Parasite in Love is a novel by Sugaru Miaki, also known as Fafoo, writer of stories like Three Days of Happiness, Pain, Pain, Go Away, and The Place You Called From.

The story is about a man whose compulsive tendencies make it impossible for him to keep a job, and a young girl who skips school and loves insects. The two meet, come to support each other in reintegrating into society, and fall in love. There’s a problem, however: namely, the parasites in their heads.

I encourage you to buy the book yourself to support the author. (Amazon.co.jp) (Kinokuniya)

You can read my translation as a PDF here.

Warning: The story involves topics of compulsive disorders, suicide, and depression. There’s an age gap between the main characters (27 and 17), but the story is at least aware of it. And there is discussion of the behavior of and diseases caused by various parasites, which can be a little unnerving.

Part 1 is here. Part 3 is Chapters 6 and 7. Enjoy!

(Regarding Chapter 6’s name: “mushi ga ii hanashi” means “too good to be true,” but could literally be read as “good for the insect.” The inverse isn’t really a thing that’s said, but…)

Part 4