Becky and Anya

Damian felt that something strange was happening to him. He had come to Eden Academy to study hard and get his father's attention.

But a girl had punched him on the very first day...

He should have hated that girl, yet when he ran into her again that morning, why hadn't he felt any hatred at all?

Instead, why did seeing her... make his heart race and pound nonstop?

Damian was acting very strangely now. He couldn't get a single word out, and his face had turned red without him realizing it.

Emile and Ewen thought he was angry, but he really wasn't upset at all!!

He actually thought that ugly girl in front of him was cute!!!

This wasn't normal. There was something seriously wrong with him!!

Anya remembered her father's instructions. She had to apologize to Second Son today.

Making up with Damian was crucial to the safety of both East and West!!

"Um, well, yesterday, A-Anya..." Anya stammered nervously.

Becky grabbed Anya and pulled her away. "Come on, little Anya. Class is about to start. Talking to these people will make you stupid!"

"Mmph-"

Twilight, who had followed them because he was worried, ground his teeth in frustration at this turn of events.

You're getting in the way, little Blackbell girl! Anya was just about to apologize. Now that you've interrupted her, who knows when she'll get another chance!

Wait!!

I remember the Blackbell family and the Desmond Group being business partners. Why don't their children get along at all?

Could it be?!

Is this girl interfering with our operation on orders from the enemy's counterintelligence agency?!

No, calm down, Twilight. That's impossible...

Twilight was anxious about Anya and Damian's relationship, and he assumed the worst of anyone who stood in the way of their reconciliation.

Building relationships is crucial when you first start school. I have to get them to make up today, no matter what!

Twilight set to work. He would use every means at his disposal to help the two make up.

The bell rang, and with no more excitement to watch, Karen picked up his little stool and prepared to leave.

Henry walked over and stopped him. "Mr. Karen, you can't leave."

Karen tilted his head. "Why not?"

Henry said nothing and pointed at the ground.

Karen looked down. Apart from the sunflower seed shells he had just spat out, there was nothing on the ground. He hadn't dropped his weapon, either.

Henry snorted and tapped the ground with his cane. "Mr. Karen, Eden Academy is sacred. Its grounds must not be sullied. Please take your rubbish with you."

"..." Karen smacked his lips a couple of times. He had thought it was something serious. "All right, got it."

Once they reached the classroom, Anya and Becky chose seats in the front row. The other children moved away from them and began whispering.

"That's her, right? The one who hit someone on the first day."

"She's so scary. Absolutely terrifying."

"I heard she attacked him for no reason."

"..."

Although their voices were quiet, they were also thinking as they spoke, so Anya could hear everything clearly through her mind reading.

She thought school was frightening. She had only done the right thing, so why was this happening?

She would never hit someone for no reason. The evil boss's son had started it...

Becky noticed something was wrong with Anya and comforted her. "People really are shallow. They only ever look at the surface."

Anya said, "You're so smart..."

Becky waved a hand proudly. "Oh, not really. Hehehe. And don't keep calling me 'you.' My name is Becky..."

As she spoke, Becky leaned over her desk and smiled at Anya. "...I wish we could get even closer. I'm the only one who knows how wonderful you are, little Anya."

Anya was deeply touched. School was scary, but somehow that didn't seem to matter anymore.

Becky was genuinely kind to her. Having a friend like that was really nice.

The teacher came in to begin the lesson, and Anya slept through the entire class. When it ended, Becky shook her awake because they had to move to another classroom.

Anya had been thinking about apologizing to Second Son the whole time, so the first thing she did upon waking was call for him.

"Second Son... Anya wants to apologize..."

"Second Son? Damian? He's already left." Becky disliked Damian, and her tone was dismissive. "Come on, forget about someone like him."

But if Anya can't make up with Second Son, there won't be world peace.

Anya panicked. "But then there won't be peace..."

"You mean he'll ruin your peaceful school life? Well, that's true. I wouldn't put anything past someone like him."

Becky wasn't afraid of Damian at all. Their families were both among Ostania's most prominent, so even if he was the chairman's son, she had no reason to fear him.

But her good friend Anya's family was nowhere near as influential as hers. If Damian wanted to do something nasty, it would be easy.

With that thought, Becky decided to protect her good friend. She hugged Anya and said gently, "But it's all right. You and I are friends, little Anya, so I'll protect you."

Anya's eyes instantly lit up. Becky really was a young lady from a distinguished family. Even facing the evil boss's son, she could stay calm and composed.

Anya wouldn't bow to evil, either!

"Then never mind."

Becky said, "Right, never mind."

You can't just leave it at that! This isn't good at all!!!

Anya suddenly heard her father's thoughts. She looked around, and a short, stout janitor came into view.

Papa's amazing! He got into a school guarded by Mr. Karen so easily!

Anya admired her father even more. He had actually sneaked in right under the nose of the world's second-best assassin. She just didn't know whether he could slip away under the nose of the world's best assassin.

Anya was certain Karen was the world's second-best assassin. A person's thoughts couldn't lie.

And Mr. Karen seems stronger than Mama. Papa couldn't beat Mama when she was drunk before, so that means he can't beat Mr. Karen, either. Please don't get caught!

Papa!!

Twilight had no way of knowing that Anya had spotted him. He was busy thinking about how to convey the importance of apologizing to her. Even if they couldn't become good friends, she absolutely couldn't make an enemy of the Desmond Family.

"You there, janitor. Please sweep over here."

Karen strolled over leisurely and beckoned to Twilight, who was disguised as a janitor.

To maintain his cover, Twilight had no choice but to leave for the moment.

Hehehe, I've found a little bug that sneaked into Eden Academy.

Hearing Karen's thoughts, Anya's heart sank.

Oh no, Papa's been found out...