The morning of the finals, Dayo woke up slowly and sat on the edge of his bed. He took a long breath and stared at the floor.

He still couldn't believe he had come this far.

Just a few months ago, he was still thinking about how he would make a comeback with music since the system gave him a mission. And everything began with a charity swimming competition — the one moment that changed his entire life.

Now he was here. The U.S NATIONALS.

People trained their whole lives to get this chance. Some never even made it past the state level.

But somehow… he was here.

He smiled a little. Not everybody was lucky enough to get a system like him. Not everybody survived the things he had survived.

He looked back at his past life — the pain, the suffering, the years of struggle — and said quietly to himself:

"It's time to enjoy."

Everything moved fast after that.

Warm-up. Stretch.

Fast-track to the aquatic center.

He was already with his coach. Warm-up was almost over. Athletes were gathering for the final call.

Richard watched him for a few seconds and finally asked, "You nervous?"

Dayo scoffed. "If I say no, will you even believe me?"

Richard burst into a small laugh. "Obviously not."

"Yeah… I'm a bit nervous," Dayo admitted. "But I'm trying to keep myself together."

Richard stepped closer and lowered his voice.

"Dayo, listen… look around you."

Dayo did. Athletes stretching. Athletes jumping. Some athletes were shaking their arms to stay loose.

"All of them," Richard continued, "have been swimming since they were kids. They've spent years and years preparing for days like this, and all are more experienced than you."

He tapped Dayo lightly on the chest.

"But you? You are different. You started swimming just a few months ago… and you are HERE. That tells you something."

Dayo stayed quiet.

"You have talent, Dayo. Immense talent. And no matter what happens today, there's a very high chance you're still qualifying. Even if you don't win this final."

Richard exhaled slowly. "So breathe. Don't let the nerves choke you. Use them. Nerves can push you if you handle them right."

Dayo nodded. "I'll try, Coach."

Richard smirked. "Try? Boy, you'd better do more than try. You know what you're capable of."

Dayo smiled back. "Yeah… I know."

---

THE FINAL

Eight swimmers. Eight lanes. Eight people who fought through everything to get here.

The silence in the arena was heavy. Nobody was cheering loudly yet. It felt like the whole place was holding its breath.

Dayo stepped onto his block.

To his left and right — Evan Blake and Alex Carter.

Three of the fastest sprinters in the country… all in one race.

The organizers made sure to put them together for a known reason.

The announcer's voice echoed:

"Swimmers… on your mark."

Everyone bent forward.

"Set…"

The world went silent.

"GO!"

BOOM. All eight splashed into the water at the exact same moment.

The tension was crazy.

Dayo, Evan, and Alex were neck-and-neck. Same rhythm. Same strokes. Same intensity.

But then — Evan suddenly picked up speed. His arms were slicing through the water violently, faster than normal, faster than expected.

Dayo noticed it immediately. Alex noticed it too. The crowd gasped.

Dayo pushed harder, trying to match Evan's sudden burst.

The wall was getting closer — fast.

Evan was slightly ahead. Dayo was right behind him. Alex right beside Dayo.

10 meters.

7 meters

5. Meters

Alex suddenly exploded forward.

His body stretched.

Dayo followed just behind him.

Everything inside him focused on one thing: touch the wall first.

They reached.

TOUCH.

Dayo's fingers hit the wall almost exactly when Alex's did. Evan's hand came right after.

Everyone looked up at the scoreboard.

The arena erupted instantly.

Alex – 21.37

Dayo – 21.41

Evan – 21.50

Alex won. Dayo came second. Evan third.

The noise in the stadium shot up.

Evan smacked the water in a bit of frustration, breathing hard.

Dayo's heart dropped a bit. He wasn't angry — just disappointed in himself.

He wanted first. He knew he could get first.

But he also knew this was his first Nationals. He took a slow breath and forced a small smile.

Before he could think too much, Evan swam closer and bumped his shoulder lightly.

"Yo, come on," Evan said, catching his breath. "Second place at your first Nationals? Bro, that's insane. Don't beat yourself up."

Dayo smiled weakly. "Thanks."

Alex turned toward them. He wasn't celebrating loudly. He just smirked — a small, sharp smirk that didn't look friendly at all.

And muttered, "This is no circus, losers."

Evan rolled his eyes immediately. "Don't mind him," Evan muttered. "He thinks he is above everyone because he won today."

Dayo didn't reply.

His eyes were focused on something on Alex's fair arm — a tiny mark near the inside of his elbow. Very small, but clear.

Too clear.

Dayo's eyes narrowed. His mind raced for a second, with different thoughts running through his mind.

Did he use something? The breathing… the sudden burst… after he had wasted energy keeping up. Everything connected too easily.

He didn't say a word.

He had watched all of Evan and Alex's clips and studied them, so he knew for sure that Alex doesn't have the power to do a final burst as he uses that towards the middle.

Dayo walked out of the pool area and met Richard waiting at the tunnel.

Richard hugged him instantly. "Second place… Dayo, that's huge. Congrats, man."

Dayo pulled back slightly and lowered his voice.

"Coach… I think Alex used something."

Richard frowned. "What do you mean?"

"I saw a pin mark on his arm," Dayo said quietly. "My eyes are sharp. I know what I saw."

Richard's expression hardened. He himself was not surprised but acted surprised after all he had been in swimming for more than a decade and a half. "You're serious?"

"Yeah," Dayo replied. "But I'm not using it as an excuse. He swam well."

Richard nodded slowly. "Still… we'll keep our eyes open."

He clapped Dayo gently on the shoulder.

"You did amazing. Second place at Nationals. You're going to the Olympics."

Dayo finally let a real smile show. He realized that.

He still made it. Even with everything… he made it.

The crowd shouted his name.

"JD" "JD" "JD" "JD"

Dayo smiled as he waved at them. Even if he came second, he still had people happy for him.

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