The noise hit Dayo all at once.

Applause. Screams. Chants that refused to die down even after the race had long ended.

"DAYO WINS!"

"JD! JD! JD!"

"THREE GOLD!"

"JD"

"JD TO THE WORLD."

"JD THE GOAT."

"JD IS HIM."

"Bro had done the impossible."

"Like imagine swimming 3 main event and winning it."

"Yeah it has never been done before."

"Up JD.

"Up JD."

Dayo lifted his head slowly, still sitting on the bench, chest rising and falling hard. His body felt heavy, like it had been drained and refilled with something unfamiliar. He rolled his shoulders once and let out a breath.

Then a shadow fell over him.

"Yo, bro."

Dayo looked up and saw Evan standing there, hands on his knees, breathing just as hard, sweat dripping from his hairline. His face was tired, but there was a grin on it that refused to leave.

"That was crazy," Evan said. "Absolutely crazy."

Dayo chuckled weakly. "Yeah. I know."

Evan straightened and stared at him. "Nah, forget that. How are you still standing?"

Dayo frowned. "What do you mean?"

"I was the one who almost passed out," Evan said, shaking his head. "They had to sit me down. You're the one who ran three races back-to-back, and you're just here like nothing happened."

Dayo laughed quietly. "I fainted too. For a few seconds."

Evan blinked. "Wait. Seriously?"

"Yeah," Dayo said. "Coach said my eyes rolled back."

Evan burst out laughing. "Man, don't tell me that like it's normal."

"It wasn't," Dayo replied. "But I'm here now."

Evan slapped his shoulder lightly. "You're insane."

Before Dayo could reply, another wave of cheers rolled through the stadium. He turned instinctively, eyes scanning the stands. He wasn't looking for anyone in particular—just reacting to the sound.

Then he saw them.

His heart skipped.

Right there, a few rows up, clustered together—his parents, his siblings, Valerie, Wayne, Alice. All standing. All waving. All shouting his name like they didn't care who was watching.

For a second, Dayo forgot where he was.

This brought an amazing smile to his face.

He stood up quickly, ignoring the protest from his legs, and lifted his hand, waving back. His smile spread without effort, wide and real.

Evan followed his gaze. "Wait… is that—"

"My family," Dayo said, disbelief still in his voice.

Evan stared. "I thought you said they weren't coming."

"So did I," Dayo replied. "I had no idea."

They waved harder now. Janet was practically bouncing. Jeffery had both hands in the air. Abishola had one hand on her chest. Jayden stood tall beside her, smiling calmly.

Evan whistled. "That's big."

Dayo exhaled slowly. "Yeah."

A staff member gestured that athletes needed to move out of the pool area soon. Evan nodded toward the exit.

"Come on," Evan said. "Let's go before they kick us out."

As they walked, Evan glanced sideways. "My family's here too."

Dayo stopped. "Really?"

"Yeah," Evan said. "They're somewhere on the other side."

Dayo smiled. "Good. Then come with me."

"To where?"

"To meet my people," Dayo said. "Then we all go out together."

Evan hesitated. "You sure?"

"Yeah," Dayo said. "We're not doing this separately."

Evan smiled. "Alright. Let me call them. We'll meet at the restaurant outside the Olympic village."

"Perfect."

They reached the exit tunnel, and the noise faded behind them. Dayo stepped out first—and immediately found himself pulled into a tight hug.

"Dayo!"

His mother's voice cracked as she held him.

"Mum," Dayo said softly, hugging her back. "You came."

Abishola pulled back just enough to look at his face. "Did you think we wouldn't?"

"I didn't know," he admitted. "I swear. I felt a bit disappointed when you guys said you wouldn't so I just let everything go."

Abisola smiled ""Silly boy of course we would come.

Jayden stepped forward and placed a firm hand on his shoulder. "You did well, son."

Dayo nodded. "Thank you, Dad."

Janet rushed in next, throwing her arms around his waist. "You were flying!"

Jeffery laughed. "Flying? He wasn't swimming. He was running on water."

Dayo shook his head. "You guys surprised me."

"That was the plan," Valerie said, smiling as she stepped closer. "We wanted to see your face."

Wayne folded his arms. "Worth it."

Alice added, "The entire section was screaming your name."

Dayo rubbed the back of his neck. "I heard something. I just didn't think it was you."

Abishola held his face gently. "Are you okay?"

"I'm tired," Dayo said honestly. "But I'm fine."

Jayden nodded. "You pushed your body hard today."

"I had to."

Janet frowned. "They didn't even give you rest."

Jeffery added, "The crowd was angry for you."

Wayne smirked. "I heard a guy behind us say the organizers were mad."

Dayo chuckled. "It felt like it."

Evan cleared his throat. "Hi."

Everyone turned.

"Oh," Abishola said warmly. "You must be Evan."

"Yes, ma'am," Evan replied. "It's nice to finally meet you."

"You swam well," Jayden said.

"Thank you, sir."

Dayo clapped his hands once. "Alright. Let's go somewhere quieter. We'll talk properly."

They moved together, laughter and conversation overlapping as they walked.

"So," Valerie said, "three gold medals."

Dayo sighed. "Don't start."

Wayne laughed. "You can't stop it now."

Alice added, "The internet is already going crazy."

Dayo groaned. "Please don't tell me."

Janet grinned. "Too late."

Jeffery leaned in. "People are calling you 'JD the Goat.'"

Dayo shook his head. "I hate that nickname."

"No, you don't," Evan said.

Dayo smiled. "Okay. Maybe a little."

They reached the parking area where cars waited.

Evan checked his phone. "My family will meet us at the restaurant."

"Good," Dayo said. "We'll all eat together."

Abishola smiled. "You need food."

"And sleep," Jayden added.

Dayo laughed. "Both."

As they climbed into the car, Abishola squeezed his hand.

"We're proud of you," she said quietly.

Dayo looked at her, emotion rising suddenly in his chest. "That means everything."

She smiled. "This isn't the end."

"No," Dayo agreed. "It's just the beginning."

The car pulled away, leaving the stadium lights behind—but the noise, the pride, and the weight of the day stayed with them all.

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