who are we

Hide

Hide has been there for as long as Kaneki can remember. He is by his side every day, without fail; when Kaneki went to the bathroom in nursery school, Hide would follow, giggling and telling lame jokes in whispers; when Kaneki tripped and fell and his mother wasn't home, Hide was the one who helped patch up his skinned knees and bruised elbows.

Worries and regrets vanish in his presence.

Hide's always there just when Kaneki needs him. Sometimes Kaneki wonders if Hide is his guardian angel, with his brighter-than-sunshine smile and perfect golden hair. But he can't be, because Hide's just as human as anyone else. He trips and falls too, with Kaneki repaying the favors; when he's upset, Kaneki comforts him. They like to call themselves opposite sides of the same coin. Two peas in a pod. Brothers from other mothers.

But, others say cruelly, Hide is just an imaginary friend.

Liars. Liars liarsliarsliars you're lying! Hide's real he is real he's more real than any you he's better he's my friend don't take him away don't you dare touch him with your sick hands let go of him, let go of him!

And as hand-shaped bruises dig themselves in around Kaneki's biceps and a single drop of blood wells at his inner elbow, the young boy falls unconscious and Hide disappears.

Because Hide never existed for anyone other than Kaneki. Hide is part of Kaneki. And while, to anyone else, Hide is nothing more than a delusion, a hallucination...

Hideyoshi Nagachika is Kaneki Ken's best friend.

And not even strong schizophrenia medication can change that.