The morning light slipped shyly between the branches of the towering trees, drawing golden lines across the ground, which was thick with tall grass.
In that quiet morning, Green slowly opened her eyes, while the leaves above her swayed gently in the breeze. The earth beneath her felt soft and warm, as if the forest itself had held her close through the night.
She remained lying there for a moment, gazing up at the clear sky through the gaps in the leaves, a strange sense of unfamiliarity washing over her. Everything around her felt new, as though the world itself had just been born.
She slowly lifted her body and sat up, rubbing her face with trembling hands, still heavy with sleep. Then, with sudden unease, she looked to her sides.
To her right, Blue was peacefully asleep, her breathing steady and her lips parted slightly, as if she were dreaming of something sweet.
On her left, White slept deeply, so much so that a thin trail of drool slid from the corner of her mouth.
Green looked at them, her heart swelling with a mixture of conflicting emotions.
Was it fear? Or some vague sense of responsibility?
She couldn't tell. She was no different from them. All she knew was that these two girls were all she had in this strange, unknown world.
Her heart began to race as she realized she didn't even know who she was, or who they were.
"What's waiting for us?" she whispered to herself, eyes lifted toward the tall trees, as if searching for an answer hidden among their leaves.
She leaned toward Blue, gently shaking her and whispering,
"Come on, wake up..."
Blue stirred, blinking her wide eyes as she rubbed them slowly. She lifted her head and gave a small shake, as if to say good morning without words.
Green smiled softly and replied,
"Good morning."
Both turned their gaze to White, still deep in sleep.
Green leaned closer to her and whispered with a quiet laugh,
"Looks like she won't wake unless we drag her up."
But just as she reached to nudge her, White suddenly wrapped her arms around her in her sleep.
Green blushed, her chest warming with a strange heat, a kind of tenderness she didn't know she had longed for.
She looked over at Blue, who smiled back. Their eyes met in a moment of quiet understanding.
Eventually, White opened her eyes, their sparkle like a child seeing the world for the first time.
"Good morning..." Green said softly.
White stammered,
"G... Good morning."
Blue suddenly looked around, holding her stomach and muttering nervously,
"So... what now? I'm hungry."
Green chuckled lightly and replied,
"We still don't know anything. Let's explore. Maybe we'll find something."
The three of them exchanged glances and nodded.
White, however, lowered her gaze and whispered hesitantly,
"Can... can I hold your hand?"
Green smiled warmly, offering her hand.
"Of course. We won't leave each other."
She turned to Blue and added,
"You too. We never leave each other."
Blue took her hand without hesitation.
They walked together, hands intertwined, stepping cautiously through the tall grass, hearts pounding with uncertainty. They didn't know where they had come from, or where they were now.
The forest stretched endlessly. Trees towered above them like watchful giants, and the leaves swayed slowly, as if observing the trio's every step.
Birds chirped in the distance, and sunlight filtered down like golden threads.
Suddenly, a man appeared.
He was of average height, his hair black streaked with gray, and a short, unkempt beard covered his jaw. A bundle of firewood rested on his shoulder, and a faded scar marked his cheek, hinting at a life filled with hardship.
He stood still, staring at the girls as though he couldn't believe what he was seeing.
Green froze. She quickly pulled Blue and White behind her, shielding them as if she were their only line of defense.
Though clearly afraid, she lifted her chin in an attempt to appear brave.
The man suddenly smiled, a warm smile that cut through the silence, and took a slow step forward.
For every step he took, the girls stepped back.
Then he stopped and knelt down to their level, speaking in a soft voice.
"Hello, little ones... Are you here alone?"
Green hesitated, then answered with suspicion,
"W... Who are you?"
The man chuckled and gently patted her head.
"No need for that tone. I don't hurt anyone. See? I'm peaceful."
White, frightened, moved closer, gripping Green's shoulder tightly.
Blue did the same on the other side.
"Where are your mothers? Your fathers?" he asked with curiosity.
The girls stayed silent, until Green finally whispered,
"M... Mother? Father? We... we don't know..."
The man tilted his head thoughtfully, then smiled again.
"Are you hungry?"
Before Green could respond, Blue's stomach growled loudly. White covered her mouth to suppress a giggle.
The man laughed heartily.
"Well, that's clear enough! Come, there's a village nearby. I'll get you something to eat."
Blue whispered nervously,
"What if he's dangerous?"
White added, her eyes glistening with fear,
"We shouldn't follow strangers."
Green stood silent for a moment, then spoke with surprising firmness,
"We have no choice... I'll protect you both, no matter what."
The man looked at them with a smile.
"How brave you are. Come on, then."
The path he took was narrow, a dusty trail flanked by trees that bent slightly under the wind.
Behind him, the three girls followed carefully, keeping a safe distance.
Green was the most alert, her eyes fixed on the man's back as if trying to read his intentions in the way he walked. Her hands were tense, ready to pull Blue and White behind her if needed.
Blue clutched her hand tightly, afraid to let go. Her gaze darted from the path to the trees, imagining dangers in every shadow.
White clung to Green like a frightened child, wiping tears with trembling fingers. Every sound — rustling leaves, scurrying animals — made her squeeze tighter.
Eventually, they reached a small village. It was bustling with life, wooden houses and a busy marketplace filled with shouting vendors.
"Fresh apples! Warm bread!" they cried.
The man called back over the noise,
"We're going to a nearby inn. Stay close and hold hands, alright?"
The girls nodded, tightening their grip on each other.
The market felt like a strange world.
"Fresh fruit!"
"Today's fish! Don't miss it!"
"Hot bread straight from the oven!"
Children ran between stalls. Horses pulled carts full of goods. The air was thick with the smell of spices, warm bread, and wood smoke.
Green led the way, eyes darting in every direction. Her grip on their hands was firm, palms beginning to sweat.
Blue stared at the ground, careful not to bump into anyone.
White stayed pressed against Green's side, her head lowered, wishing the walk would end soon.
To them, this market was a forest filled with human-faced beasts. Every shout or loud laugh made their hearts skip.
They wanted to retreat, but Green held tight and whispered,
"Be strong. We must be strong."
Blue and White answered in trembling voices,
"We'll try."
The man kept walking ahead, sometimes stopping to ask vendors questions they couldn't hear, then continued, always smiling.
When he looked back, he saw the girls still clinging to each other like one unit.
Each step was a mix of fear and curiosity. This wasn't just a place to buy food — it was their first true contact with the outside world.
At last, the man turned a corner and pointed.
"There it is. That's the inn."
He took them to a small restaurant with a creaky wooden door and the mouthwatering smell of grilled meat wafting from inside.
"Here we are!" he said. "This is my favorite place. You'll love the meat sandwiches."
They sat around a small wooden table, eyes scanning the unfamiliar room. The inn was full of loud voices, old musical instruments hanging on the walls, and faded photos of locals.
"Four meat sandwiches, please!" the man called to the server.
Soon, the food arrived. The sandwiches were massive, stuffed with meat, vegetables, eggs, and spices — larger than the girls' heads.
Before the man could say anything, they dug in ravenously.
Blue, finding a tomato slice she didn't like, removed it with a scowl, making the man burst into laughter.
When they finished, the man wiped their mouths with napkins.
"I haven't seen anyone enjoy a meal like that in years."
He walked them out of the inn and led them to his home.
His house was wooden, modest, a bit worn but warm inside.
"This is my home," he said, unlocking the door. "Come in."
The girls hesitated, but Green nodded.
"We've come this far... let's go in."
He lit gas lamps — the night had already fallen — and sat across from them at a small table by the window.
"I asked around the village. No one knows you. You're strangers here, aren't you?"
They nodded, eyes full of questions.
"My name's Tomoma," the man said gently. "I live alone. You can stay with me until you find your way, or remember who you are."
Green looked to the others. Their faces were uncertain, eyes wide.
"What... do you think?" she asked.
Blue looked down, murmuring,
"It's your choice..."
White held tightly to Green's sleeve and whispered,
"I'll go wherever you go..."
Tomoma watched them with a small, quiet smile — one that didn't seem dangerous, but they weren't sure.
Green took a deep breath. After a moment of thought, her fists trembling, she said,
"Al... alright. We'll stay. But!"
She raised a finger at him.
"If you try anything funny... we'll punish you!"
Tomoma froze, clearly not expecting that, then burst into laughter.
"Alright, alright! I promise. You're safe here."
He wiped a tear from his eye, then asked gently,
"But I need to know your names. Don't you have names? Are you sisters?"
The girls exchanged confused looks, as if the question had pierced a strange emptiness inside them.
Green replied slowly,
"W... we don't know."
White tilted her head, puzzled.
"What... do you mean? What's... a sister?"
Tomoma paused, then smiled and said,
"Being sisters means... always being there for each other, like one heart living in three bodies."
The girls went quiet, then smiled all together.
"Yes. That's what we are."
He smiled warmly.
"And your names? What should I call you?"
Blue answered softly,
"I'm Blue. That's Green. And she's White."
Tomoma laughed again.
"Those aren't names. No one's named after colors! May I choose names for you?"
They hesitated, then nodded slowly.
"Yes..."
He looked at them for a moment, then smiled and pointed to Green.
"You'll be Planeta."
Then to Blue.
"You... you're Luminareza."
Finally to White.
"And you, little one, shall be Volym."
The names lingered in the air, as if etched into their souls.
Planeta whispered hers like a secret.
Luminareza and Volym smiled, unaware these names would stay with them forever.