"Speaking of which, Lixin..." That evening, everyone was killing time—some watching TV, others glued to phones or computers, a few already asleep. Cleyna, eyes on the ceiling-mounted projector screen, called out to Lixin without turning her head.

"Hmm? What is it?" Lixin was tallying the month’s cafe expenses on her phone. These figures determined their reimbursement quota from headquarters, a monthly ritual. She answered absently, still focused on her screen.

"That day... what exactly did you say to Angel?" Cleyna kept her gaze locked on the TV. Her neck had been tilted slightly upward for so long—how wasn’t it sore?

"Me? When?" Lixin frowned. She hadn’t seen Angel lately. The girl had promised free cake at the cafe but hadn’t shown up once in three months.

"The day you fought. When you held her and whispered something." Cleyna yanked off her wireless earbuds, switching the TV to speaker mode.

"I just told her to stop fighting—" Lixin began, but the sudden voice blaring from the speakers stole her attention.

"Thank you all for your support~ Angel-chan will work even harder~ Mua~!"

That voice... Why did it sound so familiar??

Lixin snapped her head up. Around the room, every companion froze mid-motion, eyes darting to the screen.

There she was: Angel, glittering in a white princess gown, three tiny white wings fluttering on her back, beaming at a sea of fans through a wireless mic.

"W-When did Angel unlock idol mode?? And what’s with those sparkly floral decorations on your wings?! Your whole character design is collapsing!! ((유∀유|||))"

Lixin took the hardest hit. No wonder Angel skipped the cafe—she’d been chasing stardom!

*Why... why does this feel like a loss?* It wasn’t her life. Angel chose this path. Yet... a world-famous idol versus an obscure branch manager...

*Defeated...*

"L-Lixin?! What’s wrong?!" Her sudden dove into a dejected slump, turning ghostly pale, jolted everyone.

*Why do I feel like I lost...?*

Unbeknownst to Lixin, this was just the prelude. The real shock came the next afternoon.

As Lixin polished her beloved coffee machine before the afternoon tea rush, a commotion erupted outside.

"What’s all this noise?" She strode toward the door. A crowd—mostly teenage boys—pressed against the glass, overwhelming her staff.

"What happened?" She asked Lanlan, who rushed over trembling. *Could an idol really be outside my cafe?* A chill slithered down her spine.

"Some celebrity’s trying to enter... those guys won’t stop gawking..." Lanlan shuddered. *Ugh, those creepy otaku.*

Rage flared in Lixin. *How dare they scare my staff?*

"Eep!" Lanlan’s hairs stood on end.

The entire cafe felt it—a crushing pressure. Outside, the mob fell dead silent. *Make another sound, and you die.*

"Oh dear, must you be so scary, Manager Lixin?" The culprit emerged from the parted crowd.

Same princess gown. Wings gone.

*Of course it’s you.* Lixin jabbed a finger at the lingering fans. "You couldn’t just walk in quietly?" Her tone dripped with ice.

"What could I do?" Angel spread her hands helplessly—a gesture Lixin read as pure provocation.

After the initial shock, Lixin’s mind sharpened. *Fight fire with fire.*

"Oh? Is that so?" She turned on her heel, waving dismissively. "Then please leave. Our humble shop can’t host a superstar like you."

"Huh?!" Angel’s plan crumbled. She’d meant to flaunt her fame, make Lixin feel inferior, and—*right!*—get free cake. But Lixin wasn’t crumbling. And the cake... *No! It’s not about the cake!*

"Wait! I’m sorry! You promised free cake!" The words burst out before she could stop them.

*Damn it. So embarrassing.*

…………………………………………………………………………

"Hey! Is it ready yet?" Angel clutched her stomach, seated inside. Though Lixin’s aura had scattered most fans, hardcore otaku still lurked outside, peering through windows.

Lixin simmered. Angel’s newfound "princess syndrome" grated on her nerves. She hadn’t even started the honey cake.

"Of course," Lixin deadpanned, polishing cups under the counter, "an idol princess deserves perfection. Our humble shop must take extra time to craft something worthy."

"...Lixin-san." Angel deflated. "I apologize for today. But please honor our agreement." She invoked their months-old deal, clinging to dignity.

*Sigh.* "Fine. Wait here." Lixin finally grabbed her tools.

Nearby maids whispered:

"Manager’s amazing—she’s tight with Angel-chan! She’s the hottest idol right now!"

"If she visits often, our cafe’ll boom!"

"More importantly... weren’t they close before? I think she came here once..."

"Yeah, now that you mention it—"

A vein throbbed on Lixin’s temple. "If you’d rather gossip than work, take unpaid leave. Come back when you’re serious."

"Sorry, Manager! We’ll work hard!" They scattered.

Angel watched, smirking inwardly. *Still as formidable as ever, Lixin.*