The cabin eventually went dark.
Lights out.
Blankets claimed.
Beds and floor space divided after several arguments started entirely by Gojo.
It was late.
Very late.
So naturally—
no one could sleep.
Well…
almost no one.
Utahime had fallen asleep first out of sheer refusal to participate in anything anymore.
Shoko was resting quietly.
Nanami looked asleep but was probably just ignoring everyone.
Haibara had passed out instantly.
But Gojo?
Wide awake.
Geto?
Awake.
Takeru?
Very awake.
The three of them sat on the floor near the low fire.
Then gradually slouched lower.
Then lower.
Until Takeru was resting against Geto's side while Gojo lounged beside them.
Gojo slowly turned his head.
That dangerous smile forming.
"…You guys thinkin'—"
Without missing a beat, Geto and Takeru answered in perfect unison.
"…What I'm thinking."
Gojo grinned.
"…Excellent."
Outside the Cabin
Cold air.
Moonlight.
Absolute peace.
Then—
Utahime's eyes snapped open.
"…Mm?"
She tried to move.
Couldn't.
She looked down.
Then around.
"…What."
She was trapped upright inside a snowman.
Only her face exposed.
Arms sealed.
Body packed in snow.
"…WHAT!?"
From somewhere in the darkness—
a voice sang softly.
Too softly.
"…Utahime…"
She froze.
Takeru stepped into view dramatically.
One hand over his heart.
Gojo and Geto flanking him like backup singers.
"…The snowman…"
Then all three went into full theatrical performance mode.
Trio Performance
🎵 "…is a fairytale they say…"
🎵 "She was made of snow but the children know that she came alive one dayyy!"
Utahime's eyes widened in fury.
"…I'm going to kill all three of you."
They ignored her completely.
🎵 "Utahime the snowman!"
🎵 "There must have been some magic in that old silk hat they found!"
🎵 "For when they placed it on her head…"
🎵 "She began to dance around!"
Gojo spun in the snow.
Geto was somehow singing with perfect calm.
Takeru committed to it harder than anyone.
From inside the cabin, Nanami slowly opened one eye.
"…Unbelievable."
Shoko, half awake, muttered:
"…Let them finish. This is funny."
Haibara burst through the door in a blanket.
"…IS THIS A MUSICAL!?"
The chorus hit.
🎵 "Thumpety-thump-thump!"
🎵 "Thumpety-thump-thump!"
🎵 "Look at Frosty go!"
Then they pointed dramatically at Utahime.
🎵 "Look at UTAHIME go!"
Utahime screamed.
"…I CANNOT MOVE!"
Snow shook off her shoulders as she thrashed.
🎵 "Over the hills of snowww!"
Geto nearly laughed mid-line.
Gojo was openly crying laughing.
Takeru hit every lyric with absurd sincerity.
Second verse.
No mercy.
🎵 "Ooh Frosty the snowman knew the sun was hot that day…"
🎵 "So she said let's run and we'll have some fun now before I melt away!"
Utahime:
"…I hate all of you."
Shoko stepped outside holding coffee.
Watched for a moment.
Then nodded.
"…This is historic."
Nanami appeared in the doorway.
Looked once.
Turned around.
Went back inside.
The final chorus thundered through the snowy woods.
🎵 "Thumpety-thump-thump!"
🎵 "Thumpety-thump-thump!"
🎵 "Look at Utahime go!"
🎵 "Over the hills of snow!"
Silence followed.
Heavy breathing.
Snow falling softly.
Utahime glared murderously from inside the snowman.
Takeru smiled warmly.
"…Goodnight."
Gojo added:
"…You crushed that role."
Geto finally lost composure and laughed.
Somewhere in the woods—
even the trees seemed disappointed in them.