Light Novel Chapter 74

それから (Sorekara, lit: And Then) is the seventy-fourth chapter of the light novel series of The "Hentai" Prince and the Stony Cat.
==Plot==
After graduating from high school, Youto and Tsukiko started living together in a modest apartment as they attend the same university. However, for a variety of different reasons, they are currently joined by Azusa, Tsukushi, Mai, Cozy-sama, and Emi.
Recently, Tsukiko has gotten obsessed with writing, sometimes making Youto read her works. In bed together in the morning, she confesses that she feels unable to satisfy Youto with her writing, questioning what she's lacking. Assuming the issue lies in her literary skills, she asks if she should draw inspiration from works like Run, Melos and Sangetsuki by incorporating more literary depth. Youto suggests a different approach — to write something lighthearted and easy to read, nudging her towards a slightly lewd romcom.
Azuki Azusa is currently studying to become a veterinarian. Since her veterinary university is far from home, she often stays at Youto and Tsukiko's place on weekends. Tsukiko even provided her with her own space in the form of the upper bunk. Initially, Tsukiko had suggested getting a king-sized bed so the three of them sleep side-by-side, but Azusa opposed the idea. Even as a university student, Azusa still has poor sleeping habits. Her groggy, half-asleep state in the morning provides Youto with rare opportunities for skinship, such as giving her throat rubs, which she responds to by licking his fingers like a puppy.
Tsutsukakushi Tsukushi, on the other hand, indulges in her newfound hobby of gaming. Having been raised without any form of exposure to video game entertainment, she has grown unhealthily obsessed, sometimes playing some sports game on her console for up to 30 hours at a time on her days off.
Youto still addresses her as "club president," which she protests against. However, she's unable to answer when Youto asks her what he should call her instead. Youto proposes deciding via a game: if he loses, he would start calling Tsukushi by her given name. Sitting down on a cushion together for the match, Youto feels the warmth of Tsukushi's body. However, their game is interrupted by a jealous Maimaki Mai, who shuts down the console with a remote, calling Youto a pervert for starting the day by playing games.
Mai, who once idolized Steel-san in high school, has become more rebellious. While she still loves Tsukushi all the same, if not more, she no longer reveres her like a goddess. Instead, she openly critiques Tsukushi's habits, such as lack of exercise and her weight.
Mai's friend, Cozy-sama joins in, clinging to Mai to tease her verbally and physically. Whenever Mai comes over to play, Youto always receives a call from Cozy-sama who would appear soon after. Cozy-sama invites Youto to join her antics, but before he can do so, "Last Boss Moon Child-chan" grabs him by the throat, accusing him of being a pervert without listening to his excuses. Tsukushi contributes by holding down Youto's legs, immobilizing him. Youto hopes Azuki Azusa will save him, but she remains half-asleep, only leaning against him and making faint noises.
They are interrupted by loud gong sounds — it was Emi, banging a frying pan and calling them to breakfast. With Youto and Tsukiko attending the university that her father works at, she often visits them after seminars and takes over the preparation of meals in Tsukiko's place. Youto teases Emi about her appearance, calling her middle school uniform a cosplay, to which Emi retorts that she's the real deal. Emi uses the frying pan as a shield while cooking scrambled eggs, chastising Youto for his inappropriate comments and labeling him a "perverted cabbage-head." Tsukushi eagerly inquires about breakfast, which includes egg sandwiches, soup, and omelettes. She celebrates her "favorite" foods, prompting Tsukiko to jab her about her indiscriminate love of food.
While waiting for his turn to bathe, Yokodera notices plates in the sink with ketchup patterns resembling names like "A-chan" and "Tsuu-chan," which he finds adorable. Emi claims that there won't be any personalized names for Youto, calling him a pumpkin. However, he points out plates labeled "for Onii-chan" obviously meant for him, making her blush furiously in embarrassment. Youto continues teasing Emi, embracing her from behind and spinning her around despite her resistance, appreciating her unchanged cuteness.
Azusa, while eating, laments her upcoming report deadline, mentioning she'll likely pull an all-nighter at the library. Tsukushi plans to buy some video games, but Tsukiko forces her to study. She declares that she has a plan for the future, which is "to work for a good man forever," drawing exasperation from Tsukiko. Mai mentions a club meeting and their plan to go drinking later, and Cozy-sama to decides accompanying her, half-joking that she'll kill off the boys who try to get close to Mai. Mai remarks that she doesn't need a boyfriend anyway, prompting Cozy-sama to tease her about her relationship with Youto, pointing out that she's already doing everything one would do with a boyfriend.
Emi mentions "preparations," which Youto misinterprets, drawing Emi's disgust. Emi refers to "preparations" because Youto's older sister, Yotsuba, is visiting later that day. The household is in complete disarray, but Youto tries to excuse it as acceptable for a university student and for boys and girls living under the same roof, prompting Emi to vehemently disagree, shaking him in frustration. Tsukiko and Azusa reluctantly admit they've been neglecting their responsibilities, and the group agrees to an emergency cleanup effort.
Youto is assigned to clean the bath as the girls start cleaning the more sensitive things. He notices the abundance of girlish beauty products and jokingly compares the house to an "animal shelter for people." Tsukiko enters the changing room, wearing a cleaning shirt, and starts scrubbing the sink while admitting her recent neglect, fearing that Youto might see her as a "good-for-nothing girl." Youto reassures her by embracing her from behind, reflecting on the little habits and quirks he's come to appreciate about her since they started living together, and how their love has matured over time.
Tsukiko begins making lewd comments, leading Youto to hurriedly cover her mouth, acknowledging that despite her appearance, Tsukiko can be perverted to unimaginable degrees. As usual, Tsukiko deflects the blame, attributing it to Youto's dirty mind.
Tsukiko suggests that writing a story about their current lifestyle would be enjoyable, which Youto acknowledges, admitting he loves reading about Tsukiko's life. Tsukiko references Everett's Many-Worlds Theory, imagining alternate worlds where different versions of their lives play out. She sees their story as one among countless possibilities, where everyone chooses their own favorite path. Youto agrees, finding comfort and happiness in their shared world and seeing it as their unique paradise.
Azusa calls the group to move the laundry to the riverbed, with everyone pitching in to help. Before heading out, Youto and Tsukiko pause in front of a picture of Tsukasa, whom they both address as "mother," silently wishing for clear weather and a healthy future. Youto imagines an affirmative response from a smiling Tsukasa, confident that all the gods watching over them are doing the same.
Opening the doors, they are greeted by a comfortable breeze, marking the end of the light novel on a hopeful note.
==Characters==
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