Chapter Text
Takemichi sighs for the umpteenth time in thirty minutes. He is so frustrated, he just wants to go home and cry.
His little brothers, Ran and Rindou, absolute headaches, were supposed to be at home doing something productive, but when he stepped in after a long day at work, the house was empty.
He's beginning to think that his brothers' main goal in life is to give him hypertension so that he can finally croak and let them have the freedom to do as they please.
Takemichi had grounded them for a month for beating up a guy and breaking his arm over a silly reason. They were fortunate charges weren't pressed since the mother of the boy turned out to be Takemichi's old classmate.
He had apologized profusely that night and offered to pay the medical bills. The two culprits, however, didn't share the same sentiments but after receiving the stink eye, they promptly complied.
The punishment is simple—no gang activities whatsoever for a month. Along with it, they have to do all the laundry, cook dinner and wash his car every weekend.
Izana's gang has long given up on terrorizing locals and now they only take part in fights that are deemed necessary.
On the contrary, his lovely, little brothers, Ran and Rindou, uphold their reputation of being menaces to society.
Takemichi grabs his phone to give Ran's number another ring, and he finally picks up.
"Hello?"
From the way he sounds, Takemichi can tell that Ran is eating. "Where are you guys?" he asks impatiently.
"Umm...we're...out?"
"Out where?"
"Uhh...."
"Uhh?"
There is a beat of silence from Ran's end before the call drops.
"That little brat!" Takemichi seethes.
He tries Rindou's phone next, but the younger simply declines the call.
Takemichi huffs angrily and starts the engine of his car. There is only one of five places his brothers can be.
_____
The higher ups of Tenjiku are leaving one of their bases after a meeting when they spot a tall man leaning against a car.
Ran, who immediately recognizes his older brother, alerts Rindou and the two step behind the other members as a way to hide themselves.
Everyone takes a good look at the man. He's tall (probably as tall as Ran) with fierce, blue eyes, black hair that looks like he couldn't be bothered to comb it and an expression that could kill. The material used to make his work suit and the expensive car say a lot about his status.
Izana, as the leader, approaches him warily and asks, "Who are you? Do you know who's territory you're on?"
"Yep!" the man calmly replies. "And the name's Haitani Takemichi." He looks over to where his brothers are doing a poor job of hiding and makes eye contact with Ran.
Seeing that they've been caught, the two come forward and show themselves.
"Haitani?" Kakucho repeats with a raised brow.
Ignoring everyone's obvious confusion at the surname, Ran opens his mouth to explain why he and Rindou aren't at home but Takemichi doesn't give him the chance.
"What are you two doing here?" he demands in a low, cold tone. "Didn't I tell you that you're banned from gang activities for a month?"
Rindou completely ignores the questions. "Nii-san, how did you know we were here?"
"I'll do the interrogation, you do the answering."
A "Yes, sir!" is uttered before the youngest Haitani claps his mouth shut.
Kakucho, who doesn't understand what's going on, turns to Ran and clears his throat to gain his attention. "Ran, who is this?"
Ran chuckles nervously and says, "Our older brother."
Everyone stares at them incredulously.
When the man introduced himself and Rindou called him "nii-san," confusion has been evident since they've never been told anything about another Haitani.
"I see," Kakucho replies, stunned at the news.
Takemichi ignores the stares he's receiving and makes his way over to his brothers. Once he stands in front of them, he wastes no time in grabbing them by the ears.
"The nerve you two have, it's unbelievable!" he shouts as he pulls them to the car. "All you do is get in trouble and stress me out! When will you listen?"
Rindou, who is groaning at the painful grip, tries to explain, but just like Ran's attempt, it's futile. "But nii-san, we were just-"
"Shut up!"
The three make it over to the car, and Takemichi yells at them to get in, which they don't hesitate to do.
Even with the windows and doors closed, the yelling, whining, and groaning can still be heard from outside.
Everyone stands in awkward silence as the car speeds away.
"..."
"..."
"..."
"What the hell just happened?"
______
Ran and Rindou silently cook dinner together.
Takemichi had argued all the way home and he took his precious time driving just to make the experience more torturous.
The brothers had apologized and made promises to make it up to him, but he wasn't having any of it. Their punishment is extended by a month.
Rindou sighs as he drops the pasta into the boiling water. 'How am I supposed to face the others after that humiliation?' he wonders.
"Do you think nii-san will ever shorten our punishment?"
Ran, who is cutting up an onion, answers, "I doubt it. It's better than sparring with him, though. This is him being nice."
"Well, you have a point, but if he frowns at me again and asks why my pasta is dry and moist at the same time, I'm going to order takeout."
"Who's ordering takeout?" questions Takemichi as he enters the kitchen.
"No one," Rindou quickly replies.
"Better be. Is dinner ready?"
"Not as yet."
Takemichi hums in acknowledgement and just as he's about to get a glass of water, the doorbell rings.
"Ah, it must be delivery," he chirps.
.
.
.
Ran and his younger brother stare at all the mouth-watering food displayed on the table.
Takemichi, with a smug expression, grabs a piece of meat with his chopsticks and shoves it into his mouth.
With the desire to spite his siblings further, he moans and nods in satisfaction as the delicious flavors burst in his mouth.
Ran folds his arms over his chest, absolutely baffled. "Really, nii-san?"
Takemichi ignores him and continues to eat happily.
"You're so mean," Rindou complains, a trace of hurt in his voice.
"I know."
"Why don't you share some food with us tonight? Just this once," Ran tries.
"No. Eat your own food."
A whimper catches Takemichi's attention and he looks up to see Rindou giving him the sad, pug face.
"..."
"Ugh, fine!"
Rindou lets out a cheer and shares a high five with Ran. They turn off the stove and put anyway ingredients before grabbing plates and chopsticks.
_____
Tenjiku's Group Chat
Mochi: Ran, Rindou...what was that? Why didn't you guys tell us you have an older brother??
Rindou: we don't like to overshare
Shion: I've never seen u guys get manhandled before lol
Rindou: Well, I've seen you get knocked out more times than I can count, Shion.
Kakucho: ...
Shion: 🙄 this isn't about me✋🏻✋🏻✋🏻
Mucho: Rindou are you really sure you should be having an attitude with anyone right now?🤨 lol we literally saw you and Ran get dragged by the ears this afternoon.
Rindou: shut the he'll up
Rindou: hell*
Shion: 🤭
Izana: Where's Ran? Why is he silent?
Ran: Here. I'm too old to be entertaining these kinds of things.
Shion: 💀💀💀
Shion: Clearly not 2 old to leave the house though
Izana: 🤣🤣🤣
Kakucho: ...
Ran: when I see you...😐 you ugly ass dog
Shion: U look like Wednesday Addams I don't wanna hear insults abt my looks✋🏻
Izana: 💀
Mucho: 💀
Kakucho: ............
Kakucho: 💀
Mochi: I almost choked on my rice
Ran: You should have.
Rindou: Ran, I'm sorry but it's the truth lol
Ran: We live in the same house Rindou, sleep with one eye open.
Kakucho: What did you guys even do to make your brother so mad?
Rindou: ....we broke a guy's arm...
Mucho: Crazy bastards.
Ran: I know it's not YOU speaking...🗿
Mucho: ...
Ran: That's what I thought.🙃🙃 Stay silent.
Shion: Ran ur bro is so cool. U guys should bring him to the base
Shion: oh wait u cant lmao🤭 my bad
Rindou: Shion this is why no one likes you
Kakucho: lol
Izana: 💀
.
.
Ran turns his phone off and rolls around on his bed with a groan. He's certain that he and Rindou are going to be the laughing stocks for weeks.