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 prior to Christmas, 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?

Tobio felt bored. he laid down on his bed and stared at the ceiling. It was like every other day—his parents are busy and he has nothing to do. He sighed, and was about to grab a comic book to read from the stack on his desk until he heard a knock on his door. Surprisingly, both Tobio's parents had 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 with an innocent smile on her face.

"This is to make up for all the time we hadn't spent with you," his father mentioned. "What do you think?"

This surprised Tobio, as both of his parents never asked to spend time with him. They've already missed out Chris' nineteenth birthday, which is the reason why Tobio was still angry at his parents—for missing out on all the fun he planned. He was unsure on whether he should trust his parents this time. However, after some thought, he came up with an answer.

"Sure..." Tobio replied as he hesitated to look at his parents with his two eyes. "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 remembered on that day—the only time he and his parents spent time, they played around in the backyard of Tobio's house. They played catch with a soccer ball his parent brought him. The ball was fully inflated like a brand new ball bought from the store. That same day, they also played card games—mainly old maid and board games—checkers—inside the house in the living room. It was a vague memory, but it was something that Tobio could only remember.

This time, Tobio didn't feel like he wanted to go Satellite Park—the park he and Chris would always go to, but this time, he requested something different.

"Mom, dad, I would like to go to the playground today," Tobio said, looking into his parent's eyes.

"Anything for our sweetheart!" The mother cheerfully replied. "Change out of your pajamas first, then we can go!"

***

When they arrived, Tobio was excited, yet unfamiliar with the new park.As he got out of the car, he held his parent's hands. As he looked around, there weren't that many trees in this park compared the park he went with Chris, but there was a playground—which Satellite Park didn't have. 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 near the playground looking at his phone. Tobio made a plan to sneak up to Loid and say hello. He sneaked up at the steps of the playground and crept behind Loid, however...

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

The plan backfired as soon as he saw Tobio—just before he even planned to sneak up on him.