When Rangiku saw Hai Mao tugging Yuko just as she was, she slapped Hai Mao's hand away and pulled Yuko toward herself.
"Yuko, tell her..."
"You old hag!"
Hai Mao wasn't about to take that lying down. She grabbed Yuko's other hand and pulled her back.
"Yuko! You tell her..."
"Tell her my ass!" Yuko shook them both off, her face darkening. "Both of you, stop!"
"Mm."
Yuko's tone cowed them into silence. Their hands fidgeted in front of them.
Yuko let out a long breath. "What the hell are you two doing? Aren't we here to deal with the Blade Beasts in Rukongai? Is this really okay for a Vice-Captain?"
"...S-sorry."
Both of them lowered their heads.
"I know you two are close, but you don't have to act like this while we're working..."
Both snapped at once. "Huh? Who's close to her?"
"Oh? Really? Are you sure?"
Yuko's face remained blank, but a wisp of dark energy drifted from her body.
"No, no, we're like sisters." Neither dared argue with Yuko in this state. They forced smiles and clasped hands.
Yuko tapped her forehead. "Honestly. Haven't you noticed the whole tsundere act went out of fashion years ago?"
"Huh?"
"Nothing!" Yuko asked irritably, "What are you doing here? Where's Toshiro?"
She had sensed the area earlier and hadn't detected Toshiro's presence. He probably wasn't in East Rukongai.
Rangiku blinked in astonishment. "Seriously? You can sense him?"
"No."
Yuko rolled her eyes, unwilling to waste the effort explaining.
Rangiku suddenly lit up. "I know, I know!"
"? What do you know?"
"You're one of those people who always says the opposite of what they mean, right?" Rangiku punched her palm. "I saw it on the TV in your office!"
Yuko tilted her head. "? Whose office?"
"Uh..."
Yuko lunged