"Congratulations to Sam and Sophie for securing the first place in our Sumr Camp Experience special event! Now, let’s have Cyrus, our teacher who seems to have rejuvenated and returned to his youthful days, present the awards!"
A burst of laughter erupted from the crowd.
Cyrus, portraying the image of a middle-aged man, blushed unusually.
"What kind of nickna is that... Alice, are you making fun of ?"
Alice looked at the middle-aged man ascending the stage with a smile.
"It’s just a friendly jest. In fact, we think you’ve done quite well, certainly better than any of us teachers have."
Cyrus glanced at Alice with so confusion, then at his colleagues, skepticism in his gaze.
However, the teachers began to lead a round of applause.
Without any superfluous words, their actions alone proved that this middle-aged man hadn’t just made a fool of himself; it was truly a precious mory.
Of course, the spotlight was on two other young individuals at this mont.
Sam and Sophie stood on the stage.
Observing the handso young man and beautiful young woman on the stage, the whispers among the audience were inevitable.
"To be honest, although I think I’m slightly less handso than Sam, they really do look well-matched..."
"Ha, you can fool your bro, but don’t fool yourself. If you were half as handso as Sam, I’d perform the extraordinary feat of doing a handstand poop for you."
"Alas, indeed, special people tend to attract each other. This kind of plot isn’t sothing we ordinary students can enjoy. Let’s be realistic."
"What? Are you even going to deprive of my right to fantasize?"
Sam and Sophie, naturally, did not hear these odd comnts.
After all, they had sothing more important at the mont.
They received a heavy box from Cyrus. Inside it were a commorative badge and a small astronomical telescope.
Sam instinctively looked towards Cyrus.
"Teacher... how should we divide this?"
Cyrus, with a smile, watched the two young individuals.
"I don’t know, you guys decide that yourselves. Now, turn around, it’s ti for a photo."
"Oh."
Sam and Sophie stood beside a group of teachers, with Sam holding the hefty box, and Sophie showing no desire to take it over.
Then ca the group photo with all the students from the Sumr Camp Experience, marking the end of the evening’s activities.
When Sam and Sophie were about to head back, they realized the path ho was once again shared by them.
"Why are you walking so fast? Is soone chasing you?"
Sam, carrying the heavy box, caught up with Sophie.
Sophie stopped, looked at Sam, and said: "I’m rushing back to take a shower. I’ve sweated a lot..."
Although Sam’s clothes were a bit distorted from wear, compared to Sophie, who had been tackled to the ground by Thalia, he was indeed more presentable.
Sam wanted to laugh, but looking into her eyes, he forcefully held it back.
"Alright, alright, no more jokes. Take this box back with you."
Sophie paused, then imdiately shook her head: "You should take it."
What she ant was that this so-called prize should belong to Sam.
Because if it weren’t for Sam, Sophie might not have been able to participate in the event at all, let alone reach a ’resolution’ with Thalia in such a manner.
Was it a resolution? In any case, their misunderstanding was not as severe anymore.
Moreover, Sam’s contribution was evident to all, while what Sophie had done could only be considered minor in comparison.
She didn’t have the audacity to outright take it.
But Sam said: "Since we won first place together, the prize should naturally be split between us."
"Then you..."
"You take the telescope, and I’ll give you the box as well, I’ll just take the badge," Sam decided, pushing the box towards her.
Sophie looked at Sam curiously: "Why do you get the badge?"
Sam stated matter-of-factly, "This badge is both small and convenient, not to ntion collectible. Why would I want a tattered telescope?"
His words, as always, had an annoying edge to them, but this ti, Sophie showed no sign of irritation.
Instead, under the starlit sky, she gazed at Sam with a depth in her eyes that seed out of the ordinary.
A gentle breeze stirred above their heads, rustling the nearby leaves, whistling through the surrounding bushes, and lifting the hem of Sophie’s light skirt.
"Don’t tell such obvious lies. Why... would you give the telescope to ?" Sophie pressed on the issue, oddly persistent about what seed an unnecessary question.
Given Sam’s leading role in their success, she had no right to refuse whatever he chose; it would be natural for him to take everything. Yet, she sought the true reason behind his decision.
Sam’s gaze shifted slightly, settling on the delicate ends of Sophie’s hair by her ears. His voice lowered, rippling through the air with a gentle, tender charm.
"Didn’t you say your sister loves stargazing? With this, she can enjoy the stars every night, even from the city. It’s not everywhere you can see the stars like here..."
Having said his piece, Sam realized Sophie hadn’t responded. She was just staring at him, making him almost believe that ti had stopped.
If not for the rustling of leaves.
If not for the chirping of nearby insects.
If not for the strands of her hair fluttering in the wind...
What was that glimr in the depths of her eyes, softly swirling? That arc of light, like moonlight slanting across a lake, was a ripple of silver.
In monts of quiet, Sophie had an air of grace about her.
Sam felt himself growing odder by the mont; why did he feel so awkward when she gave no response at all?
Touching his nose, Sam added, "Don’t worry, I’m not that fond of stars, nor do I have the ti to gaze at them."
Sophie remained silent.
Still looking at him.
The leaves still rustled.
The insects still chirped.
Only her hair, it no longer moved.
"Don’t overthink it. It’s not for you, don’t get conceited. I just have a soft spot for Sophia, I think..."
"Bang."
Sam’s words were abruptly cut off.
His eyes widened, pupils contracting in disbelief at what was unfolding before him.
The girl in front of him... had taken the initiative to embrace him, astonishingly so.
This left Sam at a loss, looking every bit the innocent youth in his first brush with romance.
"This is..."
Sophie didn’t understand what was happening.
All she knew was that she had heard the answer she had been hoping for.
Sam rembered what she had said.
Rembered ntioning, Sophia... loved the stars.
She knew only that Sam had appeared tonight when she most needed help, like a tide washing away the muck on her beach.
She knew only that Sam, to date, found her odd, thought her pretentious, but never truly disliked her.
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He even thought her and Sophia’s existence was cool.
Really cool?
Even she had doubted herself, wondering if she was schizophrenic.
Doubted if her life was just a collection of fragnts.
Yet, he was like a stubborn light, barging in with a warm breeze.
She didn’t know what the future held, nor why her heart was beating so wildly at this mont.
Even less did she understand what her impulse ant at this ti.
Yet, she had rushed forward and embraced him.
As for how all this would end...
Sam was wondering if it was only polite for him to embrace Sophie in return when she lifted her head, then flashed a sweet smile.
Her eyes seemingly glowing, radiantly beautiful, and then she opened her mouth to say in an overly affected tone.
"Sam, you still rember ~ That’s so wonderful~ Thank you~"
"Sophia?"
When did she turn into her sister?
The girl nodded vigorously and then took the box. She pulled out a badge from inside and stuffed it into Sam’s pocket, all the while smiling sweetly.
"Yep! Thank you, Sam~ I’ll make good use of it. See you next ti, I’m off to take a shower, bye~"
"Oh... then, goodbye."
"Goodbye~~~"
With that, the girl turned and walked away, her departure quick as if she were fleeing.
Sam watched her rapidly disappearing figure, his mouth, initially rigid, finally relaxing slightly.
"Such terrible acting... To think you ca up with that, Sophie."
The girl, now vanished into the night, was blushing furiously. Yet, she still ’talked to herself’.
"Hey, hey, hey, hey? How could you do that, sis!"
"Cut the chatter, shut it."
"How could you pretend to be !! And you didn’t even do it well; it was full of holes..."
"Do I need to say it again? Shut up!"
"I will say it! Next ti I’ll tell Sam it wasn’t at all just now!"
"You wouldn’t dare!!"
"Unless you tell ... why you hugged Sam just now."
"Not saying!"
"Then next ti I’ll tell him, no matter how you threaten !"
Sophie stopped in her tracks.
In the darkness, she turned around, the wind lifting her hair. Turning back, there was only darkness, no dazzling Sam.
She let out a long sigh.
"You’re right."
"Hmm?"
"He is the most... uniquely special person I’ve ever t."
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