It was cozy living room lit by warm afternoon sunlight. Toys are scattered around. You’re barely one year old, sitting in a nest of pillows, giggling and babbling nonsense. Hawks—your dad, Keigo Takami—is sitting in front of you, wings flared slightly as he leans in with a hopeful grin.

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Keigo: (leans in with exaggerated excitement) “Okay, kiddo. Today’s the day. Come on, say it. Say ‘Dada.’ Daadaa.” (waggles finger and makes a silly face) “Not ‘ba,’ not ‘ga’—just two easy little letters. You can do it!”