Chapter 36

Mission 36 (: 36) is the thirty-sixth chapter of the SPY x FAMILY manga, written and illustrated by Tatsuya Endo. It was released on November 2, 2020.

Summary
Damian Desmond, Emile Elman, and Ewen Egeburg look at the school bulletin and see that the Imperial Scholar get-together will start next week. Although the event has nothing to do with the boys, they eagerly discuss how they will eventually become Imperial Scholars. Peering from the corner, Anya Forger watches the group and recaps her goal to become an Imperial Scholar and help Loid Forger with Operation Strix. However, Anya has given up on earning eight Stella Stars, discouraged by her lack of progress in academics and sports. Anya resolves to Plan B: befriending Damian, which is not going any better. While Anya thinks, the boys see Anya staring at them; Damian tells her to stop staring, while Emile tells her to go away.

Anya expresses her frustration, and Becky Blackbell appears and does the same, albeit for a different reason. Becky says she knows how Anya feels as love is hard to communicate. Her statement prompts Anya to think about what she loves: Loid, Yor Forger, Bond Forger, peanuts, and cartoons. When Anya connects it to Damian, she bluntly denies it, and Becky assumes she is being bashful. Becky decides to help make Damian fall for Anya. She says boys are easily fooled by outward appearances, so if Anya dresses up all cute, Damian is sure to fall for her. Thus, Becky and Anya go on a shopping trip on the weekend.

Martha Marriott, Becky’s butler, drives the girls to the shopping center, where Anya is excited to be riding around in their fancy car. Becky complains about not seeing Loid when she picked up Anya and how tough of a rival Yor will be after seeing how pretty she is. Hearing this, Martha quietly discourages Becky from homewrecking. Becky compliments Anya’s bag (by working-class standards) and asks what is inside. Anya produces a large wad of cash, shocking Martha. Before leaving, Loid had gifted the spending money to Anya, believing that forging a positive relationship with the Blackbells could have serious benefits. Anya wonders how many peanuts she can buy with the money, but Becky reminds her that they are shopping for clothes.

At the shopping center, the staff from the clothing department line up to welcome Becky. An employee informs Becky that they have prepared a variety of brand-new haute couture fashions for her. Anya is surprised by all this and asks Becky if her father is the "Prince of Darkness." She then asks how much money Becky brought, but Becky says she has never brought money anywhere in her life. Becky tells Anya that the store usually brings stuff to her house, but she was so excited to go shopping with Anya that she reserved the whole store. With that, Becky helps Anya find a look that "even Damian cannot resist."

Anya tries on various stylish outfits while Becky shares her thoughts. Afterwards, Anya gets exhausted and remarks that fashion is hard. Becky agrees, saying they cannot narrow down their options when they do not even know what Damian likes. Anya points out that she wears her uniform at school every day, so Damian will not be able to see her new clothes. Becky says all the halls throw parties at the end of the term, and students will be allowed to wear street clothes with the teacher’s permission. Becky realizes that if the parties are open to parents, Loid will most likely be there. She shouts that she needs something too and asks a shocked Anya what look Loid prefers. Becky also tries on different outfits, wondering what Loid would like. After finishing, Becky concludes that she does not even know anymore and decides to buy them all, much to Martha’s concern and Anya’s shock.

Becky asks what Anya has decided on, but Anya tells her that she cannot look at clothes anymore, so Becky says they can check out the shoes. The girls check out all the accessories at the store, and Becky continues to buy more, and the boxes Martha is carrying continue to stack up. They stop at a café to rest and have sweets. Martha, covered by boxes, sternly tells Becky that she has bought too much. Becky remarks that Anya did not get anything; Anya says she does not even know what she wants, reiterating that fashion is hard. Becky looks quietly, then shyly asks if Anya had fun shopping. Anya smiles brightly and tells Becky that she had so much fun, as this is the first time she has gone shopping with a friend, and Becky is touched to be called her friend. Becky decides to find something Anya wants while Martha watches from the side with a smile.

The girls head to a stuffed animal shop, but a sheep keychain catches Anya’s attention. Anya asks what it is, and Becky explains it is a department store’s mascot. Seeing how cute it is, Anya decides to get one, while Becky remarks on how childish she is. Anya says it will be a memento of their shopping trip and proof that they survived. Becky is hesitant, remembering her father saying he does not want her wearing anything less than the finest. Before Becky can think any further, Anya buys keychains for themselves, and Martha urges her to accept the gesture of friendship, saying her father would say the same. An embarrassed Becky then takes the keychain. She asks Anya why they went shopping, and Anya says she forgot. They brush it off and decide to head home.

Becky and Anya fall asleep on the drive back, and Martha flashes back to Becky’s days before Eden. When Becky was in preschool, she would make fun of the other kids and pick on them, calling them brats. After learning that she would be attending Eden Academy, Becky expressed her distaste, saying the school has ill-bred kids, to her father’s shock. While Martha prepared Becky’s uniform, she told her madam that understanding that you do not have it all figured out is the first step to growing up. Later, after returning from Eden on the first day, Becky tells Martha about Anya and how school might not be so bad after all. Back in the present, Martha looks at Becky and Anya and expresses her happiness for Becky.

Returning home, Loid is stunned to see the keychain, which cost 300 dalc apiece. Anya says it is her and Becky's special thing while Bond glares at the keychain.

At the start of school, Becky and Anya greet each other and cheerily talk about their matching keychains. Passing by, Damian and his friends see the girls chatting, and their smiling faces catches Damian's eye. One of the boys asks Damian what is up with him, and he dismisses them in embarrassment.

Trivia

 * This is the first appearance of Martha Marriott, though she is only referred to as Martha.
 * Wanting to capture the feel in this story, Endo rummaged through many fashion magazines, and also came up with all the headlines and captions on the cover himself.