RH Chapter 15

Chapter 15 – Abandoned by Society

Resonance 3, Part 2

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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And yet, here he was.

Fifteen minutes later, Amane found himself in the passenger seat of Kouki’s car. The reason was that Amane’s motorcycle had stalled out.

After finally shaking off the persistent man, Amane had gone down to the underground parking lot, straddled his beloved bike, only for it to stubbornly refuse to start. Given its vintage nature, and Amane’s recent neglect of maintenance due to his busy schedule, it had betrayed him.

Leaving the uncooperative motorcycle in the parking lot, Amane had taken the elevator up to the surface and started walking along the sidewalk. His destination was about a 30-minute walk from the D-East Police Station. He had planned to hail a taxi, but of course, when he needed one, none were to be found. Finally, one passed by. Amane raised his hand to flag it down, only to have the driver refuse to pick him up once he stated his destination.

“Damn driver!”

As Amane stood there, irritated and fidgeting, a silver two-seater car silently pulled up behind him. The window glided down.

“Honjou-san, would you like a ride? I can take you to your destination.”

It was like a pickup attempt. Glancing sideways at Kouki in the driver’s seat, Amane immediately turned his gaze forward again.

“Wouldn’t walking be inefficient? If you’re going to defy the Superintendent’s orders and act under the radar, you should resolve it quickly. To uncover the truth about that boy’s death as soon as possible, we should minimise the time spent.”

Driving the car slowly to match Amane’s pace, Kouki tried to persuade him.

Kouki’s points were certainly not wrong. But that didn’t mean Amane would just readily accept the invitation.

Stubbornly continuing to walk, Amane reached a crosswalk. As the signal turned red in front of him, he clicked his tongue. At that moment, Kouki stepped out of the driver’s seat, circling around to the passenger side and opening the door.

“Please.”

With a practised motion, as if escorting a woman, Kouki held the door open. Amane visibly frowned. But Kouki showed no sign of hesitation, looking at him earnestly.

“Please use me. I’ll be your transportation for today.”

“……..”

“I promise I won’t interfere with you at all.”

Sworn to with a serious gaze, Amane’s heart wavered. Kouki’s earlier points had hit the mark – Amane happened to be free today. But he didn’t know when the next case might arise. He couldn’t afford to waste a single second.

“…You’re telling the truth?”

“Yes.”

In contrast to Kouki’s warm smile, Amane’s expression remained disgruntled as he descended to the road and got into the passenger seat. Once he closed the door, Kouki returned to the driver’s seat.

Kouki’s two-seater was not the kind of car a young man in his 20s would typically drive. The sleek silver body and black leather exterior were more befitting of a wealthy young master.

(So he’s really a genuine rich kid, huh.)

“For a rookie, you sure have a nice car for commuting.”

“I’m not violating any job regulations.”

“…Hmph.”

“Where would you like to go?”

“The red-light district.”

“Understood.”

Kouki operated the navigation. As the light turned green, he started driving.

(If that’s the case, I’ll use you as ‘transportation’. But that’s it.)

Amane silently resolved not to get too familiar with the rookie. 

The climate control temperature, the seat firmness, the smooth ride – it was an excellent driving experience. Kouki’s skill as a driver probably played a part as well. But Amane refrained from commenting, lest it inflate the other’s ego.

“I looked into the background of the deceased boy, since I learned he was an omega working at a brothel in the red-light district.”

Breaking the silence that had settled in the car, Kouki started speaking unprompted.

“They call omegas without a national ID number ‘Stray Omegas’, you know.”

Gripping the steering wheel, he continued talking without pause.

“I knew intellectually that there were people existing without national ID numbers, unmanaged by the government. But this is my first time actually encountering them. Without a national ID, they can’t go to school, get a job, or even receive medical care. And they’re not even covered by the social safety net – they’re essentially abandoned as untouchables.”

It seemed he wasn’t expecting any reaction, as he kept going even without Amane’s interjections. It left Amane feeling like he was just listening to the other’s monologue.

“Stray Omegas work as sex workers during their heat cycles without taking suppressants. The deceased boy was likely a minor. I can’t believe the government is turning a blind eye to using these children, still practically kids themselves, as sex objects.”

From his subdued tone, it was clear Kouki was genuinely outraged.

Meanwhile, Amane was struck by a different sentiment.

(Can’t believe it, huh?)

There were people in this world who could live their entire lives without ever encountering a Stray Omega.

(Well, this guy doesn’t need the red-light district to see one.)

Raised well, intellectually gifted, and extremely good-looking – he probably had women flocking to him without having to pay for sex. Unless he had some very specific sexual preferences, he wouldn’t have any need to visit a brothel. So it wasn’t surprising he was unaware of the Stray Omegas working there.

In fact, the majority of the population likely lived their entire lives without ever setting foot in the red-light district or the slums.

Living and dying without ever knowing the fate of those like Shou, who yearned for freedom but couldn’t attain it…

“…The Stray Omegas’ parents are usually strays too.”

At Amane’s low-voiced remark, Kouki briefly glanced over. Amane hadn’t intended to engage him. But he couldn’t resist the urge to make this privileged man aware of the polar opposite existence.

“Without contraception, Stray Omegas often end up pregnant, not knowing who the father is. Unable to access proper medical facilities, they either give birth on their own or turn to shady underground doctors… and many lose their lives in childbirth.”

“……..”

As expected, Kouki seemed shocked by this.

“And even after giving birth, they face countless other problems. Maybe it’s from overexerting their bodies, or the lack of proper medical care, but Stray Omegas tend to have short lifespans. Without a national ID, the children who lose their parents at a young age have no choice but to turn to the brothels to survive. Once they reach heat age, they end up just like their parents, being ‘used’ in turn. And so the vicious cycle continues…”

“The government… how can they turn a blind eye to such a terrible situation?”

“Because it’s convenient for them.”

“Convenient? What do you mean?”

Pressing him relentlessly, Kouki looked at Amane with a piercing gaze. Amane regarded him with a cool sidelong glance.

“Use your head a little.”

Letting out an exasperated tone, Amane saw Kouki’s handsome features contort with an expression of embarrassment.

“In a world where there are innate classes, humans feel frustration. Betas can’t become Alphas no matter how hard they try. No matter how excellent they are, just being born a Beta means they have to submit to Alphas. Isn’t that unjust?”

Kouki’s eyebrow twitched. And shortly after, his expression turned pained.

“This society needs an outlet for that frustration, and the role of that outlet is filled by the Stray Omegas. Just like in a wolf pack, where the weaker omega wolves are the targets for the Betas to vent their anger, it’s the same here. But at least in a wolf pack, there’s a chance to climb the hierarchy through ability.”

Kouki remained silent.

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*Translator’s Note: Kariya-san is so naive. Heh. -K

Next update: 2024.12.03

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