Archive of Our Own ^beta

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Dear Diary,
I’m only doing this because that stupid therapist recommended said “writing feelings down helps.” Whatever.

Anyway. Today I almost punched a vending machine because it ate my 100 yen. Ran laughed for 10 straight minutes.
I hate him.

Also. Takemichi smiled at me when I brought him his favorite drink. He said “Thanks Rindou-nii.”
I melted. I am weak.
He’s too cute. I need to protect him from this cursed world.

Ran says I’m being dramatic. But HE was the one pacing at 3AM whispering “what if Michi gets cold at night” and made us buy a heated blanket in *May*.

Idiots. We’re both idiots. For this one kid. And honestly?
I’m okay with it.

Anyway, gotta go—Takemichi asked me to help him with a video game.
Gotta let him win (or pretend to, at least).

Until next time,
Rindou “Not As Soft As Ran” Haitani

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Dear Diary,
HE DID IT AGAIN.
Went out in the rain without a jacket. Said “it wasn’t that cold.” Lies. Blatant lies.

Now he’s got a fever, sounds like a dying kitten, and looks like he lost a fight with a mop.

Ran panicked so bad he almost called an ambulance for a *sneeze*.

I made porridge. Takemichi said it tasted like “love and possibly sadness.”
I don’t even know what that means.

Ran gave him a cool towel for his forehead and tried to braid his hair while he was half-asleep. Takemichi slapped his hand away in his sleep and mumbled “no rin-nii don’t steal my snacks…”

…He dreams about me-. I’m going to cry.

Anyway. He’s snoring now. I’m sitting by the bed writing this and checking his temperature every five minutes. Ran’s already asleep on the floor.

If this kid ever gets seriously hurt again, I swear I will destroy the world.

– Rindou, best brother and failed porridge chef.

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Dear Diary,
Today, I witnessed a crime against humanity. And no, it wasn’t gang-related. It was Ran in the kitchen.

Takemichi’s still sick, but he was finally awake and feeling a bit better. The first thing out of his mouth this morning was:
“...Rindou-nii, can I have pudding?”
How can I say no to that face?

So I got up to go to the store. I told Ran *very clearly*: “Don’t. Touch. Anything.”
Especially not the kitchen.

I was gone for **fifteen minutes**.

When I came back, the kitchen looked like it had been hit by a tornado wielding a frying pan. Smoke. Spilled oil. Flour on the ceiling.
**Ceiling.**
Takemichi was sitting at the table with the expression of a man who had seen things. Traumatized. Shaking.

I looked Ran in the eye and asked, “What the hell did you do?”
He grinned like an idiot and said,
“I made soup.”
Soup. It was *pink*. **PINK**. And it had… marshmallows in it?

Apparently, his logic was: “Sick people need sweet things. Also, we were out of salt.”

Takemichi tried to eat it. *Tried.* I told him he didn’t have to suffer. He whispered “thank you” like I’d saved his life.
I made him proper food after that. Actual soup. With **vegetables.** And **logic.**

Later, I found Ran googling “how to boil eggs.” He spelled it “boyle.”
I don’t even have the energy to mock him. I’m just tired.

Still.
Takemichi laughed today. Said, “It’s kinda nice. Being taken care of.”
Ran called him a baby, and he didn’t even fight back.

He just smiled.

I guess we’re doing okay.

– Rindou Haitani, pink soup survivor

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Dear Diary,
I think I messed up. Or maybe... he’s just too observant.

Takemichi came into my room today, holding that dumb little bunny plush I won him at the arcade months ago.
He hugged it like it was the most precious thing on earth. Then he said:

> “You act like you don’t care, Rin-nii… but you do, don’t you?”

I choked on my water. He just *smiled* like he cracked some secret code.
He knows. He *knows* I care.

I didn’t answer. Just kicked him out and told him to shut up.
He laughed. Like I didn’t just expose years of emotional repression.

Ran walked by and said, “Awwww, Rindou has feelings?”

I swear to god, next time I’m switching his hair gel with glue.

Anyway. I may be soft. But only for Takemichi. And no one else needs to know.

Ever.

– Rindou,I'm swag

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Dear Diary,
Ran’s been acting weird lately. Like, super suspicious.

He keeps disappearing for hours and comes back with this smug look like he just won a secret mission.
I tried asking what he’s up to, but he just said, “None of your business, Rin.”

Yeah, right. That never means nothing.

Takemichi thinks Ran’s planning a surprise for him. I hope he’s right because if Ran’s cooking again, someone’s gonna need the fire department on speed dial.

I’m stuck between wanting to know what’s going on and being too scared to find out.
Ran can be scary when he’s serious… and lately, he’s all business.

Anyway, I’m keeping my eyes open. And my fists ready.

– Rindou, suspicious little brother