It was a perfectly normal morning at Anemo School.
Xiao was brooding in the courtyard.
Kazuha was composing haiku in a tree.
Heizou was plotting with suspicious glitter.
Venti was definitely up to no good.
But inside the common room...
Whispers echoed.
"He doesn't know."
"He has no idea."
"Oh this is gonna be so creamy."
"Wait, where did Sayu hide the frosting cannon?"
Why the excitement?
Because today... was Wanderer's birthday.
---
Meanwhile, Wanderer...
Sat in class with his usual crossed arms and eternal scowl.
"I hate birthdays. I swear if anyone even thinks about—"
CRASH!
The classroom door exploded open with streamers, balloons, and a singing Kazuha on a flying glider.
🎶 "Happy birthday to youuuuuu~
We will smother youuuu~
With ten layers of frosting—
And your dignity toooo~!" 🎶
Wanderer stood up.
"I will destroy all of you."
"Too late!" Heizou yelled, launching the frosting cannon.
FWOOOOM!
Vanilla whipped cream shot across the room, hitting Wanderer directly in the face.
SPLAT.
Xiao followed up by smashing a double-layer cake into his hair.
"Happy birthday, birdbrain."
"YOU LITTLE—!"
Wanderer chased Xiao with a spoon like a dagger.
Sucrose tried to help clean but tripped and launched more custard onto his shirt.
Sayu woke up just to put sprinkles in his ears.
Even sweet Kazuha casually smeared raspberry jam on his nose like a war mark.
Venti, of course, was recording everything.
"Legend of the Creamed Wanderer, coming soon to theaters."
---
Just when Wanderer thought it couldn't get worse…
A gentle, elegant voice called from the hallway.
"Wanderer?"
Everyone froze.
Nahida peeked in, holding a small present.
"Surprise! I came to check on you for your birthday—"
Right behind her stood…
Raiden Ei.
The Electro Archon herself.
Holding… a purple umbrella.
And looking unusually soft.
Wanderer was covered in frosting, his hair full of sprinkles, his eyebrows gone rogue.
He blinked.
"...No."
Ei blinked back.
"...Yes."
Nahida gasped and smiled. "He looks adorable! Like a frosted tanuki!"
Wanderer turned to the wall. "Please, someone teleport me to Celestia or the Abyss, anywhere but here—"
Ei slowly stepped forward. "I came… to say something important."
Wanderer tried to hide behind a desk, but slipped on pudding.
THUMP.
She helped him up, eyes gentle.
"I've made many mistakes. I wasn't the mother you needed. But I want to try. If you'll let me…"
The room was silent.
Venti wiped a tear. "This is more dramatic than Anemo Hospital: Season 3."
Wanderer looked at Ei.
Then at the cake on the floor.
Then at his frosting-covered reflection in the window.
His lip trembled.
His mascara was running.
"I… I guess… maybe… fine… mom—"
WHAM.
Xiao hugged him from behind and smeared his face directly into the leftover chocolate cake.
"Gotcha."
"XIAO!!!"
---
Final Scene:
That night, they all sat under the stars.
Wanderer, still dripping frosting, leaned against Nahida on one side and Ei on the other.
He sniffled, glaring at everyone.
"I hate all of you."
Heizou: "Group hug!"
Wanderer: "Don't you—AAARGH—!"
They all tackled him into the grass.
Venti played a soft song on the lyre.
Even Sayu was smiling in her sleep.
And though he'd never admit it…
Wanderer's heart was full.
Even if his nose still smelled like buttercream.
---
To Be Continued...