CHAPTER 26 — The Night of Truth
For one terrifying second after Daisy fell, the entire field froze.
Then chaos broke.
"DAISY!"
Joong reached her first.
He dropped to his knees beside her, lifting her slightly.
"Daisy! Hey— Daisy!"
Her eyes were closed.
Her breathing was shallow and uneven.
The color had drained from her face.
The group arrived seconds later.
Nova's voice shook.
"Oh my God—"
Ben immediately ran toward the sports staff.
"MEDIC! SOMEBODY CALL THE MEDIC!"
Teachers rushed across the field.
Care pushed through the small crowd forming around Daisy and knelt beside Joong.
"Move a little," she said calmly.
Joong looked at her, panic obvious in his eyes.
"She just— she just collapsed!"
Care placed two fingers near Daisy's neck.
Pulse.
Weak.
But there.
"She's breathing," Care said.
Joong's shoulders dropped slightly, but the fear in his chest didn't leave.
"Why did this happen?" Nova whispered.
"Exhaustion," Care replied quietly. "Her body probably pushed too far after pneumonia."
The medical team arrived with a stretcher.
"Step aside please."
Joong hesitated.
But Care gently touched his arm.
"Let them help."
He slowly moved away as the nurses lifted Daisy onto the stretcher.
Her head tilted slightly as they moved.
Joong felt something twist painfully in his chest.
"I'm coming with her," he said immediately.
The nurse nodded.
"Two students can come."
"Us," Nova said quickly, grabbing Joong's sleeve.
But Care shook her head.
"Joong goes."
She turned to Alex.
"You too."
Alex nodded.
The ambulance doors shut.
And the vehicle drove away.
The Hospital
The emergency room smelled strongly of antiseptic.
Joong sat outside the examination room, elbows on his knees, hands gripping his hair.
He hadn't spoken in ten minutes.
Alex stood nearby, leaning against the wall quietly.
Nova paced the hallway like a restless storm.
"She literally just ran a race! Why is this so dramatic?!" she muttered nervously.
Kevin spoke gently.
"Because it's Daisy."
Ben sat beside Joong.
"Hey."
No response.
"Joong."
Joong finally lifted his head.
His voice came out low.
"I told her to stop if she felt bad."
His fingers tightened.
"I told her."
Ben sighed softly.
"She finished the race."
Joong looked toward the closed hospital door.
"And then she collapsed."
Before anyone could say anything—
The doctor walked out.
Everyone stood up immediately.
"How is she?" Alex asked.
The doctor smiled reassuringly.
"She's fine."
The entire group exhaled.
"She fainted from exhaustion and dehydration. Her body hasn't fully recovered from pneumonia yet."
Joong swallowed.
"Can we see her?"
"In a moment. We'll discharge her after a short rest."
Later That Evening
By sunset, Daisy was sitting up in the hospital bed.
Looking extremely embarrassed.
"I fainted," she groaned.
Nova laughed.
"You did it dramatically."
Ben added,
"Very cinematic."
Daisy covered her face with her hands.
"Please stop."
The doctor finished the discharge paperwork.
"She needs rest tonight. No physical strain."
Everyone nodded obediently.
Care stepped forward.
"We'll take her home."
Back at the Mansion
Night had already settled by the time they returned to Care's mansion.
The large house was quiet and warm.
Daisy sat on the couch with a blanket wrapped around her shoulders.
Joong stood nearby like a worried guard.
Nova whispered to Ash,
"He hasn't blinked in twenty minutes."
Ash smirked.
"Let him suffer."
Care walked into the room carrying tea for everyone.
"Drink," she ordered.
Daisy accepted the cup quietly.
"You all didn't have to bring me here."
Care raised an eyebrow.
"Yes we did."
Kevin added,
"You literally collapsed."
Ben leaned back on the couch.
"You're banned from dramatic race endings."
Daisy sighed.
"Great."
Then suddenly—
Joong spoke.
"Come with me."
Everyone immediately looked at him.
Daisy blinked.
"Where?"
"Outside."
Nova whispered loudly,
"Oooooo."
Joong glared at her.
"Shut up."
The group grinned as Daisy followed him out to the mansion garden.
The Garden
The night air was cool.
Soft lights glowed along the garden path.
Daisy wrapped the blanket tighter around her shoulders.
Joong stopped walking and turned toward her.
For a moment neither spoke.
Then he said quietly,
"You scared me today."
Daisy looked down.
"I'm sorry."
"No."
His voice came out stronger this time.
"Don't apologize."
She looked up.
His expression was serious.
"When you fell… I thought something really bad happened."
Daisy stayed silent.
Joong rubbed his neck awkwardly.
"I realized something."
She tilted her head slightly.
"What?"
He took a slow breath.
Then said the words quickly before courage disappeared.
"I like you."
Daisy froze.
Joong looked away immediately.
"Actually— no."
He shook his head.
"I don't just like you."
Now his voice was softer.
"I've liked you for a while."
The garden became completely quiet.
Daisy stared at him.
Then suddenly laughed softly.
Joong blinked.
"What?"
"You idiot."
"Excuse me?"
She stepped closer.
"You think I didn't notice?"
Joong looked confused.
"Notice what?"
"How you always watch me during practice."
He froze.
"How you worry too much."
He said nothing.
"And how you almost had a heart attack today."
She smiled gently.
"I like you too."
For a moment Joong didn't react.
Then—
"Wait."
"You're serious?"
Daisy laughed.
"Yes."
Joong ran a hand through his hair, stunned.
"Well… that was easier than expected."
She nudged him lightly.
"Don't get cocky."
Inside the mansion—
Nova peeked through the window.
"Oh my God they're confessing."
Ash pulled her back.
"Privacy, Nova."
"No."
Ben joined them.
"What's happening?"
Kevin leaned over their shoulders.
"Romantic scene."
Care walked past them calmly.
"You all are hopeless."
But she was smiling slightly.
Meanwhile — Lyra and Alex
On the balcony upstairs, Lyra stood quietly watching the garden lights.
Alex stepped beside her.
"You worried about Daisy?"
Lyra nodded.
"She pushes herself too much."
Alex leaned against the railing.
"So do you."
She looked at him.
"I don't collapse though."
"Yet."
Lyra rolled her eyes slightly.
Alex chuckled.
After a moment he said quietly,
"You looked scared today."
She didn't deny it.
"Daisy is important to us."
Alex nodded.
"And you are too."
Lyra looked at him again.
There was something softer in his eyes tonight.
She didn't speak.
But she didn't look away either.
The silence between them wasn't awkward.
Just warm.
Back Inside
When Joong and Daisy walked back into the mansion—
The group erupted.
Nova clapped dramatically.
"CONFESSION SUCCESSFUL?"
Daisy turned red instantly.
"Nova!"
Ben grinned.
"Welcome to the couples club."
Joong groaned.
"Why did we come back inside?"
Ash laughed.
"Too late now."
Care handed Daisy another cup of tea.
"Drink."
Daisy accepted it.
Then looked around the room.
Everyone was smiling.
Teasing.
Laughing.
And suddenly she realized something.
This chaotic group…
Had become her family.