Reading Japan

"Poking the Beehive" by Arai Ran (2021x21)

Air date: Dec 28, 2021

The story is about an entomologist named F. His former university classmate introduces him to E, a rather unusual patient. It turns out bees have built a hive in E's abdomen. F is taken aback, but his curiosity as a researcher has been aroused and he decides to take E in. He then observes the bizarre co-existence of the bees with their host. And, a surprise ending awaits. Arai Ran, "Poking the Beehive" (from Short Short Treasure Box, Kobunsha paperback)