Makino Tsukushi hails from a middle-class family with parents Haruo and Chieko and younger brother Susumu. Financial struggles marked her childhood, resulting in limited resources like few toys, while her parents frequently spent on non-essentials such as pachinko. Her name, meaning "weed," was chosen to embody resilience and the capacity to grow back stronger. In elementary school, she enjoyed popularity, known for kindness and protectiveness—evident when she drank classmates' milk to spare them stomachaches. She befriended Kazuya Aoike during this time, though they lost contact post-graduation. Junior high introduced her best friend Yuki Matsuoka; Tsukushi maintained her protective instincts toward Yuki and Hiromi. She received a romantic confession from Shingo Oribe but chose silence to preserve their friendship. Pressured by her mother into attending elite Eitoku Academy for social advancement despite preferring public school, Tsukushi studied intensely for the entrance exam, hopeful for new friendships. At Eitoku, Tsukushi initially resolved to remain unnoticed but grew disillusioned by classmates' obsession with wealth and status, and the F4's bullying culture. Her resolve fractured when friend Makiko Endo accidentally fell onto F4 leader Tsukasa Domyoji. Tsukushi defended Makiko, insulting Tsukasa and the F4 over their privilege and lack of work ethic. This defiance earned her a red card—a declaration of war from the F4—marking her for school-wide bullying. Instead of fleeing, she declared war back, symbolically changing her appearance by removing her braids. Immediate isolation and physical assaults followed, sometimes thwarted by Rui Hanazawa's interventions. Tsukushi retaliated by kicking Tsukasa and publicly condemning his behavior. Later, Tsukasa kidnapped her, offering a makeover and a place in his circle, which she rejected. False rumors spread by classmates like Yuriko Asai deepened her isolation, though Tsukushi exposed their gold-digging motives at a party. Initial romantic feelings developed for Rui, intensified by his occasional kindness and a cheek kiss, but she recognized his enduring attachment to Shizuka Todo. Tsukushi's dynamic with Tsukasa evolved from hostility to mutual attraction. After Kazuya transferred to Eitoku and received a red card, she confronted Tsukasa, triggering a physical altercation that prompted Rui to defend her, fracturing his friendship with Tsukasa. During a summer trip to Atami, Tsukushi accidentally kissed Tsukasa during a party blackout, causing her distress. Later, she witnessed Rui confessing to Shizuka and accepting rejection. Confiding in Rui about overhearing this led to shared solidarity at the emergency stairwell, which Tsukushi viewed as her "one ray of hope." Tsukasa's persistent interest manifested in acts like stealing her slippers and forcibly kissing her, which she resisted. As his feelings deepened, his mother Kaede opposed the relationship due to Tsukushi's social status. Tsukushi's resilience endured through repeated bullying, family financial crises, and supporting Tsukasa during temporary amnesia after an accident, helping him regain memories of their bond. Post-graduation, Tsukushi and Tsukasa became engaged. At their families' meeting, Kaede gifted Tsukushi the "Smile of Venus" tiara, symbolizing eternal love. The tiara was stolen under mysterious circumstances, launching a global pursuit that stranded them on a deserted island. Surviving over a month relying solely on each other reinforced their bond. This ordeal was later revealed as a family-orchestrated test to strengthen their relationship. They married in an elaborate ceremony. A year later, during a return to the island, Tsukushi revealed her pregnancy, fulfilling their shared dream of a family. Throughout her journey, Tsukushi consistently demonstrated determination, protectiveness, and moral integrity. She resisted systemic bullying, supported friends like Kazuya and Yuki, and challenged class-based prejudices. Her relationships with the F4, culminating in marriage to Tsukasa, underscored her refusal to compromise her values amidst wealth and social expectations.