RP Chapter 25

Chapter 25 – The Owner

Volume 3, Resonance 3, Part 5

Novel Title: 共鳴熱情 オメガバース (Resonance Passion: Omegaverse)

Author：岩本薫 (Iwamoto Kaoru)

Illustrator：蓮川愛 (Hasukawa Ai)

Translator: K (@kin0monogatari)

Protagonists: MC- 遠峰一紗 (Toomine Kazusa), Lemur & ML- ゼロ (Zero)

*Please read at knoxt.space, the original site of translation. TQ*

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The entrance revealed an interior with off-white plaster walls, a tiled floor, and a simple wooden shoe cabinet. The hallway had real wooden flooring. Zero walked straight down it without taking off his shoes.

(Shoes on?)

Startled, Kazusa could only follow Zero’s lead and step inside with his sneakers still on. As Zero opened the inner door, Kazusa peeked over his shoulder into the room.

His first impression was, “It’s bright.” Being a corner room, one side had large sliding glass doors leading to a balcony, and another wall had a large waist-high window, allowing plenty of natural light to flood in.

In one corner of the main room, which was around fifteen tatami mats in size, there was a built-in kitchen. Two doors likely led to the bathroom and toilet. The layout was similar to a typical studio apartment for a single person. But to Kazusa’s surprise, it was much cleaner than he had imagined based on the building’s exterior, perhaps recently renovated. The entire space had a minimalist design—off-white walls and ceilings, wooden floors continuing from the hallway, and simple built-in shelves and lighting that gave the room a calm, understated feel. While inside this room, it was easy to forget they were in the rough area of Deep Downtown.

Kazusa’s belongings had already been delivered. About ten cardboard boxes were stacked neatly in a corner.

Satisfied with the space that would serve as the foundation for his new life, Kazusa said, his voice bouncing with excitement, “It’s clean, bright, and a really nice room!”

“Glad you like it,” Zero responded.

“Yes, I do.”

With a slightly pleased expression, Zero added, “I chose a room with as much sunlight as possible.”

Hearing that, Kazusa thought that maybe Zero had been considerate, making sure he wouldn’t fall into dark thoughts again.

It’s said that exposure to sunlight increases serotonin levels, stabilising one’s mood.

If that was true… Zero might not be such a bad person after all, if he had gone to such lengths for someone who wasn’t even a friend or close acquaintance.

Kazusa quietly gazed at Zero’s profile as he stood by the window.

When they had been intimate, Zero had exuded a dangerous allure, like a nocturnal beast glowing in the moonlight. But now, bathed in sunlight, he seemed almost divine.

(He looks like Apollo…)

As Kazusa stared, lost in thought. Zero suddenly turned toward him, their eyes meeting.

“…!”

Kazusa quickly averted his gaze, feeling flustered. Clearing his throat awkwardly, he began, “Um…”

“Thank you very much. Not only did you help move my things, but you even got everything set up. I really appreciate it.”

Kazusa finally voiced his gratitude, bowing his head.

Despite having initially resisted out of pride, claiming he didn’t need anyone’s pity, he had ended up relying on Zero for everything.

It had been a somewhat forceful process. But without Zero’s assertiveness and determination, he would never have found such a great place in such a short time.

“Also… we haven’t discussed the rent yet,” Kazusa added, voicing a new concern that had arisen as he inspected the room. It was something he should have asked about earlier.

It’s common knowledge that higher floors in rental buildings tend to be more expensive. This room was on the sixth floor, a corner unit, and it looked recently renovated. Plus, the location was in the heart of the Deep Downtown. If the rent exceeded what he had budgeted for, he might struggle to afford it with his savings.

After all this, the possibility of having to move out again soon made him anxious.

“So, how much is the rent per month?”

“Per month?”

“The rent for this room. How much should I pay?”

At Kazusa’s question, Zero’s expression darkened for some reason.

“You don’t need to pay rent,” Zero said flatly, with a hint of annoyance in his voice.

Kazusa was taken aback, both by the unexpected response and by Zero’s apparent frustration. He couldn’t understand why Zero was getting upset over this conversation. With a confused expression, he retorted, “But that wouldn’t be right.”

“There must be a landlord for this place,” he added.

Zero gave him a look as if to say, ‘What are you talking about?’ before stating, “I’m the owner.”

“…Huh?”

Kazusa’s eyes widened, and he was left speechless for a few seconds before blurting out, “Th-The owner of this room?”

“This room, yes. But also the entire building—it’s mine. I told you, you don’t need to pay rent,” Zero said firmly.

“The owner of the building?!” Kazusa’s voice cracked.

He had assumed that Zero, who seemed at ease handling expensive cars, was financially well off. But he never imagined he owned an entire building. Even in Deep Downtown, owning a building in the bustling heart of Central City wasn’t something just anyone could do.

(Who… is he, really?)

Kazusa stared at Zero, who furrowed his eyebrows, looking annoyed. “I told you I’d take care of you, didn’t I?” Zero pressed.

“Well, yes. You did…”

It was true. Zero had indeed said, “If you’ve got nowhere to live, why don’t you stay with me? I’ve got a spare room. You can move in right away.” But Kazusa had assumed Zero meant an apartment or a room in a building he happened to live in, not one he owned.

“Um…” Kazusa began, unable to hold back his curiosity. “I’m sorry if this is too personal, but where do you get that kind of income?”

“Why do you want to know?” Zero responded, looking puzzled.

Flustered, Kazusa hesitated. “I mean, if you don’t want to talk about it, that’s fine. I was just impressed at how successful you are at such a young age.”

“I’m not hiding anything.”

“S-Sorry…”

Kazusa blushed at his own bluntness. But Zero didn’t press him further and casually explained his income source.

“My main income comes from stock trading. The money I used to buy the building was from investments. Besides investment profits, I also have a steady income from the lounge in the basement.”

So, it wasn’t inherited wealth but money he had earned himself.

(A stock trader and lounge owner… That explains a lot.)

The nickname ‘King of the Night’ seemed fitting after all.

Running a lounge requires experience in the service industry. Kazusa guessed Zero had probably worked as a host or in a similar role himself. His exceptional looks and the refined grace in his movements made that easy to believe.

“I bought this building three years ago because I wanted to create a sanctuary for Stray Omegas.”

Seizing the opportunity, Zero continued, as if wanting to explain everything in one go.

“A sanctuary for Stray Omegas?”

The conversation had taken an unexpected turn. Kazusa was momentarily caught off guard.

“We call this place ‘RARE.’ It’s a haven for strays.”

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*GLOSSARY: 

• In Japan, rooms are traditionally measured by the number of tatami mats because tatami has long been a standard flooring material in Japanese homes. A tatami mat has a standardised size, approximately 0.9 metres by 1.8 metres (varying slightly by region), making it a practical unit of measurement for room dimensions. This method dates back to the Edo period (1603–1868), when rooms were often designed around the size and layout of tatami mats. Since tatami mats were a key part of Japanese architecture and culture, counting rooms by the number of mats became a cultural norm, which persists even today. It’s a convenient and visual way to describe the size of a room, as the number of tatami mats gives a direct sense of the space’s layout and proportions. For example, a ‘6-tatami’ room gives an immediate idea of the room’s size and function.

Next update: 2025.04.10

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