Naosa sipped her coffee thoughtfully, sunlight catching on the rim of her cup as she turned to Sally.
“Okay, Sally. I understand. But I still want to go—with my nephew.”
Sally blinked. “Your nephew? Why?” She hadn’t expected family to enter the conversation.
Naosa set the cup down, her expression softening.
“He’s thirteen and has been begging me for a phone. But I don’t want to just hand it to him. I want him to earn it—by trying something new, by accomplishing something on his own. He’s not very athletic and doesn’t have much stamina, so I want him to experience hiking—and feel proud of finishing.”
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Sally considered this, absently tapping her pen against the desk.
“Hmm… okay,” she said at last, her expression shifting from hesitation to practical focus.
“He’s a kid, and you’re new to this. I’ll pick an easier trail.”
She glanced across the room at Kevin, who was pretending not to eavesdrop.
“You should come too. You need the exercise.”
Naosa turned to him with a hopeful smile. He sighed, meeting her gaze.
“If you come, it’ll help a lot. Kazu will feel safer,” she added.
Sally nodded, already mapping the route in her head.
“It’s a beginner-friendly trail. It’ll be good rehab for my leg, too.”
Her tone shifted back to brisk efficiency.
“You’ll need hiking shoes and pants—non-negotiable, even for beginners. Be ready by Saturday.”
“Thank you, Sally! I really appreciate it,” Naosa said brightly, her gratitude shining through.
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Later that day, Sally mentioned the hike to Jill and Miguel by the coffee machine.
“I’m in!” Jill said immediately, eyes lighting up.
Miguel grinned. “Our team’s turning into athletes!”
Sally turned to him, her expression more serious than usual.
“If you come too, that’d help. I’m not sure I can manage all of them—especially Kevin and Nao’s nephew.”
Miguel raised his eyebrows at the rare softness in her tone, then nodded.
“Alright. I can’t say no to you.”
Sally’s tone firmed again. “No more members. The bigger the group, the harder it gets.”
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But Miguel’s thoughts had already drifted elsewhere.
Naosa’s nephew.
As the conversation carried on, something heavy settled in his chest—a memory he rarely invited back. His younger brother: the boy who once adored him, who stopped speaking to him after he came out.
He’s around that age now. What if he looks at me the same way?
Miguel’s smile dimmed. Maybe it was better to keep his distance.
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That night, back at the apartment he shared with Alex, Miguel brought it up.
The two sat in the dim light of the living room, mugs in hand, quiet music humming from the radio.
“I didn’t think it through when I agreed.” Miguel said finally. “But then I remembered my brother.” He fidgeted with his cup. “I think I’ll tell the girls I can’t go tomorrow.”
Alex looked up, reading the shift in his tone.
“So… what do you want me to do? You want me to come instead?”
Miguel hesitated, then nodded, a flicker of relief crossing his face.
“Could you?”
Alex smirked. “You owe me one more thing.”
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Saturday morning.
Miguel and Alex pulled into the hospital parking lot to meet Naosa and her nephew. The air was crisp, the sky clear—a perfect day for hiking.
Naosa and a young boy were already waiting, waving cheerfully as the car rolled up.
“Good morning!” Naosa beamed. “This is my nephew, Kazu.”
The boy stepped forward and offered his hand with perfect posture and impeccable manners.
“Nice to meet you. Thank you for showing us around today.”
Miguel and Alex exchanged glances.
He didn’t resemble her at all.
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“He’s full Japanese,” Naosa explained, catching their confusion. “My stepsister’s son—on my father’s side. He was born in Japan.”
“Ha! We look totally different, right?” Kazu laughed, clearly used to explaining.
The men chuckled.
“We should go—Sally will kill us if we’re late.”
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The car ride started quietly as the group found its rhythm. But Kazu, all energy and charm, was quick to break the silence.
“Are you really going to buy me the phone? If I finish the trail, I mean. You’re serious, right?”
“Have I ever lied to you?” Naosa teased. “But you have to finish it.”
“Okay! I’ll do my best!” he said, settling back in his seat.
Miguel glanced at Naosa.
“Phones aren’t cheap. Did you get permission from his parents?”
“It’s okay,” she said simply, giving Kazu a warm look. “I’m his legal guardian.”
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“My parents died in an accident when I was three,” Kazu added calmly. “I’ve been with Nao ever since. She’s the boss. She has the final say.”
He smiled, and Naosa reached over to ruffle his hair.
Miguel’s face softened. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know.”
Kazu shrugged. “Don’t be. It’s just a fact. I don’t remember them—they weren’t around long enough to miss. I’m not a poor kid.”
Alex and Miguel exchanged glances, uncertain whether it was maturity or a kind of practiced innocence.
There was something striking about the boy’s quiet acceptance.
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At the trailhead, they met Sally, Jill, and Kevin. Morning sun filtered through the trees in golden stripes.
Sally raised an eyebrow at Alex. “You came?”
Miguel grinned. “Surprise.”
As Sally briefed the group on safety and the route, Naosa instinctively reached for Kazu’s hand.
“Don’t help him today,” Alex said quietly, though his tone was kind.
Miguel nodded. “He’s got to do this himself, right?”
Naosa hesitated—but Kazu looked up at her with a bright, confident smile.
“I’m fine! I’ll do my best!”
“Don’t worry,” Miguel added. “We’ll keep an eye on him.”
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Both men found themselves rooting for the boy more than they’d expected.
Miguel leaned toward Alex, a wry glint in his eye.
“Let’s make sure we take care of the Prince of Naivete, too.”
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