Chapter 16 – Kamokuriya
Resonance 3, Part 3
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 red-light district is considered a necessary evil in this country. Humans constantly under stress can come to the brothels, embrace the beautiful Stray Omegas, and release the pent-up frustration along with their semen. Then, they can return to their unjust everyday lives. The government sees this as necessary venting to maintain the caste system and smoothly run the country.”
Unusually solemn, Kouki listened attentively to Amane’s words.
“As long as the government thinks that way, the Stray Omegas will remain at the bottom of the caste. The vicious cycle won’t improve. But just because they’re at the bottom, that doesn’t mean they deserve to die in vain.”
Amane muttered to himself, as if convincing himself.
The disappearance of one Stray Omega wouldn’t make the slightest difference to the majority of the world. It would be a completely insignificant matter to most people.
That’s why he alone wanted to focus on the cause of death. He wanted to properly uncover the circumstances of how Shou died. And then mourn his passing.
Knowing Shou wouldn’t come back to life no matter what, Amane reaffirmed his own resolve.
During his contemplative silence, he felt a sidelong gaze. Kouki, who had been stealing glances at Amane’s pensive state, eventually couldn’t hold back and called out to him.
“Is there anything I can do…”
“Alright, enough idle talk. Stop the car in front of that building.”
Cutting off the rookie’s offer, Amane commanded. As soon as Kouki parked the car, he opened the door and got out of the passenger seat. Kouki also stepped out, standing next to Amane.
“Is this the brothel he was affiliated with?”
Without answering the confirmatory question, Amane steadily gazed at the two-story building in front of them. A wooden structure in the row-house style, the walls were painted vermilion. The roof was tiled. The second floor was surrounded by vermilion railings decorated with golden ornaments, with sliding paper doors visible behind them. The first floor was covered in a dense wooden lattice, obscuring the interior from outside view.
The architecture was quite different from modern buildings. But the wood used didn’t seem particularly aged. It appeared they had deliberately gone for an old-fashioned style.
Above the main entrance with the tiled roof, a horizontal wooden signboard displayed the name ‘Kamokuriya’. On the vermilion pillars to the left and right of the entrance, golden lizard ornaments were affixed – the same design as the tattoo on Shou’s right wrist.
Half a year ago, when Amane had investigated the tattoo (since Shou didn’t seem the type to get a fashionable tattoo), he had learned that all the hostesses at Kamokuriya had the same design.
Apparently, they had to bear this ‘proof of ownership’ until they had paid off their debts and could become independent. It was a kind of a collar.
He never imagined he’d be revisiting this place in such a manner, after having brought Shou here that night.
With a complicated heart, Amane approached the entrance and pressed the intercom button. Soon, a woman’s voice responded.
“Yes?”
Amane took out his police ID and held it up to the camera.
“I’m from the D-East Police Station. I’d like to speak with the owner.”
“The police? What business do you have?”
“Shou, one of your employees, was found dead this morning.”
A sharp intake of breath could be heard from the other end of the intercom.
“I’d like to speak with the owner about this matter.”
“P-please wait a moment.”
The voice, tinged with agitation, cut off.
“Seems like the owner didn’t know about the boy’s death,” Kouki murmured from behind Amane. He then whispered, “Will the owner cooperate with the questioning?”
Amane shot him a sidelong glare. Kouki then spoke in a calming tone, “I understand. I won’t interfere.”
After about five minutes, the sound of a key turning in the lock was heard, and the sliding door opened, revealing a woman peering out. She appeared to be in her late twenties to early thirties. She is a beautiful woman with distinct features. Dressed in a simple black dress, her long hair was tied back.
Amane discreetly checked the woman’s right hand. The tattoo of a lizard peeked out from under her three-quarter sleeve – she was also a Stray Omega affiliated with this place.
“Is it… true that Shou has died?” she asked, her face pale.
Amane responded by asking, “Did you notice he was missing?”
“…Yes. When he didn’t come at his usual time this morning, we all split up to search for him, but…”
They had searched. But apparently had not reported it to the police.
“I see. Is the owner here?”
“This way, please.”
The woman stepped aside, allowing Amane and Kouki to enter.
They stepped into a spacious, open-plan entryway. To the right, a box staircase led up to the second floor, and in front of them was a latticed shoji screen.
Without a word, the woman led them, still in their shoes, onto the wooden floor. Opening the latticed screen, she proceeded down the corridor. Amane and Kouki followed as she turned right, then left, and finally stopped in front of a room at the end.
Sliding open the wooden door, she gestured, “Please, come in.” After Amane and Kouki entered, she followed them in and closed the door.
The high-ceilinged room was filled with a distinctive scent. Incense seemed to be burning in various places, the source of the aroma. Lizard motifs were visible on the pillars, walls, and ceiling – the largest one was a golden monument enshrined on what appeared to be an altar.
Seated in a large armchair in front of the gleaming golden monument was an overweight middle-aged woman, completely enveloped in a crimson satin robe. Elaborate jewellery adorned her neck and wrists, and she wore large golden hoop earrings. Her tightly pulled-back hair was secured with an ornamental hairpin.
Her heavily makeup appearance – arched eyebrows, bright red lipstick, and thick eyeliner – gave her an imposing presence that matched her lavish attire. The thick powder makeup made her large face appear even more prominent.
This striking middle-aged woman seemed to be the madam of the Kamokuriya brothel. The woman who had guided them crossed the room and quietly took her place behind the madam.
“So you’re the police, huh?”
The madam’s raspy voice emerged from her crimson lips. Amane once again presented his police ID to the two women.
“I’m from the D-East Police Station. Are you the owner, Kanna-san?”
“Is it… really true that Shou has died?”
“Unfortunately, yes. His body was found this morning downtown.”
The madam frowned, letting out a low groan. It was unclear whether her distress was over the loss of Shou himself, or the loss of one of her ‘products’.
“I apologise for asking this at such a painful time. But may I ask you a few questions?”
Taking this as a cue, Kouki began taking notes next to Amane.
“When did you notice Shou was missing?”
“We realised it a little after 7 in the morning.”
“Has this kind of thing happened before?”
The madam shook her head.
“…Shou was a diligent boy.”
Half a year ago, Shou had escaped the brothel and met Amane. But the madam didn’t seem to be aware of that incident.
(If she didn’t know about that, it’s possible Shou had been slipping out unnoticed even after that.)
“Was his room locked?”
“It was locked from the outside, and we did regular patrols. But… It seems he escaped through the window. I never imagined he’d do something like that.”
Betrayed by Shou’s unexpected actions, the madam’s expression soured. Her eyebrows knitted together as she spoke in her raspy voice.
“…How did Shou die?”
“He fell from a pedestrian bridge and died from the severe impact.”
The woman who had guided them covered her mouth, her eyebrows furrowing painfully.
“The autopsy estimated the time of death around 4 AM this morning.”
“Was it an accident? Or…”
The madam trailed off, not finishing her sentence.
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*GLOSSARY:
- A ‘shoji screen’ is a traditional Japanese architectural feature commonly used as doors, windows, or room dividers. It consists of a wooden frame with a lattice pattern, filled with translucent paper called ‘washi’, which allows light to pass through while maintaining privacy. Shoji screens are known for their simplicity and elegance, often adding a serene, natural feel to a space. They’re typically used in Japanese-style rooms, known as ‘washitsu’, but are also popular in modern interiors around the world for their minimalist aesthetic. The lightweight design makes them easy to slide or move, contributing to the flexible and dynamic use of space in traditional Japanese homes.
Next update: 2024.12.04
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