Chapter Text
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– Is this the classroom, are you sure ? Becky asked.
Emile peeked through the slightly open classroom door before replying.
– It should be. That girl has her science lessons here. But… she’s not inside, I think.
Becky looked down at the plate of carrot cake slices she was holding.
– She better hurry. If a teacher catches me with food in hand, I’ll be in serious trouble.
Emile turned to her.
– Don’t worry. You’re not Damian-sama right now. You’re safe. Besides, it’s still early in the break. Teachers won’t show up for a while.
Becky sighed, brushing her bangs aside.
– Are you sure this stupid cake will actually make her listen to us? she said , while looking at Ewen. After all, this idea was his.
Ewen grinned confidently.
– Don’t you remember last time? She wouldn’t stop following us all day yelling “Give me my cake already!”. I’m telling you, that peasant girl only cares about food.
Emile laughed in agreement.
– You’re right! She didn’t leave us alone for even a second!
Becky tapped her foot impatiently and glanced down both ends of the corridor. The hallways were nearly empty. Most students were outside in the courtyard playing, while the rest were chatting in their classrooms. Only the occasional student passed by.
– Where is that girl?
She was about to sigh again when she noticed someone standing nearby.
It was George, awkwardly extending his hand toward her.
Becky blinked, first looking at his hand, then at the plate she was holding.
– What are you holding your hand out for, idiot!?
Her sudden outburst startled George, making him flinch.
– D-Don’t you remember?
Becky frowned.
– What are you talking about?! Are you expecting a reward for helping us or something?!
George protested.
– No, not that! You owe me because you guys made me drop my cake this morning! I didn’t even get to taste it! Do you have any idea how expensive that was?!
Becky’s eyes narrowed.
– I don’t remember anything like that! And I definitely don’t owe you anything! So stop bothering me already! I’ve got enough to deal with without you!
Defeated, George sighed dramatically and turned away.
– Seriously, is everyone trying to drive me crazy today?! I just wanted one peaceful morning!
Then Emile pointed down the corridor, his eyes lighting up.
– Hey, guys, look! She’s finally here! And Damian doesn’t seem to be with her!
The three of them turned in unison. Becky’s face lit up with mischief.
– Ah, finally! Perfect timing!
As Anya approached, she noticed the group waiting for her. The three of them immediately rushed toward her, cornering her in the hallway.
– Ah, sy–
Anya caught herself mid-sentence. She remembered Damian’s warning from earlier that morning: if she ran into Becky or the others, she was supposed to brush them off quickly. After all, Anya’s memory wasn’t exactly… reliable. If she said the wrong thing, it could ruin everything.
– Erm, I mean, Becky! What’s up? I’m in a hurry; I need to get back to class!
Becky stepped forward confidently.
– Wait, do you like cake, right?
At the mention of cake, Anya’s eyes sparkled.
– Cake?! Yes, very much!
– Great! Listen, those cakes they were selling in the cafeteria this morning, I found one of those! I’ll give them to you—but only if you hear us out first, okay?
Anya nodded eagerly. She had already forgotten Damian’s warning. Cake was cake, after all.
Becky began her explanation.
– Remember what I told you this morning? About me and your friend switching bodies? I know it sounds crazy, but it’s really true! You have to believe me! I can prove it!
Anya tilted her head. Damian’s words echoed faintly in her head. But… if she wanted the cake, she had to pretend to listen.
This won’t ruin the mission if I just act along for a bit… right?
– Hm, proof? What kind of proof?
Becky froze for a moment.
– Erm, well…
What kind of proof can I even show her?! Wait—yes! The handkerchief thing! That should work! Only the two of us know about that! That’ll convince her for sure! Unless… unless she told her friend about it… No, doesn’t matter! It’s worth a shot!
– Well…
Becky leaned closer to Anya and whispered so the others couldn’t hear. Ewen and Emile exchanged confused looks.
– You gave me your handkerchief once, remember? Only you and I—well, you and the real Damian—know about it! That’s proof! You have to believe me!
Anya blinked. Of course, she already knew about her plan, having read her mind earlier.
– Hmm… but I told Becky about that too.
Becky’s eyes went wide in horror.
– Wha– You idiot! I thought that was a secret!
Anya responded.
– But you’re my best friend, remember? I tell you everything.
Becky’s plan fell apart before her eyes.
How do I convince this airhead now?! Maybe I can use the fake Damian to prove it instead! Yes! Just like Ewen said earlier! The fake Damian can’t invite her to my home or introduce her to my father!
– Fine then! If you really think he is the real Damian, why don’t you ask him if you can visit his house? You’ve always wanted that, haven’t you? If you’re really that close, he should say yes… right?
Becky swallowed as she finished. If her plan works and Anya believes in her , then she would stop chasing the fake Damian…And this would show that Anya is really only after the Desmond family's fame.This thought made Becky uneasy.
What will she say? If she’s only after my family’s fame, she’ll believe me. After all, I’m the real one… But part of me almost wishes… she’d keep believing in the fake instead…
Anya’s thoughts spiraled.
What do I do? Sy-on boy or Becky? Becky or Sy-on boy? Ugh, my head hurts! I just wanted cake!
– Um, Sy-on boy should be in his class right now. I’ll ask him next break. Until then… could you just give me the cakes? If a teacher sees you with food, you’ll get in trouble! But if I eat them now, you’ll be safe!
She held out her hand eagerly.
Becky shouted, exasperated.
– Idiot! Is cake all you ever think about?! You really are hopeless! But fine, you have a point. I don’t want to get in trouble.
Anya smiled so brightly it made Becky’s face flush red.Then she turned to Ewen.
– Ewen, hand me the cake.
Ewen gave back the plate he’d been holding. Becky hesitated, then extended it toward Anya.
– Here,take it.
Anya’s eyes sparkled.
– Yay! Cake slices! And they’re—
She blinked several times at the cake.
– Carrot… cake.
Becky watched her excitement suddenly vanish.
What’s with that face? She looked so happy a second ago! I thought she loved cake!
Anya made a disgusted face.
– Um, actually… I’ll pass. I don’t want it anymore.
She pushed the plate back toward Becky.
– Huh? But—
Anya pouted and turned to leave.
– I have to go. See you later…
Becky blinked in confusion.
– Hey, wait! You—
But before she could finish, another voice echoed down the hall.
– Hey, Anya-chan!
Damian approached, holding a small bag behind his back.
– I’m glad I caught you before class started. I have something for you.
He revealed a candy inside the bag with a proud grin.
– Look, I got fruit candies from the cafeteria! You like sweets, right? Here, take this instead of that carrot cake. You hate carrots, don’t you?
Becky froze.
So that’s why she made that face! She hates carrots! How was I supposed to know that?! And how does he know this is carrot cake already?! He just got here! Don’t tell me he overheard our plan?!
Anya’s joy immediately returned.
– Fruit candy?! Yay!
She ran up and threw her arms around his neck.
– THANK YOU!
Damian stumbled slightly as she hugged him, but then smirked at Becky and the others. Becky’s face turned bright red, jaw dropping in disbelief.
Heh, just as planned. I’m a genius.
Anya was about to pull away, but Damian suddenly hugged her tighter.
– You’re welcome, Anya!
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WHATTTTTT!!! YOU LITTLE—!!!
Anya’s mind screamed so loud it almost echoed through the corridor. Her eyes darted around in confusion before catching sight of something suspicious near the corner—a janitor pretending to mop the floor. The way his bucket had conveniently toppled over, spilling a pool of water across the tiles, gave him away instantly.
Wait a second… that janitor…
Anya squinted. Her pink eyebrows twitched as she sensed the familiar presence beneath the disguise.
That’s Papa! He’s here! I knew I heard his voice this morning! I wonder what he’s doing here… probably checking if I’m progressing with Plan B! He must be proud of me! He must be—
Her thoughts came to an abrupt stop when Becky suddenly shouted.
– Enough already! Stop hugging her!!!
Damian completely ignored her, holding Anya even tighter.
Huh, can’t breathe! He’s—he’s crushing me!
Anya flailed helplessly in his grip.Damian was so caught up in the role that he didn’t even realize he was squeezing her to the edge of suffocation.
Then, out of nowhere, both of them were lifted clean off the ground.
Anya gasped for air like she had just escaped drowning, while Damian flailed wildly, kicking his legs.
– What the heck!? Put me down!!
As he looked up to see who had grabbed them, his jaw nearly fell off.
– LOID-SAN!?
Standing tall with an eerily calm smile, Loid held them both by their collars as if they were misbehaving kittens. His face was calm—too calm. That fake smile was the kind that made even the bravest people silently pray for mercy.
Becky, upon seeing him, nearly fainted on the spot. Damian didn’t look much better. Their faces had turned the color of chalk.
– Well, I’m glad to see you’re getting along, but… as I’ve said before, Damian-kun, I’d prefer if you were friends , just friends. You do understand what I mean, don’t you?
– Huh, Loid-san! W–what are you doing here? I was just—
Where did he come from so suddenly!? Oh no, he’s angry, isn’t he!? I’m doomed!!!
Loid’s temple twitched ever so slightly. He had been watching the situation unfold from the shadows, but once Damian had started that overdramatic embrace, even his professional patience had reached its limit. With practiced precision, he dropped the disguise—literally.Then he ran straight towards them and separated the two.
– Well, Mr. Henderson called me here to discuss Anya’s recent tardiness and late homework submissions. On my way out, I happened to see… this.
He gently set both of them down on their feet, straightening his coat.
Damian immediately opened his mouth to explain.
– Ah, well! You see, I—
But Loid cut him off with that same gentle tone that made people instantly stop breathing.
– You’re a smart boy, Damian-kun. I’m sure you understand what I meant. And you too, Anya, right?
Anya looked up with a face full of crumbs and candy. She had somehow started eating the sweets Damian dropped earlier.
– Hm? Yeah yeah, totally. Of course.
Loid closed his eyes and exhaled through his nose.
– In any case, I’ll be going now. Have a good lesson, both of you. And Anya… stop eating so much candy. It’s not healthy.
Anya froze mid-chew.
– …Yes, Papa.
Loid gave a brief nod, turned around, and walked calmly toward the same corner he had been hiding behind earlier. In the blink of an eye, he was gone.
Damian stared after him in horror, guilt spreading across his face.
– Wait! Loid-san! Please, it’s not what it looked like!
He sprinted around the corner, but by the time he got there, the man had already vanished. There was no time for Loid to waste—he had already delayed his mission long enough.
Meanwhile, Becky’s voice exploded across the hall.
– YOU IDIOT!!! THAT MAN JUST COMPLETELY MISUNDERSTOOD EVERYTHING BECAUSE OF YOU!!! UGH, THIS IS SO HUMILIATING!!! ARE YOU HAPPY NOW?!
Her face was bright red from a mixture of rage and embarrassment. She stomped toward Damian, eyes blazing.
– YOU… YOU!!!
Just as she reached out to grab his collar, her foot slipped—right on the puddle Loid had accidentally left behind earlier.
– Waaaaaah!!!
In perfect comedic symmetry, she crashed straight into Damian once again. Both of them toppled over, limbs flailing, and hit the floor in a heap.
Becky groaned, holding her head.
– Ugh, my head! Can’t you at least fall more gracefully!?
But when she looked up, expecting to see her own body, she froze.
– Wait… hold on a second… we— we’re back?! Oh thank goodness!!!
Damian blinked and then stared at his hands in disbelief.
– I’m back…? I’m actually back?! Finally!!!
Both of them jumped to their feet in excitement, frantically checking to make sure they were themselves again.
– Thank goodness, boss man! You’re you again!
Becky turned toward Anya with a tired but relieved smile.
– Sorry, Anya, but I guess our plan ends here.
Damian’s head snapped around.
– Wait, what plan? What are you talking about? Don’t tell me… you knew everything!?
Anya blinked innocently.
– Huh, well…
Damian’s face twisted in outrage.
– YOU LITTLE PEASANT GIRL!!! YOU'VE BEEN ACTING THIS WHOLE TIME?! SINCE THIS MORNING?!
Anya took a nervous step back.
– Erm, I have to go to class now!
She spun around and dashed to classroom.
– Hey! Wait, you idiot!!! You owe me an explanation!!! You and—
He turned, ready to continue his rant, only to find Becky gone too. The corridor echoed with silence.
Then, down the hall, Becky’s voice called out cheerfully as she waved without slowing down.
– See you later, boys! Hope you learned your lesson! Good luck dealing with all the rumors!
Her grin was triumphant now that she remembered—Loid’s scolding hadn’t been directed at her, but at Damian. The realization made her skip happily as she disappeared around the corner.
Damian dropped to his knees, hands on the floor.
– Boss man, you okay!?
For a moment, he said nothing. Then he clenched his fists, raised them toward the ceiling, and shouted with all his might.
– DAAAAMN IIIIIIIT!!!
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