Athena POV:

I was walking around the park admiring my surrounding. I came across a playground and see the kids playing. I smiled as I remember something in the past.

*Flashback*

Years Ago.

Third POV:

In a playground, in a school, there was a girl playing in the sandbox alone. She had wounds on her and was getting bullied by the kids in the school. She has blue fade to cyan hair and cyan eyes. But little does she know, there was a boy who saw her by the slides. He approached to her without her noticing.

Athena's POV:

"Hey there," I heard someone said behind me.

I turned around and saw a boy with black hair and light gray eyes. He also seemed to have wounds on him.

"Uhm, hi," I replied.

"Are you alright?" the boy asked, "you seem lonely."

"I am fine," I replied.

"Where do you have any friends? where are they?" the boy asked as he looked around.

"I don't have any," I replied, "don't you have any friends that you should play with."

"Oh, I don't have any either," the boy said.

I was shocked he didn't have.

"Hey, I can be your friend," Cole said with a smile.

"Really?" I asked with a shocked expression as I got up.

"Yeah," the boy said with a reassuring smile, "I am Cole Stronghold, what's yours?"

"Uhm, My name is Athena Williams," I replied with a smile.

"Nice to meet you Athena," Cole said with a smile as he lent his hand out.

"Hai!" I said with a smile and we shook hands.

As time went by, we made multiple memories, from when we were kids until sixth grade. I remember Cole would defend me from my bullies and sometimes ended up getting hurt by his bullies. Everytime I tried to stand up for him, he tells me he should handle it himself.

"You idiot, you know you shouldn't go through that much trouble," I said as I bandaged my friend up.

"Hehe, sorry to worry you, your my friend I should stand up to you," Cole said, "Why? you worried?"

"Of course I am, idiot," I said.

"Well, at least I'm your idiot," Cole said with a smirk making me blush.

"Baka!" I said and accidently pulled the bandage hard making it tighten around Cole's arm.

"Ow," Cole said.

I realized what I did and said, "Gomenasai."

"It's alright," Cole said with a smile.

Another time, I was walking on my way back to my house with a bag with bubble tea and in the corner of my eye, I saw someone sitting in the dark alleyway. I went a little closer and saw Cole. My eyes widened with shock and I went to him.

"Cole?" I asked as I gently shook his shoulder. He woke up and looked at me.

"Athena," he said.

"What are you doing here alone?" I asked and eyed his black backpack.

"I ran away from my home," Cole replied as he looked away from me.

"Why?" I asked.

"I, got into an argument with, my father.. I just, can't stand my father abusing me anymore," Cole replied still looking away from me.

"Your father, was abusing you?" I asked in disbelief and shock.

He looked away and hesitantly nodded before staying silent, I went to him and sat next to him to try and provide some comfort, I couldn't just leave him here.

"Could you, please tell me everything, I'm here to hear you out you know..?" I said in a calm and reassuring tone hoping he would open up. Seeing him in a state like this is just.. I can't stand seeing him like this...

He didn't reply at first and just glanced at me before looking away as he sighed, before saying, "M-my parents, divorced when I was only four years old, turns out my mother was cheating behind my father's back a year after I was born, which made everything go downhill when my father found out. Ever since she left, he abused me to when he felt like it, saying I was just a disappointment, along the lines of me just being a damn failure.. It continued for years and, I couldn't bring myself to, tell anyone, that includes you, Athena.."

"Cole," I managed to say but was left shocked after hearing what he told me.

Cole chuckled a little before speaking as his voice sounded a little broken and I could tell he was trying to put up an act that he isn't trying to cry, "Guess now you must think I'm pathetic huh? Who knew Cole Stronghold, the one acting all high and mighty all the time turns out to be nothing but a weakling.. Honestly, I'm such a loser. I'm so sorry Athe-"

I clenched my hands into fists and before he could finish, I punched him at the side. That did hurt for him as he clenched his arm.

"Ow, what was that fo-?" Cole was about to ask as he faced me a little, but I cut him off with a hug as some tears rolled down my eyes.

"Insult yourself one more damn time and I'm punching you harder! Listen to me, you're no disappointment nor a damn failure, and don't you dare call yourself a loser or a weakling cause you're not any of that! You're an amazing person who is just trying his best! So what if you act all high and mighty all the time and show some considered "weaknesses", why should it be such a big deal, we all have our times of weakness?! And who cares about that man, whatever reason they have for their actions towards you, it is no damn excuse for them to put you in this misery?! You have your own feelings, you're your own person, you may act like an idiot at times, but I don't mind at all! I want to see you like how you were in those usual days, smiling and laughing ready to face whatever the world throws at them, not in this miserable state you're currently in okay! So don't you dare talk down on yourself you hear me!" I shouted as I hugged him tightly.

"Athena," Cole said seemingly in shock.

I hugged him tightly and eventually, he hugs back, I felt some of his tears fall on my shirt but I don't mind, if he needs a person to lean on, I'm willing to be that person for him. He's always been there for me, so I'll be there for him through it all.

"T-thank you, I really appreciate it," Cole said as I smiled a little.

"You're welcome, Cole.." I reply and we stayed like that for a while before separating and wiping our tears away.

"Well, since you have nowhere to go, you can stay at my place," I offered as I gave a smile.

This shocked Cole as he looks at me.

"Y-you don't have to you know?" Cole responds.

"Yes I do, you're my bestfriend, you've always been there for me. So it's about time I repay it," I said with a smile and determination as I got up and lent my hand out, "Let's go, shall we?"

Cole smiled and said, "Arigato, Athena."

I smiled in response and I brought Cole to my house. I was relieved my father wasn't there and Cole went to take a shower and changed clothes. Two weeks went by and Cole doesn't know my secret. But this day is when he found out.

I was in an argument with my father when he then hit me with one of his beer bottles. I fell on my side and placed my hand on my wound, feeling some blood. Just as I was about to say something, I heard a familiar voice, one I wished I didn't hear at the moment at a terrible time.

"Athena?" the voice called out and me and my father looked.

My eyes widened when I see Cole standing there shocked. Why did he have to see me like this?

"C-Cole," I said.

He then ran to me and checked. His expression then changed and he stood up to face my father.

"What on earth is wrong with you?!" He exclaimed, "How dare you hurt your own daughter?!"

"So what, she is my daughter, I do what I want?" my father said while being partially drunk.

"You're her damn father, you should love your child, what would your wife say if she saw you doing this you bastard?!" Cole shouted.

My father was stunned by what Cole said. Cole then helped me up and we went to my room. In my room Cole grabbed the medkit and aided my wound.

"Why didn't you tell me, Athena?" Cole asked with a concerned look.

"I'm sorry, I just didn't want to bother you," I said as I felt like I wanted to cry but I held it back.

"I'm your bestfriend Athena, you can tell me anything you know, I'm willing to listen to you," Cole said.

"I just can't believe your father would do such a thing," Cole said as his expression change.

"There, is a reason why," I said, making Cole look at me.

"My mother died after giving birth to me. My father would often blame me for her death and would drink everyday. And even some times hurt me while drunk," I said as I cried.

I then felt someone hug me, it was Cole.

"It wasn't your fault, it was out of your control Athena, and even so, you don't deserve to be treated this way. It's like you said before, whatever the reason is it is no excuse to be treated so terribly," Cole said.

I hugged back and said, "I know but, t-thank you, Cole."

"Anytime Athena, I always got your back," he replied.

We then separated from the hug.

"You know what, pack your stuff, we're leaving," Cole said as he went to grab his stuff.

"Where are we gonna go?" I asked as I got off the bed.

"We are gonna live by ourselves in the backstreets, it may be hard but it's better than living with an abusive parent. After all, we have each other," Cole said as he looked at me with a smile in the last phrase.

I blushed but it soon disappeared and said, "Hai."

I got my stuff and we snuck out. We lived alone in an abandoned house for weeks until we met Kudou-sensei. He offered us to stay in the base if we became assassins of Raimon and pass the exam. We agreed and passed the test. Now we are living in Raimon happily with new friends.

*Flashback end*

I smiled at the memories.

"Hey Athena," I heard someone said.

I looked and saw Cole running to me. He then stopped when he caught up to me.

"Oh, hey Cole," I said with a smile, "How did you know I was here?"

"Oh, I asked the others and they said you went here," Cole replied with a smile.

"Why? you worried?" I asked.

"Hey, that was my line," Cole said, causing me to giggle.

"Beat ya too it," I said with a smile.

"So Athena, wanna go to the bubble tea store, it's my treat," Cole said with a smile.

"Sure thing," I replied as I smiled back.

We both then went to the bubble tea store and bought some. After we finished, we went back to base and everything was great for the rest of the day. I'm really glad I made a friend to help me through it all from the beginning before we got to where we are now. Honestly, I probably wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you so, thank you, Cole.