RL Chapter 40

Chapter 40 – Changed

Resonance 5, Part 1

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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(Kariya became a detective because of Odagiri…?)

Shocked by the newly revealed truth, Amane stared at the oil lighter in his hand.

Kouki, too, seemed taken aback by their unexpected connection. At the same time, he appeared deeply shaken by the fact that his lifesaver had already passed away. With a dazed expression, he gazed at Odagiri’s belongings. It was only natural. The person he had been chasing as his life goal was no longer in this world.

“………”

In stark contrast to the lively hum of the party, a gloomy atmosphere enveloped the two of them. Somewhere nearby, the ringtone of a cell phone suddenly broke the silence.

“Hey, isn’t that yours?”

At Amane’s remark, Kouki gave a small start and took his phone out from the pocket of his trousers. “It’s from my father,” he muttered as he put the phone to his ear.

“Yes… I understand. I’ll head over there now.”

After hanging up, he let out a long sigh.

“My father called me. Apparently, the relatives on his side have gathered. Do you mind if I step out for a bit?”

Amane, who had no family, didn’t quite understand the feeling. But it seemed that Alphas placed great importance on blood ties. There were apparently many relatives eager to see the third son of the main family, who rarely attended parties.

“Yeah, go ahead.”

“Sorry for all the commotion.”

Amane responded to Kouki, who was apologising earnestly, with a relaxed, “Don’t worry about it.”

“I’m not a kid. Do what you need to.”

“I’ll be back soon. But if Kourogi shows up while I’m gone, contact me on my phone.”

“Got it.”

“I’m sure you already understand this, but please don’t act alone. Okay?”

With yet another reminder, Kouki left. Amane, now alone, began to process what they had just discussed.

Being kidnapped and nearly killed at six years old is an extreme trauma. It would be natural for such an experience to leave deep scars. Yet Kouki had turned that pain into a positive force, wanting to save others who might be in despair like him. That kind of mental strength was remarkable. Moreover, despite his parents’ fierce opposition (which must have involved significant struggles, as tonight had made clear), Kouki managed to overcome the hurdles of rigorous police academy training and unfamiliar dorm life, ultimately achieving his dream. His determination was extraordinary.

Whether it was because he was an Alpha or because of Kouki’s unique abilities, Amane couldn’t say…

Still, the fact that it was Odagiri who inspired Kouki to become a detective was an unbelievable coincidence.

The kidnapping case caused by a single Beta had connected a detective from D-East Station with the child of a prestigious Alpha family—two people who would otherwise never have crossed paths.

Through the case, Odagiri left an indelible mark on Kouki’s heart, forever changing his life.

But that was understandable.

Odagiri was that kind of person.

Back then—when he had just become a police officer, hiding the fact that he was a Stray Omega—he was even more cautious and on edge than he is now. He was so eager to achieve results quickly that he viewed his colleagues not as trusted partners, but as rivals to outdo.

Perhaps it was the strain of balancing that pressure with the burden of his ‘secret’ that threw off his hormonal balance. His cycle became irregular and his heat came far earlier than expected. As a result, Odagiri, who was his mentor at the time, discovered his secret.

It was not the same as when Kouki found out. Back then, his mind went blank, and he thought, “It’s over.” But in his despair, Odagiri promised, “It’s okay. I won’t tell anyone.” And he truly kept that promise, never revealing his secret to anyone until the very end.

Being assigned a rookie who was as untrusting as a wildcat must have been a constant struggle, even for a veteran like Odagiri. Yet, with his warmth and tolerance, he watched over Amane as he stumbled along. Not only did he teach him the basics of investigation, but he owed it to Odagiri that he’s still a detective today.

As he mulled over all of this, a sudden thought crossed his mind.

(Come to think of it, isn’t Odagiri’s death anniversary coming up soon?)

His eyes slowly widened. “…That’s right,” he muttered to myself.

Every year, without fail, he would visit his widow and daughter on the anniversary and offer his respects at the altar. But if Kouki hadn’t mentioned Odagiri today, he might have forgotten about that important day this year.

A chill ran down the back of his neck. Relief at realising this beforehand mixed with a surge of intense anger at himself. This was terrible.

He couldn’t use being busy as an excuse. Ever since Kouki became his partner, he’d been able to hand off the paperwork he wasn’t good at, and work that he used to do on his own was now shared. So his workload had clearly decreased compared to before. In fact, it was precisely because of this saved time that he was able to get involved in Aya’s case…

It wasn’t a physical reason. His rhythm had been thrown off ever since he started working with Kouki… He was clearly different from the version of himself that had lived avoiding connections with people.

Realising how much he had unknowingly changed, he cursed under his breath, “Damn it,” just as a man came into view.

A man in his mid-forties, wearing a black tuxedo, appeared at the entrance with hurried steps. He was about 175 centimetres tall, with a face that seemed hot and rugged, likely tanned from golfing.

It was Amane’s first time seeing him in person. But his heavy features were burned into his retina from the countless images he’d seen. There was no mistake. It was their target, Kourogi.

(He’s here!)

Kourogi looked around nervously, as if searching for a familiar face. But for the time being, it didn’t seem like he’d spotted anyone he knew. He took a glass of champagne from a passing waiter and started wandering aimlessly around the venue.

(This is my chance.)

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*Translator’s Note: This Kourogi guy will turn our tamed puppy, Kariya-kun, into a jealous wolfhound. Hahahaha. -K

Next update: 2025.02.10

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