Light Novel Chapter 72

走れ鋼鉄 (Hashire Koutetsu, lit: Run, Steel) is the seventy-second chapter of the light novel series of The "Hentai" Prince and the Stony Cat.
==Plot==
Tsukushi, known as the "Steel King," is deeply admired for her leadership. She has rejected multiple confessions, insisting that she doesn't belong to any single person, which only solidifies the title's attachment to her. Despite her public image, Tsukushi has made up her mind to rid herself of the Steel King title.
Having some rare private time in the library, Tsukushi admires bridal magazines, fantasizing about marriage and wearing a wedding dress. Her obsession stems from her childhood, inspired by photos of her mother in wedding attire. To her embarrassment, she is spotted by Yokodera Youto. Flustered, she flips the entire desk over, pretending she was testing her strength. She asks Youto what he would think if she said she wants to get married, and Youto brings up Maimaki Mai, suggesting she would likely shield her from any possible candidate. He also adds that the other club members would be shocked, given her image of a "holy and unparalleled king." However, Tsukushi is tired of such an image, expressing a desire to live her own life.
That night, Tsukushi asks her younger sister, Tsukiko, for three days of freedom to focus on increasing her womanly charm. Tsukiko is skeptical on whether three days is enough, but Tsukushi is confident, even inviting Mai over to be hostage, giving Tsukiko permission to kill her if she fails.
The next day, Tsukushi sets out for Narita Airport with the vague intention of learning more about femininity by observing flight attendants, inspired by a drama and a bridal magazine which ranked flight attendant as the most attractive job for a woman. There, she receives a phone call from Tsukiko, notifying her that she's delivered "belongings" to the airport, instructing her to check the contents if she finds herself in trouble. Tsukushi retrieves a boston bag from reception, and upon opening it, she finds Youto inside the bag, bound and gagged. On top of his stomach is a postcard from Tsukiko.
Tsukushi is confused, but quickly zips the bag as an airport staff approaches her. She struggles badly in her attempts to communicate with the staff, but remembering what Tsukiko said, she shows her the postcard which has a message attached. Though Tsukushi has no idea what it says, the airport staff comes to the conclusion that she is bound for Athens, and leads her to her gate after completing check-in procedures, the entire process surprisingly free of issues.
Without realizing it, she has boarded a large airplane. With flight attendants walking through the aisles, Tsukushi, who is totally inexperienced with flights, mistakes the setting as a "flight attendant observation institution." However, she soon finds herself growing tired, and falls asleep. She sleeps through the whole flight and has to be woken up by the flight attendants when they arrive.
She wanders her way to the baggage reception, believing that she will be put in the "conveyor belt to hell," until she spots her boston bag on said conveyor belt. Retrieving the bag, she frees Youto, who explains that Tsukiko set a trap for him using her underwear. Realizing they are in Greece, Youto assures her that he is skilled at communicating through body language.
Youto instructs her to stay put while she seeks help, but Tsukushi, who has no one else to rely on at the moment, is afraid to be left alone. They end up going together, with Tsukushi clinging the back of Youto's shirt with quivering fingers. At this moment, the King is no more than an ordinary, simple girl.
They learn that the earliest flight back to Japan would be later that day. So, Youto decides to take Tsukushi on a sightseeing tour. They board another 40-minute flight to the picturesque island of Santorini. Youto explains that the island’s crescent shape was formed by a massive volcanic eruption, which created a crater now filled by the Mediterranean Sea. Hearing the word "Mediterranean Sea," Tsukushi mistakenly deduces that they're in Italy, her knowledge of foreign countries limited beyond that point.
Tsukushi becomes intrigued with a store offering a wedding tour service. Before she can even mention it, Youto is already asking for details, following instructions from Tsukiko. After they prepare in separate dressing rooms, Tsukushi emerges in her bridal gown and is immediately stunned by Youto's appearance in his tuxedo. Youto is equally awestruck, openly admiring her beauty.
As the tour begins, both of them are embarrassed, initially maintaining some distance, but the photographer forces them closer to each other. Walking down the narrow yet bustling main street, they are cheered on by locals and tourists. The two of them can't help but imagine Tsukushi's late parents among the crowd, watching over them.
For a few moments, Tsukushi finds herself wishing to stay, frozen in happiness. But eventually, the tour comes to an end, and they board a flight back to Athens. Tsukushi nonchalantly accepts an underwear from Youto but is mortified upon realizing she's been wearing the same clothes since the previous night, her identities as the Steel King and as a vulnerable, feminine girl clashing.
After landing, they visit the historic first Olympic stadium, a symbolic site for athletes worldwide. Overwhelmed by confusion and conflict, she instinctively begins to run. Her mind blanks as her feet carry her forward, and when she reaches the finish line, she sees Tsukiko standing there, arms open, waiting for her. Without understanding why her sister is there, Tsukushi instinctively leaps into her embrace.
When questioned why she's here, Tsukiko simply answers that she felt like watching, and asks if she had fun. She then suggests they extend their stay and explore more of the foreign country together, but promptly banishes Youto back to Japan, demanding an apology letter. To Tsukushi's surprise, there is one more person there — Maimaki Mai approaches Tsukushi in tears, asking to be hit as punishment for doubting her during the past three days. Instead of hitting her, Tsukushi surprises Mai with a warm embrace. Meanwhile, Youto cheekily points out that technically, Tsukushi broke her promise to return home within three days, declaring that this gives him free rein with Mai.
Tsukushi reflects on the enjoyable trip. She calls out to the distant Youto to show the photos to everyone when he gets back, asserting they'll all see that the "Steel King" no longer exists. However, Youto shouts back, telling Tsukushi that she's always been cute. Hearing this, her face turns bright red.
===Intermission===
Mai's friend, now revealed to be Cozy-sama, whose real name Wakamoto Waka, engages in playful teasing and touching, entertained by the story.
Nearly a year has passed since the trip to Greece. Tsukushi is now a university student and has decided to study abroad in Greece, despite her struggles with foreign languages. Meanwhile, Mai, who inherited the role of club president from Tsukushi, has also stepped down to focus on her own university entrance exams.
Cozy-sama continues pestering Mai for more stories, chasing her down the hallway. When they reach the first floor, they encounter a group of people with their pet dogs. The sight prompts Cozy-sama to ask Mai about her past experience keeping a pet, despite supposedly being bad with animals. Mai admits that there were many reasons, and begins to recount another story, setting the stage for the next chapter.
==Characters==
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