My Dear Parasyte

Chapter 2

A Lonely Place

The girl is rather young probably early twenties is Sonia's best guess. She has long black shiny hair and an attractive face with rather thin lips. The man sitting opposite of her has a muscular physique his shirt does nothing to hide this. His hair is short and brown and he also like the girl is attractive. He laughs along with the girl while rubbing his fingertips over the back her hand teasingly. Sonia wonders why she can't pick up men like that guy. It wasn't like she was unattractive by any standard. She was just so shy when it came to talking to the opposite sex. She had only been with three guys in her entire life. Now she was a high school language teacher with no future prospects. The other instructors were always nice but none were her type per say. She wanted a partner that had a life that was a bit more exciting than her own. All she could do was dream for now. The cheerful waitress comes back with her order and a pair of chopsticks. Sonia thanks her and she moves to another booth to serve a family of four. Just as Sonia digs into the steaming noodles the attractive couple gets up walking hand in hand and leaves. Judging by the smiles on their faces Sonia had a pretty good idea of their destination. Lucky dogs she says to herself. It had been sometime since she had been on a date and even longer since she did the deed with anyone. On the upside she did have her little vibrating friend to take care of business but it would still be nice to have some companionship. Oh well.

Sonia watches the sunset as she finishes the last of her noodles then checks her phone. No one ever called her anymore. She had avoided all of her friends until they eventually stopped calling. The only person she still spoke to on occasion was her mother. She could only imagine how much everyone would hate her if they knew that she wrote that book. That secret was always like a thunderstorm constantly hoovering above her head. If she came out and just confessed there would be some repercussions. Not to mention that her colleagues would want nothing to do with her. The waitress startles her because she wasn't aware that she was already standing next to the table. Sonia pulls off a convincing performance by covering her surprise with a warm smile. The waitress asks if she would like anything else. Sonia declines so the waitress leaves the check and tells her to have a good evening. After paying and leaving a tip Sonia doesn't feel much like going straight home. Maybe she could see a movie or go for a stroll through the local park. She didn't have a whole lot of funds to throw around so Sonia decides to take the walk. She recognizes the park immediately by the tall hedges at the entrance. Upon entering she feels relaxed for once and takes a deep breath. Perhaps she would get back into her workout routine starting tomorrow. When she used to exercise consistently she ran through the park daily. The park was very quiet now unlike the early morning when the birds were chirping and everything flowed with life.

Tension has built up in Sonia's neck giving her a headache. During her walk a park bench comes into view. It's occupied by a man in a business suit. He doesn't even look up as Sonia approaches. She sits down on the end furthest away from the man and massages her tight neck.

"Long day?" asks the man. His voice is strangely neutral.

Sonia looks at him. He is clean shaven with his brown hair cut into a modest style. That's all she can really see because he never turns to face Sonia as he speaks.

"Kind of." Says Sonia in a shy voice.

Silence follows as they both sit sharing the bench. Soon the silence begins to grind on Sonia's nerves and she has to say something, anything to break it.

"Did you come from work?" she asks.

"I was out with a female acquaintance after work but she became quite a nuisance so I had to get rid of her." He responds.

"Oh. It must be nice." Utters Sonia

"Getting rid of her was nice?" inquires the stranger.

"No no, I mean it's at least nice to have someone so interested in you that you have to beat them off."

The stranger turns his head to look at Sonia. They make eye contact for the first time. Sonia notes that his face is very pleasant to look at. He has dark brown eyes, a straight nose, and the rest of his features fit his face well. Sonia and the stranger stare at one another neither of them speak at first.

"I can see why you get a lot of attention." Professes Sonia.

"Do I attract you?" asks the stranger

He never takes his eyes off of Sonia. His gaze isn't intimidating or penetrating surprisingly his eyes are just as neutral as his tone of voice. Sonia can't read this guy at all.

"Well, I don't know."

Sonia can feel her face going red.

"Are you ill?" he asks

"No I just….I have to go now." Says Sonia.

"I do as well." Says the stranger.

They both get up at the same time. Sonia is so nervous walking next to such an attractive guy that her heart is pounding in her chest. She wants to make more small time before they reach the entrance to leave but she can't think of anything. Once they exit the park Sonia stops on the sidewalk just outside to watch what the stranger will do next. He doesn't break stride as he walks in the opposite direction down the sidewalk.

"Wait!" yells Sonia

She was scolding herself on the inside for not keeping her big mouth shut but maybe she should take the intuitive for once instead of waiting around forever for a guy to come to her.

The man stops without turning around.

"What's your name? I mean if I ever see you again I know what to call you." She says

"Takeshi. Takeshi Hirokawa." Says the man as he continues walking away.