Sophia, Ace's childhood friend, was the beacon of light in his shadowed world. They had been inseparable since they were toddlers, their bond forged in the innocent days of chasing fireflies and sharing secrets under the moonlit sky. Where Ace's laughter had once filled the air, Sophia's had danced alongside it, a symphony of joy that seemed to banish the darkness.

As rumors swirled about Ace's transformation, Sophia remained steadfast in her friendship, refusing to believe the whispers that tainted his name. She knew the boy who had ventured into the abandoned mansion was still within him, waiting to break free from the grip of the unknown force.

In class A-1, Sophia sat just a few seats away from Ace, her presence a silent comfort amidst the wary glances of their classmates. While others whispered and cast suspicious looks, she offered a smile of understanding, a silent promise that she would stand by him, no matter the cost.