"GO!"
The buzzer echoed through the whole arena.
Dayo launched forward the same second, his body cutting through the water cleanly. The moment he entered the water, his mind went blank — blank, but full.
It felt like everything inside him was switched off except one thing:
Move.
He didn't look left.
He didn't look right.
He didn't check who was beside him.
Every muscle in his body pushed with everything he had.
His strokes were sharp, heavy, and fast.
His legs kicked like he was trying to break the pool itself.
The water rushed around him, but he barely felt it.
His mind was fixed on one thing — the wall ahead.
Just get there.
Push.
Push.
Push.
Push.
His chest burned, his arms screamed to take a break or pause, but he didn't slow down.
He kept going until his fingers finally slammed into the finish pad.
Beep.
Dayo's head came out of the water, gasping, his breath harsh and loud.
For a moment, he didn't even know what had happened.
