It all started with a simple observation from Ortho. His big brother, Idia Shroud, had been acting... different. Idia was always awkward and reclusive, but lately, every time the Ramshackle Prefect, Y/n, came around, Idia would go from shy to outright malfunctioning. His hair would flash pink, his words would tumble out in a mess of stammers, and he'd spend hours afterward spiraling about every awkward thing he'd said.
Ortho, being the doting and perceptive little brother he was, quickly put the pieces together: Idia had a massive crush on Y/n.
But Idia, being Idia, would never make a move on his own. That's where Ortho decided to step in. He was a genius, after all, and this was just another problem to solve with a little planning and the right execution.
---
One rainy evening, Ortho floated into Idia's room, where his older brother was hunched over his computer, the glow of his monitor reflecting off his blue hair.
"Idia!," Ortho chirped.
"What is it, Ortho?" Idia muttered, not looking away from the screen.
"I have a question for you," Ortho said, his voice sweet but with an unmistakable note of determination.
"Uh-huh," Idia replied distractedly.
"If you really like Y/n so much, why don't you just tell them?"
The sound of Idia's keyboard clacking came to an immediate halt. He slowly turned in his chair, his hair flickering from blue to bright pink in an instant. "Wh-Wh-What?! I—I—What are you even—Why would you—"
Ortho cut off his brother's panic with a tilt of his head. "Come on, Big Brother, it's so obvious. You turn pink whenever they're around, and you've rewatched that stream they did during that one school event like, thirty times."
Idia buried his face in his hands, groaning loudly. "Ortho! You can't just *say* stuff like that! What if someone hears?!"
"But it's just us," Ortho said cheerfully. "And I think Y/n likes you too."
Idia froze. "Wha—They don't. There's no way. Impossible. I'm—" He gestured wildly to himself. "This. And they're... They're cool and nice and..." His voice trailed off into a defeated mumble.
Ortho crossed his arms, floating closer. "Big Brother, you're amazing. Y/n would be lucky to spend time with you. And that's why I have a plan to help you!"
"A plan?!" Idia's voice cracked. "No. Nope. Absolutely not. Whatever you're thinking, don't do it."
But Ortho was already zipping out of the room. "Trust me, Idia! Leave it to me!"
---
The next day, Ortho approached Y/n. "Y/n! Do you have a minute?"
"Of course, Ortho," Y/n said, smiling warmly at him. "What's up?"
"I need your help," Ortho said, clasping his hands together in mock urgency. "Big Brother's been feeling down lately, and I thought it would be nice to cheer him up. Would you come by and play a game with him tonight? I know he'd love it."
Y/n's face softened. "Idia's feeling down? Poor guy. Of course, I'll come by. Thanks for letting me know, Ortho."
Ortho beamed. "Thank you, Y/n! You're the best!"
---
That evening, Y/n showed up at Ignihyde dorm with a bag of snacks and their best gaming energy. Ortho greeted them at the door and led them to Idia's room, where the older Shroud was already spiraling.
