RL Chapter 37

Chapter 37 – No Big Deal

Resonance 4, Part 6

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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As Kouki struggled to divert the conversation, a rich, deep voice broke the oppressive atmosphere. 

“So, this is where you were, Mother.”

The owner of the commanding voice was a strikingly handsome man, dressed sharply in a black tailcoat, standing just behind Kouki’s mother. He was a full head taller than her, despite her wearing heels. His grey-brown hair was swept back in an elegant style, revealing a high forehead, a noble nose, finely shaped brows, and light-coloured eyes beneath them. His thin, firm lips and flawless features came together in a face so perfectly refined it had an intimidating air.

As he arrived, Kouki’s previously stiff expression softened, and he called out, “Nii-san.” But before Kouki could speak, Amane had already figured out who the man was.

Shutou Keiki, the eldest son and current head of the Shutou family. As the CEO of the Shutou conglomerate, he was known for his willingness to make ruthless decisions when necessary, earning him the dramatic nickname ‘Ice Emperor’ in the media. Seeing him in person, it was easy to understand why.

“Keiki, is something the matter?” Kouki’s mother’s expression also softened slightly—likely proud of her eldest son—as she asked.

“Father is looking for you. He wants to introduce you to some guests from overseas.”

“Oh, is that so? Well then, I’ll excuse myself.”

Without even sparing a glance at Amane, she turned on her heel. Her high heels clicked sharply on the floor as she walked away. Kouki watched her departing figure for a moment, then sighed, slipping a finger into his collar and exhaling heavily.

“Is something wrong, Kouki?” Keiki asked, noticing his younger brother’s discomfort.

Kouki gave a small, wry smile. “No, nothing… Thanks for coming to get Mother.”

Keiki raised one eyebrow, clearly aware of the difficulty in dealing with their proud mother. It seemed that the brothers shared a mutual understanding of their mother’s challenges.

After inadvertently saving his brother, Keiki turned his gaze to Amane and asked, “And who might this be?”

“This is Honjou Amane. My partner,” Kouki said with a touch of pride, causing Amane to feel somewhat conflicted.

Keiki, hearing this introduction, gave a cryptic murmur, “So, you’re the one…” and extended his right hand toward Amane.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Kouki’s older brother. I’ve heard about you from him. It seems my brother holds you in high regard.”

Another handshake.

(What is it with Alphas and handshakes?)

Amane inwardly clicked his tongue. But he owed Keiki a favour regarding the Kourogi situation, and compared to their mother, Keiki was far more amiable.

“I’m Honjou. Thank you for your assistance with this matter,” Amane said, bracing himself as he took the proffered hand, giving it a brief, light shake before letting go.

Just like with Mizutani the tailor, nothing happened between him and Keiki either.

Amane had been slightly worried that something might happen, given that Keiki, like Kouki, was also an Alpha from the Shutou family. But, no resonance heat of arousal occurred.

This was definitive now. He had to acknowledge it.

That Kouki was a special person to him.

“How is my younger brother at work? I hope he hasn’t been causing you any trouble,” Keiki asked, snapping Amane back to reality from his thoughts.

“Ah… he’s doing well. He’s hardworking and very capable,” Amane replied.

Kouki’s eyes widened in surprise. And after a brief pause, a happy smile spread across his face. He looked as if he were about to wag an invisible tail.

“I see,” Keiki said, nodding as his own expression softened. His cold, statue-like beauty seemed to take on a more human warmth.

“To be honest, our parents still haven’t come to terms with Kouki becoming a detective. Ideally, they’d like him to leave the police and take over the family business. I understand their feelings. But I want to support my brother’s wishes. However, I’m no expert when it comes to the police force. From what I hear from Kouki, you are a very skilled detective. Please guide him and look after him.”

It seemed that even the notorious ‘Ice Emperor’ was soft when it came to his youngest brother.

Perhaps Keiki, bound by the responsibility of carrying the family legacy, wished for Kouki to live freely in his place. Keiki didn’t even have the freedom to choose his own marriage partner.

“By the way, it seems like that man hasn’t shown up yet,” Keiki remarked.

“Yeah, even though you went out of your way to help,” Kouki replied.

“You never know. This event will go on past midnight,” Keiki said with a slight frown. At that moment, a man who appeared to be his secretary approached and whispered something into his ear.

“Understood,” Keiki said with a light nod, then looked at his brother.

“I hope you achieve your goal tonight.”

“Thanks, nii-san,” Kouki replied.

Keiki placed a firm hand on Kouki’s shoulder before leaving with his secretary. As soon as he took a few steps, a crowd of guests gathered around him, forming a barrier of people around the star of the party. Amane watched the ‘Ice Emperor’ navigate effortlessly through the crowd for a while, before Kouki turned to him and apologised.

“I’m sorry.”

“For what?”

“My mother’s rude behaviour…”

Amane turned to face Kouki and dismissed the apology with a blunt, “It’s no big deal.”

Sure, he had been annoyed at the time, but it was in the past now. Holding a grudge against someone he’d likely never meet again was a waste of time.

“Anyway, tell me more about what you were saying earlier.”

“Earlier…?” Kouki asked, momentarily confused. He hadn’t immediately understood what Amane was referring to because his mind had been elsewhere.

Though Amane had said, ‘It’s no big deal’, Kouki couldn’t shake off the sting of his mother’s earlier behaviour. It had been appallingly rude. Disliking police officers was one thing. But to be so openly hostile was a breach of etiquette, especially for someone who was usually so strict about manners.

Had Keiki not come to call their mother away when he did, the situation could have escalated into a very public argument between mother and son.

―――To be honest, our parents still haven’t come to terms with Kouki becoming a detective. 

Keiki’s earlier words to Amane replayed in Kouki’s mind.

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*Translator’s Note: Some of you guys might feel like it’s not weird or anything to offer a handshake, right? Well, in Japan, we normally bow instead of handshaking. So, get it now? Giving a bow was probably not for the Alphas as they feel like it’s unnecessary for them to bow to anyone. Ugh. -K

*GLOSSARY: 

• Nii-san – Older brother. Sometimes Japanese will use Onii-san, Nii-chan, Aniki, Onii-chan. Anyway, Kouki used ‘Nii-san’ which is the more intimate version of Onii-san.

Next update: 2025.02.07

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