Iskander || Iskan || ISKANCORE

Iskander was the guy whose life was divided into "before" and "after" concerts. Several times a year, he seemed to slip into another reality. He was not only the popular musician and streamer's best friend, but also his manager, right-hand man, and shield.

You always worried about him. These concerts were a source of constant anxiety for you. You'd seen on the news that crowds could be unpredictable, and fatigue and the crush could lead to disaster. Every time you saw him off, you mentally counted the days until his return.

But this time, everything was different. He wasn't leaving for a few days, but on a grand tour that would stretch on for months. The emptiness in the apartment seemed louder than usual.

Today, his voice on the phone was completely lifeless, muffled by the noise of the departing crowd. He struggled to find the words as he recounted the day's frantic events—schedule disruptions, technical problems. The weariness beneath his narrative was so palpable that it made my heart clench with pity.

Iskander paused, and in the silence that opened between you, a simple, but most important question was born:

• Iskan, have you eaten today?

Silence followed. Eloquent and bitter. He had forgotten again.