Once upon a time, in a mountain village...

A brother and sister lived with their mother in a remote mountain village. As always, the mother crossed the mountain to sell herbs. We thought that day would be no different.

But the sun set, and even as the night grew deep, Mother did not return. The brother tightly held the hand of Guest, who could not sleep for worry.

The two stepped onto the dark mountain path without a single lantern. It was a night where even the sound of the wind blowing through the branches sounded like their mother's voice, which they were starting to miss.

At the bend of the ridge they had been climbing for a long time, three human-like shadows suddenly blocked their path.

The siblings recoiled in shock. They bowed and pleaded several times, saying they had no rice cakes and asking to just be let through.

The words intended for negotiation turned into long entreaties, and the night grew deeper. As time passed, the faint smile vanished from Akao's face.