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 61

61. Confrontation at the Sea④

The serve continues to belong to our team after scoring again.

Mashiro delicately hit the serve with a soft form. Just like before, the ball flew in a gentle arc, and the team of Fusegawa Raito, stripped of its protagonist’s correction, was in a panic.

It was fine until Hinano Karen managed to receive the ball, but Hanazaki Yuna’s posture wavered as she tried to connect it. The ball did not rise as expected and went out of the court.

Now it was 11 to 13, and as the point gap gradually closed, Fusegawa Raito’s expression grew more severe.

“Yuna, what’s wrong! Pull yourself together!”

“Y-yes…”

Hanazaki Yuna trembled, her shoulders shaking.

Even when Fusegawa Raito made a play mistake, she gently encouraged him. Yet, consumed by the desire to win, he was shouting at her. Because of that, her movements became timid.

And that scene was also affecting the spectators.

Those who had been cheering for the protagonist now wore grim expressions.

It clearly showed that at this moment, the protagonist had transformed into an antagonist.

Meanwhile, I felt a strange sensation in my body.

In the next play, the opposing team handled Mashiro’s serve well, and Fusegawa Raito was trying to spike.

As I followed his movements with my eyes, I was perfectly predicting where that spike would be aimed and where it would land.

Unconsciously, my body moved. I had run to the drop point of the released spike.

With the sound of the ball bouncing, I felt a solid response in my hand. I completely neutralized the ball’s momentum, resulting in a perfect receive that connected to my teammates.

Mai passed it to Mashiro, who again slammed the spike like before.

The energized ball pierced the opponent’s court without fail this time.

12 to 13.

We rejoiced at scoring again, and cheers rose from the surrounding spectators.

At the same time, Fusegawa Raito wore a look of astonishment.

“W-why… that just now…”

Fusegawa Raito muttered in disbelief. I understood why he had that expression.

The movement I made to stop Fusegawa Raito’s spike was a feat that only someone awakened as a protagonist could perform.

(Could it be that I have protagonist correction working for me?)

Fusegawa Raito had always been awakened as the protagonist, moving as if he could foresee the future. He acted unconsciously, before even thinking, always attracting the results he desired.

Yet now, it was not Fusegawa Raito who was demonstrating that power of a protagonist, but me, the antagonist. To him, it must have appeared as the most unbelievable thing.

The protagonist possesses the power to resist unreasonable fate.

They create miracles that bounce back any adversity.

Knowing that, he must have felt his certainty of victory vanish, being overcome by impatience and anxiety.

—

“Hey, gather the ball for me! Yuna! Natsuki! I’ll lead everyone to victory! United we stand!”

“…Raito-kun.”

“…Raito.”

Noticing that his position as the protagonist was wavering, Fusegawa Raito finally began to act like a true hero.

But it was already too late. The expressions of Hanazaki Yuna and Himeno Natsuki darkened upon hearing his words. After being yelled at countless times during the game, they could no longer trust him, who was supposed to be their protagonist.

On the other hand, Mashiro, who was next to me, was laughing joyfully.

With a beaming smile, her clear blue eyes sparkling, she was genuinely enjoying playing beach volleyball with me from the bottom of her heart.

That radiance was truly that of a heroine.

Mashiro was blossoming her powers as a heroine to support me, who had become the protagonist.

As if to prove this, Mashiro never missed a serve.

The ball, released from her beautiful form—accurate, gentle, and powerful—was ideal in every way, and it always seemed to be drawn into the opponent’s court.

The audience cheered as they watched her.

Everyone’s hearts danced at the sight of the world’s strongest beautiful girl spreading smiles on the sandy beach. The crowd there had become captivated by her, completely on our side.

The team of Fusegawa Raito, who had lost his protagonist’s boost, could no longer easily return the serves bolstered by that cheer. The ball was once again sent flying out of the court, scoring points for our team.

13 to 13. We were finally tied.

“Yay! Ryusuke! I scored again with my serve!”

“Yeah, nice serve. Mashiro is really amazing.”

“After the match, can you pet me a lot? Praise me a lot?”

“Of course. If we win, I’ll grant you any wish you want.”

“Really? Any wish?”

“Yeah, of course. Any wish. This time is special.”

“Yay! Then if we win, I’ll be super clingy with you, Ryusuke!”

“Sure. I’m looking forward to it.”

Mashiro was overjoyed at my words.

Determined to win, she hugged the ball in front of her chest and bounced up and down.

The audience was thrilled at that sight. They were wishing for our victory, praying for the happiness of me and Mashiro.

So I couldn’t afford to lose. I would win for Mashiro, pet her head a lot, and make her happy. I would create the best memories.

As I reaffirmed that resolve, I felt a sudden lightness in my body. Strength surged through me, and my focus sharpened.

My body was hot. My heart was racing. My vision cleared, and the trajectory of the ball became vividly apparent.

I understood now that I had completely awakened as the protagonist.

—

Yuna Hanazaki serves the ball to Mashiro, who spikes it, but I easily defend against the attack.

Mai connects the ball, and when Mashiro returns the spike, it flies toward Yorito Fusegawa.

From noble mtl dot net

Before the ball can hit the ground, he starts running. But without the protagonist’s privilege, he won’t reach it.

14 to 13. We finally turn the tables and it’s match point.

Yorito Fusegawa is growing anxious, but the two heroines no longer offer him kind words. They only watch him with fearful eyes. Both Yuna Hanazaki and Kakeru Himeno look at Yorito Fusegawa with anxious faces, as if afraid of something.

“Mashiro, Mai, let’s finish this.”

“Yeah! It’s the last point!”

“Big brother, Mashiro-san, let’s do it!”

Praying that this will be the last serve, Mashiro raises the ball high.

The ball is drawn into the opponent’s court. In front of it, Kakeru Himeno bites down.

Watching that scene, I understood what the heroines of Yorito Fusegawa were thinking, as if I could reach out and grab it.

Kakeru Himeno was desperately trying to support Yorito Fusegawa as a heroine until the very end.

No matter how harshly she was treated, she believed she could do anything for him. That’s why she wouldn’t give up. No matter what happened, she chased the ball with all her heart for the guy she loved so much.

“Yuna, Yorito, I’m leaving it to you!”

With that voice, she perfectly sets up Mashiro’s serve and connects it to Yuna Hanazaki.

“Yuna! I’ll finish it! Trust me and set the ball up!!”

“Y- Yorito-kun…! Y- Yes!!”

Yuna Hanazaki focuses on the ball and sends it to Yorito Fusegawa. It was the best pass she had made today, filled with her utmost trust in him.

In response to that trust, Yorito Fusegawa runs with all his might and jumps. To grasp the glimmer of hope the heroines had connected for him with his own hands.

“Whoa-oh-oh-oh-oh!!”

With a battle cry, he unleashes a strike. It is sharper, stronger, and faster than any attack before. Thanks to the heroines working together, at the very last moment, Yorito Fusegawa awakens his power as the protagonist.

But even so, I don’t want to end the miracle created by the days spent with Mashiro here.

So I ran.

Putting more strength into my legs than ever before, kicking off the sandy beach, leaping high, and raising both hands to smash down the spike.

“Ryusuke!”

“Big brother!”

I hear Mashiro and Mai’s voices.

Their cheers and the thoughts of the two who believe in me overlap.

What I want isn’t victory.

What I desire is Mashiro’s smile.

—

So I reach out with both hands,

to make Mashiro smile.

And then—

my hands touched the ball, as if to grant that wish.

With all my might, my arms deflected the spike launched by Fusegawa Raito.

The ball that fell into the opponent’s court bounced once,

then rolled across the sandy beach.

Fifteen to thirteen—.

As the whistle signaling the end of the match echoed,

applause and cheers celebrating our victory filled the air.

Mai raised her hands in joy,

and Mashiro leaped straight into my arms.

I caught her and held her gently.

As I softly stroked Mashiro’s hair,

she smiled happily in my embrace, narrowing her eyes with delight.

“Ryusuke, we did it. You worked hard.”

“Thanks to you, Mashiro.”

Mashiro and I exchanged smiles,

each tightening our embrace just a little.

This was what I had wished for,

and I had worked hard to make it happen.

I wanted to create the best memories with Mashiro,

I wanted her to smile,

and that’s why I was able to give it my all.

As I gazed at Mashiro’s adorable smile,

I truly felt that we had made an unforgettable summer memory.