can use it when you get married.”

But unexpectedly, Ava paused, her expression distant.

“I don’t want to get married.”

Her smile vanished, and she looked at Sam with eyes that shimmered with unshed tears, her gaze filled with a plaintive sorrow that could melt any resolve.

He even forgot to stop recording.

But this couldn’t go on. They were siblings, and Ava was still under 18. Some lines couldn’t be so easily crossed, not without their parents’ consent.

He couldn’t afford to be soft-hearted at this moment.

Sam had never imagined he would struggle so much.

He tried not to meet her pleading eyes, murmuring, “Of course, I hope you find happiness…”

“Ava without Sam won’t be happy.”

Ava’s words nearly made Sam drop his phone.

He stared at her, dumbfounded.

Ava looked back, her gaze intense. “You’re still recording, right?”

“I… yeah.”

“Then record this too.”

“What?”

“Ava loves Sam.”

Her voice was soft, barely audible over the carousel’s music, but Sam heard it clearly, unmistakably.

He was speechless, their silent exchange feeling more profound than any promise of eternal love.

She just looked at him, as if telling him that even if the path ahead was fire, hell, or ice, she would march forward, never looking back.

Sam sighed and stopped the recording. “It’s too early to talk about these things… What shall we play next?”

Ava didn’t quite grasp what Sam meant, though it seemed he was dodging the topic again. But at least he hadn’t outright rejected her, right?

A feeling of sweet joy bubbled inside her, like a seed you thought wouldn’t sprout suddenly showing a tender shoot. Even if you couldn’t tell what flower or fruit it would become, at least there was still hope, right?

They got off the carousel. “Want to keep playing?”

Sam checked the time; the sun had set, and even some of the park’s lights were on. But the crowd hadn’t thinned; if anything, more people had come, taking advantage of the evening cool.

“Um, I’m not done playing yet.”

Young people have so much energy. Why did Sam already feel tired?

But he didn’t want to dampen the mood. “What do you want to play next?”

Ava suddenly spotted a sign. “Look! It says here that the Ferris wheel will open at eight o’clock tonight. There will be a beautiful night view and park lights! Best time to visit is from eight to eleven!”

“You’re not telling me you want to stay until eleven, are you?”

“Of course not, I get tired too, you know. But I want to try the Ferris wheel, is that okay?”

She looked at him with hopeful eyes, her hands nervously intertwined, clearly afraid of being rejected.

Sam realized how much she wanted to try it. But what did the Ferris wheel symbolize? In countless movies and dramas, it was a place for lovers, a symbol of romance or flirtation.

But seeing the hope in her eyes, Sam found it hard to say no. He didn’t want her last trip to Kuhang, especially one he accompanied, to have any regrets.

“Then we should find somewhere to eat first. The food in the park isn’t usually very good…”

Hearing Sam’s suggestion, Ava was initially puzzled but quickly realized what he meant.

“You agreed?!”

“If you want to go that much, wouldn’t I be a terrible brother if I said no?”

Ava immediately hugged his arm. “I’ll be happy with anything I eat now!”

Sam led Ava to the park’s dining area to look for something to eat. They found some snacks, though the taste was nothing to write home about. However, Ava really liked the Black Forest cake there.

“Celestria told me I had to try this Black Forest cake here!”

Sam chuckled. “Be careful, too much cake might give you cavities.”

Ava pouted. “I’m not a kid anymore, you can’t scare me with that.”

“Really?”

“Are you going to try some?” After taking photos, Ava scooped up a spoonful of cake and held it up to Sam.

Sam felt it was a bit strange to be fed by her. “I don’t really eat sweets…”

“Just try a bite!”

Ava insisted, and Sam had no choice but to open his mouth. But the spoonful she had scooped was too big, smearing some on the corners of his mouth.

“Is it good?”

She asked.

Sam nodded. “It’s alright.”

Actually, it was quite delicious. Sweet, but not cloyingly so, with a slight bitterness that balanced the flavor, much like how some people enjoy coffee for its bitterness.

He was about to wipe his mouth when…

“Wait!”

Sam paused, thinking something was wrong, and looked at her strangely only to see Ava stand up, reach out, and wipe a bit of cream from his mouth with her finger. Then, she put it in her mouth and tasted it.

Sam was stunned. What was that about?

Had his sister just flirted with him?

Why did his cheeks feel warm?

Ava was nervous, her heart racing, but she put on a naive smile. “Don’t waste it, hehe~”

Sam only thought: Her acting needs work. She’s even trying to flirt with her brother?

Ava, seeing Sam’s odd expression, thought to herself. Did I seem natural just now? He didn’t notice, did he?

What if he did? After all, she had already embarrassed herself enough. “Enjoy my care!”

With their thoughts to themselves, they finished their simple dinner and continued to wander the park, playing less physically demanding games and taking photos for the lively girl.

Sam wasn’t fond of taking photos or selfies, but because of Ava, his phone now had many photos of her—cute, beautiful, or silly.

Initially, Sam intended to use her phone to take the pictures, but she said, “Why don’t you take them and send them to me?”

Sam knew her little scheme was just to make him keep more photos of her, but he didn’t expose her.

Of course, he also knew that she secretly kept some photos of him.

When it was finally time for the Ferris wheel to start admitting guests, all the park’s lights were on, and the music was lively. The crowd hadn’t decreased; if anything, more people had come, making the evening feel not lonely or isolated but rather like a bustling night market.

“It’s time, brother. Shall we go to the Ferris wheel?”

“Sure. But it looks like we’ll have to queue. This time seems pretty busy.”

But Ava boldly linked her arm with Sam’s. At this moment, fully enjoying her day with him, she was determined to make lasting memories.

The lights shone brightly, like stars above.

Her hair cascaded to one side, clinging to her body as she turned her face to him, smiling purely like a lily.

“It’s okay, I can wait. I’m good at waiting!”

Looking into her watery eyes, Sam didn’t know what to say.

Some scenes are so strangely cruel—the more beautiful, the more brutal.

“Fool, those who like to wait are the most easily let down.”

“Hehe~”

They walked together toward the long queue.

And the girl, always smiling, had the bright lights and the bustling crowd reflected in her eyes.

Silly, right?

Ava really was a fool.

But can’t a clumsy person be loved?

Of course not.

Fools just move slower and get less than others. But as long as they’re willing to believe and wait, that day will come, right?