A One-Beat Moment of Insanity

“Hello?” 

“Hello, Yuta.” Lyra’s voice sounded different to me. Or maybe it was just my imagination.

“Hey,” I replied curiously.

“How are you?”

“I’m good. You?” My tongue suddenly felt tied. My brain had been stuck in a loop since earlier today.

“I’m good too. It’s been a while since we last talked.”

“Yeah…” What was coming next? This sudden call left a huge doubt in my mind.

“Were you free? I called all of a sudden…”

“Yeah, I mean… I guess I’m free.” What did I even mean by that? I was questioning my own words.

“Ah, good. I wanted to call about the festival the other day. I know it’s been a while, and honestly, it was really rude of me to say I’d come and then not show up.” Her voice was clearly trembling. I could hear regret and sadness in her tone.

“Oh, don’t worry about it. You did say you’d come if  you were free. I get it.” I said, though a heads-up would’ve been nice.

“I had some things to take care of at the hospital that day, so I couldn’t make it. I wanted to apologize for that.”

“The hospital? Are you okay?” That definitely caught me off guard. I asked immediately without thinking.

Damn, that was a personal question. If she had wanted to tell me, she would have already, right?

“Uh, yeah, I’m fine. My little sister had a minor surgery. I was staying with her.” Lyra hesitated for a second, then her voice came out softer, as if she was still affected by it.
I felt terrible. When she hadn’t shown up that day, I had made all sorts of assumptions.

“I’m glad she’s okay. And you don’t have to apologize for that. I should’ve called you to check in. I feel bad that I didn’t reach out even once this past month.” I said, genuinely meaning it.
What if it had been her instead of her sister? What if something had happened and I had no idea?

A strange sensation ran through my entire body. Anxiety and stress seeped into me, making my skin prickle.

“No, no! Please don’t think that way. I should have been the one to call you. But things have been really busy, and I just kept forgetting. Tonight, you suddenly crossed my mind, and I didn’t want to forget again, so I called you right away. I’m sorry.”

So she called me the moment she thought of me? I didn’t know how to feel about that. Her voice was so gentle, and for some reason, talking like this, this late at night…

It made me feel weird but comfy.

“No worries, really. I’m glad you called. At least now I know.” I smiled as I spoke. I still felt guilty, but this wasn’t the time to dwell on it.

“Yeah. By the way, how was the festival? Did you guys have fun?” I could tell she was smiling from the way she spoke.

The fact that she asked, “Did you have fun?” instead of “Did you guys manage to sing?” was telling. It made her priorities very clear.

“Yeah, thanks to you, it was a great festival.”

“I didn’t do anything. It was all your hard work.” She still wouldn’t take any credit. That humility of hers always caught me off guard.

“We got some new members in the club, and right now, we’re actually at a hot spring.”

“What?! No way, that’s awesome! Ahh, I wanted to go too! Now I’m jealous.” She sounded genuinely surprised and jealous.

I chuckled. I couldn’t help but wonder how things would have been if she had come along. I was sure we’d have had a blast.

“Yeah, it would’ve been fun if you were here. Everyone was asking about you at the festival, too. You’re part of the team now.” Though, if I was being honest, given how the Truth or Dare game had gone, I was a little relieved she hadn’t been there.

Lyra laughed softly.
“Even though I go to a different school?”

“Even then.” What kind of question was that? We sounded like two people teasing each other.
There was a brief silence. Maybe I shouldn’t have responded that way.

“I’m glad. I’d like to visit sometime.” Her tone was gentle.

Huh?
 I wasn’t expecting that. And honestly, I’d like it if she did. Even if it wasn’t for a festival, it would be nice to see her.

“You’re always welcome.”

“Thanks.”

Another short silence. 

Was I pushing this conversation too far? The main topic was already covered, and I really shouldn’t be getting too close to a girl who had a boyfriend.

“Well—”

“Hey, Yuta.” We spoke at the same time. She was just about to say something.

“Sorry, I interrupted you,” I said.

“It’s fine.” She paused briefly. “Are you free on New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day? O-or rather, are you guys free?”

Her voice suddenly sped up. I could hear the nervous excitement in her tone. What was going on?

“Uh, I think so? I might have plans with my family for New Year’s Eve, but I should be free on the first day of the year. The others probably will be too.” Wait, why were we suddenly making plans? What was the point of this?

“How about we meet up as a way to make up for the festival? And since it’s the first day of the year, it fits, right?”

I really didn’t like this. I couldn’t push a girl with a boyfriend into doing something like this.
“You don’t have to do this just because you feel bad,” I said firmly. I wasn’t just trying to be polite. If she kept being this kind-hearted, she’d only end up hurting herself. And honestly, I wasn’t mentally prepared for this.

“No, I mean… yes, I do feel bad, but… I also want to see you guys. It’s not just about that.” Her voice sounded strangely shy. That small confession made my face heat up.

A strange sensation wrapped around me, from my stomach to my back. If she was only doing this out of guilt, I couldn’t let her.

But if she really wanted to meet up…

Who was I to say no?

“Alright then. I’ll check with the others and let you know.” I kept my voice as neutral as possible. I wondered how they’d react.

“Okay. Let’s talk again soon.”

“Yeah.”;

“Oh, and Yuta.” Her voice suddenly changed—it was softer, a little hesitant.

“Yeah?”

“You don’t mind me calling like this, do you?”

Huh? I mean, I didn’t mind, but wasn’t it wrong?

 I didn’t know…

 but it wasn’t my place to say.

“No, of course not. I’m usually free.” I replied.

“Good. If you’re slow to reply to my messages, I’ll just call you instead.” She sounded playful.
“I don’t know what you mean by slow, but sure. You’re the one who usually does that, though, so I guess I can do the same?”

“Hey! I didn’t do that on purpose! And yeah, no problem! I always reply if I see it.” Lyra’s slightly frustrated voice sounded oddly amusing.

“Got it. See you later, then.” I smiled.

“See you. Goodnight, and have fun.” I could hear the smile in her voice too.

“Thanks. Goodnight.”

I felt like we had gotten even closer. Even if it was wrong, at least she was trying to stay my friend.

I hung up and took a deep breath. My body was stiff with tension. I tried to process everything.
Just as I turned to go back inside, I saw Aiko standing at the door.

Her expression… was strange. Shocked, yet like she wanted to say something. Her brows were slightly furrowed, but her lips didn’t move.

For a second, I thought—maybe she felt like she shouldn’t be here.

“Aiko?”

Had she been listening?

Before she could answer, rushed footsteps approached—Hiro burst through the door, out of breath, face flushed.

“Guys! Sayuri and Rei… they started dating!”

“What?”

Aiko and I said it at the same time.

"Sayuri asks Rei out!"

Man, I really wanted this day to be over. I wasn’t sure how much more I could take...