They eventually reached the principal's office where they were instructed to sit down in front of Nezu's desk. Trace sat down without hesitation, while Mineta hesitantly sat down.
"Now, I want to know when this all started between you two", Nezu said sternly.
Trace shrugged, "I truly don't know when this grudge started for Mineta, but for me, it started when he called me a murderer the day Hatsume modified the inhibitors".
Nezu simply nodded before turning to Mineta, "and what about you young man", Nezu looked angry almost.
Mineta simply looked to the ground, "the day he and Mina kissed",
"Now then", Nezu looked to Mineta first this time, "why was there a grudge to begin with".
Mineta sighed, "I was angry that he was such a chick magnet, I got angry and tried to make it seem like he was only here for the ladies, so they would stop showing so much affection to him".
Trace froze at that. "Oh god, please tell me I didn't attract every girl who has met me". Trace covered his face, glowing red in embarrassment.
"Now then", Nezu said, turning to Trace, "how did you end up with a grudge".
Trace didn't hesitate, "He insulted me, saying how I planned to just kill everyone once I gained their trust".
Nezu nodded, thinking long and hard about the facts. After a few minutes of silence, Nezu turned to Trace. "I apologize but these incidents all seem to be revolving around you Trace", Nezu continued, voice quite stern, "A half-hour ago, Monoma came to me saying you threatened to kill him for simply trying to talk to you", Trace's eyes held more confusion than anything, "While I don't really trust Monoma's story, I wish to hear why the incident occured", Nezu put his hands together, leaning forward a tiny bit.
Trace closed his eyes for a second, trying to steel himself for the anger that would most likely ensue. He pressed the buttons on his wristbands, letting the chemical work its way through him for a few seconds before starting. "Monoma approached my table, and began telling me it would be better if I died, or even just gave up on being a hero since he thinks I'm holding class 1-a back, He told me to KILL myself". Trace's eyes began glowing yellow. "And you want to know the worst part", Trace asked angrily.
Nezu, All Might, Aizawa, and Midnight all looked at Trace with worry,
Trace removed his hoodie to show 3 lines on his neck, as well as his numerous scars on his arms. "I nearly listened to him", Everyone in the room went wide-eyed, "I was on the roof, about to jump when Yaoyorozu found me and started trying to talk me down, I wouldn't listen so I jumped, but my friends, caught me, I struggled to try to get away, but they were adamant so I gave in… all I could think about was how useless I am, I wanted to give up thanks to Monoma, but also thanks to Me showing my anger to the entire lunch room", Trace's eyes were pure gold, "I showed everyone my anger, so I ran away once I realized what I did".
Shoto simply scoffed, "so you were in the right, never in the wrong".
Many eyes turned to Aizawa with anger. Except for Trace. "I was completely in the wrong, If I had kept my past bottled up, no one would have known, then maybe others would be safe". Trace looked to the ground, eyes grey again.
"Even if you were in the wrong, we all know of your condition Trace", Midnight began, putting a hand on Trace's shoulder.
Trace moved out of her grip. "I don't want pity, I don't want sympathy, I just want to disappear". Tears were falling from Trace's face, but his voice held steady. "I know people don't like that I'm here… hell, I've received death threats from students wearing hockey masks, I would understand being kicked out for my past". Trace had become quiet, simply staring at his hands.
"I didn't mean it that way Trace", Aizawa said, groaning at his poor choice of words, "I meant they lit the fuse and kept pushing their luck".
"It's fine Mr.Aizawa", Trace said, never turning his gaze from his hands, "I have been a liability for a while now haven't I".
"You're not a liability", Nezu said firmly, surprising Trace, "Did you not save your classmates from the Nomu, did you not win the sports festival, did you not fight and beat the hero killer stain". Nezu sounded slightly angry, but mostly supportive. "My point is Trace, you are an amazing hero and a student who wishes to learn as much as possible in order to help those in need, it doesn't matter if you fail at some point, because you are able to retry, the more you fall, the more you can get up. Every failure, every mistake, every fall, allows you to grow stronger, so it's not about being better than everyone, it's about being the best you can be".
"Thank you Nezu, that means a lot", Trace choked out.
"Hate to interrupt but someone wants to see you Trace", All Might said, pointing to the door.
"Please tell them to wait for me on the roof, I need some fresh air anyway", Trace said, wiping his eyes free of tears.
"Understood". All Might turned to the people outside and instructed them to meet him at the roof.
"I apologize for taking up your time Nezu, but I should probably make sure they aren't too worried about me", Trace said, with a slight joy in his voice.
"Not a problem", Nezu began, "just remember, we're here for you Trace, so don't feel afraid to say what's on your mind".
"Thank you Nezu", Trace said before standing up and turning to the door.
"Oh yeah, one more thing Trace", Nezu said quickly.
Trace turned to Nezu, confusion on his face. "Yes?".
"As much as Monoma deserved that, we don't want this to become a regular thing, so we are going to have to ask that you tone things down if possible".
"Understood sir, Thank you for informing me", Trace said before walking out the door.
Once the door shut, Aizawa sighed before turning to Mineta, "just this once Mineta, I'm going to overlook this incident, but don't cause another".
Mineta let out a tiny squeak before shaking his head furiously, "I understand sir, It won't happen again".
(about 5 minutes later)
Trace opened the door to the roof but didn't see anybody. He stepped out to look around, only to have a hand cover his mouth and his legs getting kicked from behind, bringing him to his knees.
"So you thought you could make a fool of me huh tough guy", a familiar voice said. Trace turned to look at the figure only to be stopped by a kick to the face. "You threatened me, and even attempted to kill me, they should have never let you into class 1-a".
Trace knew exactly who it was at that point. Monoma. "Dude, I honestly don't care anymore". Trace tried to get up, only to be kicked down again, this time a sharp pain jolting through his left leg.
"STAY ON THE GROUND WHERE YOU BELONG", Monoma said angrily. Monoma went to his right leg and stabbed clean through his calf, causing Trace to scream out in pain. "You're a peasant murderer, so stay at my feet where you belong".
"What are you doing to Trace", a voice said behind them.
Trace tried to look at the figure, but was kicked down once more.
"Just teaching him his place beneath me", Monoma said with a smirk.
"The day I'm below you is the day I-", Trace promptly had his throat slit causing him to attempt to scream out.
"Shut your damn mouth peasant", Monoma made sure to foot a foot on Trace for added insult.
"I am not a peasant Monoma, I am a hero, which is more than I can say for you", Trace began to shake with anger.
"Not a peasant you say", Monoma said maliciously, "Then why are you being stood on by me, while you're on the ground eating my dust".
Trace was done. He was literally just in the office, but he didn't care anymore. Trace let the darkness take him, healing his wounds instantly. He then left his shadow form and stood to his feet, nearly tripping Monoma.
Trace finally turned to see Bakugo standing there, anger seething from his face. "Trust me Bakugo, today's been pretty shitty". Trace turned his attention back to Monoma who was attempting to copy his Shadowstep ability. Trace simply stepped aside and grabbed Monoma by the back of his shirt.
Bakugo seeing this smirked, "You fucked up now blondie". He watched as trace drug him to the edge of the building making sure Monoma could see the edge clearly.
"You want me to jump? You want me to give up on life? How about you jump first". Trace flung Monoma over the edge watching as he began flailing, attempting to grab anything to slow his fall.
Monoma was mere feet away from the ground when he was caught by a barrier, sliding him to the ground safely. He hit the ground safely but received a good mouth full of grass which he promptly spit out.
Trace turned to look at Bakugo, "I'm gonna head to the office now, just let my friends know I might miss a class period", Trace said with a chuckle.
Bakugo however was full on laughing, "I should come with you. Knowing blondie, he'll probably weave a story about how we are bullying him or something".
Both kids finally settled, making their way to the Principal's Office. Once there, they knocked on the door, hearing a slight yelp of surprise from inside. "Come in", Nezu said, regaining his composure.
Trace opened the door and walked in, inciting a small sigh from Nezu. "What did you do Trace".
"Monoma tried to kill me", Trace said flatly, causing Nezu to spit his drink out.
"You are certain it was Monoma that attempted this", Nezu asked, confused.
"I am 99.99% sure Monoma was the one who attempted to kill me, though he should be in here any minute now", Trace said looking at his phone's clock.
Bakugo stepped forward with a calm face, "I went to the rooftop to get some air when I saw Monoma stabbing Trace through his legs, then slitting his throat open, if not for Djinn, Trace would be dead".
Right as Bakugo finished, a frantic knocking came from the door. Nezu sighed, realizing who it was pretty quickly. "Come in Monoma".
Monoma swung the door open to find Bakugo and Trace already inside. Monoma froze for a second before practically running to Nezu's desk. "THESE TWO ATTEMPTED TO KILL ME BY THROWING ME OFF THE ROOF", Monoma was terrified.
Nezu turned to Trace with a look of pure confusion, but also amusement. "What do you want to say Trace".
"I did throw him off the building, but-", Trace was quickly interrupted.
"SEE, HE ADMITTED TO THROWING ME OFF, THESE TWO SHOULD BE EXPELLED IMMEDIATELY", Monoma was screaming.
"Let me finish Monoma", Trace said calmly.
Monoma turned to Trace, seething with rage. "NO, ALL YOU ARE IS A MURDERER, PEOPLE LIKE YOU DON'T DESERVE TO BE AT THIS SCHOOL, YOU ONLY DESERVE PRISON", Monoma unsheathed a knife resting in a small pouch on his belt before Rearing back to swing at Trace. Trace threw up a barrier to defend, but didn't really need to, since Bakugo grabbed the hand wielding the knife.
"He doesn't deserve jail time", Bakugo spoke with such power and conviction. "He is a damn hero who deserves so much better than dealing with your sorry ass daily".
"Break it up students", anger filled Nezu's voice, causing everyone to freeze. "Monoma, after bearing witness to your attempt to injure Trace, you are to be suspended for an entire week, NOW GET OUT".
Monoma became wide-eyed, skin becoming paler by the second. "WAIT, PLEASE".
"I SAID GET OUT", Nezu stood on his chair, slamming his hands against his desk.
Monoma squeaked before running out of the office and off school grounds.
"NOW YOU TWO, WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK DID YOU DO", okay, forget angry…NEZU WAS FREAKING TICKED!
Trace sighed before activating his inhibitors for the third or fourth time today. "I activated my shadow step to heal my wounds… once that was done, I grabbed Monoma and threw him off the side of the building, forming a slide beneath him so he could slide safely down, I was pissed but I never had the intention to actually hurt him". Trace took a seat, feeling slightly light headed.
Bakugo surprisingly stayed quiet during all of this.
"Do you have proof of his harming you", Nezu asked, not angry, but still irritated.
"I have 2 scars on my calves, and a new line on my neck", Trace was beginning to grow frustrated.
"Apologies Mr.Wilqs, but I wish to see these scars as justification of your actions". Nezu reached into a compartment on his desk and pulled out a pot of tea.
Trace simply nodded before removing his hoodie, revealing 4 lines on his neck instead of three. He then rolled his pants legs up enough to show the scars where Monoma stabbed them. Nezu sat there bewildered.
They sat in silence for a few minutes before Trace spoke up. "I understand if I get punished, since I could have handled the situation without scaring him".
Nezu simply laughed at this. "I see no reason to punish you for defending yourself, Monoma attempted to kill you so I think it's justifiable that you granted him safe entry to the ground level".
"Thank you Nezu", Trace bowed to Nezu, "And I promise I'll try to reduce the number of times I'm in here". With that, Trace and Bakugo left the room, heading for their class.
About 2 minutes into the walk, Bakugo spoke up. "I heard about what happened after the lunchroom incident".
"Yeah", Trace said quietly. "I was broken".
Bakugo stopped moving, causing Trace to stop as well. "Look", Bakugo began, "Monoma is just a bitch who thinks he can kick around whoever he wants, but he doesn't understand the concept of compassion or knowing when to stop".
Trace chuckled at this, "yeah… Monoma is kind of a jackass".
"Look", Bakugo sighed, "I don't want you to hurt yourself".
Trace turned, surprised before saying, "How long".
Bakugo simply shrugged, "about 3 months ago, but don't worry, I can keep a secret, but don't let anyone else see those scars".
Trace looked to the ground, sighing. "I just need to clear my head", Trace raised a hand to look at it, "I need to get rid of those negative thoughts, for my friends".
Bakugo looked at his phone to pass some time when something caught his eye. "Hey Trace", Bakugo sounded slightly excited.
Trace turned to Bakugo, curiosity filling his voice. "Yeah".
In response, Bakugo showed his phone to Trace, revealing a trailer for an upcoming game named "A Way Out".
Trace immediately lit up like a christmas tree. "THEY ACTUALLY WENT THROUGH WITH IT, THESE GUYS ALSO MADE BROTHERS, THIS WILL BE AN AMAZING GAME".
Bakugo flashed a genuine smile, "There's the ball of energy I'm familiar with". He powered off his phone and put it back in his pocket.
Trace simply chuckled before checking his phone, eyes widening. "We got 20 minutes to get to class".
Both kids began running as fast as they could, making it with 15 minutes left.
