RL Chapter 60

Chapter 60 – ‘Confidentiality’

Resonance 8, Part 2

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*

֍֍֍

Suppressing his excitement, Kouki consciously used a calmer tone than usual, hoping to come across as trustworthy.

“…How did you get this phone number?”

Since he couldn’t tell the truth, he responded gently, “I’m afraid I can’t disclose that due to confidentiality obligations.” The mention of ‘confidentiality’ usually made ordinary people stop probing, thinking ‘it can’t be helped’.

“I see… I understand.”

Thankfully, Kourogi seemed to accept this explanation and dropped the matter.

“You mentioned it was about Aya… What exactly is the matter?” Probing cautiously, Kourogi asked, to which Kouki responded with a question of his own, “You’re aware that Aya-san has passed away, correct?”

“…Yes, I was contacted by the police. I was told it was a suicide…”

Kourogi’s voice sounded uncomfortable. It seemed he did feel some guilt about Aya.

Since Kourogi was a civilian, he probably didn’t understand that police jurisdictions were strictly divided by area, and likely didn’t remember that it had been an officer from the Midtown South Police Station who had initially contacted him.

“Yes, but new evidence has been discovered. And now there’s a possibility it wasn’t a suicide.”

“It wasn’t a suicide? Then, was it an accident?”

“No.”

Kourogi gasped audibly on the other end of the line. “Don’t tell me… Are you saying it was a murder?”

“We haven’t reached that conclusion yet. We’re only at the stage where it has become a possibility.”

“What kind of evidence was discovered?”

“I can’t discuss that over the phone. However, in connection with the new evidence, there’s a matter we urgently need to confirm with you, which is why I contacted you. I’m sorry to trouble you at this late hour, but could you make some time for us?”

“…Right now?”

Even for a police investigation, this was an unreasonable time.

Sensing Kourogi’s hesitation, Kouki applied pressure, saying, “Depending on the outcome, this could turn into a serious matter that might affect the future operation of your company.” Kourogi gasped once more.

“…I understand. I can give you thirty minutes.”

Kouki clenched his phone tightly in triumph.

“Thank you for your cooperation. I don’t want to trouble you by asking you to come out, so I’ll come to you. Where should I meet you?”

***

Kourogi specified the bar lounge on the top floor of a luxury hotel in High Midtown.

It was explained that this hotel was Kourogi’s regular spot, where he stayed for about a third of the year. He was financially comfortable and single, so hotel living must have been more convenient for him.

According to the hotel’s website, the bar lounge, their meeting place, was open until 3.00 a.m. But it was already past 2.00 a.m., so there wasn’t much time left.

Kouki parked his car in a dead space near the hotel’s porte-cochère. He handed a tip to the approaching doorman, saying, “I’ll be back within thirty minutes, so please leave it here.” If the car were taken to the underground parking lot, retrieving it would take time.

The entrance lobby, already closed off from the lounge, was nearly empty, save for a few cleaning staff and night-shift workers. There were no signs of any hotel guests.

Kouki hurried across the sparsely populated lobby and pressed the elevator button upon reaching the hall. He boarded the empty cage when the doors opened and pressed the button for the 25th floor. The elevator’s slow ascent irritated him, but he resisted the urge to fidget and instead used the time to organise his thoughts.

(The fact that Kourogi agreed to meet me means he’s not currently with Honjou-san… right?)

Earlier today―――or, to be precise, yesterday, since the date had changed—they had definitely met after 6:30 p.m. Knowing Amane, there was no way he would have missed the chance to make contact with his new target.

Perhaps they met but had already parted ways, and Amane had moved to another location alone? Or could Kourogi have restrained Amane somehow and locked him in his hotel room?

In any case, Kouki had already resolved to use whatever means necessary―――even forceful ones―――to get Kourogi to talk and reveal Amane’s whereabouts.

Just as he made that decision, there was a soft ‘ding’, and the elevator reached the top floor. Without waiting for the doors to fully open, Kouki stepped out. The sky restaurant, offering a panoramic view of the city, had already closed at 1.00 a.m. Following the signs in the opposite direction, it wasn’t long before he saw the entrance to the bar lounge.

Standing at the open partition that served as a discreet entrance, Kouki peeked inside. The bar was narrow and cosy, with a wooden counter behind which stood a lone bartender. There were three customers inside: two foreigners seated together on the right side, deep in conversation with the bartender. Separated by four empty stools, a lone man sat at the far left end of the counter, sipping from a glass. From his overall silhouette, Kouki recognized this man as his contact.

Entering the bar, Kouki quietly approached Kourogi from behind at an angle.

“Kourogi-san.”

Kourogi turned to look at him, his dark complexion showing surprise. “Are you the detective?”

Kouki reached inside his jacket and pulled out his police ID, flipping it open.

“I’m Kariya from the First Squad of the Downtown East Police Station.”

After glancing between the photo in the ID and Kouki’s face, Kourogi introduced himself. “…I’m Kourogi.”

“Thank you for making time to meet. Since this place isn’t ideal for a private conversation, would you mind if we moved somewhere else?”

“Ah… sure.”

Kourogi seemed to have remembered the word ‘confidentiality’ and nodded. He stood up from his stool and told the bartender, “Put it on my room bill.” The bartender gave a polite nod and wished him, “Goodnight.”

“Where would you like to talk?”

“The lounge and the sky restaurant on the first floor are already closed. If it’s alright with you, I’d appreciate it if we could talk in your room.”

“That might be best,” Kourogi agreed, likely considering that some details of their conversation wouldn’t be suitable for others to overhear. He easily complied and said, “My room is on the 23rd floor,” then led the way.

They both entered the elevator, and Kourogi inserted his key card into the slot before pressing the ‘23’ button. The 23rd floor was a club floor, accessible only to those with a key card.

As the elevator began to descend, Kouki noticed Kourogi glancing at him from the side. He asked, “Is there something on your mind?”

֍֍֍

*Translator’s Note: Hurry and get your man, Kariya-san! -K

Next update: 2025.03.02

֍֍֍