Puzzle IX

"Here is the contact information you will need in Steam Bison." Daichi handed a folded paper to Suzume. "Your grand-uncle and his family live there." 

"So he can snitch me to my grandfather?" Suzume gave him an annoyed, skeptical stare. "Are you freaking kidding me?"  

"Hey. Your grandfather will beat my ass if something happens to you." 

"You told him about my upcoming trip?!"  Suzume screeched at Daichi. 

"No, girl, I did not tell him shit. It'd be a matter of time until he figured out ya missing." 

Suzume walked through an alleyway to reach Garget Street, thinking about her last encounter with her informant before leaving Japan. She really needed to get that damn steam-powered cell phone so she could finally text Mariko. Again, long-distance calls and texts could be added to her bill. Suzume frowned at the fact; why hadn't she thought of it before? 

"Hey, you!" A male voice called to her. 

"Huh?" Suzume paused and looked around cautiously.  

"I am up here! Use your eyes, woman!" 

Suzume lifted her head and spotted an eagle staring down at her from a rooftop. She did not see anyone with the eagle. Was someone tricking her, using a voice microphone from somewhere in hiding? 

"Rumor has it that a group of thugs is after ya cuz you have such a rare treasure." The eagle spoke to her. 

Suzume stared at the eagle in shock. There was no way an actual eagle was speaking to her. The eagle has to be a robot, but it looked too naturalistic to be one. 

"Are you working for any of them?" She asked cautiously. 

"Of course not!" He flapped his wings in protest. "Why would I socialize myself with such troublemakers?! I am just curious about your family heirloom!" 

"How did you even know about my family heirloom?" Suzume scowled at him. "You are really working for those pests!" 

"I've told you already, woman! I am NOT socializing with those fools in crime!" 

"Falcon, please leave Miss Mizuno alone." Luke's voice spoke out behind Suzume, startling her. "Do not mind him. Falcon is just an eagle who likes to seek treasure." He added a gentle smile. 

Suzume turned her eyes away from Luke. For a strange reason, Luke's smile had given her butterflies. 

Exactly! As the Great Detective Luke says!" Falcon puffed his chest out. "So, apologize to me, woman!" 

"Falcon." Luke stared at him in warning. 

"Yeah, yeah! I shall be off to search for more treasure! See ya around!" Falcon had flown off to somewhere. 

Suzume sighed. What was she doing, accusing an eagle of helping Zen's gang, Serpent Phantoms, and Inferno Shadows? 

"Please tell me Falcon is a robot eagle. I'd feel less of a fool." 

"No, he is not a robot." 

"Now, I am really imagining things. I'm out." 

Suzume sped her walk. She needed to get rid of the butterflies in her stomach. Luke was making her so nervous again. 

"Hey, wait." 

"What is it now?" Suzume paused on her walk; she did not even look at him. 

"I was following you," Luke admitted, his eyes turned away shyly. He was scratching his cheek with his finger. "I'm sorry. I was too worried to leave you be, regardless of what you requested earlier." 

"At least you are honest about your intentions..." Suzume timorously clasped her hands together. 

"You do not need to be nervous around me," Luke slowly approached her. "You are safe with me."

"Who says I was nervous?!" Suzume stepped six feet away from Luke. "And I can handle myself, you know!" 

Has Luke forgotten that Suzume had defended herself from those damn annoying lackeys back in that warehouse on her own, or does he just want an excuse to play the hero? Suzume laid her eyes on a flyer on the wall. She wonderingly blinked at it. 

"A talent show?" Suzume stared at the flyer. 

"Oh, Mr. Allinston and his daughters are hosting the talent show this year." Luke stood next to Suzume. "Mr. Allinston is the city mayor, and his family is the wealthiest one in the city." 

"Oh, interesting." Suzume's gaze glimmered at the flyer. 

The only "talent" Suzume had was singing. The last time Suzume had sung was in her middle school choir club. She wanted to be like her favorite idol, Megumi, whom she personally met once through Kiyomaro. 

However, her dream singing career came to an end on that day.

Suzume suddenly felt physically sick as the painful memory flashed in her mind. 

"Are you okay?" Luke tossed a concerned gaze at her. 

"Huh?" Suzume turned her head towards him. Luke's gentle voice eased her misery. Why did she feel so warm in her chest? "I'm fine...." Suzume darted her eyes back at the flyer. "I was just wondering if foreigners or tourists are allowed to sign up for the talent show?" 

"Yes. Anyone is welcome to join in the talent show." Luke had a brightened expression. "Are you thinking of joining?" 

"No way. I do not have a talent." Suzume admitted, embarrassed by the idea of singing random songs to a crowd of strangers in a foreign soil. "Not everyone is born with a talent like you. I would not even have the time anyway..."

"Because you've become a target of three well-known illicit groups."

"Exactly," Suzume groaned as Luke just had to mention the obvious. "The last thing I would want is those freaks crashing the talent show." Suzume stayed silent, her expression darkened with revulsion. "Because of me." She added in self-loathing.

Suzume felt his eyes on her; he was prying into her. 

"Even if they did manage to ruin the show, it wouldn't be your fault."

Luke comfortingly said to her. How smooth and cute he sounded to her. He desperately wanted to be a hero. Luke was already a teenage detective, beloved by the residents of Steam Bison. What more could he want? 

"Do not worry. The mayor will have security tightened on that day. I'm sorry. I should never have mentioned the criminal groups. I've made you feel more uneasy."

"It is fine. You are just reminding me of my situation." Suzume continued her walk to Garget Street. 

"Where are you heading to?" Luke followed her. 

"To get myself a steam-powered cell phone since the one I have doesn't work here." 

"Oh! I know a seller! You can follow me!" Luke was now very eager to help her.

''He is a kid, after all.'  Suzume thought, her gaze softened as she smiled.

 "Mr. Layton." Shion approached Layton as he was about to enter the museum owner's office. He paused and turned his head towards her. "There is something I need to do in my hotel." 

"Is there something the matter, Miss Hibiki?" Layton concerningly looked at her.

"Yes." Shion nodded. "I need to get in contact with Miss Suzume's friends as soon as possible." 

"I understand." Layton smiled at her. "Perhaps I should escort you to your hotel. Even if it is still late morning, the culprits may still be looking for Miss Mizuno, and you might be taken hostage once again." His eyes softened in worry. 

"Thank you for your concern, Mr. Layton." Shion bowed her head to him. "I do not want to disturb you from your meeting with the owner of this museum." Shion lifted her head and smiled at him. "I will be fine on my own." 

"If you insist, Miss Hibiki," Layton nodded, tilting his head in understanding. "I will be heading to Mr.Eggmuffin's Workshop once I'm done with the meeting." 

"Got it. I see you there." Shion farewelled and turned around, walking away as Layton entered the office and closed the door. 'I should catch the next bus to Japantown. I'm sorry, Miss Suzume, but I have to get Miss Mariko and Kiyomaro involved.' 

"Hey, Miss!" Chloe approached her. "You are friends with Miss Suzume, are you?!" 

"Ah, yes. I am." Shion nodded at the young girl.

"Good! I shall let you know that Miss Suzume already has a fan club~" Chloe giggled, handing over a couple of love letters to Shion. "Please give these letters to Miss Suzume if you do see her!" 

"Whoa!" Shion exclaimed in surprise. "Miss Suzume got admirers?! Oooh! How exciting! Oh yeah! She will know for sure!" 

"Thank you! See you around!" Chloe skipped to her father and aunt. 

'Maybe these love letters will ease Miss Suzume for a while.'  Shion giggled as she placed the letters inside her tote bag and hurried downstairs to exit the building and catch the next bus at the bus station. 'For now, I need to get back to my hotel as my first priority!'