⇢ Chapter 26.

"Mr. Todoroki, I'm sure you heard what Mr. Sasaki said about your father;s past involving you, correct?" Kurono questions.

"Yes, I heard. It was a really nice way of putting it..." Touya says.

"So, please, tell us what really happened?" Kurono asked.

"Your honor, Mr. Todoroki isn't the one in trial, so his past has no bearing to this case!" Tensei interjected, raising a hand.

"It does, your honor. Mr. Todoroki is caring for the child and we are concerned for her safety." Kurono states.

"Keep it brief, Mr. Kurono" Judge warns Kurono.

"Yes, your honor. So, Mr. Todoroki, please tell the court about your time at home." Kurono asks.

"The old man... my father always had this idea of having the perfect child. When I didn't want to follow his rules, we would fight. Even though half the time it was me," Touya says, knowing he wasn't the best son either.

"And the abuse on your mother?" Kurono asked.

Touya looked at him like he wanted to kill him, "my mother was never hit, yeah, he was mentally and verbally abusive but he never laid a finger on her." Touya snapped back. "I wasn't innocent either..." Touya mumbles under his breath.

"Do you feel that the child is safe with your father?" Kurono asked.

"Eri! Her name is Eri, not 'the child'. And yes, she is safe with my mother and father." Touya says, glaring at Kurono, knowing what he saying were things he shouldn't, but loves seeing him pissed off.

"How can you be so sure? You haven't spoken to your family in years." Kurono says with a hint of aggravation.

"I might not be around them, but that doesn't mean I don't know what's going on in their lives. Like I know my parents went to therapy, my sister married a really good guy and she's having her first child, my brother is playing in one of the top baseball college and having a really good chance of going pro and my little brother is doing good in school, he just has a very questionable taste in partners..." Touya says with a small laugh. "I know my family is good. Just like I know they love Eri. So, yes, I believe she is safe with my parents." Touya finalizes.

"What about the Aizawa's? You lived next to them for almost a year. Even after having an affair with Hizashi," Kurono asks. Everyone was shocked to hear that Touya slept with Hizashi.

"That was way before they got married. They weren't even together when we slept together. And I didn't even know who he was then. I was just a mistake." Touya states. Nemuri and Toshinori knew about Hizashi's mistake, but they didn't know he lived next door.

"Even so, you still had a relationship with him and now you're friends with his husband. Maybe you join in with them?" Kurono questions. Touya was slowly getting pissed off because he knew what Kurono was trying to do.

"No, they never asked nor do they ever want to. They are too much in love to be with someone else. No one can break them apart!" Touya explains, glancing at Chaski, who seemed angry.

"And what's your relationship with the child?" Kurono asked, crossing his arms.

"My relationship with Eri is that like a brother and sister." Touya explains.

"Yes, letters, correct? Didn't she get in trouble for that?" Kurono asked.

"Not for the letters—" Touya says before getting cut off.

"But she did get in trouble?" Kurono pushes again.

"Yes, because she was outside without permission and got locked out." Touya said.

"But, wasn't Shota home since he works from home?" Kurono questioned.

"He wasn't home. She was with her brother, Hitoshi." Touya says.

"But wasn't he watching her? How could he not notice she was gone?" Kurono asked.

"He was on the phone with his boyfriend, fighting..." Touya says.

"So, you're saying that she was left unattended for a long period of time?" Kurono tilts his head, smirking.

"Yeah, and I was with her outside for over an hour before Shota came home." Touya answered knowing this doesn't look good.

"Over an hour?! Wow! Isn't that dangerous? What if you wasn't home? To think what would have happened." Kurono says in a mocking way. He walks over and pulls out a stack of paper. "Has Eri ever told you about how things were at home?" Kurono asked.

"She usually talks about school or Hizashi's volleyball team." Touya answers.

"Didn't she mention something about Shota?" Kurono says as he shows the letters.

"How the hell did you get that?" Touya snaps at Kurono.

"You did. Your honor, here are the letters Eri wrote to Mr. Todoroki." Kurono hands the letters to the judge as well as Tensei before passing one to Touya. "Please, read the highlighted parts, Mr. Todoroki." Kurono states.

Touya looks at the letter and then looks over to Eri who is now in tears. "I'm worried about Daddy. He's not eating and he works so hard. Sometimes, I feel like he forgets about me and everyone. I don't like it." Touya reads the part.

"So she expressed to you that she is not happy?" Kurono asked, smirking.

"Yes." Touya says.

"Please read the next highlighted part," Kurono states.

"Daddy and Papa are fighting because Daddy is too busy with work. I'm scared that Papa is gonna leave Daddy. Daddy seems so sad. Did I do something wrong? Maybe I shouldn't be here. Would Daddy and Papa be happier?" Touya reads as his voice breaks.

"Doesn't seem like their marriage is as solid as you think," Kurono states as he takes the letters from Touya. "I'm done with the witness." Kurono states as he sits back down.

"Mr. Iida, is there anything you would like to ask the witness?" Judge asked.

"Yes, your honor. Mr. Todoroki, when Eri was outside with you, what happened when Shota came home?" Tensei asked.

"He was upset, punished both of them. Eri hasn't done anything like that again and Hitoshi started paying better attention." Touya explained.

"So, it was once that this happened and never again?" Tensei asked.

"Yes." Touya answers.

"What about the letters? What was your response?" Tensei asked.

"I told her that they love her and it's not easy being an author. I spoke to Shota a few times and he always seems so focus on work. It's natural to lose sight on what's around you. I told Eri her parents would be heartbroken if she wasn't around. She is their world," Touya says, hoping to fix whatever damage he has done.

"One last question, what is your connection to Mr. Chaski?" Tensei asked.

"Employer." Is all Touya said.

"I'm done, your honor." Tensei says.

"Mr. Todoroki, thank you. You may step down." The judge says. Touya walks out of the room knowing he just fucked up. "We will adjourn the case until next time. As for the child, I appreciate the honesty, Mr. Todoroki, and I know Mr. Sasaki would not recommend for the child to stay if he felt it wasn't safe. With that, I will allow Eri to stay with the Todoroki. Visitations will stay the same. Mr. Sasaki, please continue to supervise over all parties. We will reconvene in 6 weeks. Court dismissed." Judge states as he slams the gavel.

Shota, who was silent, just gets up and walks out. Everyone followed and stops when they saw Touya. Before Hizashi could say anything, Eri began yelling for Touya.

He looks at Eri and kneels down. "Hey, kitty—" Touya stops when Eri hits him.

"I hate you! I hate you, how could you give them my letters?! You promised me it was our secret, you promised! You're a liar, and I hate you!" Eri screamed with tears rushing down her cheeks.

Rei grabs Eri, pulling her away as she keeps saying she hates him while sobbing. "I'm sorry, kitty." Touya whispers as tears falls.

"Stay the hell away from my family. You piece of shit!" Hizashi yelled as Toshinori pulls him back. Shota just looks at Touya and then walks away with everyone following.

"Son," Enji starts, stopping when Touya looks up and gives out a weak laugh.

"Guess I'm still a fuck up, huh?" Enji merely looks at his son and then places his hand on his shoulder.

"I fucked up. But I made it right. You can still make this right, son." Enji says as he gives Touya a quick hug then whispers something in Touya ears.

Touya looked shocked for a moment then laughs. "Thanks, old man." He whispered back. Enji leaves, hoping his son will do the right thing.

"What are you gonna do now?" Keigo asked, popping up besides Touya.

"Fuck shit up." Touya says with a smile before he walks away. Keigo stood there, staring at Touya, thinking, 'don't do something stupid...'
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