In Excess (Itafushi)

Chapter 15

The bonfire, once lively and roaring with heat, was reduced to a few smoldering ashes. It was well after one in the morning, but despite the dying flame, light music still played and ambient chatter breathed life into the air. While Will and his friend were deep into recounting embarrassing stories from their high school days, I stared into the embers, mesmerized by the way they pulsed and flickered like a fading heartbeat.

My phone started chiming in my pocket, stealing my attention away from the fire's vital signs. I didn't recognize the sound, so I was surprised to see that I was getting a call from Yuji. My heart skipped a beat, effectively paralyzing me as I stared at the incoming call. I stepped away from the group to find a quieter place to accept the call.

"Hello?" My heartbeat thrummed in my ears, whatever effects left from the beer vanishing in an instant.

"Where are you?" Yuji's speech was heavily slurred.

"I'm with Will at a bonfire." I held my breath waiting for Yuji's response.

"Oh," he said after a long pause. "I thought you were coming back tonight." My stomach contorted itself into a knotted mess.

"You never responded." My irritation and hurt started to seep into my tone despite my best efforts throughout the night to dispel it.

"I thought you were coming," he repeated.

"I waited on you for hours, Yuji. Was I supposed to just sit in my room and wait until you decide to call at nearly two in the morning?" My own hostility shocked me, but unfortunately, it came with tears welling in my eyes.

"I'm sorry, Megumi. You can still come over." I blinked back the tears that were threatening to spill out.

"Yuji, it's too late. I'm tired and upset now, so-"

"Wait, Megumi," he interrupted. "Why are you upset?" A small disbelieving laugh escaped my lips.

"You told me to go home, then you ignored my message and didn't talk to me for the rest of the day. I don't think it's wrong for me to be upset about that." My voice cracked as I spoke, the words sticking in my tightening throat.

"You're right, you have every reason to be upset, and I'm really sorry, Megumi. Please, let me make it up to you." I wiped the stinging tears from my eyes and took a deep breath to collect myself.

"Can I have a few minutes?" I asked with a heavy sigh.

"Of course," he answered softly. "Take as much time as you need."

We said our tentative goodbyes and ended the call. I considered going back to the fire to ask Will for advice, but everyone looked so happy, I didn't want to bring them down with me. I walked along the gravel alley, the sounds from the bonfire fading away into the distance.

'Going for a walk. The smoke was starting to bother me,' I texted Will. It was mostly a lie, but I couldn't just disappear without any sort of excuse. Once I turned down a quiet street, I sat on the curb and called Gojo.

"Hi, Megumi," he answered happily. Upon hearing his voice, I completely broke down, the tears now flowing freely. "What's wrong?" he asked gently, his tone shifting to one of concern. I tried to speak, but the only thing that would come out were sobs.

"I don't know," I cried unintelligibly.

"Hey, it's okay. Just take a few deep breaths," he instructed. After a minute of deep breathing, and Gojo soothing me, I was finally able to speak. Gojo listened patiently as I recounted everything, the ignored message, the late-night call, and how lost I felt.

"Am I overreacting?" I sounded pitiful, but I needed an answer.

"No, he was being very inconsiderate," he reassured.