RH Chapter 14

Chapter 14 – Case Close?

Resonance 3, Part 1

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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The autopsy conducted immediately afterwards revealed that Sho’s estimated time of death was around 4 AM in the early morning. The estimation that it was around 4 AM was confirmed as a definite fact.

There were signs of strangulation. But that was not the direct cause of death. The cause of death was traumatic shock from severe full-body impact.

However, if it was just an accidental death, there should not have been any strangulation marks.

Amane suspected that Shou was strangled and then pushed off the pedestrian bridge stairs.

“What do you mean ‘back off’!? What does that mean?” 

Amane slammed his hands on Onizuka’s desk and raised his voice. He could feel the detective Kouki shifting behind him, and the other detectives in the department turning to look. But he couldn’t care less.

“As I just said, a large amount of alcohol was detected in the body of the deceased boy. It’s believed he got drunk and accidentally fell off the pedestrian bridge. Or he jumped off himself. In the process, he suffered severe full-body impact, leading to shock-induced death. Therefore, this is considered an accidental death or suicide, with no criminal aspect.”

Onizuka, wearing an expressionless mask, calmly stated this.

“No criminal aspect!? Then what about the strangulation marks?”

“He probably had some kind of risky play with a customer involving strangulation, given the large amount of alcohol…”

“…Tch.”

Gritting his teeth in disgust at this shoddy excuse.

This ‘risky play’ – strangling during sex. What a vile assumption about a male prostitute. It made his blood boil.

To just slap any kind of sordid label on the deceased, as if the dead have no voice.

He unconsciously glared with a stern expression. But Amane knew that the real enemy was not the head of the department standing in front of him.

The ‘upper decision’ was clearly the will of the Superintendent.

As soon as they realised Shou was a Stray Omega, the upper echelons became passive about the investigation.

Because for the police hierarchy, the existence of Stray Omegas is an untouchable issue.

Considering that many senior police officers are involved with the red-light district, that area is essentially off-limits. As the leader of the small D-East Police Station, the Superintendent likely just wanted to quickly conclude it as an accident before stirring up any hornets’ nests.

Furthermore, in the case of a Stray Omega, there would likely be no family to dispute a conclusion of accidental death. The owner of the brothel would probably handle Shou’s remains. And as a professional, they would want to avoid further police involvement as much as possible.

“…So the investigation is being closed, then?”

At Amane’s low-voiced confirmation, Onizuka solemnly nodded.

“This is outside our jurisdiction. Don’t delve into it any further.”

Hearing that, there was no way Amane could simply accept it.

Without responding to the superior’s order, Amane turned on his heel and left the desk.

“Honjou, don’t do anything reckless, you understand?”

The voice calling out from behind, reminding him, was ignored.

During the time waiting for the autopsy results, he had canvassed the surrounding area. But since the estimated time of death was during a period when there was little foot or vehicle traffic, no eyewitnesses had been found. And unfortunately, the crime scene was in a blind spot of the surveillance cameras. At the moment, there was no material to overturn the Superintendent’s decision.

At this rate, without a proper investigation, Shou’s death would be buried in the darkness.

(I won’t let that happen.)

If the organisation won’t move, then he’ll do it alone.

“Honjou-san.”

Just as he was leaving the floor, Kouki fell in step beside him.

Even when canvassing the crime scene area, Kouki had tagged along, taking notes over Amane’s shoulder and snapping photos on his smartphone, pretending to investigate. While Amane had been ignoring him, Kouki had apparently decided that if he was going to be outright ignored, he would take independent action. An uncomfortable situation of silent companionship had continued.

“The investigation is continuing, right?”

“…..”

It had been a while since Kouki had asked anything. But Amane had no need or obligation to answer his questions.

As Amane continued walking in silence, Kouki declared, “I’ll accompany you as well.”

“Even for me, this is my first case. I can’t accept just closing it like this. Even if it was an accident, let’s continue the investigation until we can confirm that for certain.”

Amane abruptly stopped in his tracks. Turning his gaze to meet Kouki’s, the rookie’s eyes widened in surprise – Amane had been steadfastly ignoring him up until now.

“Don’t go flaunting your naïve sense of justice like a smartass… You little brat.”

Glaring at the perplexed rookie with a menacing tone, Amane’s patience had reached its limit. On top of the order to close the investigation, being lectured in a condescending manner by this amateur was too much.

“You don’t understand anything.”

“…Honjou-san-“

“-Listen up? If you defy the orders from above, you’ll have to bear the risks as well. A greenhorn like you could suddenly face a huge penalty. You could get transferred to a koban and be stuck in a uniform for years. Do you have the resolve for that?”

“…That’s…-“

“-For me, your very existence is a liability and a risk. If you can’t accept the closure of the investigation, then just sit quietly at your desk. That’s the only ‘contribution’ you can make.”

Spitting out the sarcastic retort, Kouki knit his eyebrows and tightened his lips, looking frustrated.

(Serves you right.)

Having put the impudent brat in his place, Amane felt a slight alleviation of his irritation. Kouki, as if composing himself, looked Amane straight in the eye and spoke in a firm tone.

“I’ll prove that I’m not a liability – I’ll demonstrate the merits of being your partner.”

“…Huh?”

A strange sound escaped Amane’s throat.

Where on earth was this unfounded confidence coming from?

Amane really wanted to give him a good dressing-down. But decided it would be a waste of time and effort to invest any more in this guy.

Turning his gaze forward, he started walking again. He completely shut Kouki out, who was still following at a distance.

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*Translator’s Note: Lol. Our seme is following our uke everywhere like a loyal dog. 🤣 -K

*GLOSSARY: 

• A koban (交番) is a small neighbourhood police station. 
• 

Next update: 2024.12.02

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