Language Cheat Reincarnation – Young Girl VTuber Saves the World - Chapter 268: [The 0th Character Of Words]

《… Huh? You understand what I’m thinking, huh?》

The delinquent momentarily widened his eyes. But soon his expression turned mocking.

He laughed while gripping my arm. “Gyahahaha!”

《What are you saying? Are you seriously messed up in the head? Just a coincidence that our words overlapped. So then.

《《Try guessing what I’m thinking》—!?》

As I overlaid words again, the delinquent froze.

He looked as if he had seen something eerie.

I could sense a similar unease spreading among the surrounding delinquents.

I kept my gaze fixed on the delinquent.

《《… Haha. Making a big deal out of guessing someone’s words a few times! Quit it! Don’t mimic my words! Can’t you hear me saying stop, stop!? You!》》

I continued layering words onto the delinquent.

Soon, he seemed to reach his limit and raised his fist.

With my arm held, I couldn’t escape. I braced myself for the impact.

《—! You’re annoying the hell out of me! Back off, or I’ll kill you!》

“Iro, ha…!”

Shitenno grabbed onto the delinquent.

Seizing the opportunity while the delinquents were flustered, he broke free from the restraint and tackled the delinquent.

《Damn it!》

“Eek!?”

Apparently realizing it would be tough to shake off Shitenno with just one hand, I was released as if thrown away.

I rolled on the ground, dull pain enveloping my whole body.

But I quickly got up and directed my gaze towards the delinquent.

And I resumed anticipating his words.

《《Damn it, stop clinging to me forever! How long are you gonna keep echoing my words? Damn it, stop irritating me!》》

“Ugh!? Ha ha!? Guh!? Let go…!”

Shitenno groaned as he took elbow strikes and knee kicks, but he didn’t let go of the delinquent.

I kept observing the delinquent intently.

《《What’s with that look? Stop staring, you brat! I said stop echoing my words! So, cut it out!》》

The air dominated by the delinquents began to tremble.

They seemed confused by this unusual situation, whispering among themselves.

《What’s going on here?》

《Hey, that’s dangerous, that guy》

《Hey, could it be true that he can really read minds?》

As I turned my gaze towards them, the delinquents averted their eyes as if trying to shield their thoughts from being read.

The enemy was now reduced to just one delinquent.

《《Stop it, stop it! Don’t cling to me forever! Don’t you dare repeat my words anymore! Shut up already! My…》》

《《—Stop reading my mind!》》

The delinquent shouted as if going insane.

Then, abruptly, he stopped as if he had just realized something.

His recent words acknowledged “it” in some way.

Yes, to me right now, the opponent’s mind.

-There’s no way I can read it, you idiot!

If such superpower existed, I’d be using it more effectively!

Now, how did I achieve something so supernatural…?

《《That’s! Damn it! Is this some trick!? Confess already!》》

As the delinquent said, this was indeed a trick with seeds and setups.

Or rather, it was just a kind of technique.

《《What? How come you can understand what I’m about to say!? Answer me!》》

I didn’t intend to teach the delinquent. But I’ll give him a hint.

For instance, in Japanese, let’s say someone says “an.”

Are they going to say “anko” or “anma”?

It’s actually easy to distinguish.

《《Are you somehow figuring out my habits? No, but that’s not it…》》

“Habit” isn’t accurate.

Because it’s a ‘necessity’ that happens to everyone.

Specifically, with “anko” and “anma”…

When it comes to the second character “n,” the mouth shape always differs.

For “anko,” the mouth opens at “n,” while for “anma,” it closes.

If you try it yourself, you’ll quickly notice the difference.

Words aren’t just one type.

Even when broadly classified, there are three types of “n” sounds: [m], [n], [n].

Though they’re the same character, they can be clearly distinguished phonetically.

No, not just that… even at the first character “a,” the sound is already different.

For “anko,” the pitch is high, while for “anma,” it’s low.

《《There’s no way I can read people’s minds, what a ridiculous idea!》》

That’s right. You can’t read minds.

But you can predict words.

Since the hint for the third character lies in the second, and the hint for the second lies in the first.

Or rather, words have countless derivations just by the number of words that follow.

《《Answer me! How are you doing this!?… Oh, I see. If you confess right now, I’ll let this boyfriend-kun off the hook. How about that? Are you listening, huh!?》》

I ignored the delinquent’s negotiation.

I already knew he wouldn’t keep his promise.

Besides, Shitenno, who was looking at me despite the assault, said it all with his eyes.

“You don’t need to listen to the words of such a guy!” And…

《《You guys, don’t underestimate us!》》

…Let’s continue.

So, how do I predict the ‘zeroth’ character without a focus?

It’s predetermined.

Even before the first character.

—Just listen to the ‘zeroth character’ of words.