What is it exactly that causes someone to change? As I know it, it's usually some sort of outside force. No one ever just wakes up and says, 'shit, I'm going to change the way I *insert most hated factor about themselves'. We get to the point of wanting to change because something makes us, whether we realize it or not.

Say you have a heart attack, that event will usually cause someone to change his or her diet. Or let's say you fail a test, the sane person would then change their study habits in order to get a higher grade.

But the worst kind of change is when someone rather than a something causes it.

Change is hardly ever self-propelled. Source: me.

That being said, even I'm a victim of such an event. Hard as I tried to prevent myself from changing, looking back at it now, I never stood a chance.

The train rocks back and forth as I try to keep my balance.

The handrails are pretty high up aren't they? Must be a pain being short. Not that I'm tall, maybe slightly above average. I had been told I slouch though, so who knows, maybe I'm taller than the average Japanese male.

I think as I look to the plastic strap my hand was currently gripping tightly as to not topple over with the trains twists and turns.

I wonder if this is what it feels like to surf? Probably not.

The train came to a stop bringing me out of my, what one could only describe as, meaningless thoughts.

Today, I seemed to be having more useless thoughts than normal.

Was I excited?

I asked myself as I stepped out of the train and onto the platform.

I shouldn't be. Right?

I ask myself but there is no response.

I guess I am.

I make my way to the meeting place we had decided on beforehand: The digital clock display in front of the station.

As I walked over, I noticed the person that I was supposed to be meeting was already there.

It was cold out today so she wore a black coat a yellow skirt with black leggings and brown boots with a red scarf that loosely wrapped around her neck.

It is pretty cold today.

I think as I bury my hands into my own coat pockets and dig my face into the scarf I had tightly wrapped around my face.

Her expression was solemn, lonely even, but once she noticed me, I saw her eyes light up while a small smile began to take form. But as soon as we made eye contact she gave me a pout and turned away.

What the hell is that? I saw how happy you were a second ago! Don't try to hide it.

"Yo." I say as I raise my hand for a greeting.

"You're late." She says. Face still turned away.

"Um no. I'm actually five minutes early. If anything, you're too early."

She responds by crossing her arms.

Are you a kid? Should I pat your head and say sorry?

"What? Were you that exited for today?" I tease her now. Can't help it. If you act like a spoiled brat I'll pick on you, although her pouts are pretty cute. Can't have her knowing that though. She'd use it all the time. Hell, she uses it all the time now.

Wait. Does she know?

"Huhh?!" She yelled as she whipped around finally facing me, however instead of crossed arms, her hands now rested on her hips.

Nice reaction.

"My train just happened to get here faster than I thought. You should be happy I decided to stick it out in the cold and wait for you!" She finished with a 'hmph!'.

I can't help but grin.

Behind a blush she says, "Don't give me that look! That's it! You're buying me whatever I want today!" As she hurriedly wrapped her arm with mine, practically dragging me with her.

"Yes, ma'am…and thanks for waiting out in the cold for me."

She slows down her pace and without looking at me she says. "As long as you're grateful…I don't really mind"

I can't really see her face as her hair is blocking most of it, but I can still make out the warm smile forming across on her rosy face.

Surprisingly she's easy to get along with. I honestly thought this relationship would be impossible. But the more time I spent with her the more I became attracted to her. She wasn't like anything I thought she was like. Guess it's true; don't judge a book by its cover.

Damn was that cheesy. Left a bad taste.

"So where are you dragging me to today?"

"Hmm…How about we go shoe shopping? Oh, and then we can go to Karaoke!"

"Hell no. The last time we went shoe shopping you spent all day in there and never bought a thing. Also, I don't sing."

"Come on! I actually want to hear you sing!" She said as she gripped my arm tighter and pressed herself onto me.

Easy there! I can still feel them even through your thick coat.

"Why? So you can laugh?"

"No way I would do that!" She said as she used a hand to wave of the accusation.

"Even if that was the case, not gonna happen."

"A compromise."

I look at her and she looks back at me with expected eyes.

I let out a sigh.

"I'm listening."

"If you sing for me…" She stops walking, making me also stop. I look at her and notice her getting on her tiptoes to reach my ear as she whispers. "I'll do something nice for you."

This woman is damn dangerous!

She slowly plops down on her heels and mischievously smiles at me.

You're even more sly than a certain Kohai.

"What do you mean by that?"

"What do you want it to mean?" She says, smile never leaving.

"You should know I'm not some sort of saint. If you say things like that, my mind will automatically think of something lewd." I have yet to meet a guy who isn't a pervert to some degree. I mean, if I think about it, my computer is probably the best gift I've ever received from my parents. Guys are disgusting like that. Not that I care. I'm just saying.

"You're gross! Don't say things like that out loud!" She said slapping my shoulder.

"Then don't say suggestive things!"

"I should have known better." She said looking away from me in disgust.

"Alright, alright. So what would you do for me in exchange of me serenading you with my voice."

"Oh? So now you have confidence?"

I shrug my shoulders.

"Ok. If you sing for me, I'll do any one thing for you."

"Anything?"

"Any ONE thing."

"You already know what I'm going to ask you to do." I say with a smirk.

"You're seriously gross."

"That's the deal. Take it or leave it."

She stopped and thought about it for a moment before letting out a long sigh.

"Fine…"

"Fine."

"Now, let's go shoe shopping!" She said as she grabbed my arm and led me on once more.

"H-hey! Wait a minute, I said no shoe shopping!"

"This is punishment for being a pervert."

Damn it. Why does she get to arbitrarily make up rules?!

"I felt guilty earlier but now I don't. " I say, not hiding the displeasure I currently found myself in.

"Shut it. This is the least a boyfriend can do for his girlfriend." She said behind a smile.

Well whatever. If something as dumb as shoe shopping makes her happy. Then I guess it's fine.

I can't help but smile at how giddy she looks.

Just like a kid.

"Oi! Take it easy on my arm. You'll take it out of its socket!" I plead as she pulls me along to the store.

"Don't be such a baby. We both know your body isn't frail, Hikio!" She says looking over to me with another mischievous smile.

This girl is going to be the death of me. I know it.

Miura Yumiko and I had been dating for a while now. Safe to say she's the catalyst of my change. But I can also say she's definitely changed for me too. We started out so awkward with each other but now I find no one else as comforting to be around as her.

"Hey, Yumiko."

"Mm?"

"Your outfit…it looks good…" I say as I turn away from her, my face radiating heat.

"S-stupid! Why'd you take this long to say it?!" Miura shyly looked away too.

For some reason the dumbest things will still make us blush, even though we've already…Well whatever, some things are just harder to change I guess.

"Thanks, Hikio! Now let's go!" She says, taking me by the hand.

"Right…" I say behind a smile as I watch her blond hair bounce up and down with every step.

To think, this all started because I happened to be at the right place at the right time. Or was it the wrong place at the wrong time?