Not that it was important or anything, but my next door neighbor, who had just moved in this spring, really seemed to like anime. While it didn't really matter, school should have started already. Was it okay that he hadn't left his apartment? I felt like warning him, “Morning is no time to be engrossed in the theme song to Ojamajo Doremi.

While these thoughts ran through my mind, three minutes passed in what felt like a matter of seconds.

My ramen was ready.

Just then, it happened.

At the very moment that I was about to thrust my disposable chopsticks into the noodles, my doorbell's resounding “ding dong, ding dong” interrupted the entire process.

Who could it be?

Naturally, I didn't panic. The unexpected visitor disturbing my breakfast was probably just a bill collector, coming to pick up my electric utility payment. As I would be in trouble were I to lose my lifeline, I obediently put down my chopsticks and headed toward the door, still clad in my pajamas.

I flung open the door and quickly said, “Oh, electricity! The electricity, right? I can pay you now. Um, I'll pay right…”

My words trailed off. Alerted by the smile plastered across the visitor's face and the subtle aura emanating from her entire body, I realized there was no way this middle-aged woman possibly could be the bill collector for the electricity company.

“Please, forgive us for interrupting your busy schedule”, said my visitor. The woman's face was lit by the morning sun. “We're actually handing out these pamphlets”, she beamed, passing me two small pamphlets.

Printed on the cover was: “Awaken! Tower of Druaga.”

A refreshing spring breeze blew in through the open door. Outside, the mild, April morning was calm and cheerful.

Part Two