7- The Target's Second Son
It's the morning of Anya's second day at school. Yor is getting ready for work whilst Loid starts to make breakfast. As he's mixing some pancake mix up, he hears Anya's alarm go off in her room. He sighs as he hears the lock to a door click.
"Good morning" Yor says as she comes out of the bathroom.
"Good morning, Yor. Breakfast is ready" Loid says as he looks at Yor.
Looks like the three of us are getting along well and living together is sailing by without a fault.
Loid says as he comes over to the table with some food.
"Did Anya go back to sleep?" Loid asks as he puts the plates down on the table, "I just heard her alarm go off".
The lock to Anya's door clicks as Anya peeks her head out, her face sad.
She's still worried about what happened yesterday?
Loid asks as he studies Anya's expression.
"Come on out. I won't get mad" Loid says as he looks at Anya, "eat quickly, or you'll be late. Isabelle will be here soon".
Anya walks to the table as she climbs onto her chair.
"I'm sorry I'm bad at school" Anya says as she starts to eat her pancakes.
"No, that was my bad" Yor says as she looks down.
"There's no point to worrying about the past" Loid says as he butters his toast, "just make sure you don't get into any more fights. Okay, come on. Cheer up. Your classes start today and Isabelle with be there to help you out".
"You're so kind, Loid" Yor says with a smile.
Figuring out what we can do next is far more important and constructive than dwelling on the past. Besides, it'd be much worse if she somehow got sick of school and didn't want to go anymore. I need her school life to go as smoothly as possible for the sake of this mission.
Loid says as he finishes his breakfast.
--- outside the apartment ---
"Thank you for driving her to school, Isabelle. It helps us save a fortune on the school bus fares" Loid says as Anya gets into Isabelle's car.
"It's no problem" Isabelle says as she starts the engine.
"Make sure you apologise to Damien today, Anya" Loid says as he ruffles Anya's hair, "got it?".
"Yep. Gonna go now" Anya says with a nod.
"Do your best and be a good girl!" Loid shouts as Isabelle sets off, Yor waving them off.
"It's time for us to head to work, too" Yor says as she puts her bag strap on her arm.
"Yes" Loid says with a nod.
I'm counting on you, Anya.
Loid says sternly.
--- at Eden College ---
"Okay, remember to be a good girl today, Anya? I have to go to a quick meeting with the rest of the Imperial Scholars but I'll see you in the classroom" Isabelle says as she passes Anya her bag.
"Yup. See ya later alligator" Anya says as she salutes to Isabelle.
"In a while, crocodile" Isabelle says as she pinches Anya's cheek.
Isabelle walks off as Anya starts to set off when a car pulls up in front of her.
"Have a wonderful day, Miss Becky" the chauffeur says as he helps Becky out of the car.
"Miss Rich Girl!" Anya says excitedly.
"Oh, Anya. Good day to you" Becky says as she spots Anya.
"Do you live in a castle, Miss Rich Girl?" Anya asks as she and Becky start to walk into the campus.
"Of course not" Becky says with a small giggle, "you came here with Miss Isabelle? I can always give you a lift if she's ever ill".
"Does that mean I get to be a Miss Rich Girl, too?" Anya asks as she balls her fists.
"I never said anything about adopting you" Becky says with a smile, "aw, I'm jealous of the dorm kids who don't have to go to and from school".
The two of them gasp as they see Damien, Emile and Ewen coming out of the dorms, the three boys spotting Anya and Becky as they all gasp.
"Ew" Becky says as she pretends to be sick.
"What do you mean, 'ew', you rude little girl?" Emile asks angrily.
"Ugh, it's only the first day in the morning and you're already being obnoxious" Becky says as she rolls her eyes.
"What's her problem?" Emile asks as he balls his fists, Damien's face blushing red.
"Know your place!" Ewen says as he clutches onto his school bag.
Make sure you apologise.
Anya remembers Loid's words in her head.
"Um... um, yesterday, I..." Anya says as she takes a few steps forward.
"Let's go, Anya. Our class is about to start" Becky says as she grabs Anya's wrist, pulling her away, "you'll just catch their stupid if you keep talking to them".
"You wait!" Ewen says as he points at them.
"But world peace!" Anya says worriedly.
"Stop getting in the way, Blackbell girl" Loid says annoyed as he watches it all go down from the rooftop of the school.
They make it into the classroom as they sit down, Demetrius and Isabelle sitting at the back of the classroom, pulling out their own books as they get ready for their own revision during the lesson time. Anya and Becky sit down in their seats as they look around at people glaring at Anya, Becky glaring back at them as Anya grows shy.
"That's the girl who go violent, right?" a girl with short brown hair says quietly to her friends as she points at Anya.
"How scary! So barbaric" a girl with brown hair tied up in a ponytail says as she hides behind her friend slightly.
"Is the girl next to her another delinquent?" the third girl asks as she whispers into the other girl's ear.
"She just hit him out of nowhere with no reason, right? That's nuts" a boy with a buzzcut says as he side eyes Anya.
I don't wanna be in the same class as her.
What if she hits me, too?
I can't believe she came to school. Talk about a pain!
Anya reads everyone's minds.
School's scary...
Anya says as she looks down.
"People are so shallow" Becky says as she rolls her eyes, "they can only judge what's on the surface".
"Are you a smart person, Rich Girl?" Anya asks as she looks at Becky.
"Aw, I wouldn't say that" Becky says with a slight giggle, "and call me Becky, not Rich Girl".
"Alright, be seated" the teacher says as he walks into the classroom.
"I hope we become the best of friends" Becky says as she looks at Anya, "I'm the only one who knows how good you are, Anya-chan!".
Honestly, people like that are just...
We'd better stay away from them.
People's thoughts continue to rush through Anya's mind.
School is scary, but I think it might be okay.
Anya says as she starts to block out everyone's thoughts.
"Hey, look. Isn't this cute?" Becky asks as she shows Anya the cute character on the end of her pen.
"Why don't you give them a piece of your mind, Lord Damien?" Ewen asks as he looks at Damien.
"Alright, I'm calling the roll" the teacher says as he opens the register.
That's right. My name is Damien Desmond. As one of the sons of a prestigious family, I was born into a life of privilege. No one had ever defied me before. I've never been hit, not even by my older brother, Demetrius. And yet...
Damien says as he rests his head in his hand.
"Damien" the teacher says as he looks around the class, "Mr Desmond?!".
"Here" Damien says as he puts his hand up.
This is the first time I've had to deal with such... with such... with such...
Damien says as he glares at Anya, Anya reading his mind as she turns to look at him, surprising him as he looks away.
"Well, today will be our first lesson, so before we start, Demetrius Desmond and Isabelle Hullen will be sitting at the back of all your lessons for the year. If you are stuck, put your hand up and one of them will come and help you. Make sure to respect them".
"Hey, have you got the answer for question two?" Demetrius asks as he taps on Isabelle's notepad.
"I don't. And even if I did, I wouldn't tell you. Aren't we supposed to be rivals competing for the top spot?" Isabelle asks as she looks at him.
"Oh, come on. Please" Demetrius says as he brings his hand to Isabelle's face.
The class watch the two of them as Isabelle grabs Demetrius' hand, twisting it as she pulls him off his seat, Demetrius hitting the ground.
"Ooh" everyone says as they realise how much that probably hurt.
Isabelle is so cool.
Anya says with a smile on her face.
--- in maths class ---
"As you can see from this example, when this and this are like this..." the teacher says as he scribbles some maths equation on the chalkboard, "and that's why this turns out like this, and this is... this. So you get this answer by doing this... and if you get this answer, you can use the same method to get the answer over there".
Anya shuts her eyes as she drops her head, falling asleep as Isabelle who was trying to help her with her math, puts her hand out, catching her head so she doesn't hit it.
She had the nerve to fall asleep in the first period of the day. Is she actually a delinquent? How scary.
The teacher says as he looks at Anya.
"Anya-chan, we have science class next. Wake up!" Becky says as she shakes Anya.
"Second son!" Anya says as she gets up all of sudden, "I have to apologise to the second son".
"Second son? Do you mean Damien?" Becky asks confused, "he already left. And just leave that loser alone".
"But peace will be in trouble if I don't apologise to the second son" Anya says as she grabs her books, running off.
"Why the little one so obsessed with apologising to my brother?" Demetrius asks as he walks over to Isabelle.
"She has it in her head that she needs to go to your house to meet your Dad cos her Dad really wants to meet him" Isabelle says as she passes Demetrius her books, "so since she punched Damien yesterday, she thinks the only way she can be friends with him is if she apologises. If she's friends with him, she thinks he'll invite her over to his house".
"She could easily just come with you. You come over to my place all the time" Demetrius says as they walk out of the classroom.
"Yeah, but we go there to study, not to hang out" Isabelle says as she spots Anya marching after Damien, "plus, your Dad is never there and you've told me multiple times that if he ever got the chance to meet me, he'd hate me anyway because I'm above you in all our classes".
"Wound my pride, why don't you?" Demetrius says as he holds his chest.
"Anya-chan, I don't get what you mean by apologising to Damien will solve peace. Do you mean fighting with him will put a damper on your peaceful school life?" Becky asks as she tries to keep up with Anya who storms ahead, "I mean, yeah... who knows what that boy will try to do?" she says as she hugs Anya, stopping her, "but don't worry. I'm on your side, Anya-chan! I'll protect you, no matter what".
"Oh, it's okay, then" Anya says as she looks at Becky.
"Yes" Becky says with a nod.
No, it's not!
Loid, who snuck into the school, dressed as a cleaner, says as he aggressively mops the floor.
Papa!
Anya says as she looks at Loid.
I need a way to tell her how important that apology is!
Loid says as he furrows his brows.
--- during their science lesson ---
The teacher goes on about light refraction, Anya and Isabelle doing their best with their piece of glass, trying to reflect it onto the ground using the sunlight, when a sentence is reflected onto the ground in front of them.
"Fortune for Good Little Children. It is good to apologise today" Isabelle reads from the ground.
God, is that you?
Isabelle and Anya ask as they look up into the sky.
Apologise, Anya. Reconcile with him.
Loid says as he looks down at Isabelle and Anya.
I suddenly feel this intense pressure.
Anya says as she stands still.
--- in English class ---
The teacher reads from the book in their hands as Anya flips through the pages of her own, doing her best to find what the teacher is reading.
But then John reflected on his actions and thought, 'sometimes, it's just better to admit you're wrong and get along with others'.
The book reads.
My textbook seems very different to everyone else's...
Anya says as she leans towards Becky, looking at her book.
--- during lunch time ---
"It's finally time for lunch. Let's go to the cafeteria" Becky says as she holds Anya's hand, pulling her out of the room, "I guess this really is a prestigious school. We're getting pretty brutal lessons from day one" she says as Anya spots the trees, all with different letters trimmed into the leaves, "I'm exhausted".
Anya spots Isabelle walking by her as she sees a piece of paper taped to her back with the word, 'sorry', written on it.
They make it into the cafeteria as Demetrius and Isabelle make it into the Imperial Scholar hall, the door shutting behind them as Becky and Anya line up for the regular food.
"New students, you can order whatever you'd like for lunch" one of the cooks explains as they gesture to the menu displayed on the boards above them.
"Huh... well, they're nowhere near as talented as my chef" Becky says as she studies the different food options.
"Anya wants omelette rice!" Anya says as she points to the option on the board.
They collect their food and sit down, Anya putting her tray down in front of her when she sees the words, 'sorry', squirted in ketchup on her plate and on her rice.
"What a bizarre dish" Becky says as she looks at Anya's dish.
"Second son!" Anya says as she spots Damien walking into the room.
"Ew, go eat in your dorm" Becky says as she looks at Damien, Ewen and Emile.
"I have to apologise" Anya says as she tries to get up.
"No, you don't" Becky says as she stops Anya from going, "they're the ones at fault".
That stupid little brat! That's it. I need to get her away from Anya.
Loid, disguised as a waiter, says as he rushes out of the cafeteria.
"Hey, newbie! Where are you going?" another waiter asks as he watches Loid leave.
Becky is about to take a bite of her food when there's an announcement over the loud speaker.
Becky Blackbell from Class 1-3. Come to the student hall in Tower A immediately.
"Huh? But I'm still eating" Becky says as she looks around.
Now!
"Ugh, why?!" Becky says as she gets up, running out of the cafeteria.
Now's my chance to apologise.
Anya says as she gets up. Anya walks over to Damien's table as she peers at him over the top of the table. She then walks around and stands there, looking directly at Damien.
"What do you want? You wanna fight again?" Ewen asks as he stands up.
"Um-" Anya says as she balls her fists.
"If you hadn't sucker punched him, Lord Damien never would've lost to you!" Emile says as he points at Anya.
"Um-" Anya says again.
"Shut it, you two" Damien says as he holds his cheek.
"Huh? I see. You're going to personally give her what for!" Ewen says as he looks at Damien who stands up from his seat, standing in front of Anya.
"Hey, Isabelle, Demetrius. Those two kids are kicking off again" Ben, another one of the Imperial Scholars says as he looks out the door.
"Not again!" Isabelle says as she rolls her eyes, she and Demetrius standing up as they go to watch what's going on.
Why do I find it so hard to speak in front of her? What is this awkward sensation I'm feeling in my chest?
Damien asks as he holds his chest.
I feel a weird chill. I better apologise quick, then run away.
Anya says as she prepares herself.
Knowing Lord Damien, I'm sure he's finding the absolute perfect insults to rip this little girl to shreds!
Emile says as he looks at Damien.
I wonder what he'll go for. 'Little shrimp'?. No, that's far too meek. #
Ewen says with a smirk.
Supper uggo? Racoon face? Violent gorilla girl? She's even got those lame things on her head that look like horns! Your Mom is so fat! You've got stubby little legs! Stubby little legs! Racoon faced commoner! You'll get your filthy commoner germs on us. Go away, you stubby little racoon. With stubby little legs...
Anya reads both Emile and Ewen's thoughts as she starts to get flustered.
"Um, yesterday... I'm... um... I'm r-really sorry" Anya says as she starts to cry, "I'm so sorry that I suddenly hit you yesterday! I just wanted... to be friends with you" she says as Loid walks in the room, "I'm sorry for having stubby little legs!".
She felt so bad that she's actually bawling? She's so demure.
Damien says as he steps back slightly.
I guess I didn't really need to interfere. Well done, Anya. Good job apologising.
Loid says proudly.
"Lord Damien, your face is bright red" Ewen says as he notices the blush that suddenly appeared all over Damien's face.
"That's just because... I'm enraged!" Damien says as he comes up with an excuse, "I would never...".
That's right. She defied me! Right to my face! Yes, she came right up to me... stared deep into my eyes... n-no! That's not what's going on! Stop pounding, my stupid heart! She's a commoner. I would never! No, never! That's just too embarrassing.
Damien says as Anya looks at him with puppy dog eyes.
"Damn it all! I'd rather die than admit it!" Damien shouts angrily, "I will never forgive you!" he says as he runs away from Anya, "my pride will not allow it!".
"Well said, Lord Damien! A woman's tears cannot sway him" Ewen says as he looks at Damien.
"We'll let you off the hook for today!" Emile says as he points to Anya, "Lord Damien!".
Her apology was completely rejected? Plan B is done for.
Loid asks as he drops his tray, falling to his knees.
"Loid-san?!" Isabelle asks confused as she spots Loid.
"Who?" Demetrius asks as he looks at Isabelle.
"Oh, it's nothing. Come on, let's eat. Lunch will be over soon" Isabelle says as she grabs Demetrius' wrist, pulling him away.
--- a few days later at the Forger residence ---
"That makes the denominator three, and that's one third" Loid explains as he helps Anya with her math homework, "which means you have three thirds, which is equal to one. Simple, right?".
"Loid, why don't you take a break?" Yor asks as he looks at Loid from where she's dusting.
"Absolutely not. She has to learn at least this much by today" Loid says as he looks down.
After the incident with Damien the other day, the Friendship Scheme that was supposed to bring us closer to the Desmond family completely fell apart. Which means we need to go with the orthodox method, Plan A, and boost its chances of success as much as possible.
Loid says as he takes a deep breath.
"If you don't finish this, you don't get to watch your spy programme tonight" Loid says as he looks at Anya, "well, what's the answer here?".
I'll finish this quickly by reading Papa's mind.
Anya says as she looks at the question Loid's pointing to.
"Come on. You use this formula here..." Loid says as he does his best to explain.
In order to get the Stella needed to become an Imperial Scholar, there are other methods such as expelling in sports or doing community service. But in order to halt getting Tonitrus Bolts from bad grades or being expelled from them, we need to get her academic skill up. Though honestly, the most absolute way to get into the social gathering is to infiltrate it, but over the past few years, fellow agents have... actually, I could secretly enter the offices in the school and alter her grades.
Loid says as Anya reads his mind, becoming overloaded by information as she goes blank.
"Are you alright, Miss Anya?" Yor asks as she notices Anya's blank expression.
I will read Mama's mind.
Anya says as she shakes her head.
"Mama, this question..." Anya says as she looks at Yor.
"Let's think it over together" Yor says as she crouches down to the table's height.
Let's see... the denominator is five, so that's one split into five. Um, to make this easier to understand, let's rip all four limbs off a torso! Oh, but then the head gets in the way. Huh? Um, five... five? Doesn't a five look like an S?
Yor says as Anya reads her mind, getting no further to the answer as she drops her pencil on the floor. Anya gets off her chair to grab her pencil when her knees go weak, causing her to fall to the floor.
"Are you alright, Miss Anya?" Yor asks worriedly.
"What's wrong? Well? Why can't you solve this?" Loid asks as he looks at Anya.
I honestly can't figure out what it is that she can't understand.
Loid says confused.
"I don't wanna study!" Anya yells as she runs off.
"Hey, wait a minute!" Loid says as he goes after her, only for her to slam her bedroom door in his face, locking it.
"Loid!" Yor says as she walks over to him, "I don't think it's a good idea to be too forceful at times like this".
"Yes, but she needs to study more in order to become an Imperial Scholar" Loid says as he looks at Yor.
"But is that something she wants to do for herself?" Yor asks as she tilts her head.
"Well..." Loid says, slightly taken aback.
That's actually for my mission.
Loid says as he looks down.
"I would really like for Miss Anya to enjoy going to school" Yor says with a small smile, "of course, she may need to study so she doesn't get expelled".
"Yes, you're right" Loid says with a nod.
She's still very young, so getting good grades is probably the least of her worries.
Loid says as he looks at the plaque with Anya's name engraved onto it.
"Oh, I'm sorry" Yor says timidly, "I shouldn't butt into another family's affair".
"No, it's quite alright. Thank you, Yor" Loid says with a happy smile, "I do lose my composure with her at times".
"I'm sure other parents do the same thing" Yor says as she does her best to reassure Loid, "let's take a break. I'll make us some tea".
Yor and Loid make some tea for themselves and prepare some biscuits, as well as some hot chocolate for Anya.
"Anya, we made some hot cocoa for you" Loid says as he knocks lightly on Anya's bedroom door, only for him to get no answer, "and now she's holed up in her room".
"I guess she's sulking now" Yor says calmly as she walks over to the living room, "she reminds me of my little brother when he was little. She'll come out eventually".
"By the way, your brother works for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, right?" Loid asks as he follows Yor, "he must have a brilliant academic record. Did you help him with his homework? If you have any tips for me...".
"Oh, no. Yuri was a much more capable child than myself" Yor says as she sits down, "I'm embarrassed to admit it, but he probably taught me more than I taught him. When we'd study together, I'd say something I thought was right, but he'd always correct me. Whenever I complimented him for being so smart or for doing good work, his smile would light up the room. He must have enjoyed teaching me things, because he'd always study on his own, even when I left him alone to go to my job".
"I see. So part of his motivation was earning your praise" Loid says as he sits down.
"I'm not so sure about that, but if that's the case, then perhaps you can be someone like that for Miss Anya" Yor says with a smile, "it might be worth it to praise her for the smallest things. I think that'll make Miss Anya happy".
"Well, I'm not so sure about that" Loid says as he looks at Yor.
I'm not her real Father after all. Wait, no. That's right. I need to be the ideal Father. I need to play that part. That was the foundation of this mission. But up until now, nothing has been ideal, and as a Father, I've been...
Loid says as he looks down.
"It's alright!" Yor says confidently, "please be more confident in yourself. Don't you remember what Miss Anya said? That you and I are a perfect one hundred points. To Miss Anya, you're a wonderful Father".
"I'm grateful to hear you say that" Loid says with a smile.
"Oh, no! I butted in as a stranger again" Yor says as she covers her mouth.
"No, Yor" Loid says as he chuckles slightly, "you're not a stranger, nor part of someone else's family. Right now, you're the mother of the Forgers. I'm counting on you to provide where I'm lacking".
"That's right. I'm actually someone's wife" Yor says as she looks down.
"Don't say things like that when we're outside of the house" Loid says with a nervous chuckle, "it would be great if you could look over Anya's homework, too".
"Of course. If you think I could be of help" Yor says happily, "let's take our time and do our best together".
That's right. Don't panic, Twilight. If this could be ended by assassinating Desmond alone, there would be countless methods, but that won't get us to a true solution. Nothing goes well in a short amount of time. You need to know what your target is thinking, what they desire, then gain their trust and get close to them so you can keep an eye on them. Completing such mundane missions that require patience makes a true spy. First, I need to truly understand Anya. Ah, an idea could be taking Isabelle out for coffee. She's closest to Anya than anyone else in this world.
Loid says as the bell on the clock chimes.
"Oh, look at the time" Yor says as she looks at the time.
"I'll go have a chat with Anya" Loid says as he stands up.
"Then I'll go ahead and do the dishes" Yor says with a smile.
"Hey, Anya. Your spy show is about to start" Loid says as he walks to Anya's bedroom door, knocking on it, "I'm sorry about earlier. Let's watch your show first, and then we can figure out what we're gonna do about your studies" he says as there's no answer, "Anya?" he says as he tries the door, being able to open it now.
He walks inside as he spots Anya sleeping at her desk, pencil in hand, her work out in front of her.
"She was studying on her own?" Loid asks confused.
"I have to get the best grades on my test for Papa" Anya mumbles in her sleep.
"I guess I'll just record that show for her" Loid says as he picks Anya up, placing her on her bed.
"No, Mama. You can't kill Papa" Anya mumbles as she rolls over.
"What on earth is she dreaming about?" Loid asks as he puts the sheet over her.
--- somewhere in Berlint ---
"Hey, Yuri! Working hard, I see!" Dominic says as he spots Yuri walking into the building.
"Oh, it's been a while, Dominic!" Yuri says with a smile, "I've been so busy with work that I've had no time to catch up with anyone. I haven't been home at all, either".
"Elites at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs sure are cut from a different cloth" Dominic says as he walks to Yuri.
"Oh yeah, Dominic. How was the party the other day?" Yuri asks as he remembers how he'd asked Dominic to keep an eye for Yor, "what was the guy my sister went with like?".
"Oh, Yor's..." Dominic says as he remembers what went down, "ah... actually, congrats by the way! Wait, you haven't met him yet? That's strange. I thought you would have met your sisters husband already".
"Huh?" Yuri questions as he drops his briefcase, "you're saying my sister got married?!".
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