Light Novel Chapter 27

記憶の外 (Kioku no Soto, lit: Outside the Memories) is the twenty-seventh chapter of the light novel series of The "Hentai" Prince and the Stony Cat.
==Plot==
Not understanding why the past world is disappearing without cancelling the wish herself, Tsukiko desperately begs for it to stop, but to no avail. Finding herself back at the rainy park in the present timeline, Tsukiko is devastated, having failed to change the past or to even make bodily contact with her mother.
"I'm sorry" is the only thing that Youto can say as he pulls Tsukiko into a light embrace. However, a joyful voice interrupts the moment — the Stony Cat, still possessing Yaji-san, mocks them from atop the jungle gym, asking Youto if he enjoyed his "repayment" for last time.
To humiliate the Cat God in return, Youto asks it to come down. Assuming that Youto was about to offer an sincere apology, it hops down as if it hasn't learned a single thing. Instead of apologizing, Youto picks up the rabbit by the neck and exchanges a deep kiss like he did back at the school's tower, this time even using his tongue. With its humiliation doubled, the Cat God runs off, swearing to exact revenge once again.
Taking the same bus that Youto is much too familiar with, they arrive back at the Tsutsukakushi estate. Sliding open the doors, they are greeted by a giant hedgehog. "What happened? Why are you here? Did something happen? It doesn’t matter. As long as you’re here in this world, everything is fine." Believing that it is her mother, Tsukiko dives towards the hedgehog. However, the voice that responds is that of Tsukushi, who is led to believe that they now have mutual feelings for each other. She promises that she won't go to university anymore and will stay with Tsukiko forever.
Apparently, the Steel King has found this outfit in the mezzanine floor of the mezzanine floor while looking for clues of living with their mother. She confidently declares her certainty that the "four of them" lived as family, including Youto. She has decided to call their grandparents again and talk things out, and is ready to try as many times as it takes to get their feelings across. She wanted to tell Tsukiko that there is no need to be sad just because they couldn't find any pictures, but Tsukiko seems to have cheered up on her own.
Changing the topic, Tsukushi wonders if Tsukiko will keep on hugging her if she stayed in this costume, but Tsukiko tasks her sister with repeating her English vocabulary lesson again and writing a reflection on why she scored last in nationwide exams, threatening to niever talk to her again otherwise. Her tactics are effective as ever, and Tsukushi immediately dashes out the banquet hall, ditching the costume.
Picking up the costume, Youto reflects on his memories, coming to a realization — the truly important things are engraved not in one's mind, but in their heart. As if urged by an invisible force, he speaks to Tsukiko.
"Even if you aren't the person I’ve known the longest, I'd never let that decide anything. More than all the memories I've gathered this far, the feelings that I have now are much stronger. No matter what happens in the future — I will always stay with you. You are the most important to me."
However, Tsukiko seems unimpressed, feeling that his words alone don't carry enough weight. She brings up Youto's kiss with the cat god and with Azuki Azusa. Slamming on the tatami mat, she demands to receive suitable treatment as the longest and number one, her sulking eyes gazing up at Youto.
Youto recalls Tsukasa's words from ten years ago: No matter how arrogant you might sound in your thoughts, even if you writhe in agony at your own embarrassment, you eventually have to choose. He is still unable to answer the question of who exactly he is living his life for, but for now, Youto decides to take his very first step.
==Characters==
==Navigation==