Okenwa
Okenwa is the protagonist and narrator of the novel. Okenwa narrates about his past to paint a picture of his life. Okenwa is the son of parents who are both professors. While growing up, Okenwa feels lonely because his parents are busy working. Okenwa remembers that when he was growing up, his parents used to compete in reading books and doing research, and they gave him little attention. Therefore, Okenwa spent most of the time locked up in his room, practicing kung fu and watching Bruce Lee videos.
In his adult life, Okenwa lives in a different town, but he comes home twice to visit his retired parents. Okenwa's parents are now old. According to Okenwa, his parents have reduced in size and they look similar. On most of his visits, Okenwa listens to his parents' stories about their past. Okenwa knows his responsibility is to take care of his parents until they die.
Okenwa’s parents
Okenwa's parents are both professors and intellectuals who value education more than anything else in their lives. Okenwa's parents love reading books and doing research. When they retire and grow old, they live in their apartment, waiting for their son Okenwa to come home and tell stories.
Raphael
Raphael is the houseboy in Okenwa's home while he is growing up. Okenwa and Raphael have a strong bond. When Raphael catches Okenwa watching Bruce Lee and practicing Kung fu, he joins him, and they enjoy practicing together. One day, Raphael contracts an eye disease called Apollo, and Okenwa's parents restrict him from interacting with Okenwa. However, Okenwa sneaks into Raphael's room until he contracts the disease. When Okenwa is now restricted not to get out of his room, he feels sad that Raphael does not come to see him.
One day, Okenwa sees Raphael talking to Josephine and feels jealous. He pretends that Raphael has knocked him down, and his parents get angry and expel Raphael. Many years later, Raphael becomes the leader of a gang that steals from people, and he targets Okenwa's parents.
Josephine
Josephine is the neighboring girl who talks to Raphael regularly. When Okenwa discovers that Raphael is talking to Josephine, he becomes angry with him because she is taking away his attention from him. Okenwa thinks that Josephine is the reason Raphael has never come to see him in his room.
