Light Novel Chapter 39

万有の真相、いわく不可解 (Banyu no Shinsou, Iwaku Fukakai, lit: The Truth of the Universe, Incomprehensible) is the thirty-ninth chapter of the light novel series of The "Hentai" Prince and the Stony Cat.
==Plot==
The sports grounds at Youto's school are shared by multiple clubs, and with winter practice underway, disputes arise over the limited space. The baseball club frequently hits balls over the nets, disrupting the track-and-field club's marathon training. This repeated interference frustrates the track-and-field club, led by the soon-to-be president, Maimaki Mai. Pushed to her limits, Mai calls out the baseball club, telling them that they "suck way too much." The baseball player, a younger member with a timid demeanor, apologizes repeatedly.
Things escalate when a more senior member of the baseball club, nicknamed Gorilla-senpai, arrives. He dismisses Mai's complaints and argues back for the track-and-field club to practice another time, drumming his chest as he speaks. As the argument intensifies, Youto begins to feel the lack of the Steel King's presence, whom nobody would dare to defy.
Other members of the baseball club start joining in, escalating the situation into a standoff. Youto observes the conflict unfold from the sidelines, reluctant to step in. He is then approached by Cozy-sama, who notes Mai's struggle to handle the situation, encouraging him to play the part of "Prince Charming" and save his "princess" from a pinch. He stands up and shouts, "All eyes on me!" in an attempt to defuse the tension. However, both clubs, even track-and-field members, mock him, calling him a pervert and dismissing his intervention entirely.
Cozy-sama shakes her head, commenting that this was hard to watch. As if dealing with a small child, he gently strokes Youto's head, softly remarking on how helpless he is.
After school, Youto heads to the bicycle parking and finds Azusa waiting for him. Walking home together, they run into a member of the Children's Welfare Club wearing a horse costume that was seen back at Tsukiko's birthday party — they had been preparing an event for new members as they enter their next school year.
The girl leaves, and Azusa brings up a western art exhibition happening in Ueno. Her father had given her two tickets, and she suggests they go together to explore this unfamiliar world. Youto agrees to go with her, proposing the following Sunday. However, Azusa blurts out that it's "Tsuu-chan Day," implying she has some agreement with Tsukiko on a rotation to spend time with Youto. Realizing her slip, she panics and backtracks, clumsily saying the following Sunday is her day. Youto recals how Tsukiko had avoided him earlier in the hallway, which now makes sense in light of Azusa's statements.
The following Saturday, Youto arranges a meeting with Emi's father, a mysterious and eccentric university professor, at the Kidate Shrine. The purpose of this meet was to consult him about the exam taker Tsukushi, whose future Youto is greatly concerned for. When he broaches the topic however, Emi's father questions if that's truly it, reminding him of "the real problem": "to take back what's precious to the stony girl."
Youto feels a sense of deja vu, but Emi's father assures him that there's no need to be wary. He reveals his true reason for coming here today — to investigate a "mysterious force" of the Tsutsukakushi household, taking out a bag containing a carved wooden cat — the game piece that Tsukushi gave the vice president somehow ended up under this man's possession.
Emi's father claims to have a history with the Cat God, stating that he received "something precious" from it in the past. He warns Youto that another problem will soon arise related to the Cat God and suggests that Youto needs to confront his true feelings and act according to his convictions.
He admits that on the day of Tsukushi's Central Exam, he had actually deliberately taken the wrong bag, believing that Youto too possessed some kind of power. Despite expressing sympathy for the confusing situation Youto is in, he criticizes him for deceiving himself and those around him while he ran away from his problems, a statement that once again sounds eerily familiar.
He recalls his encounter with the cat puppet man at the Togaku Shrine during the field trip. He realizes with dread that the voice of the cat puppet and Emi's father sound eerily identical, though he can't reconcile this with the memory of seeing Emi and her father together that same day.
Emi's father brings up the issue with Tsukushi's exams, calling it a fire on a faraway shore. He finds it odd that Youto is asking him for advice when all he has to do is pray to the Cat God and use the power at his disposal. Youto explains that he won't wish thoughtlessly due to the risks involved, but the man denies the existence of any true risk, attributing it to his lack of understanding of the god's mechanisms. He pressures Youto to answer a question: "What is the thing that you wish the most for right now?"
Memories flashing across his mind, Youto's true feelings begin to emerge: Even if the fire is on the opposite shore, he cannot bear to watch it from afar. If he can erase the fire on the opposite shore, then he want to do that; If there's a person crying on the other side, he want to cross the cold river and comfort them. He finally admits his true desire: to become a hero who saves people.
Youto suddenly feels a dark presence rise from within him. A shadowy figure emerges at his feet, manifesting as another version of himself. Appearing satisfied, Emi's father tells him that he has become a hero, suggesting him to resolve Tsukushi's exam issues for starters. Youto finds himself under control of the shadow, nodding along with it and responding with a firm "Yeah." as Emi's father disappears into the dark mist.
Regaining his senses, Youto heads to the library, where Tsukushi is studying hard for her entrance exams. She is visibly struggling and stressed, buried in math books and equations she doesn't understand. Youto questions her what her true purpose for studying is, which she answers is out of responsibility for her little sister, for her to feel safe and protected.
Something feels off to Youto as his body and mouth continues to move on their own. He summarizes that going to university is not Tsukushi's main goal, but a way to guarantee Tsukiko's wellbeing. He notices the dark shadow once again beginning to manifest, as his body moves to embrace Tsukushi: "Let's get married."
Shocked and confused by the sudden proposal, Tsukushi freezes, unable to respond. Youto continues, saying that if they marry, she wouldn't have to worry about her exams or protecting Tsukiko, because he would guarantee their happiness.
The shadow leaves his body, allowing him to feel Tsukushi's warmth. She is unusually timid, but also appears happier than ever. The problem has been resolved, and it's not as bad as he thought — is what Youto thinks, for now.
==Characters==
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