The semifinals were done, the stadium noise had settled, and the Olympic Village finally felt a little calmer. Most athletes used this break to lie down, sleep, or stay inside their rooms to conserve energy. Dayo didn't mind the silence—he actually liked it—but it didn't last long.

His phone buzzed.

Evan: "Bro, are you free? I'm bored. Let's go out abeg."

Dayo rubbed his forehead and laughed softly. "You and boredom, sha. Where exactly?"

"Anywhere. I just need to leave this room before I start talking to the wall."

"Alright, cool. I'm coming."

They met downstairs, both wearing casual outfits and caps to avoid unnecessary attention. The Paris evening breeze was cool, the kind that made people walk slowly and enjoy the lights.

"Guy, today was mad o," Evan said immediately. "I watched your 200m live. I almost screamed."

Dayo smiled. "You almost screamed? I lit almost fainted."

Evan burst into laughter. "For real! I swear, I thought you weren't going to qualify. I was already making a silent prayer."

"Same here," Dayo said. "But at least I made it. God knows I'm praying nothing like that happens in the finals."

Evan nodded. "Amen. Because that stress? If it happens again, I will wipe for you."

They continued walking.

"By the way," Evan added, lowering his voice, "did you see that video of Alex and Coach Matthew?"

"Yeah. I saw it."

"Madness. I didn't expect that from Coach Matthew of all people."

"Same," Dayo said. "And Alex… he's young, pressured, but wrong is wrong."

Evan shrugged. "True though. And imagine after everything he said about you online—calling you a drug cheat. Now look who was doping."

Dayo didn't respond, but the quiet smile on his face said enough.

They approached a small but classy restaurant not too far from the Olympic Village. The inside was warm, filled with the sound of low conversations, cutleries, and soft music. They walked in looking for a place to sit.

Then Evan suddenly stopped.

"Bro…" Evan whispered. "Look."

Dayo followed his gaze and saw three Chinese ladies sitting at a table near the window. They were classy—well-dressed, elegant, the type that carried themselves with quiet confidence. Their hair was carefully styled, their posture straight, their expressions relaxed.

"Ah," Evan breathed. "Look at those pretty ladies. Especially that one—left side. Bro…"

Dayo smirked. "You like her?"

"Like is an understatement," Evan whispered. "But I can't go and talk to her. I can't embarrass myself."

Dayo raised a brow. "Wait… Evan… are you telling me you can't talk to a woman?"

Evan hissed. "Guy, just the Leave issue."

Dayo laughed quietly. "Wow… so it's true?"

"Okay, fine!" Evan snapped softly. "I accept. I can't talk to her. Now happy?"

Dayo leaned against the wall, arms folded. "Then allow Big Bro handle it."

"Big bro?" Evan gawked. "You?"

"Of course. Have you seen my face?" Dayo tapped his jaw. "Charm full everywhere."

Evan rolled his eyes. "Yeah yeah charm, if you can go and talk to them… and get her number, I'll sponsor a trip for both of us."

Dayo blinked. "Trip to where?"

"Anywhere in Europe."

"Hehn? You sure?"

"Yes. Shake on it."

Dayo shook his hand slowly. "Deal. But you will follow me."

Evan's eyes widened. "Why?!"

"Because there are three girls and only one me. I can handle two, not three. You will stand there so it won't look like I dragged you from the gutter."

Evan sighed heavily. "Fine. Let's go."

The two of them approached the ladies' table.

The moment they got close, the three ladies looked up—slightly confused, possibly curious—and Evan froze completely. But Dayo stepped forward calmly.

With the softest, smoothest, most respectful tone, he said:

"Good evening. I hope we're not disturbing… we just walked in and saw three beautiful ladies sitting here alone. Honestly, it felt unfair that a table this bright didn't have anyone keeping you company. So, we thought maybe—if you don't mind—we could keep the space a little less empty."

The three ladies blinked.

Then all three blushed—their cheeks turning a soft shade of pink almost instantly.

One whispered to the others in Chinese:

"他好帅...他说话好温柔."

("He's handsome… and he talks so gently.")

Another whispered:

"我想笑…他让我心跳加速."

("I want to smile… he's making my heart race.")

Evan stared at them, confused but hopeful. Dayo kept a polite smile on his face.

The oldest-looking of the three nodded. "It's okay. You can sit."

But before Dayo sat, he smiled again and said softly:

"Actually… do you mind if we sit a little closer? That way the conversation feels more complete."

The ladies exchanged looks—surprised, amused, and clearly impressed at his confidence.

One of them murmured in Chinese:

"天啊…他太自信了."

("My God… he's so confident.")

They nodded again.

Dayo gently placed Evan beside the girl he liked. The girl's eyes widened slightly, then she smiled shyly. Evan swallowed hard.

The two remaining ladies looked at Dayo with bright eyes.

"So…" Dayo said. "Are you athletes?"

The first lady smiled. "Yes. I'm a gymnast."

The second lifted her hand slightly. "I run the 200m."

The third—the one Evan liked—said quietly, "I'm a swimmer. 50 meters."

Evan's eyes widened. "Ah! My friend here is also a 50-meter swimmer."

The girl turned to Evan, surprised. "Really?"

Evan nodded like a malfunctioning robot. "Y-yeah… yes. Yes."

The girl giggled softly.

The conversation grew warm and lively. The ladies were open, friendly, and clearly enjoying the attention. Dayo talked easily with the two in front of him: answering their questions, laughing with them, asking about their training and events.

Every few minutes, they whispered something in Chinese—mostly compliments.

"我喜欢他…"

("I like him…")

"他的皮肤好漂亮…"

("His skin is beautiful…")

"他好冷静…又好有魅力."

("He's so calm… and so charming.")

Dayo pretended not to hear them, but he did.

Then one of them whispered again, thinking he wouldn't understand:

"我喜欢这个男生…他的笑容太好看了."

("I like this guy… his smile is too beautiful.")

Dayo finally looked up slowly… and responded in Chinese:

"真的吗?你喜欢我?"

("Really? You like me?")

All three ladies froze.

Evan almost fell off his seat.

The ladies leaned forward at the same time, eyes wide, cheeks burning red.

"你会说中文?!"

("You can speak Chinese?!")

Their shocked faces said everything Evan speechless, and Dayo smiling like he didn't just flip the entire table with one sentence.

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