RP Chapter 24

Chapter 24 – In the Deep Downtown

Volume 3, Resonance 3, Part 4

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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“That’s right. So you don’t need to speak to me so formally.”

It seemed that Zero had no intention of using formal speech just because Kazusa was older, either.

However, even knowing that Zero was younger, Kazusa couldn’t bring himself to speak casually. Closing the gap between them too much would be problematic.

“…I’m not used to speaking informally… So if you don’t mind, I’d like to continue as I am.”

“Do whatever you like.”

Zero shrugged casually, brushing it off with ease. His nonchalant gesture somehow came across as irritatingly perfect.

“We’re almost there.”

Just as Kazusa found himself absentmindedly admiring Zero’s movie-star-like profile, Zero informed him that they were nearing their destination, causing Kazusa to exclaim, “Already?”

“It’s only been about fifteen minutes.”

“We’re still in Downtown, after all.”

“…”

However, even though they were still technically in the same downtown area, this part was much closer to the slums, in what locals referred to as ‘Deep Downtown’. The scenery outside the car window had changed before Kazusa realised it.

There were far fewer houses, parks, and shopping districts, and the streets had narrowed, with buildings and commercial facilities dominating the view. Unlike the clean, well-known chains and stylish storefronts of Midtown, here, most of the businesses were either old and grimy or painted in garish colours. They were clearly independent shops. Many of the buildings were either greasy, had cracked display windows, or were covered in graffiti, giving off a neglected vibe. Crumbling walls of mixed-use buildings, pothole-riddled asphalt, and battered cars abandoned on the streets completed the rundown appearance.

This area had many nightlife establishments that opened in the evening. So during the daytime, the whole place seemed to be ‘sleeping’. In fact, there were hardly any people on the streets. What stood out most were the towering piles of uncollected garbage bags.

“Have you been around here before?”

When Zero asked, Kazusa replied quietly, “…No, hardly ever.”

At night, even a man would need courage to walk alone in this area. Kazusa had passed through here once, out of necessity, after 10 PM. But the aggressive solicitors from adult entertainment and hostess clubs had swarmed him, and it had taken a great deal of effort to shake them off. Ever since then, he had developed a strong aversion to the area and had avoided coming here whenever possible.

The city that never sleeps—Deep Downtown—was a place far removed from the likes of someone like Kazusa, who had no interest in nightlife.

And yet—

(I can’t believe that… I’ll be living here.)

The unexpected turn of events made him clench his hands tightly on his lap.

Even though he didn’t like the area, there was no way to escape. His furniture and belongings had already been moved in.

Zero glanced at Kazusa, who had suddenly fallen silent, and said, “It’s not exactly a safe area. But it’s not as bad as it looks from the outside. It’s one of those places where you get used to it.”

“Haah…”

“We’re here.”

Zero pointed ahead at a seven-story building that looked like it had seen better days.

Zero parked the car in one of the four available parking spaces next to the building.

Following Zero’s lead, Kazusa unfastened his seatbelt. Slinging his shoulder bag across his body, he got out of the car. Zero, who had already exited, locked the car with a remote button.

Kazusa followed behind Zero, who walked ahead with long strides into the building. But before entering the entrance, Kazusa paused to take in his surroundings.

There was no nameplate or sign indicating the building’s name. It was an anonymous building. The exposed concrete exterior was blackened in places, and Kazusa estimated it was about thirty years old. Still, it didn’t look neglected, perhaps because it had been well-maintained. The street in front of the building was narrow but clean and free of trash, unlike the streets he had seen from the car window earlier. Everything appeared to be better managed here.

Looking up, Kazusa saw square windows neatly aligned. Curtains or blinds covered most of them, and there was little sign of life. It didn’t seem like a residential building such as an apartment or condominium, but neither did it look like it housed stores. If it had businesses, there would usually be visible signs or a system indicating their presence. It looked like a mixed-use building with several companies or offices.

Just as Kazusa finished surveying the building, his eyes met Zero’s, who was waiting by the elevator.

“S-Sorry,” Kazusa stammered, quickly stepping into the glass-doored entrance and walking straight to the elevator. As he reached the elevator, he noticed a black door to the left. This seemed to be the entrance to the first floor. But from the outside, it was impossible to see inside. Behind him, there was a staircase leading down to the basement. But he didn’t see any stairs going up.

Zero pressed the elevator button, and when the doors opened, both of them stepped inside. As they turned to face forward, Kazusa saw buttons labelled ‘B2’, ‘B1’, ‘1’, ‘2’, ‘3’, ‘4’, ‘5’, ‘6’, ‘7’, and ‘R’.

Zero pulled a card out of the pocket of his long black coat and inserted it into the slot beneath the ‘B2’ button, then pressed ‘6’. The elevator jerked slightly as it began to ascend.

“There’s a basement?”

“The first and second basement levels are used as businesses.”

“Businesses? So, they’re stores?”

Kazusa was surprised since there hadn’t been any signs out front.

“A members-only lounge.”

“Members-only…”

That made sense—if the business didn’t accept walk-in customers, there would be no need for signage. It was probably one of those hidden, exclusive lounges that only those in the know could access.

While Kazusa was still processing this, they arrived on the sixth floor, and the doors opened. Zero held the sliding door open with his hand, gesturing for Kazusa to go first. He did it so smoothly, with such practised ease, that it almost felt irritatingly perfect.

“Thank you,” Kazusa said, giving a slight nod and stepping out onto the sixth floor. Directly in front of him were three black doors—one to the right, one straight ahead, and one to the left.

Zero stopped in front of the door on the left. There was an intercom next to the black door, and above it, a small plaque with the room number ‘601’. Zero pulled a keyring from his coat pocket and selected a key with a colourful cap, inserting it into the lock. After unlocking the door, he grasped the handle and pulled it open.

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*Translator’s Note: It’s kinda hard to depict how formal and informal language works in English. I think those who translate from Korean language would also understand. Japan and Korea are very hierarchical countries. Is that what it’s called? Yeah. Something like that. But just know that in Japanese, there’s an informal way of speaking (usually among friends or close acquaintances) and then the formal speech (among strangers or those older or your superiors). But since this is an English translation, you won’t get to see much of the difference. Nevermind though, as long as this gets across to you. -K

Next update: 2025.04.09

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