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

27. Game Center

The four of us had visited the game center located inside the shopping mall.

Bringing Nishikawa to karaoke on our first day of acquaintance felt like a high hurdle, and simply window shopping would probably be boring. So I thought that interacting with Nishikawa through the game center would be the best option.

The game center was bustling, as it was a holiday.

In the area filled with crane game machines, there were many families with children and couples, while the arcade and rhythm game sections were populated with young people like us.

Amidst this, Masaki was gazing at a certain game with her blue eyes sparkling.

“Look! That stuffed animal is super cute!”

What she was staring at was a crane game. Inside the glass case was a giant cat stuffed toy. As expected from a big cat lover, seeing something like this must have raised her spirits.

“Does Mashiro like those kinds of things?”

“Yes! I love them! But I’m not very good at crane games, so I always fail and can’t seem to win anything…”

“I see. Crane games are definitely tough. I’m not that good at them either. Kyoya, you’re good at games, right? What about you?”

Nishikawa, prompted by Leo, thought for a moment before answering.

“I haven’t really played crane games much. The games I’m good at are competitive ones like FPS.”

“Is it Ailex? The online shooting game Kyoya plays? There are tons of gameplay videos of it on video sites.”

“Yeah. It’s a game called Ailex Legends. I play it every day after club activities when I get home. There’s something called a ranked match, like a test of skill, and right now I’m at the Diamond rank.”

“That’s amazing. Are you aiming to become a pro gamer?”

“Not at all. You can’t reach that level just being Diamond. Above that, there’s Master, and even higher, there’s Predator. To become a pro gamer, you need to be at least a Predator.”

Hearing the conversation between Leo and Nishikawa, Mashiro reacted.

“I know Ailex too! It’s the game Ryusuke is good at! Hey Nishikawa-kun, why don’t you try playing with Ryusuke? I’m sure it would be fun!”

“…Shindo? But there are internal ratings and detailed systems. If you want to play with me at Diamond level, you’d need to be around Platinum or higher—”

Just as Nishikawa was about to say more, I interjected to declare my rank.

“Don’t worry, Nishikawa-kun. I’ve been a Predator all along.”

“P-Predator!? Seriously, Shindo is a Predator…!?”

“Well, I’ve been skipping school and playing around, unlike you, Nishikawa-kun, who’s serious about club activities. I had plenty of time to play games.”

“N-No, but that’s amazing…! There are only a limited number of people who can become Predators… You really have to be good to reach that level!”

“Ah, well, it seems impossible this season. I’m too busy with studying, working out, and house chores.”

“Then, um, if you have some free time, would you play with me? I want to get better!”

“I don’t mind. As long as Nishikawa-kun is okay with it.”

“I-I’ll be counting on you! No, rather, please!”

Nishikawa quickly opened up with the topic of his favorite games; he’s just a typical high school boy. Just knowing we share the same hobby made the hostility from earlier vanish as if it were a lie.

“Leo-kun, did you hear? Ryusuke is a Predator!”

“Yeah, yeah, I don’t really get it, but it must be amazing.”

Mashiro and Leo were watching our exchange with warm smiles.

Somehow, it felt a bit ticklish, and I averted my gaze to hide my embarrassment. Mashiro approached me and lightly tapped my back.

“Well then, Ryusuke! Let’s show Leo-kun and Nishikawa-kun that you’re good at other games too! Oh, how about crane games?”

“In Mashiro’s case, you just want me to win you that stuffed toy from the crane game, right?”

“Ahaha, you caught me! Well then, I’ll be counting on you again this time!”

“Geez, fine. I guess I have no choice.”

—

In the first place, I had come today wanting to express my gratitude to Mashiro, so I was all fired up. If she desired it, grabbing a stuffed animal would be an easy task.

I stood in front of the crane game machine with Mashiro and the others. As I took out my wallet, Nishikawa spoke up.

“Shindo, could it be that you’re not just good at Ailex, but also at crane games…?”

“Well, just watch. I didn’t spend all that time playing for nothing.”

I inserted a coin and began to operate the claw. My target was a cat stuffed animal sitting majestically in the center of the glass case.

This type of crane game had only one prize inside the case, and I had to skillfully maneuver the claw, attempting the game multiple times, to drop the stuffed animal into the retrieval slot.

Normally, you would insert several coins and slowly move the stuffed animal, eventually managing to grab it—but my experience as Shindo Ryusuke, who had played crane games countless times, allowed for the best claw manipulation.

The claw I controlled descended slightly off the mark from the stuffed animal. Just a slight angle deviation would mean failure in obtaining the prize.

To Rei and Nishikawa, who were beginners at crane games, my maneuver might have looked like a failure. But this was merely preparation for the prize acquisition; the next attempt was the real deal.

I inserted another coin. Once again, the claw returned to my command, descending exactly as I intended. Rei and Nishikawa, watching the scene, gasped.

“Whoa! The claw got caught on the tag!”

“I see. The first time, you shifted the stuffed animal to a more accessible angle for the tag, and on the second try, you slipped the claw through the tag to lift it.”

As the two explained, the claw I operated caught the tag perfectly, lifting the stuffed animal toward the retrieval slot.

And at the moment the claw fully opened, the tag slipped free, and the stuffed animal fell toward the retrieval slot.

“Just like that. Sometimes, if the store’s placement is lenient, you can grab it in one go, but this time it was a bit off, so I got it on the second try.”

After retrieving the stuffed animal, I handed it to Mashiro. She beamed with an innocent smile, hugging the cat plush tightly.

“So, as you wished, I got the cat stuffed animal, Mashiro.”

“Thank you, Ryusuke! You’re amazing, so reliable, super cool!”

“From the way you’re praising me, I take it you’re eyeing the different-colored cat next to it?”

“Hehe. The black cat next to it is also one of my favorites, Ryusuke.”

“Then just wait a moment. The placement looks easy to grab, so I’ll get it for you right away.”

“Yay!”

I accepted Mashiro’s request and moved to the adjacent crane game. As I inserted another coin and operated the claw, I could hear Rei and Nishikawa’s conversation behind me.

“Hey, Kyouya. Ryusuke is really a kind person, right? He doesn’t make a single unpleasant face and listens to his friends’ requests.”

“Well, I still don’t know… I can tell he’s amazing… he’s top-tier in the games I play, and he’s incredibly skilled at crane games too…”

“Do you think Ryusuke is just putting on a facade? That’s what you think, Kyouya?”

“Well, it can’t be helped… the Shindo Ryusuke I heard about and the one right in front of me are just too different…”

“Yeah, that’s true. But I think you’ll eventually—no, soon enough, come to understand Ryusuke’s good qualities.”

“…”

Listening to Rei’s words, Nishikawa fell silent. His silence was ambiguous, neither affirming nor denying.

—

—

But I can sense it. The hostility that was there when we first met is gone. There’s an atmosphere that suggests they’re interested in me.

Soon after, I fulfill Mashiro’s request and get a black cat plushie from the crane game next to us. Just as I’m about to hand it to Mashiro, Reo speaks to me.

“Ryusuke, it’s about time for us to head home. It’s already evening.”

“I see. You and Nishikawa must be tired from club activities, and there’s practice again tomorrow.”

“Yeah. We only got to play a little, but it was fun. Kyoya looks grumpy, but I think he was actually enjoying himself deep down.”

“Who knows? Well, if you say that, I’ll take it as a compliment.”

“Hehe, I’m glad to hear that. See you at school on Monday. Thanks for today, Ryusuke.”

“Thank you too.”

After saying goodbye, Reo and Nishikawa start to leave the arcade. However, Nishikawa turns back, looking like he wants to say something.

There’s a hint of tension in his expression. He’s mumbling, trying to find the words, but they don’t come out as sound.

At that moment, Reo pushes Nishikawa’s back, nudging him toward me. Surprised by the sudden action, Nishikawa stops in front of me.

“Come on, Kyoya. You have something to say, right? Don’t hold back.”

“Uh… o-oh…”

Encouraged by Reo, Nishikawa stares at my face. There’s a light in his eyes that seems to show he’s made up his mind.

“Uh, um, Shindo… you said you’d play Ailex with me, right? And… I was wondering if I could get your ID, so could we exchange RINE?”

“Of course, Nishikawa. If my RINE is good enough for you.”

“Y-yeah, I’d appreciate it, Shindo…”

Nishikawa hurriedly takes out his smartphone. We exchange our RINE information.

“All set. See you later, Nishikawa.”

“W-wait a second… I have one more thing to ask.”

“Hm?”

As I tilt my head in confusion, Nishikawa turns to Mashiro and displays the RINE QR code.

“M-Mashiro-san! C-could you scan this QR code for me…!?”

Nishikawa, with his face bright red, bows his head while holding the smartphone with the QR code toward Mashiro.

“Oh, you want to exchange with me too!? Yay! You said we should be friends, so I’m really happy!”

“I-I’m honored that you’re happy…!”

Mashiro beams with a joyful smile, while Nishikawa, too nervous, moves like a robot.

Mashiro holds her camera up to Nishikawa’s smartphone. Then, both of their phones receive notifications that their contact information has been registered.

“Nice to meet you! Nishikawa-kun!”

“Y-yes!! P-please take care of me…!!”

—

“Eh heh, that’s an interesting way to respond. Did you get tongue-tied?”

“I-I’m sorry…”

“It’s fine, it’s fine! There’s no need to apologize. More importantly, let’s get along from now on!”

With a smile, Mashiro looked back and forth between her phone screen displaying her contact information and Nishikawa, who appeared to be blushing furiously with joy.

Ah, I see. Ever since Mashiro showed up, Nishikawa had been acting shy about something. I think I understand the reason now.

Probably, Nishikawa had fallen for Mashiro’s cuteness too. Mashiro is not just the ultimate beautiful girl; her personality is adorable, and she’s very friendly. I think he really wanted to exchange contact information like this.

“Ryusuke, Mashiro-san. I’d like to exchange RINE with you too, if that’s okay? I’m sorry for jumping on the opportunity with Kyouya; I just couldn’t find the right moment to bring it up.”

“No, not at all! I was thinking it would be nice to get closer to Reo-kun, and I believe Ryusuke thinks the same!”

“Yeah, Mashiro is right. I also want to know Reo’s contact info.”

“Really? Thank you, both of you.”

Reo displayed a QR code for us, just like Nishikawa. Mashiro and I held our phones up and completed the RINE exchange with Reo.

“Well then, let’s keep in touch from now on, Ryusuke, Mashiro-san.”

“Likewise, Reo.”

“Thank you very much, Reo-kun!”

And so, we were able to exchange our contact information.

From now on, I could get closer to Reo, and Nishikawa would surely come to understand me someday.

Feeling happy about that, I waved goodbye to Reo and Nishikawa as they left the game center.