Secret Police Arc

Covering chapters 11 through 14 in volumes 2 and 3, and episodes 8 and 9 of the anime, the Secret Police Arc follows the Eden Beginnings Arc and precedes the Stella Star Arc. It introduces the State Security Service, the Ostanian counterintelligence force that hunts Western spies, just as the Handler warns Twilight that a city hall informant has been arrested and presses him on whether Anya can realistically collect eight Stellas within four months.

The arrested informant, Jim Hayward, faces questioning at SSS headquarters, where a polite young second lieutenant takes over: Yuri Briar, Yor's brother. Yuri coaxes out a confession with incriminating photos, then turns violent when the subject shifts to Twilight, proclaiming his devotion to sister and country alike. Learning that Yor never told Yuri about her supposedly year-old marriage, the Forgers scramble; Loid deploys his "Lovey-Dovey Marriage Kit" to dress the apartment, and Yuri arrives late and openly suspicious of the man who married his sister.

Over dinner and drinks, Loid parries a barrage of questions and pieces together who Yuri really works for, noting that Yor herself has no idea. The visit peaks when a drunken Yuri demands the couple kiss to prove their love, threatening to annul the marriage otherwise. Yor empties a wine bottle for courage and pushes Loid down, and Yuri, flooded with childhood memories of vowing to marry his sister himself, dives in to break it up and catches her slap instead. Loid promises to support Yor, and Yuri backs down without surrendering his doubts. Watching the siblings drunkenly prop each other up, Loid briefly wonders when he last envied anyone before shaking the thought off.

The following morning, professional paranoia takes over: if Yuri belongs to the SSS, Yor might too. Loid plants a listening device on her despite his hesitation, shadows her at work, and finally confronts her disguised as a Secret Police officer with Franky at his side. Her unguarded reactions clear her completely, leaving Loid ashamed of the test. He tells her to simply be herself in the role of the Forger mother, and Yor, delighted, tells him how glad she is to have married him. The couple head home with a cake for their fabricated first anniversary, and Anya is pleased to see them reconciled.

The arc establishes the SSS as the standing threat to WISE operations in Ostania and stages the first meeting between Loid and Yuri, spy and spy-hunter seated at the same family table. Loid leaves knowing exactly what his brother-in-law is; Yuri leaves with suspicions he cannot yet prove; and Yor, oblivious to both secrets, comes away happier in her marriage than ever.