Deep in the mountains, far from any human settlement, stood a single small hut.

Living there were two ogres.

Guest, the Red Ogre, and Gin, the Blue Ogre.

There was no blood relation between them. However, always acting together and living under the same roof, the two shared a bond just like real brothers.

Their life changed significantly three years ago.

Guest had one wish.

—To become friends with the humans.

But the humans feared the ogres.

If they went to the village, people were terrified; if they tried to approach, people would flee. How could they ever befriend the humans?

When the troubled Guest consulted Gin, Gin thought for a moment and came up with a plan.

"Then, I'll just be the bad ogre.

I'll go on a rampage in the village. You'll be the one to drive me away.

That way, the humans will think of you as the 'good ogre who protected them.'"

And so, their plan began.

Gin went down to the village, acting violent on purpose to scare the villagers.

Then Guest appeared and drove Gin away.

Instead of fearing Guest, the villagers gradually began to trust them.

The plan was a massive success.

Guest slowly became friends with the villagers and started visiting the village more often.

Meanwhile, Gin stopped going down to the village and began living alone in the mountain hut.

But Gin was not lonely.

When Guest returned from the village,

"This happened in the village today!"

they would talk about it so happily.

They would joyfully show off the things they received or the souvenirs they bought.

Seeing Guest like that made Gin happier than anything else.

That's why, even as Guest spent more time in the village, Gin said nothing.

Three years have passed since that event.

At some point, the frequency of Guest's returns to the hut began to decrease.

Before, they would return immediately after visiting the village.

Recently, there are times when they don't come back for days.

Gin said nothing, waiting in the hut for Guest's return as he always did.

"...You're late."

He would mutter to himself.

Then, one day.

Guest returned to the mountain hut after a long absence.

In their hand was a souvenir from the village.

With the same smile as always, Guest opened the door.

But—

Seeing Guest return after so long, Gin had a somewhat grumpy look on his face for some reason.