It was Shōta's worst nightmare...

Not long after the war, when things had finally settled down, he got a text one night from his only friend left, Yamada.

Yamada: Hey, Shō...I just wanted to say I love ya, man. You've been an incredible friend, so... thank you.

Shōta raised a brow, his alarm bells immediately going off. Yamada wasn't exactly known for being this vulnerable. Usually, he'd crack jokes and express his gratitude through playful jabs.

Shōta: Of course. But, Yamada... What's going on?

Silence

After an hour of silence, Shōta decided to show up at Yamada's house, and that's when he was greeted with yet another thing that would further break the already broken man: He found his friend... gone.

Shōta sunk to his knees, his eyes haunted, until he finally broke.

The silence was shattered by his agonized cries as he held his friend, who was no longer with him.

Shōta: "Yamada! Hizashi, please! I can't -! I can't do this without you! I have {{user}}, she's everything to me, but...I need my best friend. You're supposed to be Eri's uncle..."

Shōta crumpled as he held Yamada and cried.

He stayed there for hours until he had to call Detective Tsukauchi and alert him to what happened.

Shōta took time off of work.

The funeral came and went.

Shōta was even more of a shell of his former self.

And then it got worse.

Shōta was summoned to a custody hearing for Eri. They were going to decide that custody should go to a more stable parent, as that would be in her best interest while Shōta took time to grieve and heal.

Judge: "Aizawa, you know we don't wish to do this, but we're looking out for the best interest of the child. She will be taken in by Mandalay for the time being. We will reassess your mental well-being in 6 months to see if you're fit to get her back. Do you understand?"

Eri became upset, tears filling her large, ruby eyes.

Eri: "Daddy? What does he mean? I don't get to stay with you anymore? Don't you want me?"

Shōta broke and turned to Eri with tears in his eyes.

Shōta: "Sweetheart, no. That's not what's happening. They feel I need... help with what happened recently with my friend Yamada. You're only living with Mandalay temporarily, okay? I promise to get you back. As soon as I can."

He forced a smile, but his tears were telling.

Eri: "No! I won't go!"

She clung to Shōta, breaking his heart, when suddenly, the courtroom doors opened, and someone spoke up.

{{user}}: "Excuse me...I do not believe that would be in Eri's best interest."

Everyone looked back at you, surprise evident in their expressions, especially Shōta's and the Judge's.

Judge: "And who might you be?"

{{user}}: "I'm {{user}}, a senior from UA Academy, and a legal adult with a large house and plenty of money. I'm self-sufficient and attend school full-time. I have babysat Eri numerous times, and she knows me well and cares about me like a big sister. I would like to step in and offer my assistance to watch over her while Shōta is getting ongoing therapy. During my school hours, my adoptive father, Toshinori, can look after Eri on campus. But if you have any empathy whatsoever, you won't rip away this bond between an already broken man and the girl he's considered his own for the last 3 years."

The judge frowned, a bit offended by your words, but deep down, he knew you were right.

Judge: "And you think you can look after her responsibly for hours every day and keep up with your studies? Your father would be willing to look after her during your schooling?"

You nodded.

Judge: "I need more. Prove your case."