A Hero I Look Up To

True Colors

It's been a year since Chris had left Tobio's house. Tobio is now in seventh grade. Compared to when Chris was there to now, his birthdays stopped becoming fun and boring. It became noticeable to Loid, where back in sixth grade, Tobio faked a smile, trying not to worry Loid. Now, Tobio wouldn't want to come out of his room because a year had passed and he realizes what Loid said about neglect was correct. Now Tobio is witnessing it before his very eyes. Tobio doesn't know what to do at this point. He can't drive at all and escape, nor can he contact Chris because his only source of contact would be taken from his parents. Tobio remembered Loid asking him something a day later after he cut the reunion short.

-

A day later, after Chris left, Tobio ran up to Loid, faking a smile.

"Yo, L-Loid!" Tobio said, waving at Loid.

"Y-Yo..." Loid started to notice Tobio acting strangely. "You're not acting like yourself...."

"Really? I'm perfectly fine, Loid! Let's have a good day!"

As Tobio was about to lead the way into the school's entrance, Loid stopped, asking Tobio a serious question.

"Tobio did something happen with Chris?"

Tobio was shocked to hear what Loid asked him. He had two options: either lie to Loid, or tell him the truth. However, Tobio decided himself that he would lie so Loid wouldn't have to worry.

"I'm fine, I'm fine!" Tobio said. "No need to worry about it!"

Loid looked away in disappointment. "Alright..."

-

As Tobio went downstairs, his parents were working on something. Of course he didn't interfere, he wanted to mind their business. The entire house was silent, with only birds chirping outside and the wind blowing. Tobio decides he'll wash his clothes because his parents didn't.

Tobio saw a pile of his clothes stacked on top of each other. It did have a bit of a pungent smell because without Chris to wash clothes, his parents haven't done anything. They left Chris to do all the work when he was small, but now it's his own responsibility to take care of. Tobio took the pile of clothes and slowly set some into the washing machine so nothing falls onto the ground. After that, Tobio closed the washing machine and put in detergent. He slowly poured some in to the fill line, then closed up the detergent area. Tobio turned on the washing machine and put the setting to permanent press.

Next, he had to make his own food because there were no leftovers. He wanted to ask his parents to cook, but they'll most likely not answer. Tobio remembered the last time he asked, his mother told him to not interrupt them while they work, which has happened for a year straight. However...

"Can you teach me how to cook, mom?" Tobio asked hesitantly.

"Learn how to do it yourself, we can't now." His mother replied, looking on her computer.

"This is gone over a year straight, why can't you cook me meals?"

"You can cook yourself, Tobio."

When Tobio heard what his mom said about cooking by himself, Tobio remembered he can't cook at all.

"But I can't cook!" Tobio tried to tell his mother, but his mother looked at Tobio with a glare.

"Don't talk back!" His mother said with a stern voice.

Tobio couldn't say anything much longer, so he decided he'll cook himself. He went to the kitchen to get something Chris would usually make, grilled cheese sandwiches. However, Tobio realizes he needs to use a stove, which means he can't really do anything. He could make a ham and cheese sandwich, which is just thinly sliced ham and cheese. However, as he was about to make his ham and cheese sandwich, he realized the cheese wasn't there, and leftover chili was spotted. Luckily, the leftover chili was for Tobio to eat, so he just took it upstairs.