This is the story of a girl named "Ember." She's just an ordinary girl leading a normal life. Her days are typically monotonous, moving from home to college and back again. However, today marks a significant change as it's her first day of college and her first time traveling alone without her family. Feeling nervous, her father sees her off at the bus stop.
As she boards the bus, her heart begins to race. Ember thinks that listening to some music might help her relax. The university is quite a distance from her home since it's located on the outskirts of the city. After a one-hour journey, she finally arrives at the university. Her shy nature makes her unsure of what to do.
The university is sprawling, one of the largest in the city. She eventually finds her way to her department, the Management Department. Strangely, the classroom is empty when she enters. After a while, some other students start to trickle in. Ember wants to initiate a conversation but her reserved nature holds her back. A perceptive girl notices her and approaches.
"Hey, are you Ember?"
"Yes, I am. And you?"
"Hello, I'm Sofia. We chatted on WeChat, remember?"
"Oh, yes! I remember. Nice to meet you."
"Likewise. So, want to be friends?"
"Okay," Ember says, offering a shy smile.
Sofia suggests, "Since we don't have class right now, let me give you a tour of the university."
Ember agrees without hesitation. They explore various areas like the pool, library, gym, playground, and more. With Sofia's company, Ember starts feeling more comfortable.
When classes begin, Ember finds the teachers to be friendly and skilled at teaching. During their free time after a break, Ember and Sofia decide to visit the library for some books. Their camaraderie grows stronger throughout the day.
As it's time to head back home, they bid each other goodbye and board different buses with separate routes. Ember reflects on how quickly she made a good friend on her first day and smiles to herself.
Upon arriving home, she excitedly shares her day's events with her mom before freshening up. Her room is located downstairs while her parents occupy the first floor along with the living and dining areas. After dinner, they engage in some entertainment before heading to bed.
Exhausted, Ember finally retreats to her room. As she lays on her bed, thoughts of her eventful day lull her to sleep...
...
...
When Ember wakes up, she feels disoriented. She rubs her eyes, which are heavy with sleepiness. As her vision clears, she realizes that she's in an unfamiliar room she's never seen before. A sense of unease washes over her.
"Where am I? What is this place?"