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Loid has finished preparing breakfast for Anya and Yor. He places the dishes on the table and starts eating. Anya yawns as she walks towards the dining table.

"Yaawwwnn, good morning papa." She stretches her arms.

Yor comes along as well. "Good morning you both!" She says with a smile, while still looking drowsy.

"Morning! Breakfast is ready, hurry before it gets cold." 

Yor and Anya sit down at the dinning table and eat along with Loid. Anya has realized she has yet to tell her parents the situation with Damian.

She stuffs a spoon full of omurice in her mouth. "Papa, mama, is it okay if I stay for some time after school from now on??"

Loid looks at Anya, "Why is it you need to do that?" He takes a bite from his breakfast.

"Because Sy-on boy and I are going to study together! He is going to help tutor me."

Yor gets excited. "That's wonderful!! Getting close to that boy is what will help with Mis- I mean with improving you're grades!" She was going to say Mission Strix, but she thinks Anya isn't aware of their true identities. She said putting her hands together as she looks at Loid. "Right Loid??"

Be more careful with what you say Yor. He internally facepalms, but then smiles at Anya. "Yes, I think thats a great thing! That will definitely get you both to become good friends, while also being productive. I've heard he is one of the top students in Cecile Hall." 

Anya nods and takes a sip of her orange juice. Papa and mama aren't aware I know who they really are, but they know of each other's real identities. I can't let them know who I really am yet, I am scared of what they would think..

"Say Anya," she looks up at Loid, "since me and Yor will be at work during that time, how will you get back home?"

"Ah, do not fret papa, because I-.. uh..." Anya has not thought this far ahead. Since yesterday she went into the bus the students go in after club hours (also for presidential meetings), she thought she'd be able to do the same tomorrow. However, after club hours Damian and Anya will start studying, so she has no way to return back home. After some thinking, she got an idea. "I'll just ask Becky to take me home! Yeah!!" She nods to herself, thinking she's so smart.

Loid takes a sip from his coffee, then puts it down. "Excellent, as long as you do not arrive back home late." He puts his fork and knife down after finishing his meal. "It's time you go to school now, the bus should be here soon."

Anya lost track of time. "UH OH, I can't be late to school!!" She gulps down the last of her food and juice, then dashes out of the door. "Bye-bye Mama and Papa!!" 

"Good luck at school today Anya!" Yor yells to her. 

Loid waves his hand, "Do well in school, okay?"

She arrives to the bus just in time. However, she did not realized she forgot her phone.

·  ·  ·  · ────────────────────── ·  ·  ·  ·  

Becky and Anya just sat down to begin class. Becky grins at Anya in curiosity.

"Sooo Anya, were you able to talk to Damian like you wanted to?" she put her elbows on the table and rested her cheeks on her hands.

Nows a good time to ask Becky for her help again!  She nods "Yeah! Thanks to you!"

Becky smugs again, she loves being right when it comes to love. "It's only natural I know about these type of things."

Anya doesn't know what she means by 'type of things', but brushes it off by thinking she means 'making friends'. "So Becky, could you help pick me up after school. There won't be any buses running by the time me and Sy-on boy finish studying together." 

Her face drops to a neutral expression. *oof, that isn't a good sign..* "Um, that is a bit much to ask. I have homework to do after school." she thinks for a moment, "But for you I'll make an exception. My best friend is in need of a wing-woman!!" she puts her hand on her heart.

Wing woman? Like Chicken wing?? Anya is happy again, "Thank you Becky! I knew I could count on you!!" 

"I'll only send my butler, Martha, to come get you. I can't always be there to pick you up as well. I have stuff to do." Becky informs her, whom nods in agreement. "Just give me a call 'kay?? I know I gave you my number, we text sometimes."

"Oki-doki! Will do!!" She smiles, now knowing that everything is going according to plan. Or so she thinks...

·  ·  · 

The day fast forwards to the end of the school day. Becky and Anya say their goodbyes to each other, as Becky reminds her to call her when she needs to be picked up. After she leaves, Anya goes to the school library, as Damian told her to do. She isn't sure where to go exactly, so she picks a spot near the door, so he can find her easily. While sitting down to wait for him to finish his meeting, she begins to get more and more tired. Now consciously knowing that the situation isn't so dire, her body knocks out.

Damian finally enters the library, and notices Anya. What a moron, did she really fell asleep before we even started?? He comes up to her sleeping body. She is drooling a bit, but notices that she looks really cute that way. Do I wake her up?? I don't know which way I should do it though. 

She begins to sleep talk, "Mama.. down't kiwll bawn.." Her mumbling is slightly illegible.

What the heck does that girl dream about?? Contemplating on what to do, his stare alone was enough to start waking her up.

Anya's subconscious felt Damian's pressing stare onto her, she started to wake up from this. "W-wha..?" Her head starts clearing up a bit, then looks up and finds Damian standing right in front of her with his arms crossed. "G-GAH!! SY-ON BOY???" Did I fell asleep?? Ahh, now Sy-on is going to get mad at me now... 

Damian shakes his head at Anya. "Seriously? You couldn't wait one measly hour?" *GRRR I tried my best to stay awake for you!!* "At least you actually showed up. Wipe that drool from your face and get ready to start working." He put his book bag on the floor, and sat on a chair across from Anya.

She wiped her drool away, and rubbed her eyes from taking a nap. 

"Now then, how about we go over the worksheet you did terribly on yesterday." Damian says to begin the tutoring. 

Could he not use mean words like that.. Anya takes it out from her book bag and hands it over to him.

He looks over her worksheet. The work is on math, she completely bombed it.. "Wow." He looks at her, "You suck." *HOW'S THAT SUPPOSE TO HELP ME!?*  He looks back at the math worksheet, "You didn't even put in the correct formulas for some questions.." The boy pondered on where to begin with this lesson. 

Feeling a little embarrassed, Anya pouts as she slumps down her chair. He must think I'm a complete stupid idiot.. She feels bad.

Damian notices this and tries toning down the harsh lecturing. "Alright, let's go over this entire worksheet."

·  ·  · 

After some time goes by, Anya's brain starts to get really fried. Damian is still trying to tutor her, but she begins to get really tired. He doesn't really realize this though.

"Sy-on boyy, it's been so long. I can't handle anymore workk!" Her brain is so fried you can almost see steam coming out of her head, not literally of course.

Damian hadn't notice. He always studies for so long everyday by himself. "You can't get tired now! We are only half way through the worksheet!" he exclaims. It's only been about an hour and she's already getting tired? How lazy! She hasn't even learn anything. This whole lecture has just been me doing all the work, mostly. His face showed how frustrated he is. "Get your homework out, we will try doing that instead."

"Waaahh, but I don't want to!!" she complains. I wish I could be at home reading Spy Wars... Her expression turned into glum.

"You have to!!" Damian yelled at her. All his bottled up frustration is now spilling. "I have been wasting a whole hour trying to teach you, and you aren't putting in ANY EFFORT!!"

His yelling startled her. "It's not my fault this work is so boring!" she yells back. Why is he getting so angry at me? I am doing my best!! (not really).

Damian gave a long sigh, sort of like what his father does. Why can't she learn? Is she just THAT stupid??  He sat back on his chair and crossed his arms. "If you aren't going to put in your 100 percent effort, then this has been a complete waste of my time." He packs up his things and started to walk away.

"Huh!??" Anya got her act together, and stood up from her chair. "W-wait! Don't go!!" she reached out her hand. He stopped walking, and turned to look at what she had to say. "I'll keep trying to study.. please don't go."

Staring at her, he could see how exhausted her face looked. Feeling as it wouldn't be a good idea to keep studying, he thought of another solution. He looked away from her. "No, that's enough studying for today. I think it'd be best if you go home." I need to figure out a way to get her to actually learn. He thought to himself.

Relieved Anya agreed, "Oki-doki!" She packed up her things as well, and went to where Damian was.

"By the way, how are you going to get home?" He asked. "Buses don't run around this hour. Hopefully you weren't dumb enough to not know that." He snickered at her.

Anya smirks at him, thinking she's about to show him how responsible she is. "Tsk tsk tsk. I've come prepared, Sy-on boy!" 

He blushes a bit from her cockiness. "Y-yeah? What are you going to do then, shrimp?"

She puts her hand in her backpack to get her phone,  "I'm just gonna call Becky to pick me up and-" In that very moment, her heart had sunk. She couldn't find her phone. "U-uh!" She looked in her bag and searched harder. No luck. I-I FORGOT MY PHONE!! 

Damian could tell what was happening. He tittered, "Wow did you really forget to bring your phone? Just how dumb can you be??"

Anya was distraught. I am stranded at school now!! "W-what am I gonna do now!!" She started panicking.

"Huh? You really don't have a second option??" he worryingly asked.

"No.." She looks down in defeat.

He shook his head in disappointment, and takes out his phone. "Well then, you can borrow my phone to call your dumb friend." *dumb friend???* "You do know her number at least, right??"

Anya just stood there, wide-eyed. "Heh heh.. about thattt." she smiled nervously.

Damian face palms. "You are wholly unfit to be a student here.." *💢*  He puts his phone away.

The girl was panicking, not knowing how she was going to get home. I promised papa and mama that I'd get Becky to take me back home. Now they're all gonna think I'm a LIAR!! She clenched onto the lower part of her dress.

He could see that Anya was very worried. I would ask my servant, Jeeves, to pick her up, but it would take a while for him to get here. She could just walk home, but it's pretty late actually. I don't want some creeps getting a hold of her. He started blushing, knowing what he's about to say next. "H-how about, I walk you home then?" He grunted.

Anya looked up at him in awe. "Huh? Sy-on boy is nice?" She questions his motives. "Who are you and what have you done to the real Sy-on boy??"

He blushes, and raises his voice in a panic. "I-IDIOT!! It's Only because I know you will get lost if you go alone!!" Yeah, that's right! If something happens to her, then I'll be responsible!!! He thought, trying to convince himself. 

The librarian came by and slammed her ruler on the table behind Anya and Damian, this startled them both. "Be quiet in the library!!" She pointed the ruler at them, "You both are too noisy! Either quiet down, or leave!" As she yelled at the two of them.

"S-sorry ma'am!" Damian timidly said. You are yelling too though..

"Yes! Sorry!" Her eyes widened, not expecting the sudden interruption.

The lady, irritably, squinted her eyes at them, then she finally left. Damian and Anya loosened up after she did. 

"Let's get out of here before we get a tonitrus bolt." He whispered to Anya.

She nods in agreement, and they both leave the school.

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The two teenagers are walking together, silently. They are pretty awkward, especially since that recent confrontation with the librarian lady.

This is awkward. They both thought.

Should I say something to her? This quiet ambience is pretty uncomfortable. His eyes glanced at Anya, whom was walking alongside him. But I don't even know what to say!

Anya could hear his thoughts. He wants to make conversation with me? This is perfect! I must get close to Sy-on boy for papa's mission!! She pondered on what to say. As they were walking, a manga shop was coming up. Anya noticed this, as she loves to read manga and anime. She stopped in her tracks and pointed at the store, "MANGA!!!"

Confused, Damian stopped as well. He looked at the store, then looked at Anya. "You read manga??" He curiously asked.

Anya crossed her arms and nodded. "Yup! I really love manga and anime!" Heh, I know Sy-on boy does too! I've read his mind for 10 years now, this has to work! (and i'll be able to get the new Spy Wars chapter!) "I want to buy something, let's go inside Sy-on boy!!" she eggs him on.

If we go in together, then I'd be able to see what kinds of manga she likes. His cheeks turn a bit pink. It's not like I care to know, but I suppose buying a new manga for myself wouldn't hurt. He nods, "Sure, we can check it out for a bit."

Anya jumps in excitement, "YAY!!" She sprints into the shop.

"Pfft- what a geek."He walks inside right after Anya, and sees how she's already looking around the store.

She grabs the latest copy of Spy Wars and starts reading it, completely forgetting the main objective of why they were here in the first place. She gets utterly immersed into the story.

Damian takes this time to pick out a manga to buy. I see.. so she likes Spy Wars, huh? I used to read that one, but dropped it a long time ago (not sure why). I'm surprised the story is still going 10 years since then. He grabs a volume of Spy Wars, the one he left off on. Why am I taking this? Out of all the mangas... 

He goes back to where Anya is, only to find her now sitting on the floor with her head buried in the manga. Could she be any more indecent???  The boy goes up to her and bonks the top of her head with the Spy Wars manga he brought, not hard enough to seriously hurt her though. "Hey, Dummy! You said you wanted to buy something here, not read."

Anya drops the manga she was reading, and covers her head. "OW!" She looks up, "That hurt!!" She glared at him.

At that moment, Damian used all his will power to fight the urge to think how cute she looked. He glared back at her, "Don't waste my time, uggo!"

"Ok ok, I won't!" She rubbed her head as she stood up. What a meanie! And I was just getting to the good part. The girl went to the cashier to buy her book. Damian followed.

The cashier took her book and scanned it. "Your total is 7.99." 

Anya paid using the money her dad lends her for lunch. After she finish then Damian went to pay for his book.

·  ·  ·

Both Damian and Anya left the store with their new books, and returned to walking towards Anya's home.

"I'm surprised you didn't forget to bring money with you." He sneered at her.

She squinted her eyes at him, but remembered what her true objective was. Your mockery won't affect me now, Sy-on boy! I'll use this opportunity to strike up a conversation with you! "Well I'm surprised you bought Spy Wars, didn't know you were a fan." 

I didn't know I was one either. "It's a good manga." He stated. 

"Are you caught up??"

"Not yet, but I noticed you were." She nods. He looked forward, instead of looking at her, to avoid any eye contact. "Is it any good?" 

She nods again, still looking at him. "It's SUPER GOOD! I couldn't stop reading it!!" Her mood livened up a bit from talking about her favorite manga.

Damian notices this and couldn't help but blush. He pauses talking for a bit, then hesitantly asks, "W-what's going on with the plot at your point?" Deep inside, he wanted to still keep talking to her, and to also see her get excited. "No big spoilers though!"

Anya's face brightened as she enthusiastically talked about the story and her favorite parts. She went on for a couple of minutes, but Damian enjoyed every bit of it, even if he doesn't want to acknowledge that. 

"I am so excited to keep on reading this when I get back home!!" She looks at the book and jumps up and down.

She's really into that manga. He chuckled "Geez, you're such a geek. Are you even a real girl?" 

She gasped dramatically. "I am a girl!!! And I'm sure there are other girl's who love manga as well!!" She defended herself.

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They both finally arrived at Anya's place. So this is her home? It's an apartment complex?? Damian thought to himself. They both walked up to her apartment door. Anya tries opening the door, but it's locked.

"Oh, it seems papa and mama are home." She knocks on the door. I hope they aren't mad. 

Loid opens the door. "There you are Anya! Why did it take you so long to get back here??" 

"EEEP!" Anya wasn't psychologically prepared for this confrontation. "I- uh I-" 

He notices that she is with Damian and not Becky. "Oh! My apologies, I did not know Anya would be accompanied by you, Damian." His tone shifted to polite. I have to be on my best behavior when the Desmonds are around (for mission Strix).

Damian looked up at him, and remembered meeting him 10 years ago. "Hello pops" 

Yor came at the door as well. "Anya! I've been so worried!" She notices Damian, "Oh my, hello there! I believe you are Damian right??" She closed her eyes and smiled, "It is such a pleasure to meet you!"

"Hello Miss." He felt awkward talking to both Anya's parents, especially since Anya is there as well.

"Did something happen??" Yor concerningly asked the two of them, wondering why Becky wasn't the one to pick her up.

 Anya looked down and twiddled her fingers together. "I- um.. forgot my phone... so I couldn't call Becky to come pick me up." She was worried if this made Loid or Yor not trust her anymore. "I'm really sorry."

Loid was relieved anyways. "Oh, I see." He put his hand on Anya's head. "It's fine, just be more careful next time. Alright?" She nodded. He looked at Damian. "I take it you walked her home?"

Damian nodded as well. "I did."

The father bowed to him. "Thank you very much!" He pushed Anya's head down to force her to bow as well. *AH!*  "Your deeds are greatly appreciated." 

Yor remembered the mission Strix, which she promised to help loid with. She bowed as well "Thanks so much, Damian!"

He blushed from the praise, and turned his head. "I-it wasn't a trouble." He grumbles. You guys should really get a driver for her.

They stood up after bowing to him. Bond barks from behind, he got a vision that Yor burns the dinner food. After reading bond's mind she panics.

Mama is gonna burn the food if I don't say something!! "Mama, are you cooking dinner tonight?" She says sweating, knowing Yor's cooking isn't the best.

The mom jump up. "AH! I almost forgot!" She rushes to the kitchen to save the food. Bond continues to bark.

EEEK mama is gonna ruin the food if I don't help out! "P-please excuse me I need to feed bond!!" She goes in to fix the situation.

Loid internally face palms. This is a good sign Anya is getting along with Damian, but I need to pry in a bit more. "I heard from Anya that you both will be studying together from now on, how's that going?"

He looked up to Loid. "She's pretty difficult to tutor." He bluntly states.

Loid tried making light of the situation. He laughed, "Oh yes, I definitely understand what you mean. But you know, from my experience, it seems Anya learns best from things she takes an interest in."

Things she's interested in? Well I know one thing she's really passionate about. "Is that so?"

He smiles. "Indeed. From a cartoon, she has learned quite a few things. I'm sure there's a way to help Anya to learn." Loid reassures the boy.

So she learns from cartoons? Maybe I can look more into that when I get back to my dorm.. Damian saw himself as a detective trying to solve the case on 'How to Teach Dummies'. He is also a huge geek at heart, much like Anya.

Yor comes back to the door, after putting dinner on the table. "Damian, why not you stay for dinner with us? You must be tired from walking for so long." 

Anya overheard her mom. Damian is gonna have dinner with us??? I dunno how I feel about that. She feels weird from the thought.

"I have to go back to my dorm and study (also to do homework)." He says, slightly disappointed he wouldn't be able to experience having dinner with the Forgers.

Loid's expression went to disappointment as well. "That's a shame." But then goes back to smiling at Damian. "It was very nice of you to take my daughter home anyways. Thank you again!" 

"Yes! We really are grateful." Yor said to the boy. "Perhaps next time you could have dinner with us!"

Damian rubs the back of his head, and doesn't reply back to Yor. "I need to get going now. Bye Mr. and Ms. Forger." He turned around and started heading back home.

Yor and Loid said their goodbyes to him, as Anya came by the door to watch him leave. Sy-on boy is leaving. I guess he won't be staying for dinner. Her parents left the door, to the dinner table. She silently stands by the door, watching as Damian walked further and further. 

"Sy-on boy!" She yelled out to him.

Caught off guard he turned around, confused on what Anya wants from him now.

She smiled at him, feeling happy that Damian cared enough to walk her home. Being with Sy-on boy today, has not been bad. 

The boy stood in the distance, waiting for her to say something. It reminded him of yesterday, when she thanked him before he went back to his dorm. "What is it already?" He asks.

Anya held her hands together. "Well.. it's just that..." Then she pointed at his pants. "Your fly is down."

"W-WHAT!!??" His face turned bright red. He quickly checked his pants, only to see she was lying. 

She starts laughing at him with her usual 'troll face'.

"HEY! DON'T JOKE LIKE THAT!!" He yelled at her with blush all over his face. Anya continued to snicker at him.

Anya's parents overhear the teenagers goofing around. Those both seem closer than I anticipated. Loid thought

Yor giggles. "It seems like they're getting along!" She is happy for Anya. 

"Mhm." Loid began to eat dinner.

·  ·  ·

Damian is outside, walking back home. He kept on thinking about the time he had spent with Anya. What a strange family. He puts his hands in his pockets, as he walked. But thanks to that pops, I think I might have an idea on how to get that idiot to learn. 

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This one took some time to write. My brain and hands hurt PFT! 

But it seems now Damian and Anya are starting to understand each other a bit more now ;)

~ Michi