RH Chapter 5

Chapter 5 – Squad One

Resonance 1, 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 morning of his memorable first day as a detective, at eight o’clock, Kariya Kouki stood in front of the building that would be his workplace starting today.

The Downtown East Police Station, which has jurisdiction over the eastern area of the downtown district, is a medium-sized police station. The five-story building with two underground floors has no decorations, which gives it the impression of a plain, unadorned concrete box. The exterior, exposed to the elements for years, is blackened overall, with parts of the outer wall chipped away due to ageing, and the entrance’s automatic doors are of an old model.

Stepping inside the building, it was equally bleak and bare. Although it was well-cleaned, the old facilities gave it a feel of lack of cleanliness.

That said, this was within expectations. It could be considered nonsensical to seek comfort in a police station. If criminals were able to relax inside a station and feel like returning often, the very purpose of its existence would be called into question.

Meanwhile, as he headed to the Superintendent’s office on the third floor as instructed, he noticed the heavy carved door stood out as different. After knocking and hearing a reply of “Come in,” he opened the wooden door to find the room inside seemed to have undergone renovation. The walls and floor were brand new, and the interior, richly adorned with natural materials, exuded luxury. The wooden desk set against a large window, the leather high-back chair, and the stainless-steel lamp stand were all from well-known brands.

“Ah, you must be Kariya-kun.”

The Superintendent, who stood up from the high-back chair to greet Kouki, was a middle-aged man whose large frame seemed stuffed into his uniform. His plump, round face was fixed with a forced smile. An artificial expression is something the observer can clearly recognize. But oddly enough, the person themselves seems to believe it goes unnoticed.

“I’ve been looking forward to meeting you. No way. You’re far more attractive than I imagined. As expected of an Alpha, unlike us Betas, your aura is impressive. …Oh, my apologies for keeping you standing. Let’s talk in the adjoining room, which serves as a reception area.”

Beyond the inner door was another set of famous-brand leather sofas, with part of the wall fitted with a built-in bookshelf. The shelves were lined with thick, special-edition books, and the remaining walls were crowded with framed certificates.

“Please, have a seat. I’ll have someone bring tea.”

“No need for tea.”

Kouki, who had sat down opposite the Superintendent with the low table between them, declined the offer. The staff here shouldn’t be at the beck and call of the Superintendent. It wasn’t just at Downtown East Police Station. He has heard that police stations are always short-handed. It didn’t make sense to delay someone’s work just to make tea that he didn’t particularly want to drink.

“What did you say?”

When asked to repeat, he responded once more, “No tea, please. I don’t need any.”

The Superintendent, surprised by the unexpected refusal, looked momentarily taken aback. Kouki continued, “More importantly, I have a request.”

“Ah… I see.”

Regaining his composure, the Superintendent forced a smile once again.

“What is it? Feel free to say anything.”

“Please don’t treat me any differently.”

“…What?”

The Superintendent gasped and, a moment later, retorted with a slight tone of defensiveness.

“But you’re an Alpha, and—”

“In the workplace, categories of second gender don’t matter. Here, I’m just a detective.”

When Kouki stated this firmly, the man in front of him was momentarily at a loss for words.

“If the Superintendent, the chief of the station, feels the need to treat me with special consideration, then the rest of the staff will likely follow suit. That’s not what I want.”

Kouki spoke up, knowing full well it would create a tense atmosphere. But he had to. This is because he felt it necessary to set boundaries from the outset due to the Superintendent’s overly deferential attitude toward him.

It’s true that Kouki being an Alpha is an undeniable fact. Born as the third son of the prestigious Shutou family, one of the top Alphas, he was raised in an environment where almost all his relationships were with other Alphas, receiving the education deemed suitable for an Alpha by his parents.

However, he was here now to take his first step as a detective. To get here, he had to overcome many obstacles, including opposition from his parents and relatives. But he cleared each hurdle one by one and finally arrived at this moment.

Yet, after finally reaching his long-awaited workplace, to be treated specially just because he was an Alpha, effectively making him a ‘guest’, was out of the question.

If that were to happen, there would be no point in deviating from the path laid out for him and stepping out of the Alpha society.

The Superintendent’s flabby cheeks turned red as Kouki’s challenging gaze bore into him. Most likely, the Superintendent was struggling internally between the humiliation of being lectured by a newcomer who had just arrived today and his consideration for an Alpha. However, Kouki was not willing to back down on this.

“………”

As they silently stared each other down, the tension in the air was suddenly broken by a series of knocks from the adjacent room. The Superintendent flinched, his eyes blinking rapidly as he muttered, “It’s probably the head of the department.”

“Please wait here for a moment.”

The Superintendent disappeared through the inner door, and Kouki was left waiting for about fifteen minutes. He pulled a few of the special-edition books from the bookshelf and flipped through them. But they all seemed brand new, with no signs of ever being read. Apparently, they were mere ‘decorations’. While skimming through the books, the inner door suddenly opened with a clatter, and the Superintendent poked his head out.

“Kariya-kun, come in.”

Called by the Superintendent, Kouki returned the book and moved into the main office.

“Pardon my intrusion.”

In the middle of the room with the desk stood a large man in his mid-fifties.

“This man will be your Squad Commander. He’s the head of the Criminal Investigation Department.”

“My name is Kariya Kouki. As of today, I’ve been assigned to the Downtown East District.”

The introduced superior was the complete opposite of the Superintendent. His stern face, etched with lines on his brow, showed no sign of friendliness. There was not even a hint of a smile in response to Kouki’s greeting. With a solid build and a towering height of around 180 centimetres, he had an imposing presence. He was the very image of a ‘tough-as-nails detective’.

“I’m Onizuka, head of the Criminal Investigation Department.”

And his name was Onizuka. The phrase ‘a name that suits the person’ could not be more apt.

“I look forward to working with you. I’m sure there will be times when I fall short. But I humbly ask for your guidance.”

Kouki offered a handshake. Onizuka hesitated briefly, his expression complicated, but then extended his hand. The handshake was firm. His hand was large and warm despite its roughness.

“The department is the toughest department in this station. Given the area, we deal with a high rate of serious crimes, and we’re always short-handed. Just because you’re an Alpha doesn’t mean you’ll get any special treatment. So don’t expect it.”

Hearing this declaration in a gruff voice, Kouki felt a sense of admiration for the man before him. Receiving the words he had been hoping for before he even had to ask brought a smile to his lips.

“I understand. In fact, that’s exactly what I want.”

“Impressive! As expected of the Shutou family’s bloodline.”

Despite the earlier warning, the Superintendent now openly praised Kouki. But Kouki merely glanced at him and let it slide. With people like this, actions spoke louder than words.

“Well then, let’s get started. I’ll introduce you to the members of the department.”

“Yes, sir.”

After leaving the Superintendent’s office, the two walked side by side down the hallway, until the head of the department spoke again.

“There’s something I need to clarify first. About your real name and second gender. Currently, the only people in this station who know your true identity are the Superintendent, the Chief Inspector, and me.” 

The name ‘Kariya’ that Kouki was currently using was his mother’s maiden name. If he used his real name ‘Shutou’, which was widely known, it would be obvious that he was an Alpha. So he had been using his mother’s surname since his days at the police academy.

“We’ll keep the fact that you’re an Alpha a secret from the rest of the team. As far as they’re concerned, you’re just another rookie. Is that acceptable?”

Kouki nodded in agreement. It was exactly the treatment he had hoped for.

“That’s fine. I appreciate the consideration.”

“Good.”

Soon, they reached the stairs and descended to the second floor. Following Onizuka down the hallway, Kouki noticed doors labelled ‘Security Department’, ‘Document Delivery Room’, ‘Communications Room’, and ‘Records Room’ on either side. At the end of the hallway, there was a double door that was slightly open, giving a glimpse of what appeared to be an ordinary office with rows of desks inside.

Kouki stopped in front of the entrance and asked, “Is this the Criminal Investigation Department?”

“That’s right. The department handles serious crimes like murder, extortion, robbery, kidnapping, and offences involving firearms or drugs. We have twenty members divided into three squads, each with a leader or supervisor. Squad One handles violent crimes, Squad Two handles theft, and Squad Three handles organised crime. We also have three forensic officers.”

Kouki nodded in understanding. “You’ll be joining Squad One,” Onizuka said. The shift from the formal way of calling ‘you’ to the informal way of calling ‘you’ in just a few minutes didn’t bother Kouki. It seemed Onizuka really meant it when he said there would be no special treatment for Alphas.

Following Onizuka into the room, Kouki observed the layout. One wall had large windows with blinds drawn down, and in front of them was a large desk positioned to overlook the entire floor. That was likely the Squad Commander’s desk. At a ninety-degree angle to it were smaller office desks arranged in rows of four, creating three rows of eight desks each. There were also spaces for meetings, with whiteboards, large tables, and folding chairs, and rows of lockers along the left wall. On the right wall were three doors labelled ‘Interview Room 1’, ‘Interview Room 2’, and ‘Reception Room’.

About half of the desks were occupied, likely with members who were either out on patrol or elsewhere in the station. The age range of the members varied widely, from their early twenties to late fifties. But all were dressed in suits. Among those present, there was only one woman. Everyone seemed busy, either working on their computers, talking on office phones or smartphones, or having small meetings.

When Onizuka reached the desk by the window and turned to face the room, Kouki stood beside him.

“Everyone, gather around.”

At Onizuka’s call, the members in the room immediately stopped what they were doing. They rose from their chairs and gathered around in small groups. Onizuka, glancing at the assembled group of about ten members, muttered to himself, “Oh right, Squad Two is out supporting the D-South Station.” It seemed the reason for the smaller group was that some were out on another assignment.

“I’d like to introduce a new member who’s joining our department starting today. This is Kariya. He graduated at the top of his class from the police academy and completed his uniform training in just one month, earning the rank of Senior Police Officer. He’ll be working with Squad One, so take care of him.”

After the introduction, Kouki stepped forward, immediately drawing the attention of everyone in the room.

There were curious glances, looks of surprise, and evaluating stares.

He straightened his posture and confidently introduced himself, brushing off their scrutiny.

“I’m Kariya Kouki. As of today, I’ve been assigned to the Criminal Investigation Department of the Downtown East Station. I look forward to your guidance and support.”

“…”

Even after his introduction, no one said anything. They all just silently stared at him.

Having grown up in the Shutou family for twenty-three years, Kouki was used to being in the spotlight. However, it was rare for him to be so openly scrutinised like this. It wasn’t a pleasant feeling. But he couldn’t exactly glare back at the colleagues he would be working with from today.

Just as he was starting to feel a bit uncomfortable, an enthusiastic voice broke the silence.

“No way! Seriously?! He’s super handsome!”

The voice came from right in front of him—a woman in a pantsuit with short hair, who had just been standing there with her mouth agape. Thanks to her outburst, the tense atmosphere eased. Kouki smiled at her. Instantly, her face turned bright red up to her ears. Internally, Kouki clicked his tongue in frustration. That was a mistake.

From a young age, he had been taught that an Alpha should be a gentleman, and had learned to naturally smile when interacting with women. But this wasn’t a social event or a place to have fun. It was a workplace.

“This isn’t a dating service.”

As expected, Onizuka scolded him with a grim expression.

“And you. Don’t start acting all flirtatious just because a good-looking guy showed up.”

The short-haired woman stuck out her tongue playfully and shrunk back.

“Well, this is convenient. She’s the only woman in Squad One. This is Seo Ryo. She joined two years ago.”

“I’m Seo. I think I’m the closest in age to you. We didn’t get any new recruits last year, so I’m happy to finally have a junior. And on top of that, you’re a handsome one.”

With a wry smile at the unrepentant handsome remarks, he responded, “Thank you for the introduction.”

“Next to her is another member of Squad One. He’s the Squad Supervisor. Kuroki Mari.”

He was a tall and ruggedly handsome man who appeared to be in his mid-thirties.

“As the First Squad Supervisor, I’m always happy to welcome talented newcomers. Looking forward to working with you.” His clear, decisive manner of speaking and sharp gaze suggested he was as sharp-minded as his title implied.

“Thank you. I look forward to working with you.”

“Next to Kuroki is Mikado Kaneto. He’s also part of Squad One.”

“…Nice to meet you…” A small man with thick glasses mumbled. When Kouki tried to meet his gaze, Mikado quickly looked away. He seemed to have a shy personality.

Onizuka continued to introduce each member of the team one by one. After everyone in the room had been introduced, Onizuka asked, “Where’s Honjou?” 

The members exchanged glances, murmuring, “Did you see him today?” “No, I haven’t.” Finally, it was the Squad Supervisor who answered. “Honjou hasn’t reported in yet.”

“Late again, huh?” Onizuka scowled, scratching his head in frustration. “That guy is…”

Kouki, intrigued by the person who could irritate the head of the department so much, asked, “Who is Honjou?”

Onizuka gave him a sidelong glance and replied, “He’s the detective who will be your partner.”

At that moment, the whole room buzzed with whispers.

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*Translator’s Note: The author used the 1st name of the characters in narration to show which perspectives the story was told from. That might work in Japanese. But it’s gonna get confusing to write it that way in English. So I’ll just change Kariya to Kouki and Honjou to Amane [1st names] throughout all the narrations. Meanwhile in conversation, I’ll be using Honjou and Kariya [last names] since they’re still in the phase of calling each other by last names. I must keep consistency in my translation in order to avoid causing confusion to you guys. -K

*GLOSSARY: 

1.

In Japanese culture, the use of “-san” after someone’s name is a sign of respect, politeness, and formality. It is similar to using “Mr.”, “Ms.”, or “Mrs.” in English but more widely applicable. It can be used for both genders and is attached to both first names and surnames, though it is more common with surnames in formal situations.

Other than that, I should highlight that for addressing people, they normally address others by their last names, this reflects the emphasis on formality and respect in Japanese society. Using someone’s last name, often with “-san,” helps maintain a level of professional distance and respect, especially in workplaces, schools, and formal settings. First names are generally reserved for close friends and family, and using them too early or in the wrong context can be considered overly familiar or impolite.

In short:

– “-san” = a respectful suffix used for both first and last names.

– Last names are used in formal or distant relationships to show respect and maintain appropriate boundaries.

2.

As for the name, Onizuka (鬼塚) is typically written with the kanji 鬼 (oni), meaning “demon” or “ogre,” and 塚 (zuka or tsuka), meaning “mound” or “hill.” So, “Onizuka” could be interpreted as “Demon Mound” or “Ogre’s Hill.”

The use of “oni” in names can carry connotations of strength, resilience, or fearsome qualities, while “zuka” or “mound” might refer to a geographical feature or evoke imagery of something ancient or significant. In Japanese culture, names involving “oni” often symbolise power or toughness rather than literal demons.

Onizuka is also a somewhat famous name in pop culture due to the character Eikichi Onizuka from the manga and anime ‘Great Teacher Onizuka (GTO)’, where his strong-willed and unorthodox teaching style embodies a kind of “demon-like” determination.

Next update: 2024.11.23

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