I do not know this person’s name, yet I have known him since before I can even remember. He will not tell me his name, for I already know it, because he has no name. He is both my closest friend and part of my family, both my worst enemy and a complete stranger. I do not know him, yet he knows me better than even I know myself. I met him one day in strange and suspicious circumstances, walking down a dark corridor in the open air of a sunny summer day. He has never stopped following me since then, and before that he was my ever present companion as well. We are inseparable, not by want or need but by pure and clear existence.

I have never seen him even though his figure is always there beside me. I have looked into his eyes many times, yet I do not know their colour. He towers above me at the same time as I could step on him, and I do not know his height. I remember he is not a nice person. He mocks me when I lose, and berates my success. In my worst moments he laughs at me, and in my happiness he is jealous and cynical. He works to anger me as he angers himself, because he is my worst enemy as well as my best friend and steadfast companion. His sombre silhouette is always looking over my shoulder, searching avidly for any flaws I may commit, so he can gleefully sneer at them. He whispers doubts into my ear when I am confident, and jests at my doubtfulness when I’m not. For everything I have to say, he has a criticism towards it; for everything I think, he has already thought how to prove it wrong. I cannot talk to him, I cannot compromise with him, I cannot make him understand anything, because he knows all I say is wrong. Yet my friend he remains.

Nevertheless, one question I have for him, and here, in the freedom of thoughts exposed to the light of reality, I ask him.

Dare?

Who?

Kare wa dare?

Who is he?

Anata wa dare?

Who are you?

Watashi wa dare?

Who am I?