Big Book of Writing

Not a Damn Rom-Com (Void, SDRA2)

Prompt: https://otpprompts.tumblr.com/post/137600655426/imagine-your-ot5-going-on-a-road-trip-everything/amp

"Imagine your OT5 going on a road trip. Everything is fine and fun when they're on the road, but they inevitably get worn out and decide to find a cheap motel so they can turn in for the night. However, when they get there they find out that because of their excitement to get on the road, they all forgot to bring any sort of funds. Luckily, when putting what money they had on hand together, there ends up being enough for one single room. What happens after that is up to the writer."

Warning: spoilers for members of Void

***

Hope's Peak Academy, like most Japanese schools, had breaks where its students could leave campus and relax from their studies. In late July, after the school's summer break had come, five students decided to go on a road trip around Japan - mostly to collect information about a certain person.

"I know that you don't really have a preference for whatever music is playing in the car," Nikei complained, "but do you really have to have Emma choose the music?! She plays nothing but movie soundtracks!"

Driving in a small Chevrolet was Mikado, with Emma in the front seat beside him. Hajime, Nikei, and Iroha were in the back seats, with the latter being in the middle seat. Mikado's policy was 'shotgun picks the music unless it annoys Mikado,' which the other Voids had no other choice but to abide by.

"Mr. Yomiuri, the last time I let you in the front seat, you tried to strangle me and nearly caused us to crash," the wizard sighed. The journalist behind him grumbled and kicked his seat in protest.

"Come on, Nikei, it's not that bad. At least it's a CD, it doesn't have radio ads or country music," Hajime attempted to comfort, reaching over Iroha's head to pat Nikei's shoulder. Iroha let out a quiet squeak in protest, which was promptly ignored.

"Hm, Mikado? You seem pretty out of it. How about I take over driving for you?" Emma suggested. "We can look for a gas station and fill the tank while we switch."

"No way! Remember last time you tried to drive?! You managed to rack up three speeding tickets! THREE!" Iroha exclaimed. "My feet can't reach the breaks anyway, so Hajime should drive!"

"Uh, hate to break it to you, but my legs are too big for Mikado's shit car, I'm barely able to keep my legs from getting squished here," the boxer refuted. "And Nikei doesn't have a driver's license, so he's a no-go."

"If that's the case, I'll look for a place to rest. We'll stop there for the meantime until we can go back on the road again. I am not using magic in my state," Mikado declared. There were no objections from the others, just some quiet grumbling.

Mikado got the car off the highway and began searching suburban areas for any hotels, motels, or anything that could house them and let them sleep. After a little while, Hajime spotted a cheap-looking motel at the side of the road and pointed it out to the driver, who brought the car over to its parking lot.

When the group went inside, Mikado went up to the counter and inquired about the prices of the rooms. After a brief chat with the man at the counter, Mikado went back to the other four. "Okay, Ms. Magorobi? I left the funds to you, did you bring them?" he asked.

"Wait, me? I thought you said 'Makunouchi,' as in, Hajime!" Emma protested. Mikado couldn't tell if she was being truthful or was bluffing.

"He didn't ask me anything!" Hajime exclaimed. "Don't bring me into this!"

"I'm currently broke, that's why he never asked me," Nikei chuckled. "But seriously, did anyone bring any sort of funds?"

"U-Um... I have this..." Iroha reached into her pocket and pulled out a debit card that had once belonged to Nikei. No one could miss the journalist's murderous glare at the stolen card as she handed the card to Mikado.

"I'll take this to an ATM to see how much is on it. Someone restrain Mr. Yomiuri before his immediate murder of Ms. Nijiue," the wizard ordered, sending a round of chuckles around the group. Iroha darted behind Emma just in case Nikei was going to get payback later.

Hajime wasn't paying attention to the ruckus, he was watching Mikado check the balance of the card. He noticed the wizard's mask become troubled, but then returned to its neutral look. Hajime swallowed nervously as Mikado walked back to the group. 

"Unfortunate news, everyone. We seem to only have the funds for one room, one of the smaller rooms. We will have the share it for the night," he announced.

"Let me guess, it's cramped and only has one bed?" Emma laughed. "This sounds like the plot of some cliché rom-com!"

"This is not a damn rom-com, we're the ones who have to suffer this! And Iroha snores like a bear!" the boxer protested, to the painter's dismay.

"Well, you'll simply have to deal with it. We don't have enough money for separate rooms," Mikado stated, and he went to the counter to pay for the room. A few minutes later, he herded his Voids outside and into their motel room for the night.

As Emma predicted, there was one bed, but there was also a small TV and a bathroom. "...At least the bed's big. But where is everyone going to sleep?" Iroha asked.

"You said it yourself, moron. Do we have any choice but to share the damn bed?" Nikei grumbled, taking off his coat and folding it neatly. "Let's just get this stupid thing out of the way. If I have to sleep next to Iroha, I'm putting her in the bathtub."

None of the five Voids were happy with the situation, but they decided to put their shoes at the door and at least try and go to sleep to make the incident pass by quickly. Hajime threw his coat onto a nearby spot on the floor and went into the middle of the bed, with Emma and Nikei quickly claiming the spots on either side of him.

Nikei stiffened when he noticed Mikado go on his other side. "Changed my mind, this is worse," he got out through gritted teeth, but was too comfortable to push him away at the moment.

"I don't snore," the wizard replied with a deadpan voice as he closed his eyes, and allowed himself to be the first to fall asleep. Nikei quietly grumbled a bit and squeezed himself closer to the boxer.

Iroha tucked herself under Emma's arm as the actress splayed herself over her portion of the bed, the taller girl's arm was adjusted so the painter could be a bit more comfortable. Curled up and cozy, Iroha was the second to fall asleep.

Emma's head fell against Hajime's arm, and Nikei wiggled a bit to adjust the sheets around him, and both of them were eventually asleep. Hajime was the last one awake, not daring to move because Mikado was an incredibly light sleeper. Before he fell asleep as well, he hoped the next day would be less of a trainwreck as this evening.

Because nobody had any funds, they ended up returning to the academy the next day.