Disclaimer: I do not own Professor Layton, Zatch Bell, The Dangers In My Heart, Kyousougiga, and Toilet-bound Hanako-kun.

Chapter Summary: Suzume, Luke, and Layton visit Steam Bison's Japantown and encounter trouble.

TW/CW Warning: Strong Language, Misogynistic Language, Possible OOCness.

Puzzle I: Japantown

Suzume did not expect there was a Japantown in Steam Bison. She, Luke, and Layton arrived at the town. There were street food stands, a ramen shop, a Japanese restaurant, a clothing shop, a souvenir shop, a sushi bar, etc. Suzume hurried to a food stand and ordered wagashi and takoyaki while Luke and Layton checked out the town and its atmosphere. Soon, Luke and Layton were surrounded by people. Suzume smiled. She knew about Luke's reputation as the beloved kid detective of Steam Bison.

'Triton can't even catch a break like a normal teenager. Geez. By the time they'd be done, the food would be cold.'

Suzume noticed a couple of thugs were observing her from an alley. They weren't the same ones who robbed her when she arrived in America. Hopefully, they don't cause trouble in the town. Once her order was done, she thanked the shopkeeper in Japanese and carried the food to a resting area under a Japanese pagoda tower. Sadly, the building was closed for repairs. Suzume could still see Luke and Layton from where she was.

'I'm so hungry, but it'd be rude to start eating without Triton and Mr. Layton.'

Suzume gazed at the sky. It was a clear day. She could see a steamship flying by. She wondered how was her friends doing back in Japan. She thought about Kiyomaro Takamine, her first crush. He was currently in South America with his group. Strangely enough, she did not feel a thing for Kiyomaro. Maybe her heart stopped beating for him years ago. Now, she only saw him as a friend.

"So, if you see a hot American guy, date him, Suzume."

"I wouldn't have the time for that bullshit, Mariko. I'm only going to America to search for my father. Nothing more, nothing less."

Two weeks of Spring vacation before Suzume returned to Japan to attend her university classes. She has a time limit in Steam Bison, so she shouldn't get attached to the residents and places here. Most likely, she isn't coming back to America. Whether she found her father or not.

"Yo."

Suzume looked at the thugs standing before her. She glanced at Luke and Layton. They were still too busy with the crowd.

"Yes? Do you need something?"

"My client has been interested in Japanese inventions. He told me that you are holding a special item."

"What are you talking about?" Suzume asked in confusion.

"Don't play dumb with me, girlie. I know you are Tetsuya Mizuno's daughter."

Suzume froze as her heart sank. She stared at the thug. He had red hair and green eyes. He wore a simple white shirt underneath an unbuttoned brown blazer and dark gray jeans. His lackeys were a brunette with gray eyes and a blonde with blue eyes. They wore similar fashion clothes. She was scared but didn't want to draw attention to her and the thugs. This was her problem since they mentioned her father.

"How did you know I was his daughter?"

"The old man showed a picture to a fashion designer when he requested a custom dress for you." The leader explained. "Then, he headed over to a pub. Believe me, I have my homies as eyes and ears everywhere in the city."

"When did you see my father?" Suzume's expression darkened. "I want answers. Now."

"Relax, girlie. I'll give you answers after you give me the item."

"What item? I'm not even playing dumb here. I am still confused."

The leader pulled out a knife and grabbed Suzume by her wrist. His lackeys grabbed the food and started to eat it. She glared at them.

"Let go of me!" She growled at the redhead.

"No! You aren't even bad-looking! Once you get all dolled up in a sexy outfit, you'll be good for my client!"

"Like hell!" Suzume knee-kicked him in the stomach. "Keep your perverted fantasies to yourself, asshole!"

"You...bitch!" The redhead snarled in pain while on his knees, holding his stomach. "Get her!"

The blonde and the brunette lackeys also pulled out their knives.

"Really? We're doing this right here and now, just a few feet away from a crowd of excited people? Okay." Suzume dodged the brunette and quickly grabbed his arm, twisting it, causing him to drop the knife. "One down."

The blonde attempted to strike her with his knife. Suzume spun around and kicked him in the face.

"What the fuck?!" The redhead called out in disbelief. "Y'all got your asses kicked by a girl?!"

"I'm not a girl. I am a young woman." Suzume approached the leader and scowled at him. "Don't never underestimate girls and women. We could be very nasty if our lives were threatened by men like you." She got on her knees and grabbed his collar. "Now, answer me. Where did you hear about my father?"

"I ain't answering shit. My client will ruin my reputation if I do."

"Screw your reputation! I ain't turning you to the police until you answer my questions!"

"My goodness! What happened here?"

"What are you doing, Miss Mizuno?!"

Suzume paused and looked over at Layton and Luke. They gaped at her in surprise.

"Well. It looks like I found a lead to my father's whereabouts," Suzume answered plainly. "You should contact the police. These thugs attacked me, and I fought back. That's all."

After the police arrested the thugs, Suzume had to go back to the police headquarters to give a statement. It was such an annoyance. An hour later, she, Luke, and Layton returned to Japantown. Suzume's stomach gurgled.

"I didn't eat earlier!" Suzume yelled in vexation. "Thanks to the jerks!"

"Well, we can order something at one of the food stands," Luke suggested. "We'll eat whatever you choose. The professor and I will buy it."

"It's okay. I'll pay for the food. It's my treat." Suzume smiled kindly at him. 'What the heck does he have, a gentlemen complex?' She thought. "Where's Mr. Layton?"

"The professor is over there, observing the tower." Luke pointed at Layton, standing in front of the Japanese Pagoda.

Suzume nodded. She ordered the food. She looked back at Luke.

"What is it?"

"Nothing." He turned his eyes away from her

Suzume had no idea why Luke was staring at her, and his cheeks were pink. She shrugged. She hoped he wasn't getting sick.

"Yo!" Tweeds appeared and smacked Luke on his back. "I heard Miss Mizuno got jumped by a couple of shitty thugs!"

"Language, Tweeds." Luke frowned at him. "Miss Mizuno is here."

"Chill, dude. She doesn't even mind foul language."

"Actually, I'm the one who jumped them." Suzume corrected Tweeds.

"Wait, what?" Tweeds raised an eyebrow, his mouth opened in shock.

"Yes, it is true. I took self-defense classes."

"You reminded me of Emmy..." Luke told her quietly.

"Who's Emmy?"

"Oh, was she that one woman in yellow with Mr. Layton when they visited Misthallery and met you for the first time? " Tweeds recalled. "I wonder what happened to her."

"Long story short," Luke told him. "Emmy is working with the World Times now."

"A gut feeling tells me you don't want to tell the whole story. Oh well. Anyway, I'm here for the tasty ramen! See ya back home!" Tweeds took off running to the ramen shop.

"It's pretty late. Shall we head home?" Layton asked.

"Sure. I'm so tired." Luke yawned.

"Triton, have you been sleeping properly?" Suzume gazed at him, concerned about his sleep.

"Yes."

'"Are you sure? It looked like you might be sleep-deprived. I think you should take a break from the cases. Let the police handle the rest."

"Really. I'm fine." Luke smiled at her sleepily.

"Obviously, you aren't fine, Triton."

"I'm sorry to disturb your tender moment, but we got trouble." Layton stood guard as a group of thugs walked out of the alley. "So, I'm assured you gentlemen are from the same group of thugs that attacked Miss Mizuno earlier."

"What does the Serpent Phantoms want from Miss Mizuno?" Luke scowled at the thugs.

"The Serpent Phantoms?" Both Layton and Suzume asked Luke simultaneously.

"Stay the fuck out of this, Triton. It doesn't concern you or the old fuck with the top hat! We only want to speak with the girl. Oh, I forgot to introduce myself. I'm Vance Crane, the co-leader. Shit, scratch that. I am the leader now since Lance is behind bars along with Marco and Zackary."

"Pardon me?!" Luke reacted in disgust." That's my mentor you're talking about!"

"Calm down, Luke," Layton warned him sternly.

"If you're going to ask me about the item, then I don't have an answer." Suzume sighed in dismay. "Can you let us through? We're trying to get home in peace."

"What item?" Both Luke and Layton shot a bewildered look at Suzume simultaneously.

"They claimed my father had given me something. I have no idea what they are even talking about."

"First of all, how did they even know about your father?" Luke inquired. "Second, why would you leave this detail out of your statement for the police?"

"I told you to fuck off, Triton!" Vance shouted at Luke angrily.

"Please, Mr. Crane. Do not use such foul language in front of a young lady." Layton advised.

"Shut the fuck up, old man! No one is talking to you!"

"Hey! You don't talk to Mr. Layton like that!" Suzume exclaimed in anger. "You can insult me all you want, but don't you dare insult Mr. Layton or Triton! So, I will tell you again. Leave us in peace!"

"A floozy is talking back to me? That's scandalous!" Vance snickered.

"What the hell did you just call me?!" Suzume screeched.

"You're disgusting." Luke reacted angrily. "I can't believe you dare to refer to Miss Mizuno with a misogynistic word."

"I agree, Luke." Layton glared at Vance. "A lady shall be treated with respect."

"Whatever the fuck ever! You and the old man are irrelevant!" Vance laughed mockingly at Luke and Layton.

"Is that why you men are shaking in your boots right now?" Suzume smirked. "Because you're actually fearing Triton, not me?"

The whole group became silent, stunned by Suzume's claim. Their faces were pale.

"Pathetic. This is a waste of time." Suzume turned around and walked away. "Please handle them, Triton, Mr. Layton. I'm going back home."

'So much for me wanting them to stay out of my personal issues.' Suzume thought in distress. '...What I'm even doing anymore?'

She prayed a bystander had contacted the police so Luke or Layton wouldn't have to fight a whole gang. She'd blame herself if anything happened to them.

A/N: Vance and Lance are my random minor villain OCs with random names from random names generator lmao. Same with the villain group name. Yes, I know I suck at writing. Go figure. =D