“First, split the yolk from the white—like peeling dawn from dusk.”

Dixue tapped the shell with a swift, light touch. The yolk lounged in the slotted spoon like a small sun, while the whites streamed into the bowl in silken ribbons.

“Then add milk, salad oil, and sugar to the yolk. Stir till it’s smooth, then sift in cake flour.”

Under Dixue’s steady hands, the yolk turned glossy, like honey catching warm light. The custard shone with a promise of sweetness.

“So cool!”

“Now we whisk the whites. Add the sugar in three rounds.”

It was like watching a spell bloom. Dixue moved with a blur of whisk and wrist, and the once unrelated things folded together, becoming a tender batter as soft as drifting snow.

“After that, pour it into molds. Let the oven do its warm magic.”

“This is amazing. It’s really fun!”

Yue Liuyi watched the cake rise in the gentle heat, its chest slowly swelling like a bread moon. As a boy, he’d never touched cake-making. The world felt new, bright as fresh paint.

“I didn’t know a tiny cake hid so many secrets.”

“Right? Little Moon, won’t you try?”

“Huh? Me? I’ve never done it. I’ll probably ruin it.”

“It’s fine. Everyone starts as a novice. Interest matters most.”

“Okay…”

Guided by Dixue, Little Moon began on a new sponge. His first time was all fumbles and fluttering hands. He didn’t have a girl’s deft touch, and the outcome was a quiet disaster.

“Whoa, Little Moon, don’t whisk so fast! You’ll toughen the batter!”

“Ugh…”

He stared at the lumpy yolk mix in his bowl. It looked like little stones in mud, nothing like Dixue’s satin-smooth cream. His shoulders drooped like wilted leaves.

“Is it a lost cause…?”

“Hmm! We can turn it into cookies, so no worries. Let’s make a fresh batch.”

Dixue didn’t laugh at him. She set out new ingredients, patient as a lantern on a misty night.

“This time I won’t fail!”

With the sting of the first failure behind him and Dixe’s careful coaching beside him, Little Moon found his rhythm. Their next sponge rose true.

It didn’t have Dixue’s sweeping grace, and the bubbles were uneven. But it looked uniquely cute, like a small cloud that refused to be round.

“We did it. Little Moon, you’re awesome!”

“Heh-heh. Thanks, LittleSnow.”

“Mm, decision made! I’m decorating this cake and putting it right in the center of the living room.”

“Whoa, no, that’s super embarrassing!”

Little Moon grabbed the cake from Dixue and hid it behind his back like a stolen star.

…

While Dixue and Little Moon handled the sponge, Maria and Lingwei layered chocolate, ice cream, and cream over the cake. Colors bloomed like confetti—the whole thing looked good enough to melt on the tongue.

“Lady Maria, the cookies are crushed.”

“Mm… let me see. Well done!”

“You’re all just going to eat cake?”

Xiang Xiaoyan watched them, wearing a helpless smile that sighed like wind at a window. She headed alone into the kitchen.

The “battle” began. Flame leapt from the skillet like sparks from a forge. The fire’s dance brushed her brow, but the purple-haired girl didn’t flinch. She flipped with calm steel.

“Ah… is the kitchen okay? Do you need help?”

The blazing light made Little Moon tense. He turned to Dixue.

“It’s okay. Leave it to Xiaoyan. She’s a girl who walked out of blades and fire. This is nothing but a warm-up.”

As if to prove it, once the pan was properly hot, the purple-haired girl lifted a fish. A single flash of cold steel—then neat slices lay in the pan, tempting and bright, like fresh petals on dark soil.

“So cool!”

“Shh. Little Moon, let me tell you a secret…”

Dixue put a finger to her lips, mischief glinting like moonlight. “Xiaoyan secretly passed the chef’s qualification exam. Elite level. Every big hotel would fight to hire her.”

“Wow…”

“But even with that skill, she rarely cooks. Looks like she broke her rule for you, Little Moon.”

“For me?!”

“Mm. So don’t be scared. Xiaoyan’s good at heart. She just doesn’t talk well with strangers.”

“Th-thank you…”

Little Moon watched the purple-haired girl, sweat shining like dew on her brow. His heart stirred, like pond water touched by rain.

…

“All done~”

“It’s ready!”

By everyone’s hands, the big cake stood finished. It was half a meter tall, layered with cream, ice cream, and chocolate like a girl’s gown—bright, lush, and festive.

During a break, Dixue dressed Little Moon up pretty. Her smooth, sky-blue hair caught a star-and-moon headpiece. The blue-haired girl shimmered like a little princess, glowing head to toe.

“Uu… you don’t have to go that far.”

“We do. Little Moon’s our protagonist today!”

Dixue took her hand with warm excitement and set a tall candle into the cake. “Close your eyes, Little Moon. Make a wish.”

“Huh? It’s not my birthday… Can I still do it?”

“Of course! It’s a tradition of our Rangers Lodge—Dixue Chapter. At the welcome party, wishes made over a big cake always come true. Hundreds of years running!”

Dixue closed her eyes, solemn as a priest, while she made it up with a straight face. They were only temporarily stationed on the Sky Voyager, but Little Moon couldn’t help laughing.

“Then I’m so unlucky, I’ll be the first person in a century to break it.”

“No way, no way. You’re not a bad-luck magnet.”

She said it and pinched Little Moon’s cheek, a quick spark of play.

“Hey, stop flirting, you two! I’m starving. I want cake!”

Maria slumped over the table, muttering like a cat before fish. Her eyes burned holes in the frosting.

“Lady Maria, your black tea.”

“As expected of Zero Wei. You know my heart!”

Seeing the tea, Maria sat up straight. A lady’s poise slid over her like velvet. She sipped, slow and shiny.

“Moon-sis, go for it! Your wish will come true!”

Zero Wei clenched a tiny fist. Her energy popped like firecrackers.

“Zero Wei, did your wish come true?”

“Mm, it did! I thought it was impossible. But it happened. Magic!”

The catfolk girl’s eyes gleamed, proud as if she’d chased down a comet.

“I-it’s that amazing…”

“I’ve heard when you hesitate… chances slip away.”

Xiang Xiaoyan tested the food’s temperature with a calm gaze, her voice light as smoke.

“Mm. So… Little Moon, make your wish. I’ll count. Three, two—”

“Wait—”

Facing the big candle, Little Moon closed her eyes.

(What should I wish for…?)

She thought for a breath. She hadn’t expected such a grand party. The old her would have felt shy, and guilty under everyone’s kindness. But today’s troubles had made her grow. Instead of guilt and retreat, she’d learned to keep that kindness close. Then, when the time came, she could return it like pulling a warm shawl over cold shoulders.

(May everyone find happiness.)

She blew the candle out, gentle as a sigh.

“Wow, congratulations.”

“Welcome, Little Moon, to our allies. You’re part of the Rangers Lodge family now.”

“Congratulations!”

“Moon-sis, you’re so pretty!”

“Welcome…”

“Huh?”

Little Moon opened her eyes. A table of gifts waited, all shining like toys in a winter window.

A finely crafted music box. A dress with delicate patterns. A handsomely bound magic book—and a chain of silver-white keys.

“May you always hear music. May you always smile.”

“Dixue wouldn’t let me buy a maid outfit, so you get a normal dress!”

“Loving books is a great habit. Keep it.”

“From now on, this is your true home.”

Their sudden gifts left Little Moon stunned, like déjà vu blooming in fog. She’d lived something like this before. But the memory lay too far away, like a dream fading at dawn.

“Th-thank you, everyone.”

“As seniors, it’s what we do.”

“Liuyi-sis, go for it. Sweep Dixue-sis off her feet one day!”

“If you send return gifts, make them black tea.”

“Heh-heh, Little Moon’s crying.”

“I’m not…”

The cake melted on her tongue. It was really good, impossibly good.

Appendix: Fragments of Dixue

Afraid Little Moon might not fit this bright new world alone, I stayed longer in the corridor, a quiet lamp in the wind.

At night on the Skyship, I hate lingering in that passage. The great hall it faces sits like a jeweled coffin—grand, but silent and lonely.

But tonight wasn’t like other nights. Hope lit the dark. Joy hummed like a hidden bird. I could stand there all day and still feel sun inside.

Because Little Moon is too adorable.

Eating, adorable. Walking, adorable. Dressing, adorable. Blinking, adorable. Even her dazed look is adorable. And that azure hair—soft as water on my palm.

I want to wipe out every Murder Fiend. I won’t let them touch Little Moon.

Huh? A sound from the room?

A scream. I ran inside, breath like a pulled string.

Thank the stars, no Murder Fiend had slipped in. Little Moon was dreaming. She spoke in her sleep.

It still twisted my heart. Her face looked so pained. I leaned close.

Let me listen. What is it?

I will protect everyone—

Wh-why did you all leave—

I only want… everyone to celebrate on—

Her words felt like thorns, pushing into my chest. I know that ache. I’ve worn it before.

What can help her?

What can I do?

Mm! Only that method remains.

I took out my Ranger ID and looked at the blank field.

It’s time to activate it.