List of Hayate The Combat Butler Characters - Tennousu Household

Tennousu Household

Athena Tennousu (天王州 アテネ, Tennōsu Atene?)

Voiced by: Ayako Kawasumi

Athena is a daughter of the Tennousu family and is revealed to be one of the five directors in charge of Hakuou Academy in the manga. She has mainly appeared in the manga. She has only been shown in the anime during a brief flashback where Hayate reflects on his first girlfriend. Her parents are presumed missing or dead, since she lived alone. She is Hayate's old girlfriend, as well as his first Mistress, whom he met 10 years ago. Since he was very young at that time, he called her "A-tan" (アーたん Ā-tan?) for short. He lived with her for a while at her castle "Royal Garden". There she taught Hayate how to do house chores such as cleaning and cooking. She even taught him sword fighting. She also healed Hayate's body and reinforced it with some kind of spell, which could be the reason for Hayate's power.

Both of them cared deeply for each other, to the point in which they decided to spend their life together. That decision was taken after Hayate worked really hard to get a present for Athena. He was able to get her a ring. However, the ring was designed to fit a grown up woman. Despite that, the simple fact Hayate did that much for her made Athena really happy. Right after he gave her that ring, she told him that engagement rings came in pairs, and so she took a ring from one of her pockets and gave it to Hayate, saying both of them would wear those rings when they grow up. After this event, Hayate was able to convince Athena to live with him and his parents, and once so he decided to finally confront his parents and tell them about this. At the beginning, it seemed things were heading into a positive direction, but his parents betrayed him once again, by pawning the ring he had received from Athena, which he had entrusted them.

By the time Hayate had returned to the Royal Garden, to pick Athena up, she had already seen the things Hayate and his parents had. Athena told Hayate not to see his parents again, telling them they were the worst kind of people. Hayate, not understanding why Athena was behaving this way, tried to defend his parents. After a short, but heated discussion, Hayate couldn't take it any longer, and without realizing it, he told Athena she wouldn't be able to understand him, because she didn't have any parents. Before he was even able to take his words back, Athena, angered, attacked him, and so they ended up fighting. During their battle, Hayate was able to notice giant spectra with the shape of a skeleton with horns on its skull. Apparently, Athena was completely unaware of its presence and unable to see it. However, it is later revealed that the skeleton is a personal summon which she uses to kill. Hayate's and Athena's battle ended up in a tie. Once the battle was over, Athena told Hayate he could leave, and, saddened due to their fight, Hayate left. Immediately afterwards, Athena tried to call him back, but it was too late, for Hayate was no longer there. Then, saddened because of Hayate's departure, she broke into tears, realizing she had ended up alone once again.

After leaving the Royal Garden, Hayate began wandering in the streets aimlessly, as he was still deeply saddened because of his fight with Athena. Eventually and surprisingly, he met his elder brother, who told him to apologize. Hayate, following his brother's advice, tried to return to apologize, but he could no longer reach the Royal Garden. At the end of volume 17, it was revealed that Nagi's grandfather, Sanzen'in Mikado, bought the land where the Royal Garden existed and built Hakuō Academy on it.

Athena and Hayate still dream about these events, even after 10 years. While Hayate expresses his longing to see Athena again, Athena's feelings are unclear. She referred to the dream as "extremely detestable", but then in her thoughts she said: "Even though I've cried my tears dry that day, you still appear in my dreams...” Athena's earliest appearance is in chapter 88 when Hayate explains the reason he doesn't deserve to be a girlfriend to Hinagiku and the others. She then appears in chapter 144 when Hayate remembers her after saying that he's not good with girls; in chapter 172, when Hayate cries about her when Izumi asks him what his first girlfriend was like; in chapters 178–187 when Hayate meets her as a child; and in chapter 196, when Hanabishi asks if Hayate wants to confess to a partner.

In chapter 233 of the manga, Hayate finally meets Athena after 10 years. Much to his surprise, she shows no signs of remembering him and kicks him out. Afterwards, she is shown calling out his name in private while blushing, revealing that she lied to him. Later, it is also revealed that she is also friends with Hinagiku, but didn't talk to her for a while because Hinagiku also gave her the nickname "A-Tan". In chapter 239, Hayate admits to Hinagiku (who was just about to confess to him) that he is in love with Athena.

After Hayate's fight with Machina she was the one who treated him and brought him into the mansion. Later, Hayate manages to confront Athena. A fight ensues, where a skeleton hand attacks Hayate from A-tan's back wherein later Isumi arrives to aid Hayate and confirms that the skeleton hand is an honored spirit possessing Athena because of a deal. Hayate was left to decide to destroy the King's Stone and save Athena, but Nagi will lose the Sanzenin inheritance or protect it and ensure Nagi's safety, and let A-tan and the spirit unite. That honored spirit which possessed Athena is King Midas. In the latest chapter, it is revealed that Athena is still in love with Hayate, but regrets that events of the past made them part ways. After Nagi crushes the King's Stone herself and entrusts Hayate in protecting her in the future, Hayate determines and manages to rescue Athena from King Midas, which was apparently destroyed. After King Midas is destroyed, Athena originally intends to stay with Hayate, however she soon realizes that he cannot give up Nagi and so decides to part ways with him again (although on friendly terms this time). Before she leaves, she declares her love for Hayate and he does the same and apologizes for what he had said to Athena 10 years ago, thereby by settling their argument from the past. She later meets Nagi returning her hat but at the same time telling her that next time she will not return it (she is referring to Hayate) and gives her the empty ring box that Hayate got her, she is seen wearing the ring. In chapter 266, it was stated that Athena and Machina are going to go to Japan. Athena has since made a re-appearance in chapter 300 (both as the current and younger Athena). Athena then hands Hayate a ring (the one he gave her 10 years ago) then asks him to become her butler convincing him that she really is Athena. The nature of her return has not yet been revealed, but is hinted to be related to the Royal Garden and recovering Athena's lost memories and power. The key to regain it back was to stay with Hinagiku for at least 3 months (due to possessing the Shirosakura) at the Violet Mansion.

Machina (マキナ, Makina?)

Athena's butler. To date, he has only appeared in the manga. He appears to be slow on the uptake and is frequently called an idiot by his mistress, much to his chagrin. He loves hamburgers, but despite his small frame he was strong enough to lay a near fatal blow onto Hayate. He had also stated that he is not human, Machina seems to have the ability of superhuman strength just like Hayate does, he also has a hidden skill to transform himself into a giant serpent (which is his true form) with a jewel in its forehead. Machina gives Hinagiku the long white sword, Shirosakura to help Hayate save Athena.