CHAPTER 29 — DAY 5
Tug of War Quarter-Finals
Day five of Sports Week arrived with heavy excitement.
Today's main event was Tug of War.
Unlike running or Kabaddi, this competition was pure strength and endurance. One mistake, one slip — and the entire team could collapse.
The thick rope lay stretched across the dusty field. A red ribbon was tied exactly at the center, marking the balance point.
Students crowded around the arena.
Everyone loved this event.
Because tug of war always ended with mud, dust, and chaos.
Morning — At the Ground
The group arrived together.
Kevin looked at the rope and whistled.
"That thing looks like it could tow a truck."
Nova laughed.
"Good thing none of us signed up."
Ben nodded toward the arena.
"Except two people."
Everyone looked at Care and Ash.
Ash stretched her arms confidently.
"Relax. We've got this."
Care tied her hair back calmly, adjusting the grip tape around her palms.
Cole walked up beside her.
"You're really doing this?"
Care gave a small nod.
"It's just tug of war."
Cole crossed his arms.
"Nothing is 'just' with you."
She smirked slightly.
Team Position
The sports teacher shouted,
"Participants — take positions!"
Teams lined up on opposite sides of the rope.
Care's team had seven members.
Ash stood in the third position.
But Care stood at the very front of the rope.
The first position.
It required quick reflexes and balance.
Ash leaned toward her.
"You sure about front line?"
Care replied calmly,
"Someone has to control the rhythm."
Ash grinned.
"Fair enough."
The Match Begins
The referee raised his hand.
"READY!"
Both teams grabbed the rope tightly.
Dust rose around their shoes as they dug their feet into the ground.
"PULL!"
The whistle pierced the air.
Instantly the rope jerked.
Both teams pulled with full strength.
Students began shouting loudly from the sidelines.
"PULL!"
"DON'T LET GO!"
"COME ON!"
The Struggle
Ash leaned backward with all her strength.
"Hold the line!"
Care's arms burned immediately.
But her grip stayed steady.
She shouted,
"Together!"
"NOW!"
Her team pulled in rhythm.
The rope moved slightly.
Cheers exploded from the crowd.
But the opposing team pulled back aggressively.
The rope snapped tight again.
Care's boots slid slightly in the sand.
She steadied herself instantly.
"Again!" she shouted.
"PULL!"
The Final Pull
Everyone screamed encouragement.
Sweat ran down faces.
Hands trembled.
The rope vibrated between both teams.
For a moment it looked impossible.
Then suddenly—
Ash yelled,
"ONE LAST TIME!"
Care took a deep breath.
"NOW!"
All seven teammates leaned back with full force.
The rope jerked forward violently.
The red ribbon crossed the chalk line.
WHISTLE
"WINNER — TEAM FOUR!"
The referee blew the whistle loudly.
Cheers erupted everywhere.
Ash laughed in relief.
"We did it!"
The Accident
Some teammates immediately loosened their grip.
The tension in the rope released suddenly.
But the opposing team, frustrated and angry, yanked the rope toward themselves one last time.
The sudden jerk threw the balance off.
Care, standing in the front position, lost footing.
Her body was pulled forward.
She fell hard into the dusty ground.
Sand burst into the air.
Gasps spread through the crowd.
Ash immediately rushed forward.
"Care!"
But the referee raised his hand.
"STOP!"
He pointed toward the chalk line.
"The match is already over."
"Team Four had already won."
Students began clapping again.
But Ash helped Care sit up.
"You okay?"
Care brushed sand off her arms.
"Yeah."
Her voice was calm.
But when she coughed once—
Dust scratched painfully through her lungs.
She ignored it.
Cole had already walked onto the field.
His expression serious.
"You fell pretty hard."
Care stood up.
"I've had worse."
Nova shouted from the sidelines,
"YOU LOOK LIKE A SAND MONSTER!"
Kevin laughed.
Ben added,
"Victory sand."
Even Care smiled slightly.
But inside—
Her chest felt tight.
Too much dust.
Too much strain.
Still…
She said nothing.
Evening — Mansion
By the time they returned to the mansion everyone was exhausted.
Sports Week had drained them.
Kevin dropped onto the couch dramatically.
"I'm dead."
Nova threw a pillow at him.
"You didn't even compete."
Ben stretched.
"My sympathy muscles are tired."
Ash sat beside Care.
"That fall looked nasty."
Care shrugged.
"It was nothing."
But Cole watched her carefully.
He had noticed the cough earlier.
He stepped closer.
"You sure you're okay?"
Care nodded.
"Yeah."
Cole sighed softly but didn't argue.
"Alright."
Still…
He kept an eye on her the entire evening.
Later that night the mansion slowly became quiet.
Everyone fell asleep across couches and chairs.
The exhaustion of Sports Week had finally caught up to them.
But somewhere in the quiet—
Care lay awake for a while.
Her lungs still felt heavy.
The dust from the field lingered deep in her chest.
She knew it.
Something inside her body had been pushed too far.
But she closed her eyes anyway.
Tomorrow would be worse.
And she had no intention of stopping.