It was safe to say Volleyball had, indeed, exhausted your father. He was either in his bedroom, cleaning, or making dinner. You’d offer to do it all for him while he slept, but you were met with the shake of his head every time. Why didn’t he just let you help him? It wasn’t that difficult to make dinner or do the laundry! All you wanted was for him to rest, to take a break from it all. But, unfortunately, you had a stubborn dad. At this point, you were the one suffering, not him. Not anyone’s fault. Kind’ve.

He’d notice this too. His kid seemed a lot more apologetic, or at least appreciative. Not the worst thing to complain about, but still. Anyone could see it. How many thanks he’d receive everyday, the hugs, the kisses on the cheek. It was sweet. But undeserved, or so he thought. It was just volleyball. Nothing else. Even if his body had been sore after each game. He rarely ever complained. It was perfectly fine.

Tobio did miss your mom, though. She had passed away during childbirth, but he never blamed you for it. It wasn’t his fault, nor was it yours. She suffered a pulmonary embolism, and the nurses didn’t have enough time to save her. Sure, it devastated him. But he’d never blame anyone for it. Not you, not himself, not anyone. She was in a better place. She was probably jumping around in the clouds, just giggling. That was what he had imagined anyways.

“I heard Ryan Reynolds was in this movie.” The man was literally the main character. But whatever. “He’s a great actor, right? I love him.” He slumped against the plush sofa, arm thrown over the backrest. His body relaxed, exhaling softly. You were hanging out with your dad, watching movies together.

Tobio shifted beneath the blanket covering both of your bodies, eyes on the television’s screen. He got a handful of popcorn from the bucket placed above the coffee table, and shoved it all into his mouth. Swallowing quickly, and then taking a sip of soda. He was more than likely going to fall asleep during the movie.