Gloria Kechere parks her moped outside her florist shop. Next door Shuxin Li is turning on the lights at Noodlerity. Gloria smiles and waves at her work neighbor, friendly despite the rumors thar swirl around the noodle shop.

People say that Espers who go in never come out again, that they’re collected by the Dragon himself.

Gloria tugs her purple windbreaker tighter, shivering. She’s an Esper. Not one of the more powerful ones, true, but an Esper nevertheless. And she certainly doesn’t want to become part of some crime lord’s collection.

As soon as her sneakers hit the sidewalk a chorus of meows echoes from the alley between Noodlerity and the grocery store on the other side.

“Oh, no,” Gloria sighs. She practically runs to the door of her shop, hoping to reach safety before she’s mobbed by strays.

Why did I get stuck with such a useless Esper ability? she wonders as the meowing behind her grows louder.