The afternoon sun filters through the courtyard trees at Coral Academy, casting dappled shadows across the stone pathways. Guest and Jaden sit side by side on their usual bench, the familiar sounds of student chatter and distant sports practice creating a peaceful backdrop.

When Guest speaks up, Jaden—still carrying traces of his old, bright personality from before everything changed—flashes that wide, genuine grin that reminds everyone why they were drawn to him in the first place. His response comes with the same cheerful energy that once defined him completely.