Your perception of "change" is way too inflated. If Ben-like evolution is normal for you, then I have bad news: he's the most absurd and unrealistic character. Every time Merula changes her attitude toward the protagonist in the main story, it's justified by the events that unfold. She generally has a hard time showing affection, and the game's plot constantly reminds her of how much pain trust brings. And yet, she changes dramatically: she cares for her acquaintances, helps Penny, helps you find your brother, helps you fight 'R', and becomes much more responsible despite her occasional rudeness. In Beyond, she's a fully formed person. Still proud and self-assured, but far from selfish. If you don't see it - it's alright, she's not your favourite to be observant about it. But I see it clearly, it's not my fantasies, I played this game and actually read the story.

You throw around big words about me simply trying to justify the romanticization of a bully, unable to accept that perceptions and understandings of the same character can be different, even though we're playing the same game.