The next morning, while most campers were just waking up, Naosa and Alex were already preparing breakfast.
“Good morning. It smells amazing,” Jill said, stretching with a yawn.
Naosa smiled. “I tried some simple camp cooking. It’s my first time doing it myself, but I think it turned out okay. I’m kind of excited.”
Next to her, Alex was grinding coffee beans with focused precision, setting up a compact portable espresso maker.
Jill blinked. “Whoa—Alex, you actually brought that?”
“Nope,” he laughed. “Bought it just for this trip. Thought it might be fun.”
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After breakfast and cleanup, the group hiked into the mountains toward a nearby waterfall pool—a popular spot for swimming and canyoning.
When they reached the clearing, they dropped their things on a wide, sun-warmed boulder. Below them, an emerald pool shimmered beneath the cascading waterfall. Children splashed in the water, and someone leapt from a high rock with a wild cheer.
Naosa’s eyes lit up.
Without hesitation, she pulled off her T-shirt and shorts, revealing a deep-blue bikini, and dove from the rock with a joyful shout.
Alex jumped in alarm, rushing to the edge—only to see her surface, laughing and waving like an excited child.
He blinked, stunned.
Then he peeled off his shirt, tossed it aside, and dove in after her without a second thought.
This time, there was no hesitation—no overthinking, no fear.
Because she was real.
And he wasn’t going to lose her.
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The late-summer water was shockingly cold—but refreshing. Kazu and Sally took turns sliding down the natural rock slope into the basin, squealing and laughing with every splash.
In the water, Alex reached for Naosa, lifting her into his arms. She wrapped her arms around his neck, smiling up at him as droplets ran down her cheeks.
Sunlight filtered through the trees above, scattering gold across the rippling surface.
From the rocks above, Kazu grinned and snapped a photo of the moment on his phone.
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After a full day of swimming and laughter, the group returned to the campsite.
Alex helped Kazu gather more firewood.
“Do it the way I showed you yesterday,” he said, crouching beside the boy. “Line them up like this. See?”
Kazu knelt beside the fire pit, carefully arranging the wood just as Alex had shown him. When the match caught and the flames began to rise, Alex ruffled his hair with quiet pride. “Nice work.”
Kazu grinned, completely in his element.
He’s totally a little Nao, Alex thought, smiling.
Then he sat down beside Kazu and said gently, “I want to tell you something properly—I’m dating Nao.”
Kazu blinked, then laughed. “I know that!”
Alex raised an eyebrow. “Just checking. Are you okay with it?”
“Why wouldn’t I be?” Kazu said easily. “You take care of us. I love you too. And have you seen her face when you walk into a room? She’s like a puppy—it’s ridiculous, like you’ve been gone a thousand years.”
Alex burst out laughing.
Then Kazu’s tone turned serious. He looked Alex in the eye. “Never make Nao sad.”
Alex met his gaze and nodded solemnly. “I promise.”
They shook hands—firmly, like men.
Kazu pulled out his phone. “Look at this photo I took at the waterfall. Nao looks super happy.”
Alex leaned in. “Oh, that’s a keeper. Send it to me!”
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