There was a small but a crowded city where people never cared about the beauty of nature. Everyone's life was so hectic that they never even looked up to see the beauty around them.
Amid this restless city lived a young, chubby girl named Alice. Her life was just as busy as everyone else's, yet she had something they lacked - the ability to see beauty where others couldn't.
Every day, on her way home from her studies, she would look up - admiring the golden hues of the sky, the whispering breeze, and the charm hidden in life's smallest moments.
She often wondered, If only 1% of the world's elegance is visible, what would happen if it reached 100%?
That thought made her different. People called her a weirdo, unable to understand her fascination.
Alice was also a creative girl and a skilled cook, but her imperfections made her the target of bullying. No matter how much kindness she carried, the world around her remained indifferent.
One evening, as she walked home, she spotted an old lady struggling with heavy bags. Without hesitation, Alice rushed forward and offered to help.
The old lady smiled but something about her felt... different.
Not her appearance, but her scent - a fragrance so pleasant, so unique, Alice had never smelled anything like it before.
As they walked, Alice sighed, watching the sunset. "Wow, the view is so beautiful everywhere. I wonder why people can't see this. Everyone's eyes are always on their phones - I'm afraid they might miss out on life."
The old lady smirked, tilting her head. "You really are someone extra curious. Go on, ask your question. You want to ask something, don't you?"
Alice's eyes widened. "Oh, yes! Why do you smell this good? I've never come across a perfume like this!"
Just then, a young and handsome man approached the old lady. His expression was confident, his tone smooth.
"Uh, hey. You look seriously gorgeous. Can I have your number?"
Stunned, Alice blinked rapidly. "You - what? How?"
The old lady smiled, pulling out her phone effortlessly. "Sure, let's exchange numbers."
Without a second thought, the boy took the number and walked away, as if everything was completely normal.
Alice's mouth fell open. "Wait - how did you do that?"
The old lady chuckled. "You still don't get it, do you? Everyone who can't see the beauty of life sees me as young and beautiful."
Alice stared, speechless.
The old lady extended her hand. "Give me your arm."
Alice hesitated. "Wait, wait. Why?"
The old lady slipped a bracelet onto Alice's wrist. It felt light, yet powerful, as if carrying an unseen force.
"You have only one task. Show them what they've forgotten."
The moment those words left her lips - Alice fainted.
As her vision blurred, the old lady vanished into thin air, leaving behind faint green shades.
Alice Awakens
Alice jolted awake, her heart pounding.
Something felt off - too quiet, too still.
She wasn't in her usual surroundings anymore.
She sat up slowly, her breath uneven. Her eyes scanned the room, landing on pictures of her mother on the wall. But there was something strange about them - these were pictures her mother always talked about, but Alice had never seen them before.
Confused, she stumbled out of bed and rushed toward the nearest calendar, fingers trembling.
"How long did I sleep?"
Her eyes landed on the date.
The numbers blurred for a second as she read them over and over.
1984.
Alice staggered back, the air suddenly too heavy in her lungs.
This couldn't be right.
She had only fainted for a moment... hadn't she?