SPY X FAMILY - OPERATION BIG BROTHER?!

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The following evening, the Forgers gathered around the dining table, wrapping up dinner. Loid had barely swallowed his last bite before he cleared his throat, ready to pitch his plan for Kaito's future.

"I'm back!" Yor announced cheerfully, slipping off her shoes and hanging up her coat. She smiled warmly at Kaito, who looked up and offered a small nod in acknowledgment, clearly not yet accustomed to all the energy in the household.

"Welcome back, Yor!" Loid called from the kitchen, trying to muster up all his charm. He was determined to lay out his plan tonight, and Yor's approval was essential. After all, the idea he had in mind wasn't exactly the type of family bonding everyone expected.

Loid cleared his throat as they all gathered around the table. "So, I wanted to talk to you both about something... exciting."

Yor tilted her head, looking curiously at him. "Oh? Did we win something? A prize?"

Anya gasped, clutching her stuffed toy. "Are we getting a puppy? Or maybe a dragon?"

"Not... exactly," Loid replied, resisting the urge to laugh. He placed a hand on Kaito's shoulder, looking at him with the eyes of a father hoping to sell the ultimate life plan. "I've been thinking about Kaito's education, and I believe the best option for him is Eden Academy."

Yor's expression softened. "Oh, that does sound wonderful! And you'll get to make so many friends, Kaito."

Kaito crossed his arms. "Friends? Or enemies I just haven't met yet?"

Loid took a deep breath, leaning in closer, as if revealing a deep, emotional truth. "Kaito, you see, ever since my wife passed, I've felt this deep responsibility to make sure you have the best future possible. And I know that Eden Academy would be just the place to help you become... well... the man your mother would have wanted you to be."

Kaito blinked, clearly unmoved, while Anya's eyes were wide with shock. "You have a mom who's a ghost too? Is she watching us right now?"

"No, no!" Loid quickly backtracked, flustered as he glanced at Yor, who looked somewhere between impressed and utterly confused. "Not a ghost—more like... a guiding presence. Just... imagine she's looking down, like a very supportive cloud."

"Oh!" Anya said, nodding sagely. "She's like a cloud angel. Got it!"

Loid forced a cough to cover his grin. "Exactly, Anya. So, with this support, I think Eden Academy is perfect for Kaito. It's where the best minds gather, and he deserves to be part of that."

Yor perked up, her eyes wide with curiosity. "Loid, remember last time?  They're incredibly selective! The entrance exam with Anya was ... brutal."

Kaito, who was mid-chew, looked mildly alarmed. "Brutal?"

Anya, trying to be helpful, nodded very seriously. "Yep, they make you wear fancy clothes, ask boring questions, and there's even a test where you have to sit still and not spill tea. It's terrifying."

Loid gave Anya a look. "I wouldn't describe it quite like that..."

Anya just shrugged, taking another big bite. "That's what I remember."

Yor tilted her head, looking between Kaito and Loid with worry. "Loid, are you sure this is the right choice for Kaito? I mean, tea-spilling tests? And what if he's nervous? Maybe they'd let him in if we just... asked nicely?"

Loid cleared his throat, trying to keep the conversation on track. "I don't think niceness is quite Eden's admission criteria. But, Yor, I appreciate the enthusiasm. No, the best thing we can do is prepare him thoroughly." He turned to Kaito, who looked slightly skeptical. "The entrance exam is a challenge, yes, but you'll be ready for it."

Anya leaned in, her eyes gleaming mischievously. "If you mess up, Kaito, they send you to live with the school cows. So don't mess up."

Kaito arched an eyebrow, glancing at Loid for confirmation.

Loid shook his head with a sigh. "Anya... there are no cows at Eden Academy."

Anya grinned. "Oh yeah? So where do they get all that milk at lunch?"

Loid gave her a look that suggested this was a discussion for another time. He turned back to Kaito. "You'll have to put in some extra work, but I'm confident you can pass. And Anya can help by showing you the ropes... or, at least, some of them."

Yor brightened. "I could help, too! I'm not sure what I'd do exactly, but I can... supervise? And cheer you on?"

Kaito looked at the two of them, clearly processing the odd mix of support and anxiety in the room. "Well... I appreciate it. I'll do my best." He tried to sound determined, but Loid noted the cautious look in his eyes. Probably calculating if "spilling tea" really was a threat he'd have to face.

Anya, clearly enjoying Kaito's unease, leaned over and whispered, "Just don't do anything silly in the interview, like admit you've ever spilled milk. They're very strict about dairy."

Kaito shot her a sideways glance, and Loid, biting back a smile, realized that the hardest part of this mission might just be surviving Anya's "advice."

"Alright," he said, stifling a chuckle. "Let's just take this one step at a time."