A Hero I Look Up To

Fun and Games

Tobio is now in his last year of elementary school, fifth grade! Mia and Serena are in his class once again. Today was September 15, 2017, a day before Chris' twenty-fourth birthday and the day Serena is finally going to meet Chris for the first time. Serena did not have anything to do at the moment and her schedule is free. She was able to accept the offer to come along with him and Mia. The three were walking towards the exit of the school, with Mia in the middle, Tobio on her right, and Serena on her left.

"Hmm... I'm a little curious... Serena pressed her finger against her cheek. "What's he like? What school does he go to?"

"That... I have no clue," Tobio replied.

"How... do you have no clue?" Serena's eyes averted to Tobio.

"He... doesn't really share much about his past."

That was a first... a friend who doesn't share about their past... was something she hadn't expected. She put her hands on the side and glanced at Mia, who seemed to be humming a cheerful melody. "Mia?"

"Hmm?" Mia glanced at Serena. "What's up with the look on your eyes?"

"Tobio says your friend doesn't talk about the past?"

"Ah, well he's just a bit closed off. You'll find out soon!"

This made Serena furrow her brow. Find out soon... huh? I'll think about it.

***

The crew made it to the parking lot. The lot seemed crowded as usual with a lot of kids walking to their cars. Tobio immediately spotted Chris' car and dashed through the crowd, with Mia widening her eyes, following Tobio from behind. Serena noticed that the two had left her behind and shouted, "Hey, wait up!!"

As Tobio opened Chris' car door, he saw Chris glanced straight up at him and noticed Mia, along with Serena, who he seemed to not know. He furrowed his brow and before he asked the question...

"We finally brought her, Chris!" Tobio exclaimed with a smile on his face. "We'll finally introduce you to Serena, our friend!"

Serena however, widened her eyes as she first met eyes with Chris. She was shocked to see how old Chris was. She glanced at Mia, then Tobio, then Chris, to wonder what's going on. Why would Tobio befriend an adult?

"Nice to meet you, Serena." Chris cocked his head to one side and showed a tight-lipped smile.

The children have entered the car. Tobio sits next to the window with his seat facing the drivers seat. Serena is sitting comfortably on the other side of the window seat, while Mia sat on the middle seat a bit cramped, but enough to endure the ride.

"You're... Chris?" Serena adjusted her seating position, shifting to her right so Mia had room. "I expected you to be... younger."

"You did?" Chris let out a nervous laugh. "You might think I'm crazy, but... I'm actually his babysitter... so I wouldn't say we're best friends..."

"YOU'RE HIS BABYSITTER!?!?" Serena's pupils dilated. There was a lot to process in her mind. This whole time, she thought of Chris as some grade school student Tobio and Mia met, but after facing reality he was actually Tobio's babysitter. "What... wha... huh...?"

"Usually, Tobio's parents aren't around, so we go to the park to have fun and do homework!" Mia pumped her fists with excitement.

"Ooh, the park! I'm already excited!" Serena shut her eyes tight and squealed, putting both of her hands on her face. "What will we do there?"

Mia pointed her right finger up into the sky. Serena widened her eyes. Tobio kept a straight face as he already knew what Mia was going to say, so he didn't interfere.