I Reincarnated as the Villain in a Rom-Com but I’m Enjoying Youth with My Favorite Heroine - I Reincarnated as the Villain in a Rom-Com but I’m Enjoying Youth with My Favorite Heroine chapter 57

57. The Sea and the Villain ⑦

Mashiro and I stood up from under the beach umbrella, following Mai as she led us to the tournament venue.

Two poles were set up on the white sandy beach, with a beach volleyball net stretched between them. Given that it was a bustling seaside area, it seemed there were quite a few participating teams.

The participants included groups of middle and high school students, families, and adult teams, all mixed together. Though they varied in age and gender, everyone seemed to be enjoying beach volleyball with smiles on their faces.

Amidst this, I was with Mashiro and Mai, confirming the rules while watching other teams compete in a corner of the venue.

“Three against three, and the first team to 15 points wins. Since there are so many teams, we won’t play a second set.”

“That’s right, big brother. It’s not a strict tournament; it’s an event hosted by the beach house that anyone can enjoy!”

“If we win, we each get a meal voucher worth a thousand yen, and even if we lose, we get a free serving of shaved ice as a participation prize. That’s a pretty generous event.”

“Yeah, it’s really generous! I’m all set to win! I’m already thinking about what I’ll eat!”

“Mai, you’re such a foodie. Well, I’m hungry too, to be honest.”

“It’s almost lunchtime, after all. We’ll work up an appetite playing beach volleyball, and today’s lunch will be a feast! I can’t wait!”

Bouncing up and down, Mai laughed joyfully.

On the other hand, I felt the tension of facing this tournament.

Looking around the venue, I spotted Fusegawa Ryuto and the heroine, Hanazaki Yuna, along with Himeno Karen.

I confirmed my opponents, just as I had expected. The team we would be facing was Ryuto’s, and of course, they were aware of us as well.

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The three of them seemed to be huddled in a circle, discussing strategies. They were likely talking about positions and tactics.

Their determination to win was palpable, and while keeping them in my sights, I took a deep breath.

The focus emanating from Ryuto’s eyes, that confidence, that aura—it was the same as what I saw during the final exams.

To defeat me, the villain, he was undoubtedly awakening as the protagonist. He would surely team up with the heroines to win for real.

I couldn’t afford to let my guard down for even a moment. If I showed any openings, I would be crushed by him.

My heart raced faster and faster. Just as the anxiety and tension washed over me right before the match, I involuntarily held my breath.

A soft sensation conveyed itself to my right hand. When I looked down, Mashiro was holding my hand and smiling gently.

The warmth from her small hand and her soft voice enveloped me kindly.

“Hehe, you’re really nervous. I haven’t seen you like this since the final exams, have I?”

“Yeah… It’s been a while since I’ve felt this tense.”

“I’ll cast a little spell to help you relax, Ryusuke. Just lend me your hand like this. Open your palm wide.”

“Hm? Ah.”

Mashiro slowly takes my hand in both of hers.

Then, she begins to trace something on my palm with her index finger. The sensation of her delicate fingertip is oddly ticklish, causing my cheeks to soften involuntarily.

Finally, after a light tap with her index finger, she pulls back with a mischievous grin.

“There! All done!”

“O-Oh. But what was that…?”

I look at my palm where she had traced. The spell, or whatever it was, consisted of three characters.

I could only make out the first character, “Dai…” but did she write “Daijoubu”? It was supposed to be a spell to calm me down. But the second character seemed to have an unusually high number of strokes.

“What did you write? I got ‘Dai,’ but that’s all.”

“Um… well…”

At that, Mashiro suddenly looks away, embarrassed. Her cheeks flush as she fidgets with her fingers, mumbling something that seems difficult to say.

What should I do? I’m really curious.

(I definitely saw her write ‘Dai.’)

What three-character words start with “Dai” besides “Daijoubu”? The last character had four strokes, so it should be the character for “joubu,” but I can’t figure out why the second character had so many strokes.

It was supposed to be a spell to reassure me, but it’s a mystery why it made Mashiro blush. Her face is so red, and it’s really intriguing.

I was about to ask her, but Mashiro, still looking away, murmurs in a small voice.

“N-No, it’s a secret. It’s a spell, so if I tell you, it won’t work anymore.”

“Is that so?”

“Y-Yeah. But you feel more relaxed now, right? I think the spell worked.”

“Ah, thanks, Mashiro. I feel relaxed; I think I can do this now.”

Just as Mashiro said, the spell was incredibly effective. It was as if the tension and anxiety had vanished like magic, and now I felt strangely calm.

I ruffled Mashiro’s hair as a way to thank her, and she squinted her eyes happily, her expression softening.

“Hehe, I got a spell from Ryusuke. I’m so happy.”

“What? So you were nervous too, Mashiro?”

“Yeah. But I’m okay now. Because you patted me.”

“Then it’s mutual. I’m okay now too; let’s do our best together.”

“Yeah! We absolutely have to win!”

With this adorable childhood friend by my side, I completely regained my energy. Thanks to Mashiro, I can give it my all.

The protagonist and I, certain of victory and convinced that there was no way we could lose even against our opponent, exchanged glances and shared a laugh.

Watching us, my sister Mai wore a teasing smile, her cheeks softening with amusement.

“Big brother and Mashiro are so lovey-dovey~. You two are getting a bit too cozy before the match, aren’t you~?”

“Sh-Shut up, Mai. This is just a good luck charm… right, Mashiro?”

“Y-Yeah, that’s right, Mai-chan. This is a charm for winning. So it’s not weird or anything… okay?”

“Oh, come on! You both are so not honest. You two are really easy to read!”

Under Mai’s smirking gaze, we felt a ticklish embarrassment and looked away. It was true that we might have been a bit too close in front of others, and we both turned our heads down, our cheeks flushed in silence.

After that, we took a deep breath together to calm our feelings. Satisfied with teasing us, Mai didn’t say anything more.

Finally, I steeled myself and focused on my opponents, capturing the figures of Fusegawa Raito and the two heroines.

From the three of them, engaged in serious discussion, a strong determination radiated, easily conjuring images of the fierce battle that was about to unfold.

It was finally beginning.

The showdown with the protagonist set against the backdrop of the summer sea――.