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Shouta woke early for a Sunday, showered and dressed. He gathered a few other things he had prepared the night before, filled his backpack and left the apartment quietly allowing his roommate to sleep in. He walked slowly down the tree lined streets in their neighborhood rather than driving today. Spring was in full bloom, cherry blossoms bursting as typical of early May. He nodded to the shopkeeper, entering to grab a quick cup o’joe and a large bag of kibble.
Continuing up the hill, a few strays followed after him. He usually had treats in his pockets. By now Shouta smiled, generations of kittens had grown up knowing him. He had multiple feeding stations in the neighborhood always responsibly attended to, filled with kibble and water. He trapped the cats when needed, bringing them to the vet if they appeared injured or ill. He helped fund the spay and neuter clinics yearly. The clinics also knew to call him if there was a client who could not afford the care their cat needed. They never knew Eraserhead was their anonymous benefactor. He remembered a time he did not feel capable of helping even one stray kitten, unlike his friend Oboro.
He stopped at the first feeding station, opened the kibble bag, and refilled the bowls. He’d need to come later with the water jug. One of the kittens had been getting closer and closer to Shouta, almost letting him reach out to pat her. She was an orange tabby. Reminded him of Sushi, the cat Oboro saved and brought to their class when they were first years.
Today was a special day. Shouta had spent the evening before steaming, flaking and packing up a number of fish into a few ziplock pouches. He mixed the flakes with a bit of broth and powdered vitamins. He laid out a clean multi pet feeding station and filled each bowl with the fish meal. He quietly watched a small distance away as the cats eagerly gobbled up the special treat.
“Good morning Aizawa-Sensei”. Iida jogged past during his morning work-out. He had already made it out of earshot by the time Shouta replied.
Shouta continued on to each station, filling the bowls with kibble and the fish treat. He’d pick the extra bowls up later when he came by with the water.
He sat on the stairs outside UA for a moment. There was one small stray in particular Shouta was monitoring. She was a puffy, light grey kitten, almost white, with blue eyes and a little scratch across her nose. The last time Shouta sat on the stairs she came within a hands length of allowing Shouta to pet her, but moved off just a bit more each time he tried.
Shouta made some little sounds that usually drew her out of her hiding place, under a bush near the walkway. He waited. He shook the little bag of treats and saw her slink out from under the bush and make her way to the stairs. “Works every time doesn’t it” he said amused, referring to the bag shake. She stayed on the pathway regarding Shouta, who noticed the tip of her tail was moving calmly and was pleased. He moved slowly, tossed a treat at her feet. She gobbled it up. He tossed a second treat one step closer and she complied. He slowly pulled out another bowl and another bag with the fish meal.
The kitten rubbed the first stair. She walked up and came within two steps of where Shouta sat. She moved a little left and to Shouta’s surprise bumped his foot with her head. He spoke quietly to the kitten trying to keep her feeling at ease. She came up one more, then another and regarded him with her pale blue eyes and a quiet purr. Shouta waited speaking quietly.
“You know little one, UA has a tradition of having a school cat” Shouta related to the kitten. “Mmm hmm,” he continued with his deep voice almost sounding like a purr as it rumbled in his chest.
“The first school cat was called Sushi, she lived here for 12 years. She was just a kitten when she arrived. She was wet, she was cold but my friend, Oboro brought her in and we gave her a home” Shouta told the kitten. “I dropped the ball that day, but my friend picked it up and saved that kitten.”
The kitten came up and smelled the bowl but did not eat, sitting there regarding her companion.
“Ok, I know my cooking isn’t the best but give it a try, eh?” He smiled looking gently at the kitten. “It would be nice if today was the day little one.”
The kitten sniffed and started to lap at the fish meal. “There you go, no that bad,” Shouta held out his hand as the kitten continued to feed.
“He would have been 32 today, my friend Oboro” Aizawa sniffed as the kitten finished up her meal licking her paws. He gently moved the bowl aside and waited. “He would have been a great hero” he added.
Shouta’s hand remained at his side as the kitten slowly nudged it. “Sushi was shy at first too, it’s ok.” Shouta carefully took the bowl and placed it in his backpack. As he was zipping up the bag the kitten came up and rubbed Aizawa in the side. He stayed seated, bringing his hand in closer to his body. The kitten nudged his hand again and allowed Aizawa to scratch her neck and chin.
“I heard there’s a job opening for school cat, interested?” In answer the kitten padded onto Aizawa’s lap continuing to bump his hand for scratches. Musing Aizawa added “However, lately with my current litter of problem children, you might be more comfortable in a home. It can get pretty loud and fiery in there of late” Shouta added thumbing toward the school.
As if in response the kitten put her paws on his chest and rubbed Aizawa’s stubbly chin. He gently held her in one arm while pulling his backpack on the other shoulder. The kitten was already nodding off before he was down the stairs to the walkway. Aizawa knew the value of a good nap.
He laughed quietly, so as not to wake her. Looking up, he chuckled, “ Hey Oboro, it’s as if we were made for each other this one and me. Hizashi’s going to kill me.”