A Hero I Look Up To

Dismissal

A few minutes after finding out the truth about Tobio's parents, Tobio felt his body relax on Loid's lap after crying. His eyes were puffy and narrowed, he couldn't process anything after what he learned from Loid. Just up until now, he was under the impression that his parents were just busy and loved him a lot, but it turned out that Chris was the one that had genuinely cared for him, not his parents.

"You calmed down, Tobio." Loid noticed Tobio had stopped the tears from falling. He let out a sigh, noticing the damaged he had caused to Tobio's mental state. "I apologize for explaining this to you on the first day of middle school... and our reunion."

"It's fine..." Tobio replied with a breathy and shaky voice. "I didn't expect it either..."

Awkward silence filled in between the two of them. The birds were chirping and looking for food left on the ground as the breeze flows gently in the sky. What was there to do in the silence with no other children around? Loid felt the need to suggest something for Tobio to cheer up.

"Wanna come over to my place?" Loid asked, lifting his gaze up to a tree that's far in the distance. "You've been to the bakery, but you've never my house. I'm sure you'll like my room."

"Ah..." Tobio's pupils dilated. Knowing that his parents neglected him made him think if he could ever come over to a friend's house. "I... I don't know if I could come... My parents want me to be back home... with Chris by 5:00 p.m."

"Well school ends at 2:15 p.m. today and we can still hang out. It's a good way to get away from your parents." Loid finally took a bite of his lunch—macaroni and cheese that he set aside for Tobio to let out his emotions. He pulled his fork slightly down.

"Ah... then I'll have time to catch up...!" Tobio's eyes widened.

"Mhm. My brother will be happy to see you again after two years." Loid let out a smirk.

"I'll go. I really need some time away from them..." Tobio positioned himself upwards. "I'll text Chris to pick me up later... at your house, yes?"

"Sure." Loid gave Tobio a thumbs up.

Tobio and Loid agreed with hanging out at Loid's house after school. Tobio pulled out his phone to text Chris and tell him that he'll be at Loid's house. In order for Chris to pick him up, Loid gave Tobio the permission to send his address so that Chris would know where to go. Chris immediately replied to his text, saying that he was surprised Tobio was able to reunite with Loid, which made Tobio smile a bit. Tobio didn't feel like eating his lunch now since he needs time to recover from crying. He felt tired and wanted to calm down a little longer, so he rested on Loid's shoulder. Loid was a little surprised and let him lay down on his shoulder.

"Please eat your lunch too..." he frowned. "You don't want to go to class with an empty stomach."

"Sorry..." Tobio sighed. "It's just—"

"Try not to think as much... and enjoy yourself for now." Loid didn't want Tobio to think too much about the situation. For now, he wanted Tobio to enjoy himself at school rather than him sulking.

***

Time has passed. It is now after school. Tobio was on his way to Loid's class in a better mood than lunch time. As he saw Loid, he waited against the wall next to the entrance for him patiently, tapping his foot. As Loid was making his way out of his class, he saw Tobio with a smile on his face. The moment he noticed the smile, he made face to face contact with Tobio and narrowed his eyes.

"Please tell me you're actually smiling," Loid groaned.

"What's up with the face?!" Tobio was taken aback by Loid's sudden change in tone. However, he was in the mood to grab onto Loid's hand and drag him outside the building. "I was smiling and I am now. Let's go to your house!!"