RH Chapter 28

Chapter 28 – Fear

Resonance 5, Part 7

Novel Title: 共鳴発情 オメガバース (Resonance Heat: 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 Novels Space.space, the original site of translation. TQ*

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Had he been expecting there to be a second time?

But in the first place, it was inappropriate for partners to have a physical relationship. 

Kouki had decided to put off romantic entanglements until he became a full-fledged detective, cutting off relationships with women. For it to happen with his own partner was simply unacceptable.

One time was the right choice. …The right choice.

As he firmly told himself this, Amane spoke up.

“More importantly, you can’t tell anyone about what happened today. You may think you’ve got leverage on me now, but…-“

“-I don’t think like that at all,” Kouki cut him off sharply, denying it.

“I won’t tell anyone your secret.”

“…?”

Amane eyed him with suspicion.

“Don’t you trust me?”

Seeing Amane’s doubtful expression hurt Kouki. After working together as partners for a day, and even being physically intimate, albeit by accident, Amane still didn’t seem to trust him. His irritation welled up.

“I would never do anything to put you, my partner, in jeopardy.”

“Who knows. You’re an alpha, one of the powerful elite in this world. To you, a Stray Omega like me is probably no more than an insect. Whether one or two of us perish doesn’t make a difference.”

“That’s not true at all. Even if our categories are different, we’re still humans. Our lives hold the same value.”

“Don’t give me that idealistic crap. There’s no way an alpha and an omega have equal worth.”

Kouki swallowed back the angry outburst rising in his throat. He noticed Amane’s expression had become unnaturally blank, as if he were wearing a mask to conceal his true feelings.

Beneath the bravado, what was Amane really feeling?

The emotion farthest from his bold demeanour.

…Fear.

Could it be that Amane feared having his identity as a Stray Omega exposed and losing his position as a police officer?

Yes, if Amane’s status as a Stray Omega became public, he wouldn’t just lose his job – he could be criminally charged and imprisoned.

“…I won’t tell anyone,” Kouki murmured lowly.

Catching his words, Amane’s lip curled slightly.

“Of course not. The son of the prestigious Shutou family getting involved with a Stray Omega – that would be quite the scandal.”

Scandal didn’t matter to Kouki. He had weathered all sorts of unfounded rumours and reports in the media before. But this time, he deliberately chose not to correct Amane’s misunderstanding.

“You’re right. I won’t tell anyone.”

At Kouki’s calm affirmation, the vein at Amane’s temple twitched. His eyebrows furrowed tightly, as if he couldn’t forgive himself.

An uncomfortable silence settled between them. Kouki could feel waves of irritation emanating from Amane. But he didn’t try to make excuses. 

Even if it earned him Amane’s displeasure, he had to say this to be believed.

“Listen up,” Amane finally broke the silence.

“For both of us, what happened earlier was an unavoidable accident. In that sense, we’re even – partners in crime, so to speak. We won’t reveal each other’s status as an omega or an alpha. Understand?”

Kouki solemnly affirmed, “I understand.”

“I won’t tell anyone, ever.”

Kouki would swear it as many times as it took for Amane to feel assured.

Seeming relieved that the agreement was settled, Amane’s expression softened slightly. Then, Kouki tentatively asked, “In that case, may I ask one thing?”

Instantly, Amane’s demeanour turned defensive.

“What? You trying to blackmail me?”

Soothing the man with a calm voice as he bristled, Kouki said, “It’s nothing like that.”

“Then what?”

“Honjou Amane… that’s the name of your deceased childhood friend, isn’t it? If so, you must have a real name of your own.”

If he could learn Amane’s true name, perhaps he could get a little closer to the unguarded, genuine part of him.

“Why the hell do I have to tell you that?”

Amane dismissed it outright.

“Please, just tell me.”

“No way.”

“Why are you being so stubborn about it? It’s just your real name. Just tell me.”

“You’re the one being stubborn! Back off!”

Amane gestured sharply, shooing him away. Irritated, Kouki stood up from the sofa, and Amane quickly retreated.

“Don’t come near me.”

“…Ah…”

That’s right. With the suppressants’ effect wearing off, any physical contact could trigger Amane’s heat and Kouki’s rut all over again. They’d be consumed by that irresistible urge once more.

Regarding their previous animalistic entanglement, Kouki involuntarily recalled it.

(Idiot. Don’t reminisce on that.)

Shaking his head to clear his thoughts, he felt a dull throb at his temple.

“Hey.”

Amane’s furrowed eyebrows drew Kouki’s attention. “You’re bleeding.”

“The wound must have opened up.”

Considering how intensely they had moved during their climax, it was certainly possible.

“Use this to wipe it.”

Amane tossed him the towel draped around his neck.

“Sorry about this.”

Kouki used the towel to dab at the blood on his temple.

“…Dawn is coming soon.”

Following Amane’s gaze to the sliver of daylight peeking through the blinds, Kouki looked up.

“You should head home first and see a doctor in the morning. I’ll take a short rest and then go to the station.”

Falling back into work mode, Amane’s instructions had Kouki feeling a tinge of loneliness. But he obediently nodded. “Understood.”

Though this unexpected ‘accident’ had made them falter, they still had no leads on the Shou case at this stage.

Steeling his resolve, Kouki suddenly realised that the three-day deadline Amane had given him had somehow already passed.

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*Translator’s Note: Honjou-san said Kariya-san will quit in three days. Instead, he got into his pants on the third day. Lol! -K

Next update: 2024.12.16

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