Chapter 50 - No Special Treatment
Volume 3, Resonance 6, Part 8
Novel Title: 共鳴熱情 オメガバース (Resonance Passion: Omegaverse)
Author:岩本薫 (Iwamoto Kaoru)
Illustrator:蓮川愛 (Hasukawa Ai)
Translator: K (@kin0monogatari)
Protagonists: MC- 遠峰一紗 (Toomine Kazusa), Lemur & ML- ゼロ (Zero)
*Moved from knoxt.space, the original site of translation.*
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"I had a hunch. You've been harassed by Lycaon, Fossa, and Jackal in the backroom, where the surveillance cameras don't reach."
Muttering in a low voice, he clenched his right hand tightly and slapped his left palm with his fist.
"You've been protecting them and haven’t said anything. Without concrete proof, I couldn’t take action... But that bruise is undeniable evidence."
Zero, his face fierce with certainty, slammed his fist into his palm again. He looked as if he was about to storm into Room 602. Cold sweat started to trickle down Kazusa’s side.
"W-What are you planning to do?"
"I'm going to talk to Lycaon. Despite being warned that there wouldn't be a second time, he used violence against you. It's a despicable act that cannot be forgiven."
His low voice trembled with anger, and a furious aura radiated from his entire body.
This was the first time Kazusa had seen Zero so openly enraged.
It was only natural, considering Lycaon had betrayed the leader’s trust not once, but twice...
"Are you saying... you're going to banish Lycaon from here?"
"He can't stay if he won't follow the rules."
The way Zero spat out his words made it clear how serious he was. Kazusa’s anxiety grew.
If this continues, the thing he feared the most will come to pass.
It would leave scars in both Lycaon's heart and Zero's...
(I have to stop this no matter what.)
Resolving himself, he met Zero’s stern gaze and opened his mouth.
"You could not expect that people like them, born and raised in the harsh environment of the slums, would reform so easily. You extended a hand to help them, fully aware that it would take time. Am I wrong?"
"........"
It seemed he had struck a nerve, as Zero's eyebrow twitched slightly.
"Yes, right now, I do have problems with Lycaon. But to put it another way, this is also our problem. Even though you're the owner, interference from a third party is unnecessary."
With all the strength he could muster, Kazusa forced his voice to sound calm and composed as he spoke. The beautiful face before him slowly furrowed its brows.
"As you know, Lycaon is emotionally immature due to his upbringing. Keeping that in mind, I will settle things with him in my own way, so please leave this matter to me."
Zero didn’t respond immediately to Kazusa’s plea.
For a while, Zero's mismatched eyes reflected the internal conflict within him. After some time, he let out a sigh.
"...Fine. I’ll leave it to you."
Though it was clear from his bitter tone that he wasn’t fully convinced, Zero still gave Kazusa the benefit of the doubt and stepped back.
"But if there's anything I can do, just say the word. I want to help you."
Kazusa looked at Zero straight in the eyes.
He had known all along.
Even though he knew, his weak self couldn’t let go of Zero’s kindness. He had selfishly leaned on it for too long...
That dependence, that weakness, had brought about this current situation.
Kazusa inhaled deeply, then exhaled.
"Then I’ll say it."
Gathering all of his strengths, he slowly opened his mouth.
"Please stop giving me special treatment."
"What do you mean?"
Zero’s face showed confusion.
"The residents here respect and admire you from the bottom of their hearts. By treating everyone equally and acting fairly as their owner, 'RARE,' a collective of people with no blood ties, maintains its balance. On the other hand, 'RARE' is fragile—if you, their moral pillar, act unfairly, it could easily collapse. You understand that better than anyone."
"......."
"I was grateful for the kindness you showed me out of guilt. It made me happy. But to everyone else, that kindness looks like favouritism."
Lycaon, with his animal-like instincts, had sensed the inappropriateness of their relationship.
That’s why he despised Kazusa so much.
"Special treatment isn’t good for the peace here. I won’t come to your room anymore. So please, don’t wait outside mine either."
The distorted expression on Zero’s face wasn’t due to the cracks in Kazusa’s glasses. Seeing how his own words had hurt Zero, it felt as if his chest was being gouged out by a rusty blade. He wanted to take back his statement, but instead, he clenched his teeth and resisted the urge.
Zero’s gaze looked as if he was asking Kazusa if he was serious, if this was truly what he wanted. Kazusa held his eyes with a mask of indifference.
"......"
The heavy silence dragged on, feeling like it lasted an eternity. Kazusa’s facial muscles began to twitch, and his strength to hold off Zero’s intense gaze started to waver when, suddenly, Zero muttered, "I understand."
"From now on, I won’t come near you."
Kazusa looked up at Zero’s face in surprise, but there was no emotion to be found.
"Sorry for bothering you so late. Goodnight."
His low voice, devoid of inflection, was all he said before pressing the button to call the elevator.
Without another word, he slipped past Kazusa, stepping into the open elevator doors. Kazusa fought the overwhelming urge to chase after him, clenching his own fists so tightly that his nails dug into his palms.
Zero disappeared from sight as the doors closed. Kazusa heard the faint sound of the elevator rising—at that moment, he collapsed to the floor, no longer able to stand.
(This... was for the best...)
Shivering with the overwhelming sense of loss, he desperately tried to convince himself.
This place is something Zero, who had overcome the painful separation from his birth mother, built with so much time, effort, and love.
'RARE' exists because of it, saving countless Stray Omegas.
Zero had carefully nurtured 'RARE,' and for his sake and the sake of the residents, it must survive as long as possible. No, it has to.
It can’t be allowed to collapse due to anyone’s selfish desires. Even his own.
Absolutely not.
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*Translator’s Note: Sorry if there are any mistakes, especially in pronouns, since I have no time to go back and check. I welcome any corrections though. Thanks in advance! That’s the end of Volume 3. Volume 4 will start in the next chapter. -K
Next update: -Random days-
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