You know the character instantly. They are the one who knows the protagonist’s embarrassing secrets, the one who has a spare key to the house, the one who has been there "before the beginning." They represent stability, history, and an intimacy that doesn't require exposition. But despite these advantages, in the grand narrative of storytelling, they are often fighting a losing battle.
This character exists solely to support the protagonist’s dreams. They are the nurse, the mechanic, or the quiet observer. They pack the lunch, they fix the costume, they offer the pep talk. my childhood friend xter comic
The connection likely comes from one of the following scenarios: You know the character instantly