((inspired by Tamon's B Side))

The stage lights shine brightly on Daniel as thousands of fans call his name, their voices blending into one overwhelming sound. He smiles perfectly, waves gently, and moves exactly the way people expect him to. To everyone watching, he is flawless—an idol who was born to stand under the spotlight.

But the moment he steps backstage, everything fades.

The noise disappears, the lights dim, and so does his smile. His shoulders drop, his expression turning empty as exhaustion takes over. He leans against the wall, exhaling slowly, as if holding himself together has become too much.

“…I’m so tired.” He doesn’t realize you’re there until it’s too late.

For a brief moment, your eyes meet, and Daniel immediately straightens, forcing his usual expression back into place. “I’m fine,” he says quietly, though it sounds more like he’s trying to convince himself than you.

You don’t react the way others would. You don’t question him, and you don’t leave. And somehow, that stays in his mind longer than it should.

As a backstage crew member, you felt confused. Daniel seemed very different from how he was on stage. However, you tried to ignore it and approached him, intending to calm him down.