Chapter 18 – Joining the Investigation
Resonance 2, Part 4
Novel Title: 共鳴劣情 オメガバース (Resonance Lust: Omegaverse)
Author：岩本薫 (Iwamoto Kaoru)
Illustrator: 蓮川愛 (Hasukawa Ai)
Translator: K (@kin0monogatari)
Protagonists: 本浄天音 (Honjou Amane) & 苅谷煌騎 (Kariya Kouki) / 首藤煌騎 (Shutou Kouki)
*Please read at knoxt.space, the original site of translation. TQ*
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Over time, Aya’s health deteriorated, and she was forced to cancel work engagements. Eventually, she spiralled into a deep depression.
In the end, she was found dead, having drowned in the bathtub after taking sleeping pills.
The local police department that handled the case concluded her death as a suicide.
In this line of work, Amane had seen and handled many disturbing cases. But this one left a particularly bitter taste in his mouth.
Kouki’s research revealed that Aya had lived in a suburban apartment complex, leased as a dormitory by her talent agency. It was in this apartment that she was found dead. The address placed the apartment in the southern district of Midtown, meaning the case had been handled by the Midtown South Police Department.
The Midtown South Police Department—or M-South Station for short—covered a suburban residential area adjacent to the densely packed urban housing of the city outskirts.
In general, the further away from the city centre you go, the fewer serious crimes you see. Instead, the department dealt mainly with petty crimes like purse snatching, shoplifting, neighbourhood disputes, traffic accidents, and non-criminal deaths. This made it the polar opposite of D-East Station, which oversaw a district rife with violent crimes, seedy nightlife, and slums.
If a police department handles fewer violent crimes, the officers’ experience doesn’t improve. Thus, their instincts for solving cases grow dull. It’s similar to how a surgeon who performs a few operations never gets better.
The investigators at M-South Station already had limited capabilities. On top of that, they were influenced by the bias that Aya had been mentally unstable due to pregnancy-related depression, which likely led them to the easy conclusion of ‘suicide’.
At this point, it’s just speculation. But at the very least, Mizuki Andou, who asked Kouki to ‘uncover the truth’, doesn’t believe Aya’s death was a suicide.
Mizuki Andou is a famous actress and Aya’s senior at the agency. Even someone like Amane, who knew little about the entertainment world, could recognize her name and face.
Kouki had planned to meet Mizuki Andou tonight to interview her. As soon as Amane learned about this, he volunteered to tag along.
Kouki, seeming surprised by the offer, asked, “…Are you sure?”
After three days of stakeouts, barely a moment of release, and then being rushed into preparations for interrogations and paperwork to meet a 48-hour deadline, they had finally solved the case and gotten some well-deserved free time. Kouki’s question implied, ‘Are you really willing to use your hard-earned time off for something that isn’t even official work?’
Without revealing his true thoughts, Amane simply responded with a casual, “I’m free anyway.”
Normally, on the day his heat began, it was wise to avoid contact with others as much as possible. Even with suppressants, the effects could be unstable on the first day. This was especially true with Kouki, his ‘soulmate’. Keeping distance from him would be ideal. Usually, unless there was a pressing reason, Amane would retreat early to his room and quietly spend the evening alone.
However, after learning about Aya’s tragic death, he couldn’t justify staying locked away in his room, absorbed in books.
After all, the reason Aya became a victim of the rape drug was because she was an Omega.
While Omegas working in red-light districts were professionals, ordinary Omegas, like Aya, were still tied to their biological trait of going into heat. Combined with their generally attractive appearance, this made them easy targets for the sexual desires of Betas and Alphas. And even when Omegas were assaulted, they usually suffered in silence, without seeking justice.
Because they go into heat, Omegas are banned from certain jobs, such as business owners, politicians, or bureaucrats—any positions of power. As a result, Omegas tend to hold low social status and their voices rarely get heard in society.
You were attacked because you’re an Omega. You must have led them on.
The reason the Alpha—or Beta—lost control was because of your Omega pheromones.
Even if they reported to the police, they would be dismissed with such assumptions, suffering from verbal violence akin to ‘second rape’.
Even when caught up in an incident, they are buried without a proper investigation.
That’s why Amane became a detective.
To reduce the number of Omegas who suffer in silence—even if it means that sometimes, like the Stray Omega, Shou, which Amane was involved with before, or Aya, who is already dead and beyond saving, Amane can at least clear their grievances by uncovering the truth…
“We’re almost there.”
Kouki’s voice broke through Amane’s thoughts. He hadn’t spoken until now, likely concentrating on driving. Perhaps he was also formulating his approach to how he would question Mizuki.
Before they knew it, they were entering a high-end residential area known for its soaring property values, a far cry from the upscale Upper Hills where Alphas lived but still a gathering place for successful and wealthy individuals.
“That tower over there,” Kouki said, signalling their destination as he manoeuvred the car closer to the shimmering tower apartment against the night sky.
This high-rise building, boasting impeccable security with a concierge stationed in the lobby, represented a wealth that was unattainable for the average citizen.
Stopping momentarily in front of the gate leading to the underground parking, Kouki entered a series of numbers on the control panel with practised ease. As the gate opened, they drove slowly down the winding slope, parking in what appeared to be a guest space in the underground lot. All around them were luxury cars.
After Kouki turned off the engine, Amane unfastened his seatbelt and exited the passenger side. Kouki followed suit, locking the car with his keyless entry.
“6: 52,” he said, pulling out a cutting-edge device from the jacket of his three-piece suit, reading off the digital display on the home screen.
“No messages about changes in the schedule have come in, so she should be home waiting for us. Let’s go.”
Following Kouki’s confident stride, they soon arrived at an elevator concealed behind a pillar. Kouki pressed the button to call the elevator and gently placed a hand on the opening door, prompting with a gesture, “Please, go ahead.” In response, Amane quietly thought, ‘What a player’. This casual, smooth escorting was probably considered high points in a woman’s eyes.
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*Translator’s Note: Honjou-san always had that thought about Kariya-kun hahahaha. -K
Next update: 2025.01.19
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