In another, far happier, corner of the world, a man and a woman, married since 1978, watched as their three-year-old son took his first steps in his father's native homeland. Golden light fell on golden hair as the boy ran ahead, coming out from the building's shadow and feeling the warm, powerful sun. They smiled when they heard his delighted cry, and joined him, feeling the energy from that sun flow through them.
Then the white lights came, flashing before their eyes faster than one could blink. And the shouts, the vies for attention. What before was a simple family suddenly became the exclusive focus of the whole, clamoring, chaotic, group – and, through their lenses, they became the focus of the entire world.
The parents were old pros at this. The son, on the other hand...
He surprised both of them when he raised his head, smiled, and said, in an accent so nearly perfect it would break the nation's heart: "Hajimemashite."
'Pleased to meet you all.'