Episode 8

THE COUNTER-SECRET POLICE COVER OPERATION (MISSION: 8　対秘密警察偽装作戦) is the eighth episode of the SPY x FAMILY TV anime series.

Synopsis
Ostania's counterintelligence agency and national security bureau conducts spy hunts and keeps surveillance on its citizens to maintain peace within the country. They are also called the Secret Police and are feared. Yor's younger brother Yuri actually belongs to the Secret Police and is hunting down spies while keeping this a secret from Yor and others around him. One day, he suddenly shows up at the Forger residence. The Forgers, who are full of secrets, and Yuri, who has a secret identity, come face to face!

Summary
Anya is in math class and her teacher has called on her to answer the question he's written on the blackboard. She proudly stands and announces that it's three thirds, to the amazement of Becky and irritation of Damian, but the math teacher then tells her that that's completely wrong.

In the city, Loid and Handler have met up and the latter is asking the former if they can expect his daughter's grades to improve since HQ is planning around eight Stella Stars in four months. A visibly tired Loid smirks and says that that won't be a problem, and Handler comments on how bad he's become at lying recently as he thinks to himself that Anya could easily get eight Tontritus Bolts within half of that time. Moving on, Handler tells Loid that one of their informants was arrested at city hall that morning and says that the enemy has been cracking down hard so he should be careful, especially since Eden is in the middle of the city.

At Berlint City Hall, a shaken Millie explains to Yor and Sharon that Jim Hayward was arrested today by the SSS for espionage. Sharon says that she heard he was from the financial department and had been selling official documents on the black market, and Yor comments on how horrible he must be. A sleepy Camilla then walks in and greets the three, then turning to Yor and tells her that after hearing from Dominic, questions if she's told her brother about her marriage yet. A shocked Yor exclaims that she knew she was forgetting something, and Sharon wonders how she managed to forget for a whole year. Yor asks what she should do, Camilla just saying that Yuri said he'd be calling the office later as Yor remembers that she never gave him her new house's phone number. Yor worries that she totally forgot after being relieved that her marriage went through. Millie then asks if Yor's brother is hot and Yor shows her a picture of her and Yuri and they both comment on how cute he is, Yor then going on to tell them how he would always call her "Sis" and refused to leave her side. Millie then rebounds, saying she'd give him a hard pass if he was one of those types and another commenting that if he loves Yor that much it's even more awful that she forgot to tell him.

An officer is interrogating Jim in the SSS offices, asking him what documents he took from his office, the name and appearance of the person he handed them, the way in which he contacted them and where and when they met. Jim doesn't answer, instead asking to be released as the SSS lieutenant comments how Jim is good at talking and stubs his cigarette on Jim's hand. Yuri then enters, saluting as the lieutenant greets him and saying he'll do his best as he walks into the interrogation room to swap places with the member. The SSS lieutenant pats Yuri's shoulder as he exits the room, sitting down on a bench next to another member who promptly asks him why the boss let someone as young as Yuri on the team, despite his talent. The lieutenant tells him that it's because the boss said Yuri was cute like a puppy, and the second member stutters that he's probably like a mascot then. The lieutenant says that every organization needs a member like that, and that Yuri can actually get the job done indiscriminately.

In the interrogation room, Yuri takes his hat off and greets Jim, the latter quickly steeling himself and saying that he has nothing to say to the SSS. Yuri just ignores him, beginning to excitedly tell him how Yor also works at city hall and that he's going visit and congratulate her for her marriage after he's done with work for the day, explaining that he hasn't seen her in a while. Yuri smiles as he tells Jim that he'd appreciate it if they could finish up quickly, asking him to spill everything he knows. Jim feigns innocence, and Yuri produces three photos of Jim dealing the documents to another man which greatly shocks him. The officer next to Yuri asks how long was he holding on to the evidence, and Yuri says that he forgot to turn them over as he tells Jim that he'd be better off being honest. Jim gives in, admitting that he gave his clients the papers for cash and saying that he doesn't actually know anything about the man he gave them to aside from that he's from the West. Yuri asks for more details but Jim just tells him he doesn't remember, Yuri's face turns cold as he asks the man if he's heard of "Twilight". When Jim says that he doesn't know who that is, Yuri tells him that he's a master of disguise from the West capable of throwing the country into chaos; the natural enemy of the SSS. Jim asks if he'll be let off the hook if he can help catch "Twilight", and Yuri asks him again if he remembers anything about the man, reminding him that if he feeds the SSS nonsense it will only be added to his crimes. Jim says that he just wanted cash to fool around with girls, saying that Yuri should know how it is as a man when he reminds Jim that he has a wife, and asks to be let off the hook as he isn't a political criminal. Yuri puts on his gloves as he tells Jim that he's been keeping his job a secret from his sister because he doesn't want her to know about his dirty work, then slams Jim's face into the ashtray on the table. He says that what he's done is treason which could have endangered his fellow citizens, and that, unlike Jim, Yuri loves his family and will do anything to protect the country she lives in.

Anya is watching Spy Wars at home, Loid sitting behind her and wishing she could pay that much attention when they're studying. Anya turns to Loid and asks how many shots Bondman's pistol has on the show, and Loid replies that it should have eight, then looking at Anya in surprise as she calls out "two-eighths" when referring to the amount of bullets he has left. Loid exclaims that she got it right and notes to himself that she learns better with the cartoon. Yor then comes home, worriedly announcing that Yuri is coming over to visit that night to congratulate her on her marriage, much to Loid's surprise. She asks Loid what they should do and he replies that it's exactly the occasion they prepared the "lovey-dovey marriage" set for, decorating the house with stereotypical things a loving married couple would have. After Loid and Yor share glances when in front of an over-the-top bed, Anya says that they're flirting, and her now flustered parents say that they're not. While waiting for Yuri to arrive, Anya asks Loid when Yor's brother will be coming, Loid corrects her saying that he's her uncle and tells her to go to bed since it's getting late. Anya protests that she wants to meet her uncle as Yor comments that he must be working late, then falls asleep on Loid's lap.

Yuri is skipping down the street to the Forger abode with a large bouquet of roses in one arm, abruptly stopping when a rib Yor broke through a hug during their childhood begins to ache. He thinks about how overwhelmed he must be by her love, then wonders why she never told him about her marriage for a whole year and concludes that she married such a terrible man that she can't possibly have told him. As he makes his way to their apartment, Yuri thinks how he will eliminate anyone that poses a threat to Yor, even if it's her husband, then stopping and reminding himself to calm down as she mustn't find out about his job. As Loid and Yor prepare for their guest, he thinks about the fact that the closer Yuri is, the easier it is for them to let their secret slip, and must not lose the family he worked so hard to create for his mission. Yuri arrives and the couple welcomes him, Loid and Yuri both hiding their dark looks.

The television plays footage of the ministers of Ostania and Westalis talking over normalizing relationships between their two countries as Loid greets Yuri as he enters the Forger household, shaking his hand as he wonders if Yuri will be a threat to his fake family or not. At the same time Yuri wonders if Loid is truly worthy of being his sister's husband. Loid offers to take Yuri's coat and briefcase, but is declined, Loid then saying he'll go and make a quick meal while Yuri and Yor catch up. Yuri thinks to himself that he wouldn't want to eat something Loid made as Yor remarks that his face is scary, commenting that he must be nervous. Yuri worries that he accidentally let his hostility show since he hasn't calmed down since the interrogation, pledging to act as a diligent civil servant in front of Yor as she pledges to act as a loving wife in front of Yuri, not wanting to tell him that she got married so she could continue with her assassin work.

Yor arranges the flowers Yuri brought in a vase as he sits down in the living room, thanking him which prompts Yuri to say that he hasn't accepted Yor's marriage yet, asking her why she kept it a secret from him for a whole year. Loid, watching from the kitchen, thinks to himself that that's a natural question as he replays his and his wife's earlier conversation in his head. The flashback begins with Loid asking her if it would be okay just to tell Yuri the truth: that she married to avoid the stigma and suspicion of being single at her age. Yor says that it wouldn't work since Yuri is sensitive and would probably lose it if he heard that she married someone she wasn't in love with, then saying that she knows she's making things difficult like this but she doesn't want her brother Yuri and that she has the perfect excuse to tell him, as she knows him best, telling Loid to leave it to her.

In the present, Loid is counting on Yor to handle the situation. Yuri asks his sister why she hasn't answered him, and Yor looks him straight in the eyes and confidently says that she just forgot to tell him. Loid is left dumbfounded and Yuri, confused, stammers a little before asking Yor about the phone call the other day during which a partner was mentioned, wondering aloud why she didn't just tell him then. Yor says, again with confidence, that she forgot that she forgot to tell him. Loid continues to wear the same look, but Yuri says that it must be true then, losing all reason when dealing with his sister, as he laughs and apologizes to his sister, says that she can be such a klutz sometimes. Loid is shocked that Yuri is satisfied with that answer, wondering if this is normal in the Briar family. Loid apologizes for the wait as he brings a plate of lemon marinade over, Yuri angrily thinks that Loid shouldn't interrupt his and his sister's conversation, then catching himself as he realizes that he has to be nice to Loid or Yor might hate him. He takes a bite and is shocked at how good it is, then takes a few more as Yor comments on how good Loid's cooking is. Yuri aggressively thinks that he won't be won over with his food as he produces a bottle of wine that he brought, deciding to get Loid drunk in order to expose him. Loid whispers to Yor that she shouldn't drink if they don't want a repeat of last time at the castle.

Yuri asks the two how they first met, and they explain their first meeting at the boutique. Yor says that Loid was staring at her, with him saying that he could not help but look at how beautiful she was. Loid realizing that this topic is dangerous territory and he needs to change it fast. He tells Yuri that after a few of dinners together, they eventually hit it off. Yuri then starts asking specific questions, like what food they ate, when and where, how many times, the restaurant names, when did they start committing to a relationship, and their reason for marrying; Loid feeling that this has turned into an interrogation. Yuri asks Loid what he calls Yor, and he simply replies with just "Yor". Thinking that he hesitates to call her by her given name, a panicked Yuri asks Yor what she calls her husband, suggesting nicknames like "Loidy" or "Loi-Loi". Yor is too embarrassed to speak and Yuri assumes it is true, picking up the wine as he starts to drink, saying he must drink the pain away. Yor vehemently denies this, saying she just calls him "Loid".

Loid asks Yuri if he's okay and brings him water. Yuri takes the drink while wondering what his sister likes about him. He thinks to himself that Loid is a good cook, tall and handsome, seems considerate, and is even a doctor. Realizing that he just brought up Loid's good points he drinks away in anger, Yor telling him to calm down and Loid wonders if all Briars are bad drunks. Loid changes the topic, asking Yuri about his career and tells him how much Yor boasts about him. Yor tells her brother that she heard from Dominic that he went to Hugaria. Yuri explains that it was for work, and tells her about how nice the city is, wishing that he could have shown her. He mentions a café said to be the Empress's favorite back in the day, which catches Loid's attention, and he asks Yuri if the café was in the capital city of Obda, saying he went there when he was a medical student. They talk about a restaurant called Kalpatia which is run by an old man, and Loid asks if the wine was also from Hugaria. Yuri tells him that he found it on a shop on Hedger Street. Loid hopes that it wasn't too expensive and Yuri says that it cost around 200 dalc.

Loid, who had recognized and predicted Yuri's replies, reveals that the responses are from a manual used by Ostanian intelligence agents. He explains that they are a template used to fabricate details of non-existent travels abroad, meaning that Yuri's trip was a lie. He also reveals that the old man running Kalpatia now has his son in charge, and because of a poor shortage recently, the wine Yuri brought costs 300 dalc now. Loid says that Yuri could have fooled an amateur, but not him. He has been wary of Yuri ever since he heard that he worked at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, saying that foreign service is one step away from espionage. Asking Franky to look into his records, Loid found that he was working at the Ministry until about a year ago, which he predicts is when Yuri was recruited by an intelligence agency. Using other information he received, he deduced that Yuri is involved in domestic counter-intelligence, and is none other than the SSS, WISE's greatest enemy. Despite this, Loid thinks that as long as his true identity isn't discovered, maintaining a relationship with Yuri is not a bad idea, as he could serve as a valuable intel source on his enemies. Loid says that he'll have to treat him for the wine next time, and notices that Yuri is hiding his real job from Yor and thinks that he might be easier to manipulate than he thought. Yor asks Yuri if he is happy to have such a nice brother-in-law now. Yuri is silent, then slams on the table, reiterating that he still doesn't recognize both the marriage and Loid as his brother-in-law. Yor tells her brother that he is being rude, while Yuri focuses on Loid. He tells him that the reason he has an important job and can buy expensive bottles of wine is all because of Yor.

Yuri flashes back to his past when he and Yor and were orphaned and living poor. Yuri is waiting for his sister to come home, noting that she is late from her part-time job. Yor, soaked in blood, announces her arrival and shocks Yuri as he asks what happened. Yor brushes it aside as it isn't her blood and shows Yuri that she got the encyclopedia that he wanted, saying that her payday was big at work, so she bought it for him. Yor continued to come home soaked in blood while she brought Yuri things he wanting, leading him to believe that she was working herself to death for him, unaware of her assassin job. Yuri then resolved to become a successful man so that he could protect his only blood relative. He asks Loid if he can understand how it feels to have the most important person in your world taken away by some stranger. Yor is touched as her brother tells her that he always wanted her to marry someone and be happy, as long as that someone is more capable of protecting her than him, asking "Loidy" if he can be that man. Loid remembers Yor's words of wanting to put her brother's mind at ease and states that he loves her as much as Yuri does, if not more, which statles Yor. Loid continues, saying that Anya loves her as well and that Yor is already a part of his family. He lies in an utterly shameless fashion, declaring that whether it's from spears or meteors from the sky, he would risk his life to protect her. Yuri is stunned to hear this, drunkenly thinking that he could save his sister from spears, but not meteors, and wonders if Loid is that powerful. He starts to call Loid a liar that will say anything, saying he can tell because he has a face of a liar. As he does this, he spills some water on the table. Yor comments on Yuri's carelessness as she starts to wipe the table and Loid says he'll take care of it. Their hands touch and the two pull back in an awkwardly. Yuri sees this and asks if that really is their reaction after living together for a year, and questions their marriage.

The couple scramble to correct him by forming a heart symbol with their hands. Yuri is still suspicious and demands that the two prove their love. Loid offers to show their marriage certificate but Yuri interrupts him and orders the two to kiss right now, surprising them. Yor is not sure about kissing in front of her brother, but Yuri tells them to do it just once and he will believe them, or he will go to city hall to have their marriage annulled. Loid thinks about how the situation has escalated, but in 0.1 seconds, reminds himself that he is Twilight, Westalis's greatest spy, who has faked relationships with countless of women before, so a kiss or two is nothing for the sake of the mission. Loid agrees to Yuri's demands and tells Yor that they will just do what they always do. On the other hand, Yor is unprepared for her first kiss, blushing furiously as Loid moves in closer.

Anime Notes

 * The emblem of the State Security Service does not feature the organization's name or initials on it.
 * The anime does not mention that the photos in the "lovey-dovey marriage kit" are doctored.
 * Yuri brought orchids in the manga, while in the anime he brings roses. The key visual for this episode does show him with orchids.
 * Loid states he would protect Yor against bullets and nukes in the manga, while in the anime he says he would do it against spears and meteors instead.