In Karakura Town in the Human World, inside the Coffee Shop.
"Why are you back so early?"
Yuko turned slightly toward Senna as she walked into the Coffee Shop with her bag on her back.
Senna looked disappointed. "Because Ichigo went to work. His work as a substitute Soul Reaper."
Behind the counter, Yoshino made frantic faces at her.
Senna noticed something was off but failed to understand the warning. "Sister Yoshino, is something wrong with your eyes?"
"..." Yoshino sighed. There was no helping her.
Yuko said flatly, "She probably can't bear to watch what's about to happen to you."
Senna froze. "What's about to happen to me?"
Yuko froze too. With a weary sigh, she turned to Yoshino. "With a brain like that, there's no point even thinking about her getting into a higher school, is there?"
Yoshino shrugged. She had nothing to say.
If it had been Ichigo, he would already have been desperately trying to save himself.
But Senna sensed no danger at all. She sat down beside Yuko as though nothing was wrong and asked them curiously, "What are you two talking about?"
Yuko stared at her without expression.
Stare.
The death glare worked surprisingly well. Even a simple creature like Senna began to sense that something was wrong.
She met Yuko's unwavering stare, swallowed despite herself, and began to panic.
"Um, well, I'm going upstairs to rest."
Cold sweat trickled down Senna's temple. She tried to get up and leave while pretending to be calm, but Yuko caught the hand she had placed on the counter and pinned it down.
"Eek!"
Senna's whole body began to tremble.
Yuko asked, perfectly aware of the answer, "What's wrong? You seem scared."
"A-am I?"
Senna's eyes darted around. She dared not look Yuko in the eye.
"Hmm?"