The two Yanamis stood facing each other, ready for a confrontation.
"So what's going on now?"
Yukino had put away her usual calm demeanor, frowning as she looked at the two identical girls in the room, and asked Asakura.
"Hmm—" Asakura thought for a moment: "Let's first see if it's an anomaly…"
He snapped his fingers, [Candle]!"
Nothing happened.
The two Yanamis were first drawn to his action, then looked at Asakura, who was posing, and after a moment of silence, they said.
"Asakura… are you a chuunibyou?"
"Boys are just like that."
"That being said, what kind of expression should I show at a time like this?"
"Just smile."
"O kawaii koto."
Then both of them looked at Asakura with warm (as if looking at a silly child) smiles.
A vein popped up on Asakura's forehead.
When there was only one Yanami, she was already quite lively. Now that the number of Yanamis had doubled, the level of annoyance had increased exponentially.
However, since specifying 'anomaly' failed to activate [Candle], at least it could be confirmed that the extra Yanami was not an anomaly. Perhaps it was a 'supernatural phenomenon' similar to a doppelganger. Of course, Asakura thought the most likely explanation was a Curse spell rampage.
"Yukino, keep an eye on these two. I'll be right back."
"Got it."
Yukinoshita Yukino also knew that the current situation was a bit strange. She didn't say much, just gently rubbed the [Scale Flash Pattern] Asakura had left on her and nodded slightly.
Asakura left the club room with peace of mind.
"Eh, what exactly is going on?"
"Yeah, yeah, why do both Asakura and Yukino look so calm?"
"Exactly! You're definitely hiding something from me!"
"Confess quickly!"
The two Yanamis started clamoring together, even wanting to leave the club room with Asakura.
"I have snacks here."
Yukinoshita Yukino ignored their clamor and simply took out a strawberry daifuku from her bag, which, judging by its packaging, gave an impression of being quite expensive. This was probably the dessert she had originally planned to enjoy after her meal: "Who wants some?"
The Yanamis eyes lit up with delight: ""I'll take it!""
Yukino: "…"
To be so easily appeased with food, this child, perhaps she has a talent for being tamed…
Yukinoshita Yukino didn't have a large appetite. Perhaps to share with others in the club room (like Yuigahama), she brought a box of six strawberry daifuku.
For most girls, six strawberry daifuku was a lot, but for Yanami, it was clearly just a drop in the bucket.
Fortunately, the Service Club room had no shortage of snacks. Although Asakura had locked up most of them, the remaining portion was barely enough to pass the time.
By the time the snacks were almost gone, Asakura had already returned with a tattered hat.
"What's that? A hat?"
"Is it one of those pointed hats witches wear in anime?"
"What, Asakura really is a chuunibyou."
"No, if he's wearing it himself, it should be cross-dressing!"
The two Yanamis chattered as they looked at the Sorting Hat in Asakura's hand.
"It's a wizard's hat! Unfortunately, this thing isn't gender-specific."
Asakura unhesitatingly placed the hat on one of the Yanamis heads.
"Wah! I can't see anything?!"
The girl frantically adjusted the hat: "What is this? A cosplay prop from a haunted house cafe?"
The other Yanami looked at her and nodded: "Hmm, as expected of me, everything looks good on me!"
Asakura looked at the motionless Sorting Hat, his brows slightly furrowed.
He picked up the Sorting Hat and then pressed it onto the head of the other Yanami, who was still admiring herself.
"Ugh?! What are you doing all of a sudden, my hair is all messed up…"
That Yanami also fumbled to adjust the hat.
But the Sorting Hat still showed no change.
This made Asakura's expression look even more conflicted.
"Yanami isn't a witch, right?"
Yukinoshita Yukino asked when she saw this.
"Hmm, the Sorting Hat didn't react, so it's not Curse running wild."
Asakura's brow furrowed even deeper.
It's neither an anomaly nor a Curse running wild, so could it really just be an ordinary supernatural phenomenon?
Although there seemed to be a saying in the past like 'there are two people in the world who look exactly like you,' that 'exactly alike' merely referred to appearance; fundamentally, they were still different people. However, these two Yanami clearly had completely identical pasts and memories; they should be the same person.
So Asakura tried to target the 'fake Yanami' and activated [Candle] again, but just like before, the Curse failed. Then Asakura defined the target of the Curse as 'the Yanami who appeared today,' but still, there was no reaction.
This made Asakura scratch his head in frustration.
The preparatory bell for the afternoon classes rang.
"Hey, so what's the situation now? What's going on with this person…?"
Yanami A couldn't help but ask.
"I'm the one who wants to ask you what's going on? Why do you look exactly like me?"
Yanami B also asked impatiently.
"You're the one who looks exactly like me! Don't talk as if you're the original!"
"Shut up, I am the genuine Yanami Anna, absolutely not a shred of falsehood, you can verify it anytime!"
"Can it really be verified?"
Asakura made a kneading motion and interjected.
"Why does Asakura suddenly get so energetic only at times like these!"
"What's that strange gesture? 'Can be verified' doesn't mean you can just touch it casually!"
The two Yanami simultaneously denounced Asakura.
"In any case, if both of you appear in front of others during afternoon classes, it will definitely cause some chaos… How about you two play rock-paper-scissors? The winner goes to class, and the loser stays here for now?"
Asakura cleared his throat, assuming the posture of a gentleman.
"If they're the same person, rock-paper-scissors will definitely always be a tie."
"Exactly, exactly, that's how it's shown in anime and movies."
With that, the two Yanami, with great tacit agreement, simultaneously played rock-paper-scissors.
"See, sure enough… Huh?"
"How could this be? It's not a tie?"
The two Yanamis rock-paper-scissors immediately determined a winner.
Seeing this, Asakura slightly narrowed his eyes.