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 58

58. The Showdown at the Sea①

As the tournament organizer called my name as the team representative, I led Mashiro and Mai toward the sandy court.

The opposing team was already waiting there, their gazes directed at us. In that moment, a tense atmosphere enveloped the area.

Standing on the opposite court were the protagonist of this story, Fusegawa Raito, and the two heroines.

As soon as I appeared, Fusegawa Raito glared at me with sharp eyes filled with hostility.

I felt a prickling sensation on my skin, as if his intent to defeat me was palpable.

“Shindo Ryusuke. I can’t believe I’m facing you in beach volleyball.”

He stood before me across the net, raising his voice in a threatening manner. His expression was grim, as if he was suppressing his anger toward me.

Then, pointing sharply at me, he continued his words.

“But this works out well, Shindo Ryusuke. I’ll settle the score from that time.”

“Are you talking about the final exam? That was just me getting first place in the grade and you getting second. That’s all there is to it.”

“Don’t play dumb…! I don’t know what kind of cheating you pulled, but I absolutely won’t acknowledge that result! There’s no way a delinquent like you could get first place!”

“Cheating? Come on. I just studied hard for the final exam. I didn’t do anything wrong.”

“Shut up! It’s clear you did something underhanded, so why don’t you just admit it already!?”

“…This is pointless.”

A sigh escaped me in disbelief.

In his mind, he had decided that a delinquent like me couldn’t possibly achieve first place, and it seemed he could only think that there must have been some cheating involved. He must have been suspicious of my test scores ever since that time.

But that’s not true. Even if you start as a delinquent, if you put in the effort, you can be rewarded.

I cannot convey my words to him as long as he cannot understand that.

The villain will always be a villain, and he doesn’t even think that he can change that through effort. He is fundamentally mistaken. And I don’t want to end this while being mistaken myself.

Perhaps displeased with my response, Fusegawa Yorito furrowed his brow and clenched his fist tightly.

“Because of that final exam, I… with Miyuki-senpai…! It’s all your fault, Shindo Ryusuke… I won’t forgive you…”

“Are you talking about Miyuki-senpai, the student council president, Sakuramiya Miyuki? She has indeed been absent for a while, but did something happen after that?”

“Ugh…! Enough, don’t talk!! I will definitely crush you in this match…!!”

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“Hey, hold on a second. What exactly happened…?”

I tried to ask what had happened, but he ignored me and turned to look back.

He walked over to Hanazaki Yuna and Himeno Karen, starting some sort of conversation with them. I couldn’t catch what they were talking about, but both had somewhat dark expressions.

(So, something happened between Fusegawa Yorito and Sakuramiya Miyuki because of that final exam…)

There hadn’t been anything particularly strange about their behavior until the summer vacation began. That means something must have happened between them regarding the results of that final exam after the summer break started.

I’m curious about what that is, but the confrontation with him is about to start. I shifted my focus back to the matter at hand.

The key player of the protagonist team is probably Himeno Karen.

In middle school, she was the ace of the track and field club, possessing outstanding athletic ability. She should showcase that athleticism and stand in our way in this match.

Hanazaki Yuna isn’t particularly good at sports, but in a battle of wits, she is undoubtedly superior to us. She will surely use a variety of tactics to toy with us.

And the biggest problem is Fusegawa Yorito.

As the protagonist, he is bound to create miracles. With that power, he can overcome any adversity and has the strength to seize victory.

No matter how average his athletic ability might be, his power as a protagonist is the greatest threat to me.

Honestly, facing those three is quite tough, but I still have no intention of losing.

I will fight with all my might and surely seize victory.

“Masaki, the strategy is as we discussed earlier. There’s no rotation in beach volleyball rules. The defensive anchor is Masaki, the setter is Mai, and I’ll take care of the attacks.”

“Okay, I got it, Ryusuke. I’ll make sure to defend against the opponent’s attacks and connect it to Mai-chan.”

“I just need to pass it so that my big brother can hit easily, right? I’ll do my best!”

“I’m counting on all of you; I’ll definitely score points.”

Masaki smiled faintly while gripping my hand tightly. The warmth from that hand encouraged me.

Mai was also filled with enthusiasm watching our exchange.

“Alright, I’ll start with the serve. Don’t worry, I won’t miss it.”

“I’m counting on you, Mai-chan. Let’s do our best!”

“Of course. The three of us—me, my big brother, and Masaki—will absolutely win!”

“Yeah. Mai, are you ready?”

“Perfect, big brother! I’m ready to go anytime!”

“Alright, then let’s get started right away.”

Mai shows me a peace sign. She’s full of spirit, a reliable little sister.

The serve begins with us.

We conducted a coin toss before the match, and we got the serve, while the protagonist team chose the court.

Mai heads over to the referee at the side of the court to receive the ball.

After taking a deep breath to calm her nerves, she positions the ball at the back of the court.

Then the referee blows the whistle, signaling the start of the match.

The showdown between me, the villain, and Fusegawa Yorito, the protagonist, has finally begun.