MHA: A Cat's Way

Ch 38 Presidency

But is it really an abuse of power if the higher power allows it?

𝌡𝌡𝌡

I take a bite out of my steak and rice, my tail swaying happily behind me. Across from me, Toru's eyes follow the tip. Next to her are Momo and Todoroki, and to my right is Mina. Oh, looks like Midoriynya wants to sit with us today. I can see his clan looking all sad that he isn't sitting with them today. I'm not sure why, but their downcast expressions amuse me.

"Hey Catia, I had a question about yesterday's mock battles." I move my tail, motioning for him to continue. "Well, I noticed that you didn't use all of your cats. I was just wondering if there was a reason for that? Sure, you still won even without using them all, but the fact that you only didn't summon one might be an indication of some kind of limit or backlash. How often exactly do you summon all of your cats?"

It takes me a few moments to parse the deluge of words, but when I do I realize that he's right. "Nya. I guess I never really nya all of them at the same time." I frown. "Thinking about it, I always leave one cat un-nyad. I feel like there's a reason, but I cat recall it."

I fall into thought, trying to recall a time when I've summoned each cat available to me, but I draw up a blank. I think there was a time I did it during training with Coach and Himiko, but for some reason the details are furry.

I'm pulled from my thoughts by the loud blaring of an alarm. Luckily it's not too loud, since it's just the bell ringing and a voice saying 'level three security breach'. Guess they took into account students with sensitive hearing when they set it up.

While I'm praising the alarm, people flood out of the cafeteria, clogging up the halls in their panic to get to safety. Of course, my table has stood as well, but instead of rushing they're urging me to get up. Rolling my eyes, I stand and walk over to the window, crossing my arms at what I see. Looking back, I use my tail to point, encouraging the others to see as well.

Confused, they do so, realization and relief dawning on their faces as they see that it's just the media. But that still leaves the problem of the mob clogging the hallway...

"So Catia, you have any tricks on how to get the dummies panicking to calm down?"

I roll my eyes at Mina's question. Just because I'm amazing doesn't mean that I have a solution to every problem. But in this case I do. But it's... uncomfortable.

But seeing everyone's expectant looks, I just sigh. "Fine... but someone is going to get clawed if I do it."

They exchange looks, suddenly much less enthused about calming everyone else down. But Midorinya still steps up. "I'll do it." But his face still shows his worry. "But, um, do I really have to get clawed for you to do it?"

My ears twitch as I shrug with a displeased expression. "Well, I'm going to claw whoever does it. Though I suppose you can have Todoroki nya you some ice armor. Arm, chest, and face."

Looking at him, he gets a nod and his upper body is swiftly covered in a layer of ice five inches thick, with holes for his mouth so he can breathe. We make our way to the back of the crowd and I take a deep breath. "Ok, Midorinya, grab my tail as tightly as you can."

He blinks in surprise but listens. But his grip is far too weak, making me scowl. "Nyo. Grab it. Hard, nya. If it doesn't hurt, it won't work."

He hesitates, driving my nerves up even more. "Hurry up, nya! Either nya it or don't, but don't act like you are and th- MEEEEOOOWWWWHHHH!!!"

He suddenly reaches out his other hand and grabs my tail, squeezing as tightly as he can. Crying out in pain it echoes down the hall in a caterwaul, causing a good deal of students to hold their ears in pain. I, meanwhile, whirl on Midorinya with my claws extended and do my best to dig them through the ice armor.

Long grooves are dug into the ice covering his arms, trailing up to his chest where my claws are buried into the ice of his chest about halfway through. Growling, I try to pull them out so I can try again, but Todoroki puts his right hand on his shoulder and more ice covers my hands, freezing me to Midorinya.

It takes a few seconds, but I manage to calm down thanks to Mina and Toru scratching behind my ears. The mob in the hallway is looking at us now, shocked into silence. Seeing that I've calmed down, Todoroki burns off the ice, disconnecting me from Midorinya. But I'm in no mood to explain anything to them anymore. And since Midorinya is still mostly frozen, that only leaves one person.

While I rub my tail, I nudge Mina to explain. Though surprised, she does so. "Hey everyone! So, it's not an attack on the school or anything. The media just got inside. Which might be worse? Aizawa Sensei would think so. Anyways, you'll see them if you look out the window, so just calm down. What if someone got hurt in your rush to avoid publicity?"

She snorts. "Just imagine the headline: Students at the hero school UA trample each other in their rush to avoid the press. What are they hiding?" She glares at them, an effect magnified by her black sclera. "Not only yours, but the school's reputation would drop faster than if it was hot. So get a grip!"

A few of them try to force their way to the window while others head back to their seats to finish their lunch with contrite looks on their faces. Seeing the results, I nod and lean in next to Mina's ear.

"I mew there was a reason I voted for you."

I don't see the blush turning her cheeks purple.