The Female Leads Truly Loves You - Chapter 429

Chapter 429: How about giving this to me?
“Hey, Isabella. Even though you quit cosplaying without a word, saying you didn’t want to be a cosplayer anymore, I don’t know why. Maybe it’s because you’re busy with school? Or maybe your life has changed recently? We don’t really know. But we will always remember the days we boldly presented ourselves together.

“Ah, I’m not good at saying these kinds of things, leaving messages of blessings for others. I haven’t learned how to do it over the years… But what I really want to say is, I’ve always seen you as a very good and kind sister. No matter where you are, no matter if you continue to cosplay in the future, we will always remember you and how you helped us complete that convention.

I wish you all the best, and may you succeed in whatever you try. Good luck!”

“Wow, wow, wow, it’s been almost a year since we last cosplayed together, Isabella! Without you, I always mess up my wig, can’t apply foundation properly, and often have little mishaps with my makeup. Without your advice, the things I buy online often don’t fit, which is really frustrating.

But you know what? I’ve been working hard to learn these things! So don’t worry about me. Even though I’m older than you, it feels like I’ve always been taken care of by you, which is quite embarrassing. Last time at the convention, I had no choice but to ask for your help… I know you wouldn’t mind, because you’re such a sincere friend~

Speaking of the New Year, I don’t know what blessings to give you. But I hope you can always be beautiful, no matter what you’re doing, and that you’re always happy and willing. Do you remember why I told you I liked cosplaying?

Well, it’s because in this world, most of us have reasons beyond our control and little secrets we can’t mention. But in that distant dimension we can never reach, it reflects our truest selves. So now, Isabella, what character do you think you are?

I hope you are yourself. Wishing you happiness every day~~”

At some point, perhaps when she saw those lines of text, Isabella realized what this notebook held and what it conveyed. Her eyes had already started to well up.

She wasn’t the strongest person, but she wasn’t so fragile as to cry all the time, with fluctuating emotions.

But those lines, those familiar yet different notes.

Those stories from the past, which she thought she had left behind, were reminding her.

The past events become memories.

They don’t just disappear, buried in the soil.

Not only were there messages from Isabella’s two friends, but also from people she used to know well but had grown distant from.

These were people she had worked with or cosplayed with.

She wanted to hold back her emotions, to say she wasn’t easily moved by memories.

But as she flipped through the pages.

She saw names she didn’t recognize.

Those names, written in childish handwriting, said things like:

“Although I’ve never met you, thank you for your support. I will work hard to grow, and I hope to meet you in the future!”

“Thank you for organizing this event to help us. I will work hard in life and study well. I hope to visit Kuhang and meet you one day! Stay happy and blessed!”

“Thank you.”

“Thank you…”

“Wishing you…”

The words became blurry.

Tears blurred her vision.

She closed the notebook, fearing her tears would smudge the writing.

She couldn’t describe her feelings, as if her heart was being tossed by a huge wave, floating and sinking in a vast sea.

She couldn’t find a foothold.

She didn’t know how Sophie managed this. These were different handwritings, from people Sophie couldn’t have met. How…

Sophie noticed her gaze and softly explained.

“I spent some time finding your two friends. From the holidays until today, I’ve been busy with this. Of course, I didn’t do it all myself. The back has faxes from places I couldn’t reach, with messages from children helped by that convention. The rest is thanks to your old friends.”

She held the small, thick, and heavy notebook tightly.

Her voice trembled as she asked.

“Why did you do this?”

Why go to such lengths for her?

They usually seemed to dislike her arrangements, and she had seen their thoughts, which didn’t seem particularly grateful.

But why… at this moment, it felt like a hardworking farmer finally reaping a bountiful harvest?

She didn’t understand.

Sophie glanced at Sam and Angel, who were silently watching her.

No one wanted to stop her from answering, or rather, everyone was curious about her response.

Sophie took a deep breath.

“It’s nothing. As I said, I don’t know you well. I’m not good at getting to know people. So I don’t know why you gave up cosplaying, or what you’ll do after high school. I don’t know any of that. But what I do know is…”

Sophie looked directly into Isabella’s eyes.

“No matter who it is, no matter how they contribute, they don’t want their efforts to go unrecognized, even if it’s just a simple thank you. Senior, you became disillusioned with humanity, which led to your drastic changes after gaining mind-reading abilities, right? Now you can see that at least these people remember your kindness.”

Sam remembered he hadn’t told Sophie about this.

Why Isabella, in her senior year, suddenly gave up many things, like her love for cosplaying, her relationships with other students, and even forming the Ultimate Human Department.

But indeed, Isabella’s ability to read minds made her see that many people and things weren’t worth her efforts.

So she gave up trying to fit in and please others.

Isabella looked at the three of them, a hint of embarrassment on her face.

“Senior, wipe your tears.”

Sam handed her a tissue, and this time Angel didn’t stop him.

Isabella wiped her face and eyes.

Though her eyes were still a bit swollen, she felt calmer.

She sighed deeply.

Then she looked out at the endless nightscape and spoke softly.

“I always thought that by forming this club and having you join, I was taking on the role of an observer. Observing your words and actions, your interactions, and the progress of your relationships. It felt like I was detached, like I was the only one in the club who wouldn’t change.”

Then she shook her head with a bitter smile, raising her glass.

Smiling at everyone.

“Sophie is right. In this world, no one can remain detached. I’m grateful that in the final stage of my high school years, I met you all. Cheers.”

“Cheers.”

No one refused the toast.

Just as no one would refuse the soothing, slightly melancholic music flowing into their ears.

After collecting herself, Isabella looked at Sophie.

“Alright, what’s the second gift?”

Sophie looked directly at Angel, who naturally looked back at her.

It was like a battlefield, where the clash of generals was the climax of the story.

Their gazes met, but there was no explosive tension Sam had imagined.

“Why do you think I would give you a gift?”

Sophie held her bag but didn’t immediately take anything out.

Angel chuckled.

“First, you’re not giving me a gift for my sake, right?”

Sophie’s eyes narrowed.

Sam thought, you two should talk it out. Don’t look at me; I know nothing.

Angel continued.

“So I know you’ll give a gift, but I can’t imagine what it would be. I’m very picky, especially after seeing what you gave Isabella. If mine isn’t as good, I won’t accept it.”

Was this a challenge? Maybe not, but it was definitely pressure.

At least Sam thought it would be hard for Sophie to be as thoughtful towards Angel as she was towards Isabella.

After all, she had no reason to.

So… what would it be?

Sophie lowered her gaze, opening her bag as she spoke.

“I said I don’t know you well, so I don’t know if you’ll like it. But I thought long and hard about this.”

“Really? I’m looking forward to it.”

Under everyone’s watchful eyes.

Sophie took out an item.

It was a jade pendant, with some discoloration, clearly not of the highest quality. It had some carvings, but they weren’t particularly intricate.

As she placed the pendant on the table, she spoke softly.

“This is a jade pendant my mother gave me. She said it would bring me good luck.”

A simple statement, a simple pendant that didn’t look expensive, placed before everyone.

Her mother’s keepsake?

Sam thought of this concept.

Angel narrowed her eyes.

“But Sophie, I remember your luck hasn’t been great.”

Sophie didn’t look up, just at the pendant.

“I’ve been sickly, often falling ill, and even a fever could take my life. So I believe this pendant has kept me alive. You can think of it as a little story, and you don’t have to accept it. I’ll return your gift if you don’t.”

The atmosphere grew silent.

Angel’s silence made it seem like she was dissatisfied with the gift.

But Sam knew this small item represented something significant, perhaps the only keepsake from Sophie’s mother.

To someone like Angel, who lacked nothing, it might seem insignificant.

But it was the only thing Sophie could offer. She had no money, no family backing, and couldn’t create anything.

What could she give to someone who had everything?

Only the intangible, her belief in luck.

So as Angel remained silent, Isabella’s eyes narrowed, and Sophie’s hand clenched tightly in the shadows.

Sam reached out, taking the pendant.

He smiled at the three girls.

“How about giving this to me?”