Changes:

Pairing/Main Focus: TsukushiTsukasa

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They were sprawled out on the grass, loosely entangled in each other's limbs. Her back was flush against the trunk of the tree, legs outstretched in front of her. His head was in her lap, eyes closed, fast asleep. She picked up her hand and brushed back a coil of dark curls. It jumped stubbornly back into place, and she stifled a giggle. Her head fell back as she gazed up at the clear blue sky. Normally, she hated such couple-like cuteness, but it was such a beautiful day...

How far they'd come, she mused. Just last year, he was just another big-headed pompous jerk with way too much money in his hands. Now he was, well, a still rich, slightly smaller-headed pompous jerk. But in terms of Domyoji Tsukasa, this seemingly small change indicated something much bigger. How, she questioned, was it possible for one person to have changed so much in so short a time? Especially in one so set in his ways as he?

He had hated her, she knew. He hated her impudence, her temper, her obvious "poor-ness". But then she had punched him, and he had fallen in love with her. That made him nicer, she supposed, but only to her; he was still incredibly arrogant to others. She didn't like that at all.

But as they had spent more and more time together- often unwillingly on her part- he had lost some of his usual rudeness, some of the confidence. She was able to keep him on his toes- he could never assume anything with her. He was still the same Domyoji Tsukasa; just with some manners.

Many times she had wondered why he had changed. He was obviously perfectly happy with that old ignorant self. After months and months of pondering, Hanazawa Rui finally spelled it out for her. "He changed for you, Makino. He wanted to become a better person for you." Deep down, she knew, she had wanted this. She had wanted him to develop into a person she could actually respect, care for, and love. He had responded to that desire in the best way he could. It was a long, hard journey, she knew, but just look at them now.

Tsukasa shifted in her lap, responding to her happiness. Long lashes fluttered open, and he looked up at her. "Oi, Makino. Why're you smiling? There's nothing to be happy about. I was asleep the whole time; nothing much could've happened." He got up and stretched, offering his hand to pull her up. "Come on, let's go. Kaede wants to go over wedding plans."

Makino accepted his hand and ducked her head, smiling hugely to herself. Change is never expected, nor anticipated, but it always happens. Sometimes, she admitted, change is disastrous. But other times, it all works out for the best.