Chapter 38

Mission 38 (: 38) is the thirty-eighth chapter of the SPY x FAMILY manga, written and illustrated by Tatsuya Endo. It was released on December 28, 2020.

Summary
At a WISE safehouse, a rookie member reviews a file containing attendees to the Imperial Scholars mixer, including Donovan Desmond. Seeing how the mixer is a treasure trove of intelligence, he suggests sending more agents to back up Twilight. Sylvia Sherwood advises otherwise, saying it would be like sending chum to the sharks. She reminds the young man that they are in enemy territory and Eden Academy is the front line of this cold war.

As Loid Forger introduces himself to Donovan, he thinks about his investigations of any media regarding the man. In it, he could not learn much about Donovan since his disappearance from the public eye. With this conversation, he must learn more about Donovan, his behavior, how to get him interested in “Loid Forger,” and extract the plans for the war he is plotting. Donovan recalls the incident at the orientation and apologizes for being too busy to respond personally. Loid offers to bring a token of regret to his manor. However, Donovan brushes it off with an uncharacteristically bright smile, startling Loid. Donovan states it is just a spat among kids, but Damian Desmond yells that Anya Forger laid hands on him, a Desmond. Loid agrees and insists on making amends after what she did. Donovan smiles again and says it is fine, although he appreciates the sentiment. Loid realizes he is being blown off and withdraws, but not before thanking Donovan for his generosity.

Seeing that his father does not care, Damian tries expressing his humiliation to him, hoping for affection. However, Donovan responds with an exasperated sigh, unnerving Damian while Loid watches quietly. Donovan continues this until Damian apologizes to him, and he smiles in response. Loid speaks up, saying Damian’s anger is justified. He proceeds to talk about Anya and her bizarre behavior. Hearing this, Damian, Ewen Egeburg, and Emile Elman unanimously think how Loid has it rough. He then talks about the challenges of raising children and how uncontrollable they can be.

Donovan concurs, saying that despite sharing your blood, your children are essentially strangers, people impossible to understand. He says that, in the end, people will never truly be sympathetic to each other. While he says this, Damian is left stunned.

Loid wonders if that is why Donovan seeks to control other nations with threats of military force and if he has uncovered a core belief. Loid proceeds to agree with the statement, saying that as a psychiatrist, he sometimes wonders if he can understand even 10 percent of what goes on in his patients' heads. He adds that it may be arrogant to think that people can understand each other. In his thoughts, Loid knows that the idea of people reaching a mutual understanding by talking to each other is idealistic at best. Nevertheless, he tells Donovan that what is important is meeting them in the middle. Loid admits that despite not understanding Anya’s actions, he acknowledges her and creates opportunities for dialogue, even if it works out or not. Loid then thinks about how he, as a spy, will never stop seeking to understand others.

Loid steps forward to pat a dejected Damian’s shoulder and says that it may have been why Donovan took the time out of his schedule to meet with his son. Donovan supposes so, which surprises Damian. Loid then talks about Damian’s respect for his father, bringing up his school report on Donovan’s work, which he had secretly snuck a peek at in the school. Loid claims that it moved Anya so much that it was all she could talk about at home. He tells Donovan that he was touched by Damian’s respect and knowledge for his work as Party Chairman, praising the boy.

Loid mentions his initial concerns about the National Unity Party’s platform but changed views after hearing about the passion with which Donovan looks out for Ostania’s interests. He wonders if he should attend one of the party’s seminars, again praising Damian’s report. An embarrassed Damian tells Loid to stop, and Loid happily apologizes. Donovan decides to wrap up the conversation, but not before remembering Loid’s name and saying that he enjoyed their conversation. Loid is satisfied with the result, chalking up Donovan remembering his name as a victory, and was able to memorize the faces and features of his security team. Loid thanks Donovan for sharing his time with him.

Before he leaves, Loid asks Damian not to tell Anya about their conversation. He says Anya is at an awkward stage, and if Damian thinks she hates him, Loid suspects otherwise, so he hopes they can get along. Damian shyly says he does not hate her, surprising his friends. He quickly gets embarrassed and yells at Loid to go away. Loid laughs it off and bids goodbye, leaving the Desmonds to talk.

Donovan looks to Damian, asking what his son wants from him. Damian starts getting nervous and says it was nothing. He struggles to get the words out, thinking back to Loid emphasizing the importance of creating a dialogue with others. As Donovan prepares to leave, Damian remembers Anya saying she will summon all her courage to tell Loid that she failed. Damian shouts out to his father, informing him of his Stella Star from the midterms, his 50 on his reading test, and how the griffin he made in art class won first prize. Hearing this, Donovan congratulates him. Damian wonders aloud why Donovan agreed to see him. He is interrupted by Donovan, who says he acted on a whim and tells his son to think nothing of it. As he walks away, he tells Damian to continue striving not to besmirch their family name. Damian enthusiastically agrees while Ewen and Emile cheer him on.

Watching from inside the school, Twilight senses how distant Donovan is from his children. He concludes that the closer Donovan and Damian are, the better the odds of success are for Plan B. As for Donovan, Twilight decides not to tail him, and his next step is to lay the careful groundwork and take his new intel to HQ for analysis. Before he leaves, Twilight sees Damian and friends excitedly resolving to earn more Stella. Loid watches them quietly before making his way out.

Loid returns home to Yor Forger and Anya, and sees his daughter fast asleep. Yor explains that Anya was already asleep since she was dropped off by Becky Blackbell and Martha, and Loid thinks about how carefree she is. Anya mutters that she and Loid will “fight the superboss together,” and Loid has no idea what she is babbling about.