A/N: I want to say many thanks once again to those of you who reviewed! I made this chapter a bit longer than the other ones so I hope that's okay. Please enjoy! ^_^
The following day the couple began to plan their wedding. They had spent the whole day choosing various things such as the décor, the food, and everything else in between. It had proved to be one of the most exhausting experiences. The pair had bickered the entire time. Their tastes were simply too different for them to make decisions easily. Makino preferred simple, plain, inexpensive things whereas Domyouji enjoyed complex, detailed, costly things. It seemed whatever Makino wanted Domyouji wanted its exact opposite and vice versa. But somehow the couple made it through the taxing day. Being spent they decided to unwind at a quaint café of Makino's choosing.
"Sigh, what a day." Makino said tiredly.
"I know. You wouldn't stop arguing with me you baka." Domyouji agreed.
"Eh? You were the one arguing with ME."
"Humph, what did you expect you silly woman? Everything you wanted to pick out was so plain and boring. It was simply unfit for a Domyouji weeding." Domyouji said pompously.
"Huff, well sorry. I hope you realize that not everyone can have your 'extraordinary' sense of style Domyouji." Makino replied sarcastically.
"Are you mocking me Makino!?" Domyouji demanded.
"No, not at all. I really admire your posh and undomesticated sense of style. It is a gift from the heavens." Makino said her tone oozing with ridicule. Her lips curled into a grin and her eyes sparkled.
"You are making fun of me! Stop it Makino!" Domyouji shouted going crimson as Makino laughed cutely.
"Excuse me, did you just say Makino?" a male waiter suddenly asked.
"What's it to you?" Domyouji asked with a distrustful look filtering through his face looking the man up and down.
"Well, it's just I used to go to middle school with a girl named Tsukushi Makino."
"Kei Ishiko? Is that you?" Makino suddenly asked her face brightening making Domyouji scowl.
"Tsukushi, it really is you! How have you been? Last I heard you were at that prestigious high school. How was it? I bet it was amazing!"
"Hehe, well, I survived it. I was even lucky enough to go on to university and study law. I graduated just this year. But, I am more interested in you. What have you been up to?"
"Oh, you know normal stuff. I graduated high school and went to college for a while…until… well…I came by some money problems and was forced to quit." Kei finished lamely.
"Oh, I am so sorry." Makino said her eyes showing compassion. She knew exactly where he was coming from.
Domyoji's scowl deepened and his eyes clouded over with loathing. Who exactly was this man? And why was his Makino so curious about him?
"Don't worry about me Tsukushi. You did enough of that in middle school. I am not completely hopeless you know. I do just fine here. My boss is really good to me. So no worries." Kei replied optimistically.
"Good to hear!" Makino said grinning from ear to ear.
Kei smiled cheerfully back and said, "I am really glad to have seen you again. You have gotten so pretty."
That was too much for Domyouji. THUMP! He stood up and slammed his hands on the table causing several heads to turn in their direction.
"Who the hell do you think you are!? Stop talking to my Tsukushi so intimately!" Domyouji snarled at the Kei.
"EH!?" Kei almost yapped abruptly backing away from the table.
"Domyouji! I am sorry Kei. Don't mind him he's always like this."
"No, it's okay, don't apologize Tsukushi. Wait, did you say Domyouji? As in the one who owns all those companies?" Kei asked.
"Yes. I am that Domyouji. Do you have a problem with that?" Domyouji questioned Kei roughly.
"Not at all. It is just surprising. I mean someone like you in a place like this." Kei explained.
"Yeah, well it wasn't my choice." Domyouji glanced at Makino.
"Ahhh, I get it. So does that mean the two of you are together then?" Kei asked straightforwardly.
"Yes, it does." A grin spread across Tsukasa's lips. Ha, he had won. It was established that Makino was his.
"Tsukushi…" Kei said worriedly bending down and whispered into her ear," It isn't like you to go after people's money."
"No, that isn't it…" but before Makino could finish her thought… BAM! Tsukasa's fist flew through the air and landed square in Kei's jaw.
"Are you deaf!? I said stay away from her!"
"Domyouji! BAKA! What's the matter with you!?" Makino yelped at Domyouji. She hurriedly stood up from the table and rushed over to Kei's side and anxiously asked, "Are you alright?"
"Owwww." Was all Kei replied holding his jaw in pain.
"I am so very sorry. Please, let me pay for any medical bills that come up. Domyouji is so stupid! He always overacts like this. I should leave before he does something even more inexcusable. Again, I am sorry." And with that Makino followed Domyouji outside where she found him pacing back and forth like a caged animal.
"BAKA!" Makino shouted at him punching him on the arm. "What exactly where you trying to do back there!?"
"What do you think!? He was flirting with you right in front of me! I had to teach him a lesson!"
"What are you talking about!? He is my old friend! He was not flirting! We were just talking!"
"You are so unfaithful! If you call that just talking then you are a loose and easy woman!"
"Domyouji! How dare you call me those things!"
"I wouldn't have to if you didn't act that way!"
"I didn't! It is not my fault that you are an idiot and don't even know that there is a difference between talking and flirting!"
"Stop lying Makino! I saw the two of you! I will not stand for it!"
"Shut up Domyouji! You're so dumb!"
"Don't call me dumb! You're the one who is wrong here you ugly woman!"
"Domyouji you baka! You have no right to call anyone ugly with that dumb hair of yours! You're driving me insane you arrogant jerk! Huff, I am going!" Makino then turned on her heel and walked away from Domyouji.
"OI! MAKINO! I AM NOT DONE TALKING WITH YOU YET!!!"
"WELL, I AM DONE TALKING WITH YOU!" Makino shouted back.
"MAKINO GET BACK HERE!"
Makino refused to look back and continued to move forward leaving Domyouji behind as it began to rain.
"Argghhh! Stupid woman!" he called after her. When she still didn't look back he turned around and sped in the opposite direction. That woman was always testing his patience.
"You made Makino mad again?" asked Soujirou astonished after Domyouji had finished telling his friends of the most recent fight he had with Makino.
"Wow. I can't believe you over-reacted like that to one of her friends merely talking with her." Akria said shaking his head in disbelief.
"Hmmmm," Rui mused thoughtfully turning his attention away from his book.
"OI! Whose side are you guys on?" asked Domyouji angrily.
"Makino's" all three boys said in unison.
"Tsukasa, you should apologize to Tsukushi." Rui declared plainly.
"Yeah, Rui is right. You know how upset Makino gets when you act violent like that." Akria reminded him.
"Plus, you are the one who is obviously wrong here." Soujirou replied.
"What the hell you guys! Why are you making me feel like the bad guy?"
"Cause you are." Soujirou retorted.
"Well, I am not going to apologize. I did nothing wrong."
Domyouji looked all of his friends straight in the face. Each wore the same look of disdain and shook their heads in disappointment. This sight caused Domyouji to fold.
"Fine! I'll apologize." He said sullenly pulling out his cell phone. He quickly dialed Makino's number.
"Oi, Makino met me at three by the dog statue." Without waiting for a reply he flipped his phone closed ending the call. "I got to go." He then stood up and with that left his friends.
"Well, some things never change do they?" Akria pondered off handily as he watched Domyouji leave.
"Yeah, it seems like as long as either Tsukushi or Tsukasa live they will fight." Soujirou commented.
"Hmmmm," Rui agreed wordlessly wearing a small smile, turning back to his book.
Makino looked at her phone in disbelief. That man was always doing things like this. He would just demand things of her out of the blue and see no problem with it. She thought about just not showing up. After all, she was still angry with him for his behavior yesterday and it would teach him that he couldn't just boss people around. But, she was curious about what he wanted. Maybe he would surprise her with an apology. So she made her way to their designated meeting place.
Domyouji stood by the dog statue impatiently tapping his foot and looking quite aggravated. That woman was always late. Always. He glanced at his watch it read 3:15. Rapidly, the intolerant tapping of his foot increased. Where was she? Maybe she wouldn't come. He hadn't really waited for her response. The very thought of her standing him up made his blood boil. Why was he so in love with a woman such as her? Suddenly, he caught a glimpse of his woman marching up to their destination wearing a contemptuous face.
"What do you want Domyouji?" Makino asked as soon as they were in ear shot of each other.
"Humph, well I just wanted to tell you that even though you were being unfaithful to me…I forgive you." Domyouji blurted out.
"EH!? What are you talking about Domyouji? I was not being unfaithful to you idiot. Is this really all you called me here for? Humph, I am leaving baka!" and once more Makino turned on her heel and made her way away from Domyouji.
"Oi! Wait Makino!" Domyouji grabbed her wrist and stopped her from leaving.
"What now Domyouji?" Makino asked exasperated.
"Well, maybe there was something else I wanted to say too." He admitted not looking her in the face.
"Oh really, like what?" Makino inquired her eyebrows rising.
"Sigh, I'm sorry." Domyouji said sincerely now looking Makino in the eyes.
"Well, thank you Domyouji. But it's not me you should apologize to."
"Eh? Then who?"
"Kei."
"What!? You want me to say sorry to that guy?"
"Yes."
"No." Domyouji said flatly crossing his arms like a little kid.
"Then, I am leaving." Makino threatened.
"No! Fine, I will apologize! Come on." He pulled her in the direction of the café were Kei worked.
Within a few moments, the couple had arrived at the little restaurant. Once inside they quickly found Kei. He had a large bump on the left side of his face were Tsukasa had hit him. When Kei was made aware of their presence he flinched and backed away several paces.
"Please, don't be scared Kei. Domyouji has something to tell you. Go on Domyouji" Makino prodded Tsukasa.
Without looking Kei in the eye Domyouji mumbled," Look, I'm sorry for the way I acted yesterday. Please, forgive me."
Kei was more than a little taken aback. He didn't understand how such a proud man was apologizing to him. It didn't make any sense. However, he quickly regained his composure and said, "It's okay…thank you very much. I accept your apology."
"Mmmmmm," Tsukasa then looked at Tsukushi and said, "Are you happy now?"
"Yes, very."
"Good. Now can we go?"
"Yes, I think so. Bye Kei."
Watching their exchange it was very easy for Kei to understand why this proud man was apologizing. He was doing it for Tsukushi. He was trading his pride for her. Wow. It amazed Kei how much this guy really seemed to care about her. He wondered if Makino had any idea…
"Wait, Makino!" Kei called after her as she left.
"Huh? What is it Kei?"
"That man, Domyouji, make sure you don't lose him. I am pretty sure that he loves you a whole lot."
"What makes you say that?" Makino asked bewildered.
"He apologized to me even though he clearly thinks that he isn't wrong. He did it for you Tsukushi. That is a really big deal for a man to trade his pride in for you."
"You think so?"
"Yeah,"
"Huh, I didn't really think about it…"Maybe that baka wasn't so obnoxious after all. He has his own way of showing that he cares. It must have been hard for him to say sorry…Makino's thoughts were cut short by Domyouji infuriated shout from the door of the café.
"Ahhh, well I better go, bye Kei."
"Bye, Tsukushi."
Makino quickly caught up with Domyouji who was by now looking quite irate.
"What the hell was that about?" Domyouji asked getting flustered again.
"Eh, nothing really…Tsukasa," Makino began.
"What?"
Makino ran in front of him stopping him in his tracks.
"What is it Makino?" Domyouji asked still upset.
She pulled at the collar of his coat forcing him down so that he was down to her level and planted a warm sweet kiss on his lips.
Domyogi's eyes popped out of his head in surprise but he soon deepened the kiss and wrapped his arms around Makino tightly embracing her. When they finally broke apart Domyouji asked," Not that I mind or anything, but what was that for?"
"Because I love you." Makino replied staring into his eyes.
This simple sentence made Domyouji wear the biggest most childish grin. Those words were the ones that Makino used sparingly. So, it was a gift for Domyouji to her them dance across her tongue for him in this moment. She believed that when one said these words a little too often they lost their meaning. He believed however, that no matter how many times she told him she loved him he would never get enough.
"I love you too." He assured and kissed her lips once more before asking "So you're not mad at me any more right?"
"Right." She said nodding her head.
"Good! Let's go" He grabbed her hand and the both of them continued on their day much happier then how they had started.