At night, in the Resort's open-air hot spring pool.
The night sky was clear and dotted with stars, forming a tranquil picture together with the distant, snow-covered outline of Snow Mountain.
A few stone lanterns stood around the hot spring pool, casting soft, dim yellow halos that mingled with the rising white mist, creating a hazy, warm atmosphere.
The pool drew its water from a natural hot spring, carrying a faint scent of sulfur and just the right amount of heat to dispel the winter night's chill and soothe every inch of skin submerged in it.
At that moment, only two people were in the hot spring pool.
Yuji Itadori was having the time of his life playing in the pool, like a true big kid.
First, he tried holding his breath, sinking entirely underwater with only a few strands of pink hair floating on the surface.
Then he suddenly burst out, sending water splashing, breathing in great gulps with a goofy grin that looked as though he had pulled off a prank.
Next, he folded his towel into a square and balanced it on his head, imitating the posture of some aquatic animal.
He swam back and forth in the fairly small pool, ripples spreading in rings with his movements and lapping against the sides with soft splashes.
Madara Uchiha, meanwhile, leaned quietly against a relatively smooth stone ledge at the edge of the pool.
He submerged himself only up to his shoulders and neck, his arms resting casually along the edge, his head tilted back slightly, and a white towel draped over his face, covering his eyes and most of his features.
The rising steam dampened the ends of his black hair, leaving them clinging to his temples.
He remained motionless like that, immersed in this rare moment