2 Years ago…

The sun was blasting constant heat and light all over Japan. The summer heat had really set in and people were just starting to adjust to the heat.

Mina: *Whistle*

Mina Hotaro, Freshman at Neo Domino Academy, Walks down the road near the school. It had been a long day for her. She had midterms and a physical examination in the gym. Nonetheless, she cheerfully walked home.

Nene: Goldilocks!

Mina: Oh no…. Nene-Kun… Formosa-Kun and Shira-san.

Three girls stood in front of her, blocking the path forward. The first one was nene, a brown haired, yellow eyed girl who wore a mini skirt and a tank top. She was mina's main bully back then and was proud of it. She took a sadistic pride in tormenting mina every day.
The other two girls were Formosa and Shira, her lackeys who barely had any personality besides praising nene.

Mina: -And the three bears.

Nene: I never thought I'd see trash like you around here.

Mina: … Around the school?

Nene: Don't get smart with me!

Nene got directly in front of mina. Their faces were inches a part and mina felt a bit nervous.

Nene: ….

Mina: ….

Formosa: Get her, nene!

Shira: Own that cow!

They cheered.

Mina: Nene! Can we please just skip all of this? I really need to get home.

Nene: No need to rush perfection! You sow! Bullying is an art to me and art needs time.

She spat in mina's face, causing Mina to revile in disgust.

Mina: Gosh, You are a bottomfeeder, you know….

Nene: Bottom…. Bottom?

Nene: How dare you bitch!

Nene: The only time I'm on bottom is when I'm in the bedroom! Bitch!

Nene winded up her arm and balled her fist, she thrust her fist directly into Mina's stomach, punching her directly in the abdomen.

Nene: Ha!

Mina: Grk!

Mina felt winded with nene's lunch launching the air from her lungs.
Mina fell to her knees in pain. Everything in her body hated nene and her ilk. She just wanted a peaceful existence which was denied by her.

Nene: Ah man! Bullying others makes me feel so much better about my own insecurities!

Nene: -Especially since she's so much fucking prettier than me.

Nene: Dammit…..

Nene stared at mina.

Nene: Big breasts, Shapely hips, Round ass….

Nene: WHY CAN'T I BE LIKE YOU!

Nene kicked Mina in her stomach.

Nene: That body is freaking wasted on you…. If you weren't such a social anxious creep, you would probably have guys all over you.

Nene: -Just like I want….

Formosa: Hit her some more nene!

Shira: Yeah !hit her like your ex-boyfriend!

They shouted.

Nene: -But I figure if I beat you to a pulp then maybe I'll feel less like shit in comparison.

Nene sighed.

Mina: *Cough* You're t-that insecure?

Nene: Yes.

She simply answered and spit on nene again.

Nene: Before I wail on her some more, do you want to get some punches in.

Shira: Nah, I'm satisfied just watching you, nene.

Formosa: I just wanna see her shit herself!

Nene: Ha! You're both so degenerate!

Nene: Alright mina! Here it comes!

Nenew indeed winded up another punch, Her arm flexing back as she stored up force within it. She seemed to take pleasure in this bit of violence against mina as a wide smile formed on her face. Mina closed her eyes in anticipation as she prepared for another cacophony of pain.

-But that other punch never came.

Nene: Huh!?

Mina: Ah!

Mina looked up and saw another girl in front of her. She had dark purple hair that was long and silky like a spider web. She was wearing a school uniform, not dissimilar to Mina's own.

Akeno: Geez, The scum that this school lets into ranks.

She said as she clutched nene's fist in her hands.

Nene: Baka... Who the hell are you!

Akeno: Akeno Miruta, 1st year transfer student. Only been here 3 days.

Formosa: Transfer from where? Osaka? Tokyo?

Akeno: Portland,Oregon.

Shira: EW! She's American. The land of Mcdonalds,Baseball and sexist politicians. How disgusting.

Nene: That's besides the fact, you idiots!

Nene twisted her knuckles to break free of akeno's grip.

Akeno: Gah!

Her attempt proved successful as akeno grip broke and men's hand broke free.

Nene: Heh…..

Nene: You know * I was hoping to just beat up one pretty girl today.

Akeno: ….?

Nene: Ah~ But It looks like I get to beat up two~ that'll do good for my libido tonight.

Akeno: Sheesh. The psychotoism is real with this one.

She glared at nene.

Akeno: -But if your going to throw a punch or kick or whatever. I'll give you one free shot.

She exclaimed.

Nene: Ha really? You sure about that?

Akeno: Yeah sure. Take your best shot.

She said.

Nene: Fine. You're gonna regret this! Grah!

Nene Balled up her fist and swung once again at akeno! Her fist traveled through the air much faster than the last time, emphasizing her anger and derision for akeno.

Nene: Ha!

Akeno: Omae wa mou shindeiru.

Nene: Nani?

Akeno dodged out of the way! She seemingly disappeared out of view, while nene looked around for a few seconds. She screeched: "Where the hell did she go!" while panicking.

Akeno: Right here.

*WHAM*
From behind, akeno wound up her arm and thrust her arm forward, punching nene right in the back, causing her to fall forward.

Nene: Gah! I thought you said I could get a free shot?

Akeno: Did I? Yeah, I lied.

Nene: You bitch….

Akeno: Heh, that's my line.

Akeno giggled. Mina looked on with interest, she'd never seen anyone stand up for her like this.

Mina: (Wow. I can't believe someone has come to my rescue. Usually people just point and laugh at me when I'm bullied or even join in.)

Mina: (This feeling in my heart….. is it the feeling of camaraderie?)

Nene: Heh, You think your soooooo smart, dont ya bitch!?

Akeno: Jesus, You're starting to sound like every cliche 80s villain ever.

Akeno rolled her eyes. As nene did a pose from some sort of fictional media.

Nene: Heh. This isn't even my final form!

Mina: ( S-She's quoting anime now?)

Akeno: Good God, Quit while you're ahead. You're so cringe.

Nene: I'll show you who's cringe!

Nene squatted downward and shouted

Nene: This is my ultimate attack!

She wound up her fist once more with a sense of rage. An immense power swelled up in the girl with her stance becoming more and more outlandish. Akeno just rolled her eyes and lurched forward she thrust her fist into Nene's pelvis, causing her to wretch in pain.

Akeno: Please shut up.

Nene: AGH! R-Right in the baby maker...

She keeled over in pain as her two lackeys watched on in horror.

Formosa: Holy shit, nene's down!

Shira: Ah! Strategic retreat!

They both ran away.

Akeno: Dorks.

Mina: W-Wow.

Mina stood up and brushed herself off. She took a deep sigh of relief, realizing that her bully had been dealt with. She glanced at Akeno for a second before shyly turning her head away. She then walked over to Akeno and bowed to her.

Mina: T-Thank you for sticking up for me!

Akeno: Whatever.

Mina: I-I really mean it! Nene-chan can be really troublesome sometimes.

Akeno: Beating you up to make herself feel better is far beyond 'troublesome' you wench.

Akeno spat.

Mina: I know but…. I can't really bring myself to fight back against her.

Akeno: *Sigh*

Akeno: Mina right?

Mina: Huh?

Akeno: That's your name - Mina, isn't it?

She asked.

Mina: Yeah….

Akeno: Hmph. Let's get one things straight-

Akeno: I didn't save you out of the goodness of my heart. I did it cuz you're weak.

Mina: Ah...!

Akeno: -And you need to get stronger.

She looked Mina in the eyes.

Mina: Uh…. I don't know what to say to that.

Akeno: How about - 'I'll stab nene in the butt the next time she fucks with me!'

Mina: I-I couldn't say that!

Akeno: Exactly. Because you're a sweet little powdered cupcake, who frolics in grasslands and sniffs petunias in her free time.

She rolled her eyes.

Mina: You're being very unreasonable.

Akeno: 'You're being very unreasonable' she says in a prissy voice.

Mina: …? Akeno right? I appreciate the help but I can't really be who you want me to be.

She says

Akeno: Yes you can!

Akeno said and grabbed her by the chest!

Mina: Ah!

Akeno: You have to! This is a 'dog eats dog's world! You need to toughen up! Cute girls like don't last long in this-

She suddenly stopped herself.

Akeno: *Ahem* Look. If you really don't want me to help you, then fight back.

Akeno: I can't stand seeing girls like you getting pounded on like that. It makes my stomach sick.

Mina: (You….)

Akeno: Otherwise I'm going to keep on fighting. For you and for all the people like you.

Akeno proclaimed while staring into her eyes. She let go of her chest and began to walk away.

Mina: (Wow…. For the first time in life someone stood up for me. Finally, it feels like someone is on my side.)

Mina: (- And yet…. She still lectured me like she expects something from me in return. I suppose that's how most social relationships work but…)

Mina: (This one feels different, Like a bond that could last forever.)

Mina realized that she perhaps had a one in a lifetime opportunity here and decided to take it.

Mina: Hey! Akeno! Wait up.

Akeno: Hm?

Mina: Could we be friends?

Akeno: You bastard….

Mina: Huh?

Akeno: You don't just ask someone to be your friend. Friendship comes naturally over time.

She explained.

Mina: Oh.

Akeno: That being said, I suppose we could get to know each other better.

Akeno smiled at mina.

Mina: Oh!

Akeno: Heh….

Akeno: Just know being friends with me is going to be trouble, don't you know. The only thing I'm interested in is fighting and duel monsters.

Mina: Heh, I get it.

Mina smiled back at her.

The two girls continued to walk forward together. They talked about various things such as their pasts, their futures, duel masters and self defense methods. Just in this single day, they bonded so much and so fast. It truly goes to show how friendships and platonic love can form over the smallest of traumas and how the human experience isn't limited by anything.