Plan successful

Sam never anticipated such a turn of events. 

Not only had Alice not mentioned anything in advance, but Isabella also seemed to have forgotten to tell him about the new member joining today. It was too coincidental, yet there seemed to be no reason for a deliberate arrangement. 

After all, his interactions with Sophie were quite private, limited mostly to the convenience store and study room, and not widely known. 

Although Angel is aware of it, there's no reason for these two to know.

Therefore, this appeared to be nothing more than a twist of 'fate', an absurd concept that was playing out in reality.

Clearly, Sophie was just as surprised by this encounter. 

She had come to join the club reluctantly, pressured by her excessive absences from school and a lack of interest in other hobbies. Now, to encounter Sam here? 

After their last conversation at the convenience store, this meeting was nothing short of awkward.