SPY X FAMILY - OPERATION BIG BROTHER?!

Unexpected shifts.

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"What are you doing?" He mustered, flopped unpleasingly on the couch as the liquid among the glass in his hand swirled.

 "Dreaming" His companion responded, her voice hoarse from the silence that priored. "That this illusion is real."

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There wasn't a doubt in Twilight's mind that Anya becoming an imperial scholar was... far-fetched. The idea alone had him shaking his head in disbelief. She was bright, yes, but her unfiltered enthusiasm often landed her in trouble, and her recent antics had only reinforced his doubts. The notion of her achieving such a prestigious title felt more like a whimsical dream than a realistic plan.

So, his Plan B had to work.

This Plan B hinged on Anya befriending Damian Desmond, the son of his target. Twilight had spent weeks gathering intel on the Desmond family, discovering that the second son was hot-headed, ill-tempered, and often crude. The boy's temper was legendary at Eden Academy, not least because Anya had managed to sucker-punch him smack dab in the face during their first encounter.

Oh god.

Twilight rubbed his temples, grappling with the reality of his situation. He needed a way to get closer to the Desmond family, one way or another. Clearly, playing the waiting game was futile, and he was already pushing his luck—on multiple occasions. Damian was his only viable option. The path to Donovan Desmond and the peace between East and West hinged on the fragile dynamics of childhood friendships.

Then it hit him.

Donovan had two children.

One of whom was an elder son already well on his way to becoming an influential figure—perhaps even an imperial scholar himself. If Twilight could establish a connection with this older Desmond, he might be able to leverage that relationship to reach Damian as well. Siblings often influenced each other's opinions, especially in the tumultuous world of childhood.

Twilight leaned back in his chair, the gears in his mind whirring. This was a new angle, a potential way to access both of Donovan's children. The elder Desmond could serve as an unexpected bridge, and if Anya could play her cards right with Damian, they could become a formidable team.

But how to approach this?

He couldn't simply waltz into the Desmonds' lives unannounced. That would raise too many eyebrows and alert them to his true intentions. Twilight needed to integrate himself into their world gradually, under the guise of a concerned parent interested in fostering the right connections for Anya.

The more he thought about it, the more he realized he could use the academy's upcoming annual cultural festival as an opportunity. It was the perfect setting for building rapport. Parents were often involved, and the event encouraged networking among families. If he played his cards right, he could introduce Anya to both siblings, creating a scenario where friendships could flourish. Ah but the older boy would hardly entertain a 6 year old.

Twilight pulled out a notepad, jotting down his thoughts and ideas. He would need to volunteer for the festival committee to ensure he had a presence at the event. He could offer his expertise, using his skills to assist in organizing activities and ensuring everything went smoothly. This way, he could create opportunities for Anya to interact with Damian without raising any suspicions.

He also needed to strategize how to approach the elder Desmond. Perhaps he could engage him in conversation about academic pursuits, leveraging his own background in education and diplomacy to establish common ground. If he could present himself as a supportive and ambitious parent, it might pique the boy's's interest.

Twilight's mind raced with possibilities. He had faced many dangerous situations, but this was a new kind of challenge—one that required him to navigate the complexities of childhood relationships with care. He didn't like it. Nor childern, the way they screamed and whined really hinged him off. 

"I need a middle link."