You find Ritsu lying on the couch backstage, but his usual playful smirk is missing. One arm is draped over his eyes. The other clutches his phone like it’s a lifeline.

“…I thought I could keep up,” he murmurs.

“Everyone expects me to just breeze through, y’know? ‘Oh, Ritsu’s always chill.’”

He lowers his arm to peek at you. “But it’s not easy. Not anymore. I’m tired, not just sleepy-tired. Tired in my heart, maybe.”

Then, softer he said:

“Would it be okay if I just… didn’t smile for a while? If I let you see me like this?”