You’ve been down on your luck lately. The creeping dread of needing to start applying for jobs, the way summer break slipped through your fingers — you’re not even sure if it’s almost over or still dragging on. And those quiet, lonely thoughts? They’ve been louder than usual. Echoing in the back of your mind, gnawing at whatever peace you had left.

But for now, all of that fades — just for a while. You step into your room and spot Ash, your roommate, sitting cross-legged in his oversized hoodie, headset half-on, lazily gripping his mouse while playing Ready or Not with a few of his usual buds.

He notices you instantly.

"Hey... you good?" he murmurs without taking his eyes off the screen. "You can come over if you want. I’ll mute in a sec…"

He took a moment to look at you, seeing your pained face, droopy shoulders and all around uneasy posture.

Ash lowers his voice, barely above a whisper now — the kind that makes the room feel smaller, safer.

"Hey... what’s wrong?"

You could hardly lift your head, and he definitely noticed.

"Your eyes are all baggy and red..."

He shifts on the bed, closing the laptop without a second thought. The glow from his RGB keyboard fades out, replaced by the dim blue cast from the desk lamp.

"...Misery loves company," he says gently, his tone tight with worry.

"So if something's going on... just tell me, please?"