both side had presented their argument, but Shouta's heart slowly broke watching the jury's reactions to the argument favor Teijirou who was grinning in satisfaction. His lawyer then finally called Kyoya to the stand. By that point it had just been Shouta trying to defend herself against accusations rather than letting Shouta make so many more of her own against him without looking like the worst person ever.

She wanted to cry. Kou, who sat behind her was livid at the seemingly one sided trial. As they asked Kyoya questions, however, it seemed to be picked up by Ai that the questions Kyoya was being asked that not matter how truthfully the child answered they made Shouta seem like a bad mother that had abandoned her child so she tried asking ones of her own, and this put Shouta in a better light. but not enough to help sway the argument.

However slowly sunk into despair. She's lost, she had lost her baby boy. She had promised to give him a life he deserves and she had failed him. a break was called while the jury decided their verdict. "cheer up Kisa-san"

"How!" Shouta cried as Kou tried to sooth her. "I've lost my baby, they never tried to get my side of things, I failed him" Kou hugged her saying nothing kissing the top of her head but said nothing. He couldn't. it would be heart breaking for any mother to lose her child, hell, he hadn't known the little guy that long and he was upset they were losing him.

"There is a chance they wont have enough evidence and call for more, no one knows how things will be called" Ai tried to sooth

"You saw their reactions Ai..." Shouta sniffled. Kou just tried to sooth her and then went to look for the boy across the room only to find the boy sneaking out making Kou scowl and look at Teijirou who wasn't paying attention at all.

what are you up to little man?

Shouta Kisa

Shouta had finally pulled herself together enough to go see her son while Kou tried to discuss with Ai all the possibilities leaving her alone with her baby not knowing the boy had snuck out earlier and had just arrived back. she knelt in front of him "I'm so sorry baby" she sniffled as she hugged the boy close to her "I am so so sorry, I love you so much baby but i'm so sorry"

"Mummy don't cry, father won't win!" Kyoya argued

"I'm sorry baby, but it isn't looking good baby. I'll try my best baby but i can't guarantee anything okay" suddenly a large shadow of Teijirou looming over them. Shouta looked up to see him grinning like the Cheshire cat.

"Hope you're saying goodbye to my son" Teijirou chuckled. both Kyoya and Shouta glared up at him, Kyoya moved to stand between the two defending his mother.

"Leave Mummy alone!" Kyoya cried.

"Stay out of this boy" Teijirou scolded cruelly "You know there is one way that i would let you see Kyoya again" Teijirou sneered. "It would also involve you raising our son" He added looking pointedly at Kou. Before walking away smugly. Shouta looked at Kyoya then at Kou and Kyoya looked at his mother offended.

"Mummy don't!" Kyoya cried

"He's giving me no choice baby" Shouta cooed

"Would you really leave daddy just to live unhappily with a monster of father just for me?" Shouta froze.

"Of course i would baby but... who did you say i'd be leaving?" Kyoya blushed and seeing his mother's confused gaze he explained

"Daddy... you know... Yukina-kun" Shouta gave Kyoya a watery smile with a small giggle and that eased the boys nervousness. "it's true! he's more like a dad that that monster"

"Okay okay I won't leave daddy" She teased. "I can't believe i even considered it but... baby... you know I will drop anything for you. it's the least I can do for my baby" Kyoya just gave her a knowing smile

"I don't think you would have to mummy" And with that Kyoya skipped back to his place leaving a shocked Shouta as the jury filed back in. She walked back to her spot next to Ai who tried comforting her as her distress returned. Each member of the jury sat and it felt like ages as they did. But she was gone. She had lost her baby, sue she could have more but... She had tried so hard to be there for her baby. She couldn't just have another child and forget about him. She would try to find a way around it.

In her hope to be able to raise her baby, she had foolishly considered Teijirou's subtle proposal and her anger rose. He had made attempted to make her choose, and Kyoya, trying to be a strong boy for his mother had told her that he wasn't an option. he shouldn't have to be strong. I should be protecting him not the other way around. Images in her head flashed in her head of the three of them and it made her heart break.

Kyoya had even called Kou his father, and that made it hurt even more. Why did Teijirou have to be his father. why couldn't have she just waited for Kou to find her. Kou could have been his biological father and she wouldn't have to worry about Kyoya being raised by a monster. She glanced back at Kou who was behind her again who smiled sadly. we could have been a family.

"has the jury come to an agreement?" The judge asked

"We have, your honor" on of the women in the stands answered. Shouta took a deep breath, preparing herself for the words she didn't want to hear.

"And what is the decision?"