Light Novel Chapter 36

つーちゃん・あーちゃん・横寺陽人 (Tsuu-chan, Aa-chan, Yokodera Youto, lit: Tsuu-chan, Aa-chan, Yokodera Youto) is the thirty-sixth chapter of the light novel series of The "Hentai" Prince and the Stony Cat.
==Plot==
The argument between Tsukiko and Azusa was ended by the school bell without either of them backing down or accepting Youto's attempts to mediate.
The next morning, Youto receives a call from Tsukushi, who speaks incoherently. Only able to make out "Tsukiko just..." from her words, Youto rushes to the Tsutsukakushi household in the cold wind. However, when he is greeted by Tsukushi in her hedgehog outfit, he would receive an anticlimactic explanation for her call: Tsukiko said he won't accompany her to the Center Test. Tsukiko apologizes on her sister's behalf, explaining that she has urgent business to attend to today and therefore cannot accompany her. When Youto volunteers to go in her place, she says that she has already arranged someone else to do it.
They hear engine sound outside the house, signifying their arrival, and Youto is dumbfounded upon seeing a Lamborghini Countach parked outside. Stepping out of the vehicle are Emi. She has apparently gotten quite close to Tsukiko since their swimming contest at the Italian school and is tasked with escorting Tsukushi to the exam today. Naturally, Emi's father is also there. "I like Emi! You like Emi! We are friends!", he says as he shakes Youto's hands in a friendly gesture.
Youto learns that Emi's father is a university professor whose major field of study concerned Japanese shrines and ancient culture, with a hobby of taking pictures of his daughter. The university he's employed at is the one holding the test, which is why he offered to take Tsukushi with him.
Tsukiko hands her sister a "success lunch box" that she prepared, before the three of them go into the house to get Tsukushi ready, leaving Youto and Emi's Papa alone. Youto awkwardly starts a conversation about the car, and the man speaks in a dandy, baritone voice. Though he sounded gentlemanly and polite, a sense of unease runs through Youto as he recalls hearing a similar voice from someone else.
Eventually, Tsukushi and Emi's Papa set off on their way, with Youto, Tsukiko, and Emi staying behind at the estate. Tsukiko mentions a guest coming today, which Youto easily deduces to be Azusa. She admits to being a bad girl who acts unfair and cunning while complaining and venting her anger constantly, declaring herself worse than a pig. However, she promises that what she previously told Youto was not a lie as she is determined to grow.
Soon, Azusa arrives. Youto is asked to spend some time alone with Emi while the two work out their differences. Emi on the other hand, is still terrified of Azusa, likely due to some form of trauma from the Italian school incident, where Azusa was possessed by the Cat God.
To help her overcome her fear, Youto takes Emi to the storehouse, where the giant cat statue stands. Pointing out its stupid face, he assures Emi that there is no reason to be scared. Despite claiming she wasn't scared, Emi would initially cling to Youto, before finally taking a few steps forward. She slaps the statue and begins to vent her anger, challenging it to "come at her." Suddenly, a strong gust of wind sweeps through the storehouse. When Yokodera opens his eyes, the Cat God statue has vanished. From Emi's body, the Cat God greets Youto.
Speaking nonchalantly, the Cat God assures him that Emi's consciousness is sleeping. Calling her "just a tool," it tells Youto that he shouldn't worry about her. Instead, it tells Youto to look out for himself, as it's only the two of them. Unfazed, Youto threatens it back, promising to "take away the statue's chastity" by covering it in slimy liquid.
Youto's threats are effective as the Cat God begins looking for a means of escape. Youto grabs Emi's arm, ordering the cat god to leave. Desperate, the Cat God begs for him to wait, proposing a conversation about a "mistake" that Youto is supposedly committing. Deeming it harmless, Youto decides to hear it out.
The Cat God begins by drawing a parallel to the famous tragedy Romeo and Juliet, pointing out humanity's paradoxical craving for suffering. It argues that people are dissatisfied by easy resolutions and instead gravitate toward dramatic conflicts and tragedies. It claims Yokodera's unease comes from his inability to control the situation with Tsutsukakushi and Azuki Azusa. It accuses him of wanting to be their "savior," not for their benefit, but to satisfy his own ego. His ears grated by the cat's unpleasant voice, Youto gives it some thought, internally rejecting the possibility of the Cat God's statement being true.
Just then, his phone rings with a call from Tsukushi: only after arriving at the test center did she realize that she had taken the wrong bag. Feeling the need to do something about the situation, Youto tells Tsukushi to wait for a few minutes before turning to the Cat God for help.
However, the Cat God immediately refuses him. Despite admitting that its entire existence is technically for the sake of the Tsutsukakushi family, it argues that pursuing a conventional life path in the form of attending college may not be what Tsukushi truly wants or needs. Yokodera humbles himself, kneeling and apologizing for his past actions to convince the Cat God. The deity revels in his humiliation, relishing the opportunity to degrade him further.
Frustrated by the Cat God's obstinance, Youto resorts to forceful measures. Grabbing Emi's body, Youto launches a tickle attack at her armpits. His attack proves effective, with the Cat God begging for mercy after three minutes of intense assault. He commands the Cat God to bring Tsukushi's bag here, a wish which it would grant exactly the way Youto wanted. Youto locates the correct bag, swaps their contents, and cancels the wish, sending the bag back to Tsukushi.
Over the phone, Tsukushi and Emi's father shower Youto with words of gratitude. As he hangs up, Youto's heart is filled with a feeling of joy. For a moment, he can't help but wonder if this was due to him having resolved the trouble himself, but he convinces himself that it was not the case.
The Cat God is about to say something when Youto launches another tickle attack, demanding that it returns Emi's body. As Emi regains her consciousness, Youto internally assures himself of his own righteousness, dismissing the Cat God's words as nonsense.
Finding herself drenched in sweat, Emi goes to take a bath. Youto makes his way towards Tsukiko's room where she and Azusa are supposed to be, but finds the room totally silent. Instead, he finds the two girls sitting on the porch outside of the banquet hall, casually chatting about with their experiences with a certain someone. They sit close together, enough for their elbows to touch, a stark contrast to yesterday's animosity. When he asks them what they are talking about, they respond in unison that it is a secret.
Despite their closeness, both girls deny that they have completely made up. When Yokodera asks if they are getting along better, they simultaneously reply, "Not really." However, they don't deny the possibility of that changing in the future. Following Youto's suggestion, they attempt to address each other using nicknames, "A-chan" and "Tsu-chan." The moment is awkward and hesitant, yet it marks a crucial step towards their friendship.
==Characters==
==Navigation==