diseases like ascariasis, schistosomiasis, and malaria have gone away, but parasites naturally lurk in many places in our bodies, waiting for a chance to infect. Or maybe they’ve already infected, but the person never even realizes it.” Kousaka sighed. “Sounds like the mind of a clean freak will never know rest.” “Unfortunately.” Sanagi said she’d go dry her hair and left the living room. Since that day they told each other about their disorders, Sanagi had begun taking showers before she entered the living room. Kousaka said she didn’t have to show that much forethought, but Sanagi said “It’s my prerogative, right?” Once she’d washed, she’d put on a fresh change of clothes she brought, enter the living room, lie on the bed, and read, and talk to Kousaka if she felt like it. After returning from the bathroom, it seemed Sanagi still wanted to talk, so rather than lie on the bed, she sat across from Kousaka. Then Kousaka asked her. “It looks like you’re always reading books about parasites. What is it about parasites that captivates you so much?” “…I could tell you, but you might feel sick and faint, okay, Mr. Kousaka?” “If I hear it in this room, I think I’ll be okay.”