The Female Leads Truly Loves You - Chapter 76

You’re the strangest girl I’ve ever met
“Alright, then it’s official – Sam and Sophie, welcome to The Ultimate Human Department! From now on, we’re all members of the same club, so let’s make sure to help each other out~”

Isabella seemed extremely delighted, her eyes curving into crescent moons as she smiled.

But this expression was no longer enough to convince Sam of her innocence.

This girl was not simple, not in the slightest. Sam realized he had underestimated the complexity of this game world.

“So, can I leave now?” Sophie was not particularly thrilled.

For her, experimenting with such a possibility was merely a challenge. She had no intention of investing deep emotions, as she put it herself: she was too poor, too impoverished to even spare a bit of trust.

Isabella blinked.

“Of course, you can. Let’s start the club activities tomorrow~ First, let’s exchange contact information. I’ll also set up a discussion group so we can keep in touch anytime, anywhere via our phones!”

Upon hearing this suggestion, Sophie first frowned, then glanced at Sam.

Sam immediately understood her concern. They hadn’t exchanged contact information before, and for Sophie, this seemed like an imposition, something she was clearly not fond of.

But why should her reluctance concern him?

Sam confidently took out his phone and swiftly exchanged contact details with Isabella.

Then Isabella turned to Sophie with a smile. “Your turn now.”

Sophie hesitated, but still pulled out her phone. However, before adding the contact, she muttered,

“Just to be clear, if it’s not something important, I won’t pay attention or respond to idle chatter.”

Isabella responded with a smile, “Of course, I won’t bother you guys for no reason. You can relax, I’m usually quite busy too, don’t underestimate me, okay?”

“That would be best.” Sophie was not the least bit polite in her response.

As Isabella used this method to attract them into the club, it inherently altered the nature of their relationship. It seemed to transform them into potential rivals, one needing to prove themselves, the other maintaining skepticism.

Sophie picked up her backpack, slung it over her shoulder, and stood up. Her legs were long and slender, the delicate figure of the girl turning away with a cold expression.

“Then, I’ll take my leave.”

It was about time for Sam to leave too. He stood up. “I’ll be going then.”

Isabella, seemingly in a very good mood, waved at them cheerily.

“Alright~ Remember to come to the club room right after school tomorrow~ Bye~”

Watching her sweet and charming smile, hearing her soft and gentle voice, Sam could only feel a chill down his spine.

What truly lay behind her facade?

Sam reined in his curiosity, following Sophie’s steps as they left the club activity classroom.

The school now seemed almost deserted, with only their footsteps echoing in the corridor, side by side, neither willing to fall behind the other.

Their relationship appeared distant, surrounded by a cool air, making their pairing seem somewhat unusual.

Yet, Sophie broke the silence. “Do you know Isabella?”

She asked in a stiff tone, clearly uncomfortable, her gaze fixed ahead.

Sam, on the other hand, didn’t harbor these awkward feelings. He was quite at ease with the situation, believing in going with the flow and not overly concerning himself with others’ attitudes. Being too mindful of others’ perceptions could lead to losing one’s sanity.

So, despite Sophie repeatedly indicating her disinterest in engaging with him, Sam wasn’t offended. It simply didn’t matter to him.

“No, I don’t know her. It’s the first time we’ve met.”

Sophie frowned.

“She’s a strange woman,” she commented.

Sam looked at her curiously.

“Stranger than you?”

“How am I strange?”

Sophie looked at Sam, clearly displeased.

Sam chuckled.

“To be honest, you’re the strangest girl I’ve ever met.”

“You’re not much better,” Sophie huffed.

Sam smiled again: “I never claimed to be normal. Besides, isn’t it fitting that strange people end up in this club?”

Sophie glared at the boy, about to retort, but Sam spoke first.

“I know, I know, you don’t have to tell me that you didn’t follow me here. I’m not that vain. It’s just a coincidence.”

Sophie paused, feeling her cheeks warm up.

Really, why did she always feel so odd around this boy? It was unlike her usual calm and rational self.

“I don’t want to talk about it.”

Sophie quickened her pace, seemingly trying to distance herself from Sam, who made no attempt to follow.

After a few steps, Sophie seemed to recall something and stopped at the staircase. She turned around, her stunning appearance even in this simple action resembling a cinematic scene.

The setting sun cast its glow on the corridor, bathing their shoulders in a golden hue.

“Sam.”

She called his name directly, much like Angel.

“What is it?”

Sam halted, maintaining a short distance as he faced her.

Sophie squinted slightly, a clear skepticism in her eyes.

“On the day of the exam, why did you suddenly remind me to check my paper again?”

Was it about the day Sam used eye drops? Did Sophie sense something?

Sam wasn’t surprised by Sophie’s suspicions.

The eye drops’ label did mention a risk of being discovered, and judging by Sophie’s expression, she wasn’t certain about what had happened. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have waited until now to ask.

“It was just a friendly reminder, nothing more. It was exam day, after all. Isn’t that pretty normal?”

Despite Sam’s casual demeanor, Sophie was far from convinced, her skepticism deepening.

“That doesn’t add up. Why did my vision blur right after your reminder, during the exam? And why did it seem like I saw you?”

Realizing the unreliability of the eye drops, which fortunately could only be used once, Sam touched his nose awkwardly, trying to deflect with humor.

“Who knows? Maybe you were just missing me so much that you hallucinated? Didn’t know you express your fondness in such a way.”

Sophie didn’t react with shyness or anger to Sam’s obviously teasing attempt to change the subject.

She snorted coldly.

“You better hope I don’t find out what really happened. And if something like this happens again, I’ll definitely hold you responsible.”

Sam shrugged indifferently and took a step forward, closing the distance between them.

Sophie instantly became alert, but her pride wouldn’t allow her to back down in front of this boy. She stood her ground, facing Sam, who was considerably taller.

Sam’s handsome face, his lazy expression, and slight smile resembled the quintessential male protagonist from a teenage romance manga.

Many girls might fantasize about such a moment under the setting sun, in a deserted corridor, being looked down upon, embraced, and kissed by such a strikingly handsome boy. He was so good-looking, he seemed almost unreal.

Sam, smiling at Sophie, who was just an arm’s length away, said,

“If you’re trying to get my attention this way, I’d suggest a different strategy. I prefer cuter girls.”

“…Jerk,” Sophie’s cheeks flushed red.

Sam patted her shoulder with a laugh, then casually walked past her and descended the stairs, leaving the building with a carefree air.

Sophie was left standing, clenching her fists in anger.

She was so infuriated!

Indescribably so!

No one else had the right to speak to her that way, but Sam, with his looks, seemed to get away with it.

But what was the crux of the matter?

“Sister… he’s really handsome~”

“Handsome, my foot! He’s just a jerk, a narcissist! Who wants his attention? It’s your fault for saying you saw him that made me so embarrassed!”

“Sister, don’t deny it. I felt it just now, your heartbeat…”

“Shut up, shut up, shut up, shut up, SHUT UP!!”

The setting sun bathed Sophie’s cheeks. Red and warm.

Her breathing was irregular, and her modest chest rose and fell like a sea surface caressed by the sea breeze.

Rippling, gently churning…

————

“What are you doing?”

“Eating, what else? But why are you calling at this time?”

Sam was enjoying a pizza, his recent favorite.

He was in the middle of his meal when his sister Ava called, her voice carrying a playful whine.

“Can’t I call you during dinner? I’m worried that you might die over there and no one would know. I’m just showing some concern. What’s with your attitude?”

Typical Ava, always saying the opposite of what she feels.

But Sam understood; it was the peak of teenage rebellion, and it wasn’t unusual for youngsters to struggle with expressing their true feelings, especially towards those close to them.

“Alright, alright, I got it wrong. I indeed have a caring and lovely young sister.”

Sam couldn’t help but laugh.

“Hmph, good that you know. Not everyone is lucky enough to have a sister who’s as pretty, smart, and understanding as I am. You don’t appreciate me! You should cherish me instead of always being sarcastic!”

“How about I enshrine you in a church?”

“Shut up!”

Aha, his sister was anything but smart and considerate, except for being pretty.

Sam happily took another big bite of his pizza.

Ava huffed, “Isn’t your summer vacation starting in less than a month?”

Sam paused, instinctively glancing at the date on his phone.

“That’s true, what about it?”

“Are you coming home for the break? Uh… I’m not the one asking, I don’t care whether you come back or not. It would be better if you didn’t. It’s Mom and Dad who made me ask. It’s so annoying!”

‘Right, it’s Mom and Dad asking.’ Sam saw through the facade but didn’t call her out. After all, a sister who’s tough on the outside but soft on the inside is the cutest.

“Oh, since Ava doesn’t want me to come back, I guess I won’t return this summer. I’ll just work here all vacation. It’ll help reduce the family’s burden and save you the annoyance of seeing me.”

“What? Wait! Are you really not coming back?”

Ava seemed to panic immediately, and Sam could even hear her sitting up in bed.

“Yep, you don’t want me to, right?”

“I never said I didn’t want you to come back. I was just… I was just…”

“Huh? Just what? Can’t hear you clearly. Is the signal bad?”

“Stupid, annoying brother! The signal is perfect! Forget it, do whatever you want. If you don’t come back, just die in Kuhang for all I care!”

She sounded like she was flustered and angry. Quite amusing. Sam had to admire his own playful mischief.

“Alright, alright, don’t worry, I’ll be home for the summer break.”

“Really?”

Ava’s voice was clearly restrained, and Sam could almost imagine her trying to hide her excitement.

Everyone tends to say things they don’t mean at times, but Sam found this level of insincerity acceptable, perhaps due to his fondness for his sister.

Having never had the experience of being a brother in his previous world and growing up without the companionship of parents, the warmth of family affection was something new and precious to him. Now, having the chance to experience it felt quite nice.

“Of course. After all, I have to come back and see if my cute sister has become even prettier.”

A strange noise came from Ava’s end. It sounded almost like a kettle boiling, then Sam realized he wasn’t boiling any water.

“You’re always so smooth with words, but that’s only over the phone. When you’re back, you’ll just bully me again. I don’t believe your sweet talk!”

“Who says that’s bullying? That’s just a brother doting on his sister.”

Ava snorted.

“You better not forget that time it snowed. I threw a snowball at you, and you retaliated with one bigger than my head.”

Did that really happen?

“Ah… I don’t think that happened, did it? They say memory is like a magnifying glass, making things from the past seem bigger than they were…”

“I don’t want to talk about it. Just remember to bring me a gift when you come back, or you might not be allowed in the house.”

“What kind of gift do you want?”

“Do I need to tell you? A gift should be full of personal thought. I’ll leave it to your sincerity. Anyway, I’ve got another call coming in, gotta go.”

“Who’s calling you at this time?”

“Don’t know~ Maybe it’s a boy from school who admires me. I’m hanging up now, don’t want you to ruin my sweet romance.”

With that, Ava ended the call.

Sam shook his head with a smile, not really believing there was such a call.

On the other end of the line, Ava, dressed in sweatpants, was lying on her bed. Surprisingly tall and slender for her age, she was ahead of her peers in development.

With smooth shoulders, prominent curves, and long legs that seemed almost unreal, her toned legs shimmered attractively as she moved them back and forth on the bed.

Indeed, she was on another call, but not with a boy, rather with another girl.

“Callista~ Sorry, but it looks like our summer vacation travel plans might have to be canceled. I won’t have time.”

“Oh, it’s not anything else. It’s just that my brother is coming back and he insists on having me around. It’s really annoying. Even if I disagree, my parents wouldn’t want me going out anyway.

Yeah, it’s because of my brother. Oh come on, he’s just average-looking. Handsome? You haven’t seen his photos? What? You want to visit my house during summer? Forget it, my brother is just a regular guy, not good-looking at all.

I edited those photos, you know. You guys go on your trip; don’t worry about me. No, really, don’t come, you’ll be disappointed. He’s not that good-looking!”

Ava ended the call. She sighed deeply, holding her phone, then glanced at her screen which displayed a photo of Sam, calmly gazing into the distance from a balcony – a photo she had secretly taken. A hint of red crept onto her cheeks.

“I need to change this photo quickly. If anyone finds out…”

After changing the picture, Ava lay back down on her bed, staring at the ceiling, her cheeks growing redder, lost in thought.

“I should buy some new dresses. I’ll definitely dazzle my brother!”

She hugged her phone tightly, swinging her legs energetically, making the whole bed shake.

Then a voice from outside:

“Ava? Did you break your bed? What’s that noise?”

“Ah? Nothing! I’m just exercising!”

After the voice faded, Ava buried her face in her pillow, her face burning red.

…

Meanwhile, Sam, unaware of these developments back at home, was in his apartment in Kuhang. As night approached, he received an unexpected call.

From Alice…

He hesitated for a moment, then answered.

“Hello, Ms. Alice? Is everything okay?”

“Sam… Sorry to disturb you now, but… do you have some time? I might need your help.”

Alice needing help at this hour? What could it be?