Chapter 57 - Road Trip

288 9 30
                                        


Days later, the group was ready to head to Mitsuri's family's onsen for a weekend of relaxation—and to lay low from Doma. Since the last encounter, Doma hadn't shown his face around the neighborhood. With police patrolling daily, the boys had been able to get things done, and the girls felt safe enough to come and go from their apartments freely.

Obanai pulled up in front of the girls' building, where he and Sanemi waited in the car. It was early—around 6 a.m.—and Sanemi was dozing in the passenger seat while Obanai kept watch, his eyes scanning the quiet street ahead. He chewed a piece of nicotine gum to distract himself from his cravings.

Suddenly, his phone buzzed, and Mitsuri's name lit up the car's speaker system.

"Hello?" Obanai answered, his voice soft but alert.

"Obiiii! Do you remember where I put my Switch? I can't find it!" Mitsuri's cheerful voice filled the car, muffled by the sound of her rummaging in the background.

Obanai thought for a moment. "You had it out earlier this week when we played together," he said, scrolling distractedly on his phone.

"Oh, right! When we had—"

"Mits! Sanemi's in the car," Obanai interrupted quickly, his cheeks turning red as the memory stirred something in him.

"Oh! Sorry! We'll be down soon!" Mitsuri stammered, her voice flustered.

"Do you need help finding it?" Obanai asked, biting down harder on his gum, secretly hoping she'd say yes.

"Umm, yes! Plea—"

Before she could finish, Obanai hung up, turned off his car and rushed out of the car, as he was in a rush to "help her."

Sanemi cracked a sleepy grin, watching his friend dart off. "This is going to take a while," he muttered, glancing down at the small box in his hand.

Twenty minutes later

Mitsuri, Obanai, and Kanae finally emerged from the building with their bags. Obanai carried Mitsuri's bag in one hand while holding her hand in the other. Her cheeks were flushed, her gaze shy as she walked beside him.

Sanemi stepped out of the car, stretching before moving to help Kanae with her luggage.

"You made sure to turn on the security cameras before we left?" Sanemi asked, his hand brushing against Kanae's as he lifted her bag.

"Yes," Kanae replied softly, tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear. She glanced around the neighborhood nervously, her thoughts still on the possibility of Doma lurking nearby.

Sanemi gently lifted her chin, his touch steady and reassuring. "Hey, I already checked. He's nowhere around here. Don't worry, okay?" His warm smile softened her nerves.

Kanae smiled back, a sense of peace washing over her. "Okay."

Obanai glanced over at Mitsuri and smiled. "Ready to see your family?" he asked, placing her bag in the trunk.

"Yes!" Mitsuri's face was still a little pink from their "
'Quicky' earlier. "It's been years since I've seen them. I'm sure the little ones are all grown up now."

"Do you want to sit up front with me or in the back with Kanae?" Obanai asked as he closed the trunk.

"I'll sit with you," Mitsuri said shyly, her blush deepening.

Obanai's smile widened. He opened the car door for her, helping her inside.

"I'll take the back," Sanemi said with a smirk, opening the door for Kanae as she slipped into the back seat.

Obanai handed Mitsuri his phone to input the address. As he pressed the start button, the car hummed to life. "The cameras are on, the doors are locked, and the police will keep patrolling while we're away. I know this whole Doma thing has been a lot, but let's try to enjoy ourselves this weekend."

"Agreed," Sanemi said, leaning back in his seat and staring out the window.

"Of course," Kanae added with a small smile.

"Oh! One more thing," Mitsuri said, turning to glance at everyone in the car. "Let's not mention anything about what's going on to my family. If my parents find out, they'll definitely bring me back home."

The group exchanged looks before nodding in unison.

"Got it," Obanai said, pulling out of the driveway.

As the car rolled onto the main road, a sense of anticipation filled the air. For the first time in weeks, they could focus on something other than the looming threat of Doma—a much-needed reprieve with friends and family awaited.

Here's your revised version with improved grammar and a touch of sweetness:

The drive felt endless as the car wound through mountains and forests, the early morning sun climbing higher with each passing hour. Obanai gazed out at the scenery, but his mind was far from at ease.

From the back seat, Sanemi smirked knowingly. "So, you ready to meet her parents?" he asked, his tone teasing.

Obanai gave a small nod. "Yeah... of course," he replied, though a slight tension crept into his voice. Deep down, he dreaded the idea. He had a gut feeling they wouldn't like him—especially her father. But he kept his expression neutral, hoping no one would notice.

Mitsuri reached over and squeezed his hand gently, her smile warm and reassuring. "Don't worry, Obi! They're good people," she said softly. "My brothers can be a bit intense, and my dad's really protective, but they'll come around. Just be yourself."

Her words and touch eased some of his nerves, and he gave her a faint smile. "Yeah," he murmured, though the weight of the meeting still sat heavy in his chest.

Mitsuri added cheerfully, "Oh! Just so you know, I'll have to help out with some work. It's always busy on weekends, so there might be times when I'm occupied."

Obanai's heart sank slightly. He had hoped for uninterrupted time with her, but he nodded, his voice steady. "Of course."

Mitsuri's smile softened. "Thanks, Obi. Don't worry, though—we'll find time for just us when I'm free."

From the back, Sanemi chuckled, his grin wide. "Yeah, don't worry, Obi. You can always be our third wheel."

Mitsuri giggled, turning in her seat to give Sanemi a playful glare. "Oh, I'm sure you have nicknames, too. Every couple does!"

Kanae chimed in with a mischievous smile. "Oh, he has one. Isn't that right, Poopy Bear?"

Sanemi blushed, his mouth opening in protest. "Poopy Bear? That's—"

"Now that's gold!" Obanai laughed, his earlier tension melting away. "At least my nickname sounds cool, like Obi-Wan Kenobi."

Sanemi groaned, crossing his arms as the others erupted into laughter, the teasing filling the car with lighthearted warmth.

After several more hours, the car finally rolled up to the onsen, nestled among lush trees with mist rising gracefully from the hot springs nearby. The traditional wooden buildings exuded a welcoming charm, and the calming ambiance seemed to transport them to a different world.

As they stepped out, Obanai took a deep breath, a mix of nerves and anticipation swirling inside him. Mitsuri's family owned the onsen, and he could already spot a few of her relatives bustling about, preparing for the busy day ahead.

Mitsuri slipped her arm through Obanai's, her presence grounding him. "Welcome to my home," she said softly, her smile steady and kind as she led him forward.

Obanai's chest tightened, but her touch reassured him. As they approached the entrance, he felt his nerves settle ever so slightly. Still, he knew the real challenge was just beginning.

𝑅𝑒𝓂𝑒𝓂𝒷𝑒𝓇 𝑀𝑒 [ ObaMitsu fanfic/ R-(MA)] Kimetsu No YaibaWhere stories live. Discover now