A Hero I Look Up To

To Be Loved

Tobio's seventh birthday has arrived. However, Christmas was also coming up. Tobio's parents did however... give Tobio a toy and some new clothes, but something was missing. Since his parents were busy, he hasn't had that much time to play with them. He would always have to go to Chris whenever Tobio wants to play, but the problem is, Chris couldn't babysit Tobio at this hour because of college purposes. Tobio remembered when he was a six year old that Chris was determined to aim for a Ph.D. In culinary management. Maybe Tobio should do the same and support him when he gets older?

Surprisingly, both Tobio's parents came up to Tobio's room with an unexpected request.

"Tobio, would you like to spend some time together on your birthday?" The mother asked.

This surprised Tobio, as his parents never asked to spend time with him. They've already missed out Chris' nineteenth birthday, which is the reason Tobio held the party elsewhere. Tobio was still angry at his parents for missing out that day. He was unsure whether he should trust his parents this time.

"Sure..." Tobio said. "It's been... a while."

"A while?" His father asked. "The last time we've ever spent time with you was a month ago."

Right... a month ago was the only time Tobio's parents weren't busy at all... well it was only that one day, the thirteenth of November. Tobio didn't want to go to the park he and Chris would always go to, but this time, he wanted to go to the playground. Yes, his parents agreed, so they hopped in the car and headed to that destination.

When they arrived, Tobio was excited, yet unfamiliar with the new park. There weren't that many trees as the park he went with Chris... and there was a playground too! Tobio has never been to a playground before, as he always hangs out at a grassy area, so looked a bit interested to go on the playground, running to the place. There were a few kids, one on the swings, three on the slide... but their parents were around. Tobio didn't know how to blend in, but he saw a familiar face.

Loid and his older brother Jordan were there. Loid was near the steps to the slide, while Jordan was sitting on a bench looking at his phone. Tobio made a plan to sneak up to Loid and say hello, but the plan backfired.

"Hi Tobio." Loid said. "I didn't think you'd come to this park."

"Hey..." Tobio was a bit disappointed to not scare Loid.

"What's with the gloomy face?"

"It's nothing..."

"Ah... but I don't see Chris...?"

"Chris... can't babysit me due to college work... he has a lot of work to do, so my parents are here instead of him."

Loid was shocked to hear about Tobio's parents. Since the day of Chris' surprise party, Loid wanted to talk sense with Tobio's parents. Just then, he saw Tobio's parents watching Tobio from a distance. Loid's blood started to boil. He was about to get off the playground to throw some words at Tobio's parents, however...

"Loid... please don't make things worse."

"Why not?" Loid asked with anger in his eyes. "They both need to apologize for not coming to Chris' nineteenth birthday party."

"I... don't think they would care." Tobio replied with sadness.

Loid saw the look in Tobio's eyes and apologized for making him sad and remembering about that day. Tobio forgave Loid, and they both smiled. Just then, Loid decided to ask this.

"How did it feel to hang out with your parents after so long, Tobio?"

So long... there wasn't a time where Tobio had a chance to play with his parents... not even once... but rarely. In the car ride to the new park, when Tobio was talking to his parents, his heart felt cold... his body felt uncomfortable... and he couldn't feel warmth in the car.