The Female Leads Truly Loves You - Chapter 96

Chapter 96: I’d like to meet
If Sam were to choose the world’s most valuable paintings, one of them would surely be of Sophie reading a book.

There she sat, engrossed in her book, seemingly over the ripple caused by Sam’s earlier tease, having returned to her usual aloof demeanor.

Sam, who was replying to a message from Angel on his phone, found his gaze occasionally drawn to her. He admitted to himself that there was no shame in acknowledging this attraction, an opportunity many guys could only dream of.

The afternoon sun streamed through the window, illuminating her long hair draped over her shoulders, enveloping her slender figure. Unadorned with makeup, her beautiful face was as cold as ice.

The golden sunlight filtered through her hair, casting a glow on her delicate features and upturned eyelashes. Every inch touched by the sunlight seemed ethereal.

Of course, amidst this seemingly idyllic admiration, Sam harbored his own minor troubles, realizing he needed to see Angel before heading back home.

Indeed, mastering time management seemed a necessity rather than a choice for men.

Engrossed in his thoughts, Sam forgot his gaze was fixed on Sophie’s face until her cheeks began to redden… She finally couldn’t resist closing her book and turning to look at the still daydreaming Sam.

“Have you had your fill of staring?” she asked.

Sam, momentarily startled, realized how his gaze could be easily misconstrued. Yet, far from apologizing or showing nervousness, he replied with a smile, “The sunlight today is just too beautiful to ignore.”

Sophie rolled her eyes, placed her book back in her bag, and stood up. “Then enjoy it all you want, I’m heading back.”

As she stood, her pleated skirt fluttered, revealing the smooth skin of her thighs.

The texture must feel incredibly silky… wait, I mean to the touch.

Stretching lazily, Sam also stood up. “Let’s go, I was about to head home myself.”

Sophie frowned. “Who said I want to go home with you?”

Saying so, Sophie walked to the door but didn’t close it behind her. When Sam, having packed up, left the classroom, he found Sophie crouching down, tying her shoelaces.

Seeing this, Sam could hardly suppress a chuckle. She had just said she didn’t want to go home with him, so why wait here on purpose? It’s just tying shoelaces, that shouldn’t take ten minutes, right?

But she really is cute. Should he attempt a leapfrog move? Jump right over her head?

Better not, he thought.

As Sam approached, Sophie stood up just in time, glancing at him. She was about to speak when Sam beat her to it.

“I know you weren’t waiting for me, but let’s not waste time; it’s getting dark.”

With that, Sam took the lead.

Watching Sam’s retreating back, Sophie furrowed her brows, her fists clenched a bit tighter, but eventually, she let go with a sense of resignation.

Forget it, let him act cool if he wants.

They walked downstairs together, moving through the campus which seemed eerily quiet at this time.

Indeed, after the end-of-term exams, everyone seemed eager to head home, with hardly anyone still engrossed in club activities. It felt like the vacation had started the moment the exams ended.

The girl beside him walked slowly, prompting Sam to adjust his stride to match hers.

Walking side by side always seemed to carry a special significance, making Sophie somewhat distracted.

She didn’t like walking shoulder to shoulder with boys, or anyone for that matter, be it men or women.

But, she had to admit, there was something about Sam that seemed to wield a strange kind of magnetism; as much as she wanted to dislike him, she found it impossible to truly do so.

“Do you like reading novels?” Sam asked, glancing at the path lined with fallen leaves leading to the school gate.

Sophie looked up. “I guess so. I’ll read anything that’s good.”

“I thought you only liked those melancholic, aesthetically beautiful novels,” Sam said with a smile.

Sophie wrinkled her nose. “I’m not that pessimistic. In fact, I disagree with many views. It’s like philosophy, you know? Everyone has their own interpretations and reasoning when reading different novels. They might contradict each other, but you still have to find your own path.”

“That’s a very rational judgment. I also think many beliefs are just self-comforting, self-deceiving notions,” Sam remarked.

“Like what?” Sophie looked at Sam as if challenging him, curious if he was just pretending to be cultured.

Sam shrugged. “Like a line from the novel you were reading: ‘We spend our lives walking alone, seeking love and being sought by love.'”

Sophie frowned. “You disagree with that statement?”

Sam shook his head. “Not exactly disagree, but rather, we shouldn’t blindly believe in it.”

His unusual stance piqued Sophie’s curiosity as she studied his face. They had reached the school gate, but Sam stopped, turning back to look at the campus under Sophie’s watchful eyes.

“Look, as kids, we had companions in kindergarten, in junior high we had classmates, in high school, we had high school friends, and then in college and at work… In the end, we have many companions along the way.”

Sophie looked back at the campus, quiet and peaceful under the soft glow of the setting sun, emanating a faint warmth. “But with every step, we’re moving away from old acquaintances. People continuously vanish into the past, making that statement correct.”

Sam nodded. “Yes, seen in that light, there’s nothing wrong with the statement… But we can’t deny that each person has indeed existed in our lives, in our past. As long as we remember them, they haven’t disappeared; they continue to exist and provide us with strength and warmth to keep going. How can you say then that we are always walking alone?”

Sam, his face bathed in the afterglow of the sunset, had his hair tousled by the evening breeze. His gaze seemed distant, stretching to the horizon, to the skyline, leaving Sophie to wonder just how far into the future he was seeing.

The brilliance was somewhat blinding. She slightly lowered her head.

“I don’t need friends. I can keep going on my own.”

Sam smiled, turning back to face her with an air of indifference. “That’s okay. At least you’ll remember me, and I’ll remember you.”

His gaze made her ears instantly warm. She couldn’t bear the bright light in his eyes and quickly turned her head away.

“The school bus will arrive soon.”

She started to walk faster, her hair bouncing with each step.

They boarded the school bus, a familiar scene, following her heart’s last resolve, still choosing seats one in front of the other with Sam. But this time, she sat a bit further back, allowing her a clear view of Sam leaning slightly against the window.

The passing scenery outside the bus window was fleeting, elusive, like memories from a movie. She wouldn’t lean out to catch a glimpse of missed landscapes; she always felt that what was missed wasn’t really missed—it was never hers to begin with.

Yet, looking at Sam’s clean shirt, at his messy hair, she frowned. Though reluctant to admit it, yes, some things were enough for Sophie to remember him.

This summer… was indeed different.

When the bus stopped at a familiar place, the two of them got off together. On the clean streets, one could occasionally see a stray cat jumping over a fence or lazily enjoying the last rays of the sun.

It seemed like the final stretch of the term, the last walk with Sam. Sophie didn’t know what to say, maybe she should remain as she always had been, saying nothing.

Time would take its toll, evaporating wavering emotions, adjusting unclear feelings.

But at this moment, at the crossroads of their impending separation, Sam stopped and turned back to look at an unprepared Sophie.

“Sophie.”

“Hmm?”

His hesitant demeanor, almost like a conflicted anime protagonist wanting to confess but holding back, was unmistakably clear. She knew it was impossible, yet she couldn’t help feeling a little anticipation.

“What are your plans for the summer vacation?”

Was that all he wanted to ask? Sophie unclenched her fists, feeling somewhat empty inside. “Isn’t it a bit late to be asking that now?”

Sam chuckled, “Why would it be late? I’m not asking you to come back to my hometown with me.”

“In your dreams!” Sophie looked away, then sighed and turned back with an impatient gaze, “Stay home, read some books, maybe go out for a walk occasionally. That’s all.”

“Don’t you play any games?”

“A waste of life.”

“Louis would be heartbroken to hear that,” Sam remarked.

“Who’s Louis?”

“Never mind, just a friend of mine. Maybe I’ll introduce you sometime.”

Sophie frowned immediately: “No thanks.”

Sam shrugged indifferently, his gaze drifting to a chubby cat on the wall, alternately licking its paws and scratching its head in a comical fashion. The sight made him chuckle.

“What’s so funny?” Sophie asked, visibly annoyed.

Sam shook his head, “Nothing, just… don’t you get bored? Spending the whole summer like that, it seems like a pity. Loneliness and boredom… they can be tough to deal with.”

Sophie scoffed disdainfully, “Only those with weak spirits fear loneliness and boredom. The so-called companionship among friends is just meaningless socializing, a way to pass the time.”

Such deep-seated biases~

Sam nodded, “You’re entitled to your opinion… But if you ever feel bored or lonely, you can call me. Though, the reception might not be great in the countryside.”

Sophie snorted, “Why would I call you? Don’t flatter yourself.”

Sam responded casually, “It’s okay, I know you like to play tough.”

“You’re the one who’s playing tough!”

“Say what you will. Anyway, I’m off. See you after the summer.”

Sam smiled easily, as if he could never be hurt.

But the word “summer vacation” lingered in Sophie’s mind.

Summer vacation.

Dozens of days.

Summer always seems so long… right?

“Sam.”

“Hmm?” Sam turned, puzzled at the girl who had suddenly called out to him.

Sophie’s expression was complex, tinged with dissatisfaction yet seemingly resigned, before she finally sighed. “After the summer… I’ll introduce her to you.”

Sam didn’t ask who ‘she’ was at that moment because he felt he already knew the answer. “Are you sure? You really don’t have to force yourself.”

“If you don’t want to meet, forget it.” Perhaps he’d find it a nuisance? After all, such a peculiar request… Otherwise, he wouldn’t have seemed so indifferent when he first discovered her secret…

But the next moment, Sam’s face broke into a smile. “I’d like to meet.”

“Huh?” Sophie was surprised, only to hear Sam add, “I never thought such a thing would happen, but now that I think about it, it might be interesting. So, please do. Alright, I’m off.”

He waved his hand, not expecting Sophie to say goodbye, and turned to walk down the long, quiet street. The setting sun cast a long shadow behind him.

The breeze blew Sophie’s hair from her forehead, her gaze filled with a hint of confusion. Slowly, as his figure disappeared, she raised her hand in a wave, then lowered her head, uttering words only the wind could catch.

“When we meet again, the summer will almost be over.”