Mischief Managed (Stray Kids Oneshots)

Road Trip | Yang Jeongin

It was a quiet Saturday morning when I.N sent you the message that would change the course of the day. His text was simple, yet oddly compelling: "Road trip? No plans. Just drive and see where we end up."

You stared at the message for a moment, contemplating the idea. You had no specific plans for the day, and there was something appealing about the spontaneity of it all. Besides, it was I.N—his carefree attitude and sense of adventure always made everything feel exciting. You typed back with a single word: "Let's do it."

A few minutes later, you were in the car with I.N, the engine humming and the sun shining brightly overhead. He was already in the driver's seat, his music blasting and his hair ruffled by the wind coming in through the windows. There was no set destination, no GPS route—just the open road ahead of you.

"I told you this was going to be fun," I.N grinned as he shifted gears, glancing over at you with a twinkle in his eye. "No plans. Just freedom."

You couldn't help but smile. There was something about the unknown that made the trip feel thrilling, and you were excited to see where it would take you.

"Alright, Mr. Spontaneity," you teased, leaning back in the seat. "Let's see where this road really goes."

And so, you set off, no maps, no expectations. You drove past the familiar streets of your hometown, leaving everything behind as the world outside the car window started to change. The further you went, the more you felt like you were entering a different world—one full of unknown adventures.

The first stop was entirely by accident. After a few wrong turns (thankfully not stressful ones), I.N pulled over at a quirky little roadside attraction: a giant statue of a moose, complete with oversized sunglasses and a beach ball in its hand. It was cheesy, sure, but the sight of it made you both burst into laughter.

"We're definitely stopping for a picture with this one," I.N said, already hopping out of the car.

You followed him, both of you snapping photos and striking silly poses next to the moose. Even though it wasn't something you'd typically stop for, it was one of those moments that felt perfect because it was so random.

As you both got back in the car, still chuckling, you continued driving. The next stop wasn't planned either—it was just an old diner with a neon sign blinking "Best Pancakes in Town." It seemed like the kind of place you'd expect to see in a classic movie, the kind where the waitress knows everyone's name and the food comes in massive portions.

"You hungry?" I.N asked, glancing over at you.

"Always," you replied with a grin.

The inside of the diner was cozy, with faded booths and a jukebox in the corner playing old tunes. You ordered pancakes, and as you ate, you both talked about everything and nothing—growing up, your favorite travel stories, and how refreshing it was to just be in the moment, with no worries about time or deadlines.

After breakfast, you continued on your way, getting lost in the rhythm of the drive. The small town signs became more frequent, the landscapes shifting from cityscapes to rural farmland. The windows were down, and the warm breeze mixed with the music, filling the car with the kind of contentment that only a spontaneous road trip could bring.

Hours passed, and you found yourselves in a small town neither of you had ever heard of. There was something charming about the place, like a secret hiding in plain sight. The town was full of old brick buildings, colorful murals on the walls, and an overall relaxed vibe that made you want to explore every corner.

"I think we should walk around," I.N suggested, his eyes scanning the street. "Let's see what we find."

You agreed, and the two of you wandered the streets, laughing as you went. It was one of those moments where nothing needed to be said; you were both content in the quiet joy of the day. It was like being on an adventure without a set destination—just letting everything unfold as it came.

That's when you stumbled upon the hidden gem. Tucked away in an alley, barely noticeable unless you were looking for it, was an old abandoned theme park. The entrance gates were rusted and overgrown with ivy, and the rides were silent, frozen in time.

You stood at the entrance for a moment, taking in the atmosphere. It felt like a forgotten dream, a place that had once been full of laughter and lights. I.N turned to you, eyes wide in excitement.

"This is perfect," he said, grinning from ear to ear. "I can't believe we found this."

The two of you stepped through the gates, your footsteps echoing as you explored the eerie yet fascinating park. You climbed up an old Ferris wheel, which was no longer operating but provided a breathtaking view of the town from above. You walked through the broken carousel, pretending to ride the dusty, faded horses as if they were still spinning.

It felt surreal, like you were in your own little world, far removed from the usual hustle and bustle of life. There was something magical about the place, a reminder that adventure didn't always have to come with a map or a guidebook—it could come from simply deciding to take a road less traveled.

After exploring the theme park, you ended the day at a local food festival, which you stumbled upon completely by accident. The streets were lined with food trucks offering everything from international street food to local delicacies. You and I.N ate everything in sight—sizzling skewers, fresh pastries, and ice cream that melted too quickly in the warm sun.

As you sat on a bench, the sun setting in the distance, you realized how incredible the day had been. It was the kind of trip that couldn't have been planned in advance because it was the randomness that made it so perfect. The whole day had been about enjoying the present, going with the flow, and letting the adventure unfold without worrying about where it would lead.

"I'm really glad we did this," you said, smiling at I.N as you both shared a piece of cake from the festival. "This was the best kind of road trip."

He nodded, leaning back with a satisfied grin. "No destination, no plan—just the ride. And that's all we needed."

As the night settled in and you headed back home, you couldn't help but think about how simple, unplanned moments like these could turn into memories you'd hold onto forever. It wasn't about where the road took you—it was about enjoying the journey together.