Chapter 23
Sports Week – Day 1
(Opening Ceremony, Volleyball & Archery)
Morning sunlight spread across the massive college sports ground like a golden sheet. Rows of chairs had been arranged across the field, colorful banners tied to poles, and a large stage stood at the center with the college emblem shining proudly.
It was the first day of Sports Week.
Students gathered slowly, filling the ground with noise and excitement. Some were stretching. Some were laughing. Some were already discussing strategies for their matches.
The atmosphere felt different today.
Electric.
Care walked through the entrance gate quietly, her sports bag hanging on one shoulder. Her expression was calm, almost unreadable, but inside she felt the familiar tightening in her chest—not fear, not exactly.
Anticipation.
Sports had always been strange for her.
Her lungs were weak.
Her breathing fragile.
But movement was also the only way she had learned to fight that weakness.
So she trained harder than everyone else.
That had been her rule for years.
As she walked across the field, she noticed the group standing together near the volleyball court.
Cole.
Lyra.
Alex.
Ash.
Ben.
Daisy.
Nova.
Kevin.
Joong.
They were all talking loudly, excitement shining on their faces.
Care slowed slightly.
Then she walked past them without stopping.
Exactly like she had promised.
No talking in college.
No visible connection.
Just strangers.
Cole noticed her first.
He watched silently as she walked past the group and moved toward the seating area on the opposite side.
Ben frowned.
"Why does she still sit alone?" he muttered.
Ash shrugged. "Because that's literally what she told us she would do."
Nova crossed her arms, watching Care carefully.
"She's serious about keeping things hidden," she said quietly.
Daisy sighed. "Still feels weird."
Meanwhile, Care sat down alone in the last row of chairs, placing her bag beside her.
Her eyes moved across the ground.
The volleyball net.
The archery targets.
The running tracks.
The kabaddi field.
Seven days of competition.
Seven days of pressure.
Her fingers tightened slightly around the strap of her bag.
Stay calm.
Just play.
A loud microphone feedback suddenly screeched across the ground.
Students turned toward the stage.
The principal stepped forward to the podium.
The noise slowly faded.
The principal's voice echoed across the ground.
"Good morning, students."
"Welcome to the annual College Sports Week."
A wave of applause spread through the crowd.
The principal smiled slightly.
"Sports are not only about winning medals. They are about discipline, strength, and the ability to stand up again when you fall."
Care listened silently.
"During this week, every student will participate in at least one event. Some will win. Some will lose."
"But the most important victory is pushing beyond your limits."
The speech continued, explaining the rules, schedules, and event structures.
Then the sports coordinator stepped forward.
"Day 1 events will begin immediately after this ceremony."
He raised a clipboard.
"Today's competitions include Volleyball Quarter-Finals and Archery Trials."
Excited murmurs spread instantly.
Students stood up, rushing toward different sections of the ground.
The tournament had begun.
---
Volleyball Courts
The volleyball court quickly filled with players and spectators.
Care tied her hair into a tight ponytail, stepping onto the court quietly.
Her team gathered around the net.
Across from them, another team walked toward their side.
And right in the center of that team stood Cole.
For a brief moment, their eyes met across the net.
Neither spoke.
But the air between them felt heavy.
Ben leaned toward Cole and whispered with a grin.
"Well well… looks like fate wanted a show."
Cole cracked his knuckles slightly.
"Good," he muttered.
"I was getting bored."
The referee raised a whistle.
Players moved into position.
Care stood at the back row, knees slightly bent, eyes sharp.
Despite her calm face, she could already feel her lungs working harder.
Control your breathing.
Slow.
The whistle blew.
The match began.
The ball flew across the net.
The first rally was fast.
Care jumped slightly, passing the ball smoothly to her teammate.
Cole smashed the next return.
The crowd shouted loudly.
The match quickly turned intense.
Back and forth.
Spike.
Block.
Dive.
Care moved fast across the court, reading the ball's movement with sharp precision.
Even Cole noticed.
She wasn't just playing.
She was analyzing.
Predicting.
Adapting.
Ben blocked a spike from Care's teammate.
Cole jumped immediately after, sending the ball crashing back across the net.
The crowd roared.
But Care slid forward just in time.
Her arms caught the ball perfectly.
The rally continued.
Longer.
Harder.
Sweat formed on her forehead.
Her lungs burned slightly.
But her movements stayed steady.
Across the net, Cole smirked slightly.
"Not bad," he muttered under his breath.
The match continued for almost twenty minutes.
Both teams fought fiercely.
Finally—
A powerful spike from Care's teammate landed just inside the boundary line.
The whistle blew.
Her team had won the set.
Cheers erupted.
Players high-fived each other.
Care stepped back quietly, wiping sweat from her face.
Across the net, Cole looked at her again.
This time with something different in his eyes.
Respect.
But also rivalry.
The tournament had just begun.
---
Archery Grounds
While volleyball matches continued on one side of the ground, the archery range stood calm and quiet.
Targets had been placed far across the field.
Students lined up with bows.
Nova stood among them.
Her expression was focused.
Completely calm.
Lyra and Alex stood behind the safety line watching.
Alex leaned slightly toward Lyra.
"She looks terrifyingly serious," he whispered.
Lyra chuckled softly.
"Nova always does."
Nova lifted the bow slowly.
Her fingers pulled the string back.
The arrow lined up with the center of the target.
Her breathing slowed.
The world around her seemed to fade.
Release.
The arrow flew across the air.
Thud.
It landed close to the center ring.
Several students murmured in surprise.
Another arrow.
Another precise shot.
Nova's movements were smooth and controlled.
Even the archery instructor nodded approvingly.
Lyra smiled proudly.
"Told you."
Meanwhile, Care had finished her volleyball match and walked quietly toward the archery side of the ground.
She stood at a distance, watching silently.
Nova released another arrow.
Near perfect.
Care folded her arms.
Impressive.
The first day of Sports Week continued with energy across the ground.
Students cheering.
Matches beginning.
Rivalries growing.
And somewhere within all that excitement…
The group was slowly realizing something.
Care was not just quiet.
Not just distant.
She was dangerous in competition.
And this Sports Week was only getting started.