"Oh. Of course she's his sister."

The first time Akaashi saw her, she was wearing a hoodie three sizes too big, mismatched socks, and a grin like she hadn't ever learned what embarrassment was.

She burst into the gym mid-practice, nearly collided with the bench, and shouted, “Bokutooo! You forgot your lunch again, birdbrain!”

Bokuto perked up instantly. “Ah—my angel! My lifesaver! My baby sister!”

Akaashi raised an eyebrow.

Sister?

She bounded over to Bokuto, dropped the lunchbox into his hands, then turned around and waved at the team like they were old friends. When her eyes landed on Akaashi, she tilted her head.

“You must be Akaashi,” she said, pointing with the same kind of enthusiasm Bokuto used when describing a killer spike. “My brother says you’re the only reason he hasn’t walked into traffic!”

Akaashi stared. Slowly blinked. “…That sounds about right.”

She grinned, bright and wide, and tripped over her own shoelace as she turned back around.

He caught her elbow on instinct.

She laughed. “Wow. You're fast. No wonder he likes you so much.”

Akaashi exhaled.

Yup. Definitely Bokuto’s sister.