Puzzle IV

'Damned roublemakers and their troublemaking shenanigans.'

Luke really wanted to say those words out loud, but a gentleman should never swear in public. It was Layton's gentlemanly behavior that had been implanted in Luke's mind for years.

So far, he dealt with thieves who worked with Zen, Nebula, and Reyson. He has also heard about the Serpent Phantoms and Inferno Shadows, but so far, the higher-ups at the Steam Bison P.D. have been investigating and told him and Layton to inform them if they discover anything related to the criminal groups.

Luke was currently on Garget Street, talking to Vee Lee at his shop.

"Fucking foreigners and their foreign bullshit," Hector Goldman complained to his friend, Davis Jones, as they walked by Luke.

Hector and Davis were Luke's classmates in middle school. They were both from affluent families. While Luke was polite to them, they clearly did not like him and talked negatively about his back.

"Tell me about it. Even that Japanese chicka brought trouble," Davis added. "Again, damn, she is so hot. No wonder Zen and his men want to steal her shit."

"Huh?" Luke looked at his classmates.

"Speaking of a Japanese tourist," Vic Lee rubbed his chin. "There was one here earlier. A female. She brought engine bolts for Biker."

"What did she look like?!" Luke looked back at Vic Lee.

"She has rare hair and eye color for a Japanese. She wore a white blouse with a red ribbon on her collar, a long navy blue skirt, and high platform shoes. She was heading towards Eggmuffin's workshop, but she returned and asked about Japantown."

"Thanks for telling me!" Luke ran towards a bus stop.

Secrets were secrets for a reason. Secrets were meant to keep a person secure from dangers.

Suzume sat on a Japanese-style bench in the plaza. She had finished eating lunch and dumped the empty bento box into the trash can near the bench.

'This Japantown is strange. I've asked around about my father, and no one has seen him. Was there a chance he never came to this area?'

Suzume stood. She needed to keep searching. But first, she really needed a steam-powered mobile phone. She felt something move in her skirt pocket.

'What the hell?' Suzume thought, staring down at her pocket.

Coindar's head popped out of her pocket. Suzume squeaked and pulled him out. She stared at him, narrowing her eyes suspiciously.

"Fess up. That kid sent you to keep tabs on me, did he?"

"Confirmed."

"Are you serious?" Suzume groaned, rolling her eyes in annoyance. "I told him I did not need help."

"Concerned."

"Why would he be concerned about me? I barely met the kid yesterday."

Coindar just blinked at her, seemingly confused by her question.

"Human decency."

"I think he should be teaching you more vocabulary than wasting his time on NOT minding his business. Do you think, Coindar?" Suzume told the robot in a bitter tone. "Just because I am a woman, it doesn't mean I am a damsel in distress, waiting to be rescued by a little boy who has no idea how the real world works..." Suzume glared into Coindar's eyes. "Got it?"

"Chance."

"And what should I give that kid a chance?"

"Detective Luke."

"I do not give a shit about his repulation. To think even adults have to rely on him shows they are so incompetent."

"You are scared of him..." Coindar spoke to her cautiously. "I am sensing...you are hiding something..."

"And it has nothing to do with that brat, does it?"

"Maybe or maybe not. It depends."

Suzume placed Coindar on the bench. She breathed. She just wasted her time trying to reason with a robot. She felt so helpless and upset, but no way in hell she would show that vulnerability so easily.

She has been through a lot in her teenage years, and it all started on that day. And from that day forward, she distrusted people. She stopped depending on people. Certain people had hurt her and her family.

'I will NOT go back to where I was: helpless, pathetic, weak, and gullible.'

Suzume bit her bottom lip. Her hands clenched tightly. She had walked away from Coindar.

"Miss Mizuno?!"

Suzume paused. She heard a familiar voice. A bubbly voice she hadn't heard since middle school. Running steps approached her back. Suzume turned her head slowly. A female Japanese tourist with long ginger hair and bright pink eyes stood before her. 

"Miss Hibiki....?" Suzume's eyes widened in surprise.

"Yes! It's me!" Shion Hibiki smiled brightly at Suzume. "It has been a long time since we've seen each other!"

"Yes, it has." Suzume turned around to face her, giving her a smile.

Shion was wearing a cute dark pink flower hairpin on her left bang. She wore a white blouse with light brown skirt.  Shion's footwear was white tennis shoes with brown laces and white socks. She was carrying a tan-colored shopping bag.

"I'm so glad to see you again, Miss Mizuno." Shion looked very excited. "I never thought I'd run into someone I knew in this American city!"

"Same, Miss Hibiki." Suzume was very relieved.

"Oh, come on! Just call me Shion!" Shion urged happily.

Suzume chuckled. She was so used to referring to people by their surnames. The only two people who had granted her permission to use a first-name basis were Megumi and, of course, Mariko.

"Hmm..." Suzume downcast her eyes in thought. Then, she gazed at Shion. She smiled softly at her. "Okay, Miss Shion, if you insist. You are free to call me by my first name."

"Wow! Thank you!" Shion has a bright expression. "Do you want to go shopping at the mall? There's a Pear Chan sale happening!"

"No way...You're a fan of Pear Chan?"

"Yep!"

And Suzume had forgotten about her purpose in Steam Bison. She was so glad to run into a familiar face from Japan. Her parents would want her to enjoy life without stress.

As Suzume and Shion headed towards the mall, a group of men watched them from an alley.

"Hey, boss," A green-eyed brunet man reported on a walkie-talkie. "The girl and her friends are in the shopping mall."

"Hmm. I have a better idea." Roger's voice responded with a snicker.

Suzume did not realize that she and Shion spoke in English the whole time. They switched to their native language and chatted about Pear-Chan. Shion admitted the English dub was done well.

"You've watched the dub?" Suzume was checking out a Pear-Chan plushie from the shelf.

"Yes. There are different ways to watch it online." Shion giggled. "I really like Pear-Chan's English dub voice. The voice actress sounds so familiar to Pear-Chan's seiyuu."

"Wow. I should give the dub a try." Suzume spotted a Japanese-style cafe with a poster of Pear-Chan on the window. "Hey, the cafe is doing a collab with Pear-Chan."

"Let's go, Miss Suzume!" Shion grabbed Suzume's hand and dragged her to the cafe excitedly.

Suzume had just eaten lunch, but she did not mind. Maybe she could buy herself a parfait and a drink. When the girls entered the cafe, they found a table and a menu. Suzume scanned through the menu. There was a Pear-Chan-type parfait and a pear-flavored soda with a wafer paper of Pear-Chan attached to the straw. She ordered those while Shion ordered a cheeseburger, a slice of cheesecake, and a milk tea.

"So, how are things with you?" Shion asked, curious.

"Oh, I'm okay. I've been focusing on my studies and my job." Suzume answered. 

"That's good, Miss Suzume. What do you want to do in life?"

"I want to be a nurse," Suzume admitted surely. "I want to take care of people. So I am taking a medical class. How about you, Miss Shion?"

"I want to be a veterinarian." Shion smiled softly at Suzume.

"Oh, that makes sense," Suzume recalled Shion having a pet cat named Nya. "You still have your pet cat, right?"

"Yes! She is taken care of by an aunt of mine." Shion sounded so happy. "Nya is a mother with kittens now."

"That is so adorable," Suzume commented. She had always loved cats and kittens. "How many does she have?"

"Six kittens. Three females and three males."

"Congratulations on being a grandmother." Suzume joked.

Suzume and Shion giggled. Their meals and drinks arrived at their table by a witness. Shion was taking pictures of the food and drinks with her single-use camera. The girls ate and chatted about their lives.

"So, have you seen Kiyomaro?"

"Honestly, Miss Shion." Suzume paused. Then, she gazed at her uneasily. "The last time I spoke to Takamine was on the day of my high school graduation."

"Seriously?" Shion blinked at Suzume in surprise. "You two aren't in contact with each other?"

"No. I haven't responded to Takamine's emails and letters..."

The mention of Kiyomaro brought ill feelings to Suzume. She remembered how jealous she was of Shion back in middle school. Suzume wanted to apologize to Shion if they were to cross paths again. Suzume closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She gazed at Shion with honesty.

"Miss Shion, I'm sorry."

"For what?" Shion tilted her head, confused.

"For how I acted in middle school. I thought...," Suzume narrowed her eyes in guilt. "You had taken Takamine away from me."

"Miss Suzume..." Shion gazed at her in pity. She touched Suzume's hand comfortingly. "It's normal for humans to be jealous. I never have those feelings for Kiyomaro, Miss Suzume. He and I were just friends. I have no idea you have romantic feelings for him, so when I heard that you and Kiyomaro became an item in high school, I was very happy for you two." Shion smiled softly at Suzume. "And I also felt sad when I heard you two broke up." Her smile turned sadly.

"Yes. I was the one who ended the relationship, Miss Shion." Suzume turned her eyes away from Shion, feeling so embarrassed for sharing such a personal detail with a girl who was her supposed "love" rival in middle school. "And I do not regret the breakup, Miss Shion. Well..." Suzume shook her head. "Please do not get the wrong idea. I do not regret my crush on Kiyomaro in middle school and dating him in high school, if you are wondering."

"I understand," Shion nodded at Suzume. "You want to be independent, and there's nothing wrong with that. You've grown out of your crush on him. It is okay to move on from your first crush. Not everyone ends up marrying their crushes."

"True," Suzume smiled softly at Shion's hand on her.

"You will find a perfect guy for a husband one day."

"Thank you, Miss Shion."

"You are welcome!" Shion exclaimed cheerfully. "So, we're friends, right?"

"Yep, we are."

"Awesome! Anyway, I need to use the restroom. I'll be back." Shion stood and headed towards the restroom, walking out of the cafe.

Suzume noticed there was no restroom in the cafe. Then, she forgot they were inside a shopping mall. However, she still found it weird. In Japan, there were restrooms in every store and food court in a shopping mall.

Suzume waited for Shion. She slipped her soda and took bites of her parfait. She was feeling warm inside. She felt her chest had loosened from her apology to Shion.

'One apology done, one more to go.' Suzume smiled gently.

"It would be so nice if Miss Suzume met a new guy here. It'd be cute for her to date an American." Shion giggled to herself as she washed her hands at the sink in the restroom. Once she was done, she grabbed a brown paper towel from a paper towel dispenser on the wall. "I hope she invites me to her wedding one day."

"Hello, Miss." A young woman with black hair and gray eyes emerged from the toilet. She washed her hands next to Shion. "Do you know a Miss Suzume Mizuno?"

"Huh?" Shion turned her head at her. "Yes, I do. Do you know her?"

"Hmm. Let's say we want to meet the girl."

"Oh? I can introduce-"

Shion felt someone standing behind her, and a hand with a towel was placed on her mouth. Her eyes widened in fear, and she muffled a scream, struggling. Her eyes drooped as she fell into unconsciousness. Her body was in the arms of a silver-haired woman with violet eyes.

"So easy, Emma~" The black-haired woman smirked proudly.

"Yeah, yeah. Let's go before anyone sees us, Freya.' She responded. She took a walkie-talkie. "Hostage is secured." She spoke to it.

"Perfect. Time to lure the girl to our web trap." Zackary's voice chortled in excitement. "Leave a clue behind."

Shion has been gone for half an hour.

Suzume felt something was wrong. She paid for the meals and drinks and hastened out of the cafe. She was looking around for Shion. Her heart was racing as she searched every store and food court for Shion.

'The restroom! Shion must be in there! Maybe she is too sick ot come out!'

Suzume hurried to a restroom next to the cafe and entered. She found the toilet cubicles empty.

'She's not in this restroom. She has to be in the other ones.'

Then, the door opened, and a flying bee machine entered the restroom. It has an envelope in its arms. It dropped it in Suzume's hand and left the restroom.

"What is this....?" Suzume stared at the envelope. She opened it with shaking fingers and took out a note from the envelope.

"If you want to see your friend, do come to the abandoned warehouse located outside of Japantown in the east. Do not contact the police and that kid." 

Suzume gasped in terror. Shion has been kidnapped by someone. It has to be Zen and his group. They swore revenge on her last night. Someone has been watching her from the shadows.

'They're going to pay for this. No one messes with my friends and gets away with it!'

Suzume stomped out of the restroom and ran out of the shopping hall. She was now infuriated. Her mind was racing with unhealthy thoughts.

'What the hell is going on?! This is my second day, and someone is still messing with me! They've taken Shion as a hostage! Fucking cowards!'

She was on a rampage, ready to thrash anyone who stood in her path. 

"Luke, wait."

Professor Hershel Layton called out to his apprentice, catching up with Luke in Japantown.

Since last night, Luke has been too occupied with something. At first, he assured it was Gunman King Joe, the wanted trio, Zen, Nebula, and Reyson, and the museum robbery case, but Layton soon learned that Luke had discovered a new mystery.

"Oh, sorry, Professor." Luke turned around to face him.

"Do you think it is time for me to know about this new mystery?" Layton smiled at him. "I am rather curious. This is the first time I've seen you so secretive about a mystery."

"Really?" Luke blinked at him. He chuckled, giving an apologetic smile. "I did not mean to leave you out of it."

"It is all right, Luke." Layton tilted his top hat, smiling back at Luke. "So, would you be kind enough to tell me what this mystery is that has gotten your full attention?"

"Yes. It is this Japanese tourist. I found her in an alley yesterday. She was in trouble, so I offered her help, but she declined my help." Luke turned his eyes away from Layton, embarrassed. "Although I've discovered she had come into contact with Reyson, I didn't think much of it. After all, a gentleman should never pry into a lady's business, right?"

"That's right." Layton chuckled.

"However, her encounter with Reyson started to bother me, so I've asked Alfendi and his group to dig around for clues."

"You did the right thing." Layton placed his hand on Luke's shoulder. "You're just following your instincts. That young lady could have been in danger."

"Thanks goodness I did because she was in danger. Zen and his men started to target her. I'verescued her from them. When I've asked her why she was targeted, she just told me she has no idea."

"I see. I suppose you had a feeling this tourist knew, correct?"

"Yeah. Coindar told me. He overheard the whole conversation between her and Zen's gang. A family heirloom. Miss Mizuno has something that their client wanted."

"A family heirloom..." Layton was in a thinking pose. "...are usually worth a lot of money."

"That is what I thought," Luke added. Zen and his gang are known to steal valuable things and sell them for high-priced cash, but...I have a feeling that there's more to Miss Mizuno and her family heirloom than just money...I actually did see her at the museum, but she left before I could talk to her again. I searched for her. The way she walked away from me concerned me."

"And your search had led us to Japantown."

"Yes."

Layton may believe Luke has developed a fascination with this tourist. Luke looked very disappointed, and Layton had an idea why. Ever since Luke became known as the Great Detective Luke in Steam Bison, people have been seeking his assistance. Luke loved to help people and solve mysteries, riddles, and puzzles.

It has only taken one person to disregard his popularity, and that person was the tourist who refused to interact with him after they met yesterday.

"Gah, I'm tired, Detective Luke."

A six-year-old red-haired and olive-eyed child groaned as he approached Luke and Layton. He was wearing brown clothes and a brown cloak. He was wearing goggles and a hat.

"The lady had taken off to a warehouse in the east," The child had reported. "She looked so angry. Dopey adults don't know when to keep their voices low. That's how I found out the location."

"Thanks, Alfendi! We gotta go, Professor!" Luke had run off.

"Luke! Wait up!" Layton followed him.

"All of this for a lady. What a weirdo." Alfendi just shrugged indifferently. "Time for me to get myself a ramen. I've earned coins for it." He headed towards the ramen shop.

Suzume had stormed into the warehouse so loudly to show Shion's kidnappers that she wasn't screwing around. The lights turned on, blinding Suzume for a second.

"Where is Miss Shion?!" Suzume demanded in pure anger. "I'm here, you goddamn cowards!"

"Welcome, Miss Mizuno!" Freya had walked out of the shadows, clapping her hands in excitement. "Don't worry! Your friend is resting well on a sofa in an office!"

"Yes! I hope you enjoy our invitation!" Emma appeared. "Don't get the wrong idea, sweetie. We've only kidnapped your friend to lure you into our trap~."

The women were wearing country Western-style dresses and hats in black and white, respectively.

"Yes. You've pulled the oldest trick in the book," Suzume snarled at the women. "So, Zen, Nebula, and Reyson are behind this bullshit. Bring them here at once!"

"Those clowns?" A male voice had laughed in mockery. "They don't know a darn shit about this, Miss."

"Yes. You see, Zen's client had hired us to take you and the item to him." A second male voice snickered.

Suzume gasped in shock. Those male voices weren't Zen, Nebula, and Reyson. A pair of green-haired and ruby-haired men appeared. They were wearing impressive outfits, hats, and goggles.

"And who the hell are you two?" Suzume snarled at them.

"I'm glad you asked, my sweet!" The ruby-haired man grinned flirtatiously at her. "I'm Roger Moss, the leader of the Serpent Phantoms."

"And I'm Zackary Kent, the leader of the Inferno Shadows." The green-haired man introduced himself, playfully bowing to Suzume. "Dear."

"I don't have time for this shit! Release my friend now!" Suzume clamored angrily.

"I believe we did not offer negotiations, sweetheart." Freya giggled wickily, having her hand close to her lips.

"Yes. Now, do give yourself and your family heirloom to us. Then, your friend shall be set free~" Emma clasped her palms together.

"I did NOT come to Steam Bison for this bullshit," Suzume glared dangerously at the kidnappers.

"Oh?" Roger smirked, crossing his arms. "Then, why did ya come to this dump for?"

"Like hell I would tell you. If I didn't tell that Triton kid about my purpose in Steam Bison, what would make you think I would tell you and your friends?" Suzume spoke to Roger coldly.

"Ooooh! Shut down!" Zackary exclaimed in satisfaction. "Serves that brat for butting in!"

"Hmph. Very well," Roger snapped his fingers. Suddenly, a group of men surrounded Suzume. "You just made things hard for you, girlie."

"Oh, really?" Suzume looked at the men, then back at Roger. "You're going to intimidate me just because I am a woman? Get on with the times."

"Yes. We've heard you beat the crap out of Zen. We want to see it for ourselves." Roger smirked. "Get her, boys!"

"Ha ha! Let us dance!" A lackey pulled a pocket knife out of his pocket and pointed at Suzume. "Shall-"

And Suzume just kicked the knife out of his hand.

"What the-" The lackey stared at his hand, flustered at the disappearance of his pocket knife.

Suzume punched the lackey in the face, knocking him out.

"How dare you?!"

"You'll pay for this!"

"Bring it on, girlie!"

All of the lackeys started to jump on Suzume, but she was pretty well prepared for this moment.

"You are all idiots, I swear." Suzume fought them off by punching them in the face, kicking them in the stomach, and kneeing them in the chin. Suzume dodged the knives when some lackeys pulled them out. "Did your parents teach you NOT to raise a knife at someone?!" She slapped one knife off a lackey's hand and kicked him in the face. "Moron!"

"What in the world is happening in here?!" Layton's voice exclaimed in alarm.

"Miss Mizuno!" Luke's voice called out to Suzume.

Suddenly, the remaining lackeys stopped attacking Suzume. Emma, Freya, Roger, and Zackary growled at Luke and Layton, who crashed into the warehouse.

"Damn you, Triton, Layton! We'll be back for the girl!" Roger swore in anger.

"Retreat!" Zackary barked out his order.

The wrongdoers escaped the warehouse via the back doors, leaving behind their unconscious lackeys with Suzume, Layton, and Luke.

"Miss Mizuno, what happened?" Luke widened his eyes at the lackeys on the ground.

Suzume tidied her long skirt, ignoring his question, and dashed towards the office where Shion was found, still unconscious on the sofa. She shook her friend. Shion reopened her eyes slowly and sat up, looking around. She was confused by her unfamiliar surroundings. Then, she looked back at Suzume.

"Miss Suzume...what happened? Where are we?"

"Long story, Miss Shion. Let's go."

"Okay.."

As Suzume and Shion walked out of the office, Luke and Layton waited for them.

"Who are they?" Shion looked at them in wonder.

"Not a concern of mine. Let's go." Suzume dodged Shion's curious question.

"Hey!" Luke called out to Suzume. He sounded so upset. "My mentor and I just came here to-"

"I told you before, Triton...I do not need your help." Suzume told him in an icy tone. "It is best to keep your distance from someone like me."

"No, I'm sorry, but I'd have to decline your wish," Luke said, frowning at her. "I am involved, as the Inferno Shadows and Serpent Phantoms had targeted you, and the Steam Bison P.D. is investigating them."

Suzume was stunned for a few seconds. Shion just glanced at Luke and Layton, then at her. She was quiet, wondering what was even going on. Suzume did not even look at Luke, or she did not want to.

"Idiot."

Suzume said before she and Shion walked out of the warehouse.

"Hey, at least let the Professor offer you, girls, a ride back to Japantown," Luke muttered.

"Come on, Miss Suzume. I am actually too tired to walk back, and I'm sure you feel the same, right?" Shion had given Suzume a pleading gaze.

"Hmm?" Suzume looked back at the gentleman in a top hat. He tilted his hat and smiled at her, politely. 'So, this man must be Mr. Layton....' Suzume thought. "Fine. We'll accept the ride. Don't get the wrong idea. I'm doing this for Miss Shion, not for your reputation, Triton."

"HUH?! What the heck is that supposed to mean?!" Luke asked in confusion.

"You are really a kiddo." Suzume said, extra annoyed. 

"I'm NOT a kid! I told you last night!" Luke responded in frustration.

"What happened between you and the kid last night, Miss Suzume?" Shion grinned at Suzume.

"Again, Miss Shion. Long story. I'll tell you when we get back." Suzume sighed in annoyed grief.

"Wait, are we going to do anything about those men inside?" Shion was referring to the unconscious men inside of the warehouse. 

"Who freaking cares?" Suzume scoffed. "They got what they deserved." 

"Ehh...Do not worry about them." Luke eyed at the werehouse with a frown. "Alfendi already given a tip to the police."

"Come now. Let us go back and rest." Layton walked to the rented steam-powered car.