SPY X FAMILY - OPERATION BIG BROTHER?!

Banter never hurt..Till it did.

Loid stood in front of the mirror, adjusting his tie with the precision of someone preparing for a high-stakes mission. His reflection stared back—calm, composed, the epitome of a responsible father and professional.

Behind him, Kaito shuffled in, a piece of toast wedged between his teeth, his shirt half-buttoned and sticking out in every direction. He leaned against the doorframe, clearly too cool to care about his appearance

"Morning, Mr. Professional," Kaito mumbled around the toast, eyeing Loid's meticulous efforts. "Still going for Best Dressed Dad of the Year?"

Loid shot him a glare. "If you choke on that toast, I'm not doing the Heimlich."

Kaito blinked slowly, then exaggeratedly chewed the toast like it was a life-or-death decision. "Crisis averted. Now where's my award?"

Loid didn't respond, turning back to the mirror with a sigh. "Today is important. First impressions matter. Eden Academy is not just any school. It's a breeding ground for future leaders, innovators, and geniuses. You need to be on your best behavior."

"Ah yes, the place where kids trade sword fights for test scores," Kaito said, gesturing with his toast. "I'm ready. Bag's packed, hair combed—well, mostly— " Although it really didn't look like it. "and I've mentally prepared to be surrounded by a future evil CEO or two."

Loid glanced at Kaito's half-buttoned shirt and furrowed his brow. "Your tie's crooked."

Kaito glanced down at it with barely a glance of concern. "It's called 'fashionably disheveled.' Keeps people guessing."

Loid's eye twitched. "It's called 'sloppy.' Fix it."

With the enthusiasm of someone fixing a typo in a 100-page report, Kaito straightened his tie, barely making an effort to look at it. "There. Happy now?""

Loid glanced at him, shaking his head. "Look, just be normal. Don't be a distraction. Blend in. Make friends."

"Got it. Act like a normal, well-adjusted teenager. Totally doable," Kaito said with a sarcastic salute.

"Actually, don't overdo it with the sarcasm. Some of those teachers are strict," Loid said, looking serious now.

"I'm always serious," Kaito replied, raising an eyebrow as if to say, Who, me?

Loid shot him a deadpan stare. "Do I need to remind you of what happens if you get in trouble?"

Kaito put his hands up in mock surrender. "Fine, fine. No embarrassing the family. I'll behave. I promise. But I can't promise that I won't break out into a dance if they play my favorite song in the hallways."

"I don't care what you do as long as it doesn't involve you being kicked out on day one," Loid said, heading for the door.

"Yeah, yeah," Kaito said, stuffing the last of his toast into his mouth. "I'll just go and be the perfect student. Probably win a Nobel Prize by lunchtime."

Loid shook his head, trying (and failing) to suppress a smile. "Let's go. We're going to be late if you keep dragging your feet."

Kaito glanced down at his shoes and shrugged. "You're the one who's been lecturing me for ten minutes, Mr. Always-On-Time. I've been ready for hours."

"Right," Loid said with an exasperated sigh. "Just please, for once, can we not be late?"

"Sure. As long as you're not making me wear that tie outside school."

Loid gave him a level look. "You're lucky I'm not chopping that rag of yours."

Kaito just grinned. "It's all part of the charm."