crosshimes-fanwritings

[crosshimes-fanwritings]

Ghost Guns

Fandoms/Series: Zatch Bell and Professor Layton Rating: T Crossover AU: Vacantverse Canon Settings: Post-Zatch Bell Anime (References to Manga) and NWOS (Professor Layton) TW/CW: Age gap / Age difference Summary: Suzume is too curious about that deceased gunslinger in blue, and Luke is giving her clingy vibes. Word Count: 2,006

Suzume gazed at a shotgun hanging below a reindeer taxidermy.

She was somewhat familiar with guns. Her father legally owned a handgun since he was a police detective, and the law enforcement officers were the only authorized people to carry guns in her home country.

Thanks to her maternal grandfather's connections, Suzume knew how to use a handgun for self-protection. In fact, she does own a small one, hidden in her thigh holster. Of course, her dress skirt was too long. No one, not even Luke and Layton, would notice.

As Luke, Layton, and Flora scanned the room for clues to Gunman King Joe's existence, Suzume kept gazing at the shotgun. She wondered if the gun belonged to the ghost when he was still alive. The weapon and the ghost fascinated her.

Who was Gunman King Joe as a person when he was still alive? What did he mean by not letting things progress in the new world? Judging by his ghostly clothes, he must have been a gunslinger in his lifetime.

Suzume loved Wild West movies as a child. As those movies were in American English, she watched them with Japanese subtitles.

Why does Suzume feel so drawn to the Wild West era? Was it the fashion of the era?

"You've been staring at that weapon for a while."

Suzume turned her head at Layton, who was smiling at her. He stood by her, his arms crossed. His eyes were glued to the shotgun. Suzume wondered about his thoughts. Suzume noticed she and the archeology professor were the only ones in the room. Luke and Flora may have walked off to a different room to explore.

"Yes. I am actually curious about Gunman King Joe." Suzume admitted to Layton, smiling at him awkwardly. Suzume found Layton tricky to talk with sometimes. He was too proficient for his own good, just like his apprentice. "He is a reminder of my childhood."

"Hmm?" Layton gazed at Suzume in curiosity. "Please do tell, Miss Mizuno."

"I watched American Wild West movies when I was a child. Of course, with Japanese subtitles." Suzume added a chuckle. "I learned some English words. Ha. Even before, I took English writing and reading lessons in the 5th grade through middle school. I started to take English-speaking classes in high school."

"Your English is pretty well-spoken."

"Huh?" Suzume blinked at Layton. Her eyes glimmered in surprise.

"Your pronunciation is well done. Your English writing is impressive."

Layton smiled politely at her, tilting his top hat. So, that's where Luke got the idea from.

"I am very flattered." Suzume chuckled. "Thank you, Mr. Layton. I really appreciate your honesty."

"I suppose you aren't used to compliments," Luke entered the room alongside Flora.

"Umm…" Suzume turned her eyes away from Luke. She didn't like how he was gazing and grinning at her. Was he teasing her? Flora giggled. Even Flora knew what was up. She coughed. "Anyway, where is my Carolina?"

"She went off somewhere Coindar, Lincoln, Albert, Cecile, and Chloe."

"Oh. So, did you two discover something?"

"We did," Flora nodded. "We found a way out of here."

Suzume was thinking about Gunman King Joe while she followed the others out of the building.

"Something wrong?" Luke asked, concerned.

"I wonder what Gunman King Joe looked like when he was still alive?"

"Strangely, we did not find any pictures of him," Luke mentioned.

Layton and Flora were six feet away from Suzume and Luke.

"I have no idea why I'm so curious about a ghost," Suzume said, tapping her finger on her cheek in thought. "Maybe it is a deja vu?"

"……"

Suzume eyed Luke. He was frowning at her for some reason.

"What?"

"So, you've been thinking about a ghost, huh?" Luke asked, his gaze full of displeasure.

"Ehhh?" Suzume gaped at Luke. What the hell was up with that gaze of his? "Aren't you afraid of ghosts?"

"I'm NOT!" Luke burst out, sounding embarrassed and upset. "By the way, a local told me that you brought a handgun from the black market. What's up with that story?"

'WHO IN THE ACTUAL FUCK SNITCH ON ME?!'

Suzume innerly screamed, demanding the identity of the nosey-ass local! Who was it?!

It couldn't have been Marina. Marina minded her business.

There was only one person who liked to gossip and cause trouble.

Hector fucking Goldman! One of Luke's classmates and his self-proclaimed rival!

Oooh! She couldn't wait to get her hands on that flirty, perverted, blond-haired, and blue-eyed spiky hair freak! She could imagine Hector snickering as he snitched on her to Luke!

"I have no idea whatcha ya speaking about."

"It is written on your face, Miss Mizuno. You know what exactly I am talking about."

"The local must have confused me with someone else. What would you do if I did own a handgun? Turn me into the police for illegally having a handgun for my own protection?"

"No. It is legal to own a gun in Steam Bison. Well, longest the person does have the license for it, but you aren't an American citizen, so technically, it is illegal for you."

'And you aren't officially an American citizen either, you British little shit.' Suzume thought, annoyed. "So, you would still turn me over to the police."

"No, I wouldn't because I could understand why you have the gun for protection. You've been a target of the Serpent Phantoms and Inferno Shadows for a while."

"Thanks for the reminder, Captain Obvious."

"So, you've picked up one of the American expressions," Luke smirked at her.

"Well, obviously."

Suzume kept walking, following Layton and Flora. She was pretty nervous now. Maybe she should tell him the truth about her secret handgun. It'd be a matter of time until he put the pieces together like he and Layton always do.

Why must she befriend such a gentlemanly, sometimes annoyingly prodigy?

Prodigy…

Luke suddenly reminded her of Kiyomaro and her father. They said some females are drawn to males with similar traits to their fathers. Suzume's father was a prodigy. Kiyomaro was also a prodigy.

Suzume's father was a police detective. Kiyomaro was also known as Detective Kiyomaro in their hometown and Detective Takamine in Brazil and England. Luke was known as Detective Luke in Steam Bison.

What did she do to attract these two detective weirdos?

And now, she was also curious about a blue-colored ghost.

Who was really Gunman King Joe? Did he love someone before he passed away? How did his lover feel when her love was gone?

"Thinking about Gunman King Joe again, huh?"

"Ehh?"

When Suzume eyed Luke, he had the same frown expression and displeasured gaze.

"I am very curious of him! That's all!"

"I'm the one who's alive here. You should be curious about me." Luke muttered, pouting. His eyes turned away.

"Huh? What was that, Triton?"

"N-nothing…"

Suzume sighed. He was just a kid, after all. There was no use to pick fights with him.

"My chest…hurts."

Suzume looked at Luke in alert. His hand was on his chest. He has a pained expression.

"I've gotta go…"

"Wait!"

Luke ran off to catch up with Layton.

Now, Suzume was worried about his well-being.

Suzume wondered if Steam Bison was once a village or a town during the Wild West era. She visited the museum to search for the clues to Gunman King Joe.

"Do you think the skeleton may be Gunman King Joe, Mr. Triton?"

"I'm not sure. Gunman King Joe's identity remained unknown," Clark Triton, Luke's father and an archaeology doctor, answered. "Luke told me you've expressed an interest in this mysterious ghost."

"Oh, he did?"

"Yes."

"Well, lately…I've been getting this deja vu. This is my first time in Steam Bison, but I feel like I've been here."

"Hmm. Do you believe in reincarnation?"

"Ehh?"

Reincarnation.

Suzume has read books about reincarnation and watched movies about reincarnated lovers reuniting in the modern era.

It was a strange question from Clark. Suzume listened as he explained the concepts of reincarnation.

Suzume still hasn't given Clark the answer to his question.

Despite most Japanese people believing in the concept, Suzume is still unsure if she believes in it.

'Deja vu and reincarnation aren't the same, so why did Mr. Triton ask me?'

Clark showed Suzume the photographs of the people who lived in the 1800s and what Steam Bison looked like before it became a steam-powered city.

'Still. A damn thing did not click with me. Maybe it's just all in my head.'

Suzume headed back to Luke's home. She did say she would help Beth and Flora with the housework.

Gunman King Joe appeared before her when she entered an alley to search for hint coins that Coindar had guided her to. Coindar did not react to the ghost, but Suzume did.

However, her reaction wasn't fear. It was… curiosity and..yearning for some reason.

Gunman King Joe did not raise his shotgun at her as he did to Luke and Layton when they first encountered him. Instead, the blue ghost kept gazing at Suzume.

Suzume felt so captivated by those golden eyes gazing into her light maroon eyes. Her heart skipped a beat, her mind racing, and her cheeks heated up.

He disappeared in thin air.

Suzume would never forget those sad eyes from Gunman King Joe.

"Miss Mizuno, you looked like you saw a ghost."

"Maybe I did, kid."

"I'm not a kid."

"Triton, you are still a kid. You're only fourteen. You shouldn't be doing police cases. You should be enjoying your life as a teenager for once."

Luke did not listen to her. Of course, he doesn't listen to her. He was too focused on being Detective Luke, who takes care of EVERYONE's problems in Steam Bison, to give a damn about his own well bring.

She wondered if Mr. and Mrs. Triton even cared about their only child.

"Oh, Luke is always with Hershel. He'll be fine. Don't worry about him, Miss Mizuno." Clark once told her.

"Should you be with Mr. Takamine at the police station?"

"And why should I be with my ex, Triton? I don't want to be reminded of my breakup."

"I wouldn't mind being your boyfriend."

"EXCUSE ME?!" Suzume spit out tea and stared at Luke in shock.

"Umm. that was a slip of my tongue…"

"SLIP OF YOUR TOUGUE, HUH?!" Suzume exclaimed at Luke in disbelief. "It looks like Mr. Layton needs to re-discipline you. That isn't the attitude of a gentleman, Triton."

"Miss Mizuno. I'm tired of being a gentleman for one night."

Suzume just gave Luke a confused look. What the hell did he mean? Was he finally acting like a teenager, not a mini-clone of Layton? Not that Suzume would say it to his face.

"I saw Gunman King Joe."

She was changing the topic. She was sure Luke was more interested in the ghost than the ex-love life that she had chosen to leave behind in her homeland.

"What?" Luke looked at her in surprise. "What did he say this time?"

"He did not say anything. He just stared at me."

"What the heck? That is pretty strange. Wait, did you change the subject?"

'No shit, Sherlock. I don't like how you are looking at me.'

Suzume excused herself and left Luke's study.

'I should just talk to Mr. Layton about what I saw tonight and how strange Triton has been acting around me lately.'

Suzume will just do that. She knew Layton was the only person who would discipline Luke once again.

A fourteen-year-old boy should NOT even be saying that comment to a 19-year-old girl.

As Suzume headed to Layton's guestroom on the second floor, she thought she caught a glimpse of Gunman King Joe staring at her through the window.

Suzume has no idea what's worse; a ghost stalking her, two thug gangs targetting her, or a detective boy who's been too clingy lately.

Suddenly, Steam Bison, at night, became terrifying for her.

Suzume prayed her father was safe out there.

[crosshimes-fanwritings]

Flirtatious Sarcasm

Fandoms/Series: Hetalia and Zatch Bell! Rating: M Crossover AU: Gangstaverse Warnings: Some OOCness, Suzume threatens Cillian's private bits, and mentions sex and friends with benefits. Summary: Suzume just wants to observe the card game without Cillian being a sarcastic flirtatious prick to her. Ships: Cillian (Northern Ireland) x Suzume and implied Cillian (Northern Ireland) x Simon (Denmark) Word Count: 519

Suzume did NOT ask to come to this stupid district with Kiyomaro and their gang.

"What are you looking at?"

"Awww, don't be like that, princess."

Suzume wanted to punch the shit out of Cillian Kirkland.

Cillian has been a nuisance to her ever since she, Kiyomaro, and their fellow card players arrived in the London district.

She sucked at the card-playing games, so she only observed the card games.

But observing wasn't even allowed. Cillian's flirtatious sarcasm towards Suzume says so.

As Kiyomaro and Arthur played a card game, Suzume sat on the sofa, and Cillian had to sit with her.

"Oh, come on, sweetheart. Gimme your love card."

"What the fuck are you even talking about?"

"Don't be shy, darling. Come here. I don't bite."

"How about NO?"

Cillian frowned at her. Suzume smirked, finally getting back at him for teasing her for so long.

"Can't handle the answer NO, you dipshit?"

"You're actually the first girl who rejected me," Cillian smirked back at her. "And now I'm more curious of you than ever~"

"Fuck you!"

"Fuck me yourself, princess. We can handle that business in a love hotel in the Tokyo district."

Suzume's cheeks turned completely red.

Why did she have to develop a crush on this freak?

Suzume grabbed Cillian by his collar and glared into his eyes.

"How about I slice off your dick and shove it up to your ass so hard that you'd still feel it in the morning?!"

"Oooh! You're an aggressive one, aren't you?!"

"Oh, go back to Simon. I'm sure your dick is missing his ass."

Suzume has some knowledge of Cillian's "friends with benefits" life. He had done it with dudes and gals.

"Can't do since you're threatening my dick, honey cakes."

"You're so unreasonable!" Suzume pushed him away from her, still blushing heavily.

"How about I add you to my friends with benefits list?" Cillian purred.

"Oh, hell no! I have no idea where your dick has been at!"

"I always use protection!"

"Still! DOUBLE FUCK NO!"

"I wouldn't mind becoming your bitch. I can handle your dominance in bed, babe,~"

Nope. NOPE.

Suzume was out. She's leaving. She doesn't give a shit if Kiyomaro gets pissed at her for leaving the pub room.

"Bye, boy." Suzume rose from the sofa and was about to leave, but Cillian wrapped her arms around her and dragged her back onto his lap. "The hell, Kirkland!?!"

"You ain't going anywhere, sweetheart." Cillian breathed on her neck. "I ain't letting go of your warmness. Gosh, you do smell so good."

"I don't care!" Suzume flushed, squirming in his arms.

"Oh, for bloody fuck's sake, Cillian! Let go of her!" Arthur scolded his older brother.

"Yeah! Control yourself, Kirkland!" Kiyomaro threw a bag of Tayto crisps at his face. "I did NOT bring Suzume here to get hooked up with you or anyone!"

"Oooh! My favorite!"

Thank goodness Kiyomaro did bring those Tayto crisps. Now, Cillian was distracted, giving Suzume the chance to escape.

'I ain't coming back here for a while. Fuck this shit.'

Suzume thought, running out of the pub.

[crosshimes-fanwritings]

Tiny Robot Crush + Their Builders

Fandoms/Series: Zatch Bell and Professor Layton Rating: T Crossover AU: Vacantverse Canon Settings: Post-Zatch Bell Anime (References to Manga) and NWOS (Professor Layton) Warnings: Slight Misogyny, Dirty Expressions, Strong Language Summary: Suzume built a tiny robot out of boredom in Eggmuffin's workshop one day and weird stuff ensues. Word Count: 2209

Suzume was bored in Eggmuffin's workshop, waiting for Luke's and Layton's return. They were currently investigating the case of that one ghost gunslinger. So she built her own tiny robot, following Luke's instructions. Inventions weren't new to Suzume. Kiyomaro built her a Gash robot when she was in middle school. Suzume had handmade things out of boredom or affection for Kiyomaro. Suzume frowned at the thought of Kiyomaro. He was also in Steam Bison. His only purpose was to assist the incompetent precinct with a case that had something to do with a Japanese criminal. Suzume hoped the criminal wasn't her father turning rogue.

Suzume's father was a high-ranked police detective, and Kiyomaro was her ex-boyfriend. Those were the details that Suzume left out when she explained her situation with Luke. Those details were irrelevant. Luke didn't need to know about her father's occupation. And he definitely wouldn't care if she dated Kiyomaro in the past.

"Hey, kitten! Whatcha ya doing here, hanging out with old ass Eggmuffin?!"

Suzume groaned in annoyance. That cocky voice belonged to Hector Goldman, one of Luke's classmates and self-proclaimed rival. Great. He also brought his friends, Derek, James, Thomas, and Eddie.

"Oh, please go away. I'm working on something."

"You heard the young lady. Scram away from her, punk." Eggmuffin said.

"Shut the fuck up, old man!" Hector countered. "I can talk to Triton's bitch how I want!"

"What did you call me?!" Suzume quickly turned around and faced Hector with a disgusting expression. "I ain't no one's bitch!"

"Yet, Triton left his stupid ass robot with her!" Derek snickered, pointing at Coindar, who sat on Suzume's shoulder, observing. "He programmed that robot to shoot anyone who tries to take his bitch away from him!"

"Hey!" Coindar stood and glared at Derek defiantly. "Untrue! Keep away!"

"Yo, man! Ya pissed off the robot! Let's get the fuck outta here before he snitch on us to Triton!" James laughed.

"No one isn't leaving until I get my shit!" Hector yelled.

"And here's your shit, Goldman!" A violet-haired girl emerged, tossing a pillow bag full of building materials. "Apologize to Miss Mizuno before you leave, asshole."

"I ain't apologizing, Marina!" Hector whined.

"Oh, can it, kid. Leave." Suzume scowled, giving Hector a shoo-hand gesture.

"See you around, baby!" Hector winked at Suzume before picking up the pillowcase and exiting Eggmuffin's workshop with his friends.

Being the last ones to leave, Thomas and Eddie gave Suzume repugnant expressions such as tongue waving and blowing lips.

"Disgusting!" Marina threw an empty can at the boys but missed when they shut the door. "UGH! Those stupid boys are so gross!"

Suzume took a deep breath and refocused on building her robot. Coindar hopped off her shoulder and landed on the desk, observing her. Marina and Eggmuffin also focused on their respective projects in the workshop.

"Coindar, should you be with Triton and Mr. Layton?" Suzume asked, wondering why Luke's robot was even here with her.

"Luke Triton instructed me to oversee your project, Miss Suzume Mizuno," Coindar answered politely. "And I wish to witness the birth of a new entity similar to me."

"How cute," Suzume giggled. "You're cute, just like your inventor."

"Was that a compliment for me and Luke Triton?"

"And I thought you have a limited vocabulary."

"I'm still learning."

"True. Just learned from decent people, Coindar. Not Goldman and his friends."

"Absolutely!"

To think Suzume would be speaking to a robot to pass the time once again.

'I should have brought Gash robot with me. He and Coindar would have gotten along.'

Again. It was a good thing Suzume didn't bring her Gash robot. When Suzume left Japan, she left her middle and high school years behind. She didn't want to be reminded of her bittersweet teenage experiences.

"What are those water drops coming out of your eyes?" Coindar's voice was full of concern.

"It-It's nothing." Suzume wiped her tears away.

A week later.

"Hello! I'm Carolina! I'm Suzume Mizuno's traveling companion! I'm also built by my said mistress!"

Suzume's expression had turned pale. Oops. Her robot's first words were in her native language. Luke and Layton just stared at her bland new pink and white robot with cute pink bows on its head, confused with the sudden Japanese language. She was carrying her tiny robot in her arms.

"In English, please," Suzume said to her robot.

"I know no American English," Carolina declined politely, also in Japanese.

"The only thing I understood is her name," Luke commented. "Carolina, as in the Spanish pronunciation."

"Carolina sounds much cuter in the Spanish pronunciation, Triton. That's why I chose the Spanish pronunciation."

"Yes. A cute name pronounced cutely was given by a cute lady." Luke murmured.

"Ehhh?!" Suzume raised an eyebrow, flustered by Luke's response and his rosy cheeks.

"Miss…Carolina…" Coindar's eyes were heart-shaped.

'What the hell?!' Suzume was taken aback by Coindar's unusual eye shape. 'What is Triton teaching his robot?!'

"I don't mean to trouble you, Miss Mizuno." Layton cleared his throat. He gave her an apologetic smile. "May you translate what Carolina greeted us?"

"Sure, Mr. Layton," Suzume said, ignoring Luke's blushiness. And Coindar's weird curiosity about her robot.

Since Carolina was still a developing tiny robot, Suzume taught her American English words with the help of Marina since Suzume still felt unconfident in her English despite studying the language for three years in high school.

"I want to stay with Miss Carolina, Master!" Coindar pleaded, his eyes shaped sad.

"She is sleeping, Coindar. The Professor and I need your help to search for stolen coins for a cilent. A gentleman should not disturb a lady in her beauty sleep."

"I still wanna stay!"

"Your robot must be malfunctioning, Luke…" Layton commented, concerned with the way Coindar was behaving.

Suzume had a feeling that it wasn't a malfunction. Coindar may have grown an attachment to her robot like an older sibling wanted to protect a younger sibling. The possibility of two tiny robots sharing an affection was just too adorable for her to resist.

"Kawaii!" Suzume burst out in her native language, cupping her cheeks with her hands. Her eyes were twinkling in euphoria. 'Wait, why I'm blushing?!'

"Hawaii?" Layton and Luke blinked at her. They thought she said the name of an American state.

"No! I'm saying cute in Japanese!" Suzume smiled joyfully. "Carolina and Coindar would be a cute pair together!"

"Ah," Layton said. He doesn't know what else to add to the conversation.

"……." Luke has his eyes turned away, covering his mouth. His cheeks were entirely pink.

"Your heart rate is increasing, Master," Coindar reported. "Your brain is releasing-"

"We need to go, Professor! Stay here, Coindar!" Luke quickly turned around and walked out of Suzume's guest bedroom.

"Luke!" Layton called out to him. He tilted his top hat at Suzume and smiled at her gently. "I apologize for Luke's sudden leave. We shall return later."

"Of course. Be careful, Mr. Layton. I'll keep an eye on-"

And Coindar was already sleeping next to Carolina on Suzume's bed.

"…Coindar." Suzume looked at the two robots. "Would you look at that, Mr. Layton?" She smiled softly.

"This is a very intriguing sight to see. Steam Bison is full of surprises, is it?"

"Yeah."

"Well, I can't keep Luke waiting. Goodbye." Layton smiled. He left Suzume's bedroom, closing the door behind her quietly.

Suzume sat on her bed carefully, not to wake Coindar and Carolina. Suzume gazed at the ceiling, wondering what to do next. She still hasn't found her father yet. The only information she had about her father's presence in Steam Bison was vagued.

"Oh, you should check out Japantown. Your father may be there."

"We have too many Japanese tourists every year. We can't tell 'em apart."

"Do you think your old man was kidnapped by the Ghost Cowboy, Miss?"

Suzume hoped Gunman King Joe was irrelevant to her father's disappearance. She did not want to drag Luke and Layton into her case further than they already had.

"Your heart rate is increasing, Master."

So, Coindar could also tell when someone's heart was racing. But why did Luke suddenly become nervous when Suzume mentioned their robots being cute together? Why did his eyes turn away with a sudden shyness from her?

'Triton does have no reason to be nervous around me. Something is weird going on.'

There was a knock on the door. It was Flora.

"Miss Mizuno, we need to prepare tonight's dinner."

"Coming." Suzume stood.

"AHHH! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?! HANDS OFF!" Carolina's voice suddenly screamed in broken English.

"GAH!" Coindar's voice groaned.

'What in the actual fuck did just happen?!' Suzume turned her attention to the two tiny robots. An embarrassed Carolina curled into a ball, and a sored Coindar laid on his stomach with his legs twitching.

"There. You have it." Suzume frowned at Coindar. "He hugged Carolina without her permission."

"Coindar." Luke furrowed his eyes at his invention, obviously displeased. His arms were crossed. "Apologize to Miss Carolina. You should know better than to embrace a lady without her permission."

"I'm sorry," Coindar said to Carolina with a sad, guilty expression.

"Hmph! Don't try it again!" Carolina turned her head away from Coindar, still embarrassed and upset. Suzume can imagine Carolina was pouting. "Mistress, protect me from this….this….this…."

'Don't say it. Please don't say it.'

"……..creepo!'

"CREEPO?!" Coindar jawdropped.

"Now, you've done it, Coindar!" Luke facepalmed in shame.

Layton was observing in silence with his arms folded. Suzume wished he could say something to clear the awkwardness in the library. Suzume glanced at Luke. Why was he staring at her? Why was he even blushing? Suzume was uncomfortable with Luke's abnormal attention to her.

"HMPH! Your master is making my mistress uncomfortable!" Carolina suddenly spat out at Coindar. "Is he also a creepo like you?!"

"HUH?! Luke Triton is NOT a creepo! Take that back!" Coindar countered, getting upset now.

"HUUUUUUUUH?!" Carolina fired back. "Learning new vocabulary now, are we?! Well, how about you just FUCK yourself?!"

Silence occurred. Layton gasped. Luke gaped. Suzume bemused. Coindar shocked. Carolina pouted.

"HA HA HA HA HA!" Hector's voice burst out in laughter from outside of the window. "I was right! We can teach these robots new words!"

Suzume bit her bottom lip. Her left eyebrow twitched. So, someone has been teaching her robot a few English words that should NOT be used in public. Now, she was PISSED big time.

"Goldman…." Suzume turned her head slowly at the window where she found Goldman peeking in, having a cocky smirk on his face and surprised! His friends were also there. "…HOW…DARE YOU-" Suzume leaped out of the window and chased after the rowdy American teenage boys. "TEACH MY ROBOT SUCH WORDS?!"

An hour later, Suzume lay on her stomach on her bed, her face on her pillow. She was now exhausted from all that chasing.

"I'm actually impressed," Luke commented. He was sitting at her desk.

"Impressed about what?" Suzume groaned.

"Like, how would you able to run with high-heeled dress shoes?"

"It takes lots of practice, Triton. Nothing impressed about it."

"But, you could have broken your ankle."

"Triton," Suzume sighed. She sat up on her bed, hugging her pillow. "I told you before. You don't always have to worry about me. I'm a young adult here. I'm still embarrassed with how I acted towards your classmates earlier. I could have handled the situation. I'm almost five years your senior, for freak's sake, Triton."

Suzume has forgotten that she was a nineteen-year-old university student. What was she doing, behaving like a wild teenager? Again, Suzume was still a late teen. So, maybe she kinda did have an excuse to react so immature. When she gazed at Luke, he was still sitting on the chair, his hands on his lap. His gaze focused on her. His cheeks reddened.

"…….." Suzume downcasted her eyes. 'This is awkward. I don't even understand what is going on. Why does my chest feel tightened?'

"I don't care if you're my senior," Luke finally spoke solemnly. "You're special to me."

"Ehh?" Suzume was dumbstruck by amazement. 'Wait, what? Me? Special?'

"Because I-"

"Yo, Luke! Marina's and Hectorina's here! Coindar's acting weird around Carolina again!" Tweeds' voice spoke out after he knocked on Suzume's door.

"DATE ME!" Coindar's voice shouted.

"I KNOW NO DATING!" Carolina's voice shot back.

"We should be taking care of our robots, Triton." Suzume sighed in grief, standing up and tossing her pillow aside.

"Good idea," Luke muttered, glaring at the door.

'Huh? He's upset at Tweeds for interrupting our alone time?' Suzume blinked.

"…." Luke darted his eyes at her. He snatched his cheek with his fingertip. "I'm just glad I finally got it out of my system."

"About me being your special cilent?" Suzume chuckled. "I'm actually flattered by your honesty."

Luke just stared at her with a blank expression. He sighed and slumped his shoulders. He was very disappointed.

"You wouldn't even understand."

"Understand what?" Suzume smiled brightly. "We're client-detective friends!"

"….Forget it." Luke left her bedroom, leaving a stunned Suzume alone.

'It's just only me, or is he really trying to tell me something?'

Suzume blinked. Then, she shook her head.

'Probably nothing.' She left her bedroom.

[crosshimes-fanwritings]

Lost Thoughts

Fandoms/Series: Konjiki No Gash Bell! and Pokemon: Horizons Rating: K+ Crossover AU: Pokeverse Summary: Suzume and Liko talks about Kiyomaro and Amethio. Words count: 481

"So, Kiyomaro is also from the Kanto region?" Liko asked.

"Yep, Kiyomaro and I grew up together with wild Pokemon. Back then, we weren't interested in becoming Pokemon trainers." Suzume explained. "Now, here I am with a few Pokemon, and he's out there doing his own thing."

Suzume was five years older than Liko and Roy. While she did receive her first Pokemon at the age of fifteen, Suzume did not start her Pokemon journey until now. Kiyomaro started his Pokemon journey a year ago. Kiyomaro was more interested in Pokemon archaeology than traveling to each Pokemon gym in the region and winning gym badges.

"Still, we've trained our Pokemon to be strong in case some troublemakers come by and mess with us."

"Speaking of which, do you have a history with Amethio?"

Suzume did not even want to think about that particular member of the explorers. It was bad enough that he's been on her mind lately. Maybe it was Suzume's interest in mysterious stuff, even if the mysterious was an enemy. She felt vomiting at this point.

"No." Suzume closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "He's just given me the creeps. That's all." She felt a breeze on her face. "We haven't seen him lately. Thank goodness. Less headaches to deal with. Anyways, if he keeps using the same Pokemon in his battles against us, he'd be at a disadvantage."

"What do you mean, Suzu?" Liko gazed at her in curiosity.

"We'd eventually figured out his moves and his Pokemon's weaknesses."

"Did you figure something out when you battled him?"

"Not really," Suzume folded her arms and gazed at the starry sky. "I was too focused on holding him off while you and Roy got away. Of course, my Pokemon lost because his Pokemon is pretty strong, but still."

"Why do you keep getting in my way?"

"Asking the obvious question for an obvious answer. What are you, an idiot?"

"An idiot?"

"You think you could threaten me and the Rising Volt Tacklers with only one Pokemon? Your mind is so empty that I'd feel pity for you, but I don't have any for troublemakers."

"I don't need your pity."

"That's what all troublemakers say, do they?"

"Why are we even having this unserious conversation?"

"Honestly, I have no idea, and frankly, I don't care."

"You're the one who brought it up."

Suzume regretted mentioning the word pity in her battle with Amethio. Now, she'd probably given him something to think about. Or maybe not. Troublemakers usually only have one thing on their minds; chaos. They wouldn't have the time for pity parties.

"Are you okay, Suzume? You've been spacing out."

"I'm fine," Suzume smiled cheerfully towards Liko. "Let's go back in. I'm starving! I hope dinner's ready."

With these conflicting feelings she's been having lately, Suzume hoped her last encounter with Amethio would be her last.

[crosshimes-fanwritings]

White Feeling

Fandoms: Professor Layton and Zatch Bell! Rated: T Crossover AU: Vacantverse CW/TW: Unrequited Love and Age Gap. Summary: Luke reflects on his feelings for Suzume. Note: Wrote this out of spite towards AI writing. Vacantverse takes place in the new Professor Layton title's setting (NWOS). Word count: 426

'Every puzzle has an answer and is solvable.'

That was a lie. Luke knew this one puzzle that he was having a difficult time to solve. He has yet no answer to this puzzle.

'I'm not interested in romantic relationships. Puzzles and mysteries are the only things I loved.'

That was a huge lie. Big time. Luke knew he had been lying to himself. Only his mentor, Layton, knew the truth about his feelings for a certain someone.

Since Kiyomaro Takamine came to Steam Bison, Luke has been feeling anxious. Kiyomaro was not only obviously older and more experienced in detective work, but he was Suzume's ex-boyfriend.

When Luke learned about Suzume's dating history with Kiyomaro, he was extremely bitter with her for not telling him about her past relationships. Giving her the cold shoulder, Luke refocused on the cases that were irrelevant to Suzume's missing father, who suspiciously still hasn't been found.

Suzume has taken a hint and did solo investigations without him or Layton. And Luke knew why she did; she was the older one. She should know better than to deal with juvenile issues. She had avoided confronting Luke about his sudden change of attitude towards her.

Jealously.

Despair.

Those emotions hit Luke like a couple of bricks. No puzzle would ever replace the deep love he has developed for Suzume.

Luke despised Kiyomaro alone for dating Suzume before he could.

'I love you. I really love you.'

Luke wanted to say those words to Suzume. He desired to be more than her friend, but the four years and seven months of age gap between him and Suzume hindered those feelings of his.

Luke was fourteen years old, barely starting his teenage years. Suzume was nineteen years old, about to finish her teen years. He'd be starting his first year in high school this August. Suzume'd be in her second year at her university in the upcoming spring in her home country.

Luke has a zero chance of having his feelings reciprocated.

He knew too damn well, and yet he didn't want to give up on his feelings.

He was very determined to solve that one complicated puzzle; Suzume's heart.

Luke really wanted to know how she really felt about him. Deep down, Luke hoped Suzume felt the same towards him.

In the end, Luke may be a gentleman and an apprentice of a famous one he admired for years, but in reality, he's just a teenage boy, mistaking his infatuation for love, and teenagers would go extreme to get their affection noticed.

[crosshimes-fanwritings]

Random Night

Fandom: Zatch Bell, The Duke of Death and His Maid, Villainess Level 99, Super Mario, Pokemon, Digimon, and Final Fantasy 7. Rated: T Verse: Randomverse CW/TW: Slight drinking and smoking, mention of a breakup and polyamorous relationship. Notes: Just a random writing with a random plot and random canon and OC characters. Reina is my villainess OC. Word Count: 522

"Well, Suzume isn't coming to the party, man," William said to Luigi.

"I can't blame her. Walter will be there. He is the last person she'd need to see right now." Luigi sighed, throwing a cigarette onto the ground, and stepped on it. "Why did she date him in the first place?"

"She liked him, dude." William opened a can of beer and drank it. "But, no, he has to fuck it up."

"I'm curious. I thought Miss Ehnleit was the only girl you and your homies give a darn about."

"The hell?" William raised an eyebrow, confused, as he held his half-empty beer. "Did we really look like we only cared about Alicia?"

"You didn't hear it from me, but Walter thinks so." Luigi frowned.

"That bastard! He has the nerve to say shit when he never ONCE gives a damn about Suzume!"

"Y'all didn't hear this one from me," Daisy emerged from the public restroom. "but Suzume may get back together with Viktor."

"Ooooh, fucking shit!" William gaped enthusiastically. "Viktor's pretty much is FUCKED."

"I thought he likes Alice?" Luigi wondered, raising his eyebrow.

"Suzume was in a threesome with Viktor and Alice," Daisy admitted. "Walter has no idea."

"One way to piss off Walter and his ego," William drank the rest of his beer and tossed the can into a recycle bin. "So, y'all coming to Reina's party?"

"Mah." Luigi shook his head no. "I'm staying home tonight. Big bro is having his own party."

"Cool. I ain't going either. Edwin is out of town with his family, Oswald's crashing in early for a huge ass exam tomorrow, and Alicia is chilling with Suzume, Viola, and Caph at her house. I probably go home and play video games."

"Or you can join us!" Mario appeared along with Ash and Tai. "I'm having an open party! Cloud and his gang will also be there."

"I'm in now," William grinned. "I need to talk to Cloud anyway."

"Heck yeah!" Luigi jumped excitedly. "I was about to ask you to invite William, bro!" Luigi looked at Mario.

"No need! The more guests, the more fun!" Mario smiled kindly. "First, we need to head to the convenience store. Waluigi and Wario drank all of the sodas." Mario chuckled.

"Let me buy the sodas," William offered, grinning. "That's the least I can do, man!"

"Welcome abroad!" Daisy put her arm around William's shoulder, smiling at him. "New blood!"

"Hey, now! That's the vampire way to settle things," Ash giggled.

"Tell me about it!" Tai laughed. "Matt and the others at Reina's party."

"Ugh. Don't even mention that asshole. Reina caused the break-up between Suzume and Walter. Daisy scowled in disgust.

"Forget about that poser." Ash scoffed. "Mario's party is better!"

"What the hell are we waiting for me?! Let's go already!" Luigi cheered.

Everyone nodded to each other and headed toward the convenience store to buy more sodas, alcohol, juices, and snacks. Before finally returning to Mario's two-story house, Daisy ordered a massive meal takeout for the party.

What an incredible night to be alive as the full moonlight shined upon the party attendees.

[crosshimes-fanwritings]

Imperfect Nothing: Chatroom

Fandoms:  I do not own Zatch Bell, Urusei Yatsura, Chainsaw Man, Hetalia, Professor Layton, and The Duke of Death and His Maid Rating: T Summary: Things were cool in the chatroom until Clive revealed Walter's secret. Verse: Modernverse TW/CW: None Note: I was bored so I wrote a stupid chatroom drabble. Originally posted on AO3

Suzume: So, I'm in. So, I hope your advice works, Mariko. Mariko: Meh. You'll be fine, Suzu. ^w^

Viola is online

Viola: What's up, gals? ^0^ Finally, a chatroom for friends! I can listen to music while chatting with the girls!

Suzume: Hey, Viola!

Mariko: Good to know! Whatcha kind of music ya listening to right now?!

Viola: Pop music, baby!

Suzume: AWESOME!

Mariko: Let's talk about love, girls! Who do ya like, Suzume? I know you used to like Takamine. I'm sure you must fancy a new guy by now!

Suzume: Not telling here, Mari. Sorry. =(

Viola: Oh, come on! I have an idea through, Suzu! Tee hee hee! =D

Suzume: Just don't say it online, Viola! >////<

Denji is online

Power is online

Denji: What's up, ladies? Talking about the dudes? Oooh, Suzu has a crush on someone? 8D

Power: Oh, put a sock in it, Denji! Who cares if she has a crush?! Crushes are lame anyway!

Mariko: HEY D>

Viola: Oh, give it a chance, girl! You might find someone one day!

Power: No, thanks =_= My only love is MEAT!

Denji: Yep. Power loves her damned meat, y'all.

Ataru is online

Mendo is online

Ataru: Why the hell are you here, Mendo?! >__>

Mendo: I could ask the same about you, Moroboshi! Anger

Denji: Take it to the private chatroom, you clowns. We aren't here to watch your crushfest.

Ataru: WHAT?!

Mendo: ARE YOU ASSURING MOROBOSHI AND I GOT CRUSHES ON EACH OTHER?!

Mariko: MAYBE ¬‿¬

Viola: YEP! ▼ω▼

Suzume: I think you two would make a cute couple! ^www^

Ataru: THE F*CK?!

Mendo: OH, HELL NOOOOOOOOO! >_<

Ryouko is online

Mendo: Oh sh*t!

Ryouko: Oh, big brother! Mother wants you to get off your computer! She wants you to go shopping with me~ ^ v ^

Mendo: ………Oh crap.

Ataru: GOOD LUCK, LOSER! HA HA HA HA!

Mendo: SCREW YOU, MOROBOSHI! D> D>

Ataru: Wait, I'm SUPPOSED TO GO SHOPPING WITH MY RYOUKO!

Mendo: Tough shit, @$$hole!

Mendo is offline

Ryouko: I need to talk to you in private, Ataru~

Ataru: Of course, baby! ^wwww^

Ataru and Ryouko switch to a private chatroom

Power: ….Anyway, what are your plans for the weekend? Y'all going to that house party?

Mariko: Hell yeah! I'm going to that party, dressing in my best outfit!

Viola: Me too! Hey, Mariko! How about you and Suzume come over to my place?! We can get ready for the party there!

Mariko: Sure!

Suzume: Wait, what? Just since when did I agree? O___o

Viola: Well, you are coming to the party, whether you like it or not, SUZU!

Suzume: ….I'm not sure….

Mariko: Oh, come on, Suzu! I know your break up with Takamine was pretty-

Suzume: Shhhh! We don't talk about that!

Mariko: Oh,sorry. >__<

Viktor is online

Suzume: Hey, Viktor! We were talking about the house party this weekend! ^wwwww^

Viktor: Oh….I heard. Well, I'm going since Alice is planning to go.

Suzume: That's good! I can't wait to see you there!

Power: Geez. Now, you want to go to the party! Yeah! I get it! You and Viktor are close.

Walter is online

Denji: Oh crap.

Walter; Hey! Why does someone always freak out every time I get online? D>

Power: Because no one doesn't like you, LOSER! ᏊˊꈊˋᏊ"

Viktor: Hey, give Walter more credit, people. He is a hard worker! He scored high on his tests unlike me!

Walter: STFU, TRASH! No one did not ask you!

Suzume: ………..You are such a JERK!

Suzume is offline

Walter: O_______O Wait, did she just?

Denji: Thanks a lot, man!

Viola: What the hell is your damned problem, Walter?! Don't be jealous because Suzume is closer to Viktor than you!

Clive is online

Arthur is online

Arthur: What is this bloody sh*t I just saw?

Clive: Yes, Walter. We all know you have a crush on Suzume, but there's no need for you to be a bloody prick!

Mariko: Wait, what?

Power: HOLY SH*T! *Sneaky grin*

Denji: Ha ha ha ha! How freaking lame, man!

Viola: Tee hee hee! Serves you right, stupid secondborn!

Arthur: Yeah, we definitely know.

Walter: What the f*ck, Clive?!

Clive: Well, someone has to put your arse in your place sometimes, Walter.

Walter: NO ONE DOESN'T NEED TO KNOW ABOUT MY CRUSH ON SUZUME! …..Oh, f*ck it. I'm out.

Walter is offline

Viktor: ………….That was uncalled for, Clive.

Viktor is offline

Mariko: ……Maybe I should get off now.

Mariko is offline

Viola: Yeah. Oh f*ck. My brothers are arguing now. Bye, y'all.

Viola is offline

Power: I need to eat chicken wings anyway!

Power is offline

Denji: ….I got some magazines to look at.

Denji is offline

Clive: …..You know what? I'm sick of this shit.

Clive is offline

Owen is online

Owen: Hey, little brother! What did I miss?! ^__^

Arthur: Drama bullshit.

Arthur is offline

Owen: Oh. Reads the chatroom Damn. Sucks to be Walter right now.

Owen is offline

Later on

In a DM

Mariko: Hey, just to let you know that the chatroom was deleted, Walter. No one can leak it to the school. Just one question.

Walter: Yes?

Mariko: Do you really like my best friend?

Walter: I do like her.

Mariko: Oh. Well, please give her more time, Walter. She's still recovering from a breakup.

Walter: Wait, she was dating someone?

Mariko: Yeah. Well, she likes you too. Keep it between us.

Walter:…..Oh, I see…Thanks, Mariko.

Mariko: No problem! What Clive did was shitty anyway.

Mariko is offline

Walter is offline

[crosshimes-fanwritings]

Imperfect Nothing: Missing Words

Fandoms: The Duke of Death and His Maid, Murder Drones, Zatch Bell!, Yandere Simulator, Hetalia, Last Game, I'm the Villainess, So I'm Taming the Final Boss, Urusei Yatsura, I'm in Love with the Villainess, Hetalia and Detective Conan. Rating: M Summary: I know what He did in the year of 2003 at Vicinity high school. Verse: Aishiverse (Part of Modernverse) TW/CW: This one contains mentions of murders and bullyings. Note: I have no idea why I wrote this. I guess I wanted to give my Yandere Simulator inspired AU a chance. Originally posted on AO3.

The Aishi Syndrome.

A syndrome that I am familiar with. I knew someone who had the syndrome. It is a dangerous one. If a person is diagnosed with this syndrome, they must be treated immediately. They must be isolated at all costs. This syndrome must not be underestimated.

The story about someone with Aishi syndrome takes place in a town called Vicinity. It was the year 2003 when a murder occurred at Vicinity high school. The victim was Kiyomaro Takamine, a Freshman who started attending high school. He was the most intelligent student at Vicinity high. Students admired Kiyomaro's skills and charisma. Kiyomaro helped the students in trouble and offered advice.

Kiyomaro had a crush on his childhood friend, Suzume Mizuno, a Freshmen girl that would become a person of interest to the police later on. Kiyomaro was discovered dead in the boys' restroom. The cause of his death was a stabbing. Kiyomaro suffered forty-two stab wounds to the point his head was almost decapitated. Whoever stabbed Kiyomaro in a ferocious matter must have abhorred him.

Suzume did not take the news well. She cried and mourned for her childhood friend for days. Eventually, she returned to school and spent time with her best friend, Mariko Nakamura. Soon, things started to get strange, and I noticed a pattern.

Every time Suzume socialized or befriended certain people, they disappeared from her life.

Suzume ended her friendship with Mariko. Ataru Moroboshi was arrested for murder. Rae Taylor was bullied. Hiroshi Yamanaka was poisoned. Aileen Lauren d'Autriche was rejected. A senior named N, aka Niles, was crushed to death. Mikoto Kujou was expelled. Shuutarou Mendou was burn to death. Alice Lendrott was matchmade with a boy named Viktor Radwell. And finally, Shinichi Kudou was defamed.

It wasn't a coincidence. Things happened to people who had a romantic or platonic love for Suzume. Shinichi and the private detective, Kogoro Mouri, investigated the students, and soon they learned that Suzume was being stalked by a junior student named Walter Radwell.

Shinichi had placed the pieces together. He believed Walter murdered Kiyomaro, Hiroshi, N, and Shuutarou while he sabotaged Suzume's female schoolmates and framed Ataru for murder.

Walter was arrested on charges of four murders. Soon, he was on trial. The trial lasted two days, and he was declared innocent due to a lack of concrete evidence. Shinichi and Mr. Mouri were devastated. Walter manipulated everyone by using his gentlemanly charms and having an excuse for every accusation. He claimed Shinichi and Mr. Mouri were only seeking fame.

After the trial, as Mr. Mouri left the courthouse, Shinichi was cornered by Walter in an office room, and Shinichi would never forget the sight of Walter:

"His carmine-colored eyes looked soulless. His expression looked possessed. He told me he could make my death an accident, and I'd regret interfering with his love for Suzume. He warned me not to cross him again. However, I declared that it wasn't over yet, and I could find a way to expose him someday. Mr. Radwell had given me a deadly smirk, reminding me that he was declared innocent and no one wouldn't believe my words over his. He left me in the office room."

School life continued. That boy was still attending Vicinity high with no regrets. The girls believed he was innocent, while the boys had mixed feelings. Even his older brother, Viktor, was more afraid of Walter than ever. Their younger sister, Viola Radwell, became uncomfortable around Walter and soon left Vicinity high. She moved to a dorm room at Ytiniciv high school. She'd refused to live under the same roof as her brother, who was accused of murder.

As for me, I've always known Walter would cross the line to get what he wanted. Hell, he hated his older brother, and there's no doubt he'd murdered his fresh blood if Viktor was in love with Suzume.

The Aishi Syndrome.

The person who was diagnosed with this mental illness was Walter himself.

What is the Aishi Syndrome? Well, it is a syndrome that a person doesn't feel anything at first. They'd remained emotionless, and they'd see the world in black and white. While socializing, they'd pretended to be happy, sad, excited, and upset, but deep inside, they'd feel nothing. The only "cure" to this syndrome was a person.

Suzume was the trigger to Walter's awakened emotions. He had fallen in love with her at first sight and was too terrified to lose her to someone else. When he spotted Kiyomaro interacting with Suzume, Walter knew what must be done. Kiyomaro must be eliminated at any cost.

Kiyomaro was Walter's first rival and victim. Eventually, he also eliminated his other rivals in different ways.

As for Suzume, she went missing. Some people believed she committed suicide or ran away from home due to the stress of losing her friends. Walter graduated from Vicinity high in the following year and left town. No one wouldn't see him for a long time.

A few years later, I'd seen Suzume with a two-year-old child at a playground park. Suzume was happy and sang a song to her daughter.

"Arthur?" She greeted me with widened eyes.

I'm Arthur Kirkland, Walter's former friend and the only person who believed Shinichi Kudou and Kogoro Mouri. I smiled at her gently. The truth was Walter kidnapped Suzume. He knew he wouldn't handle possible rejection from Suzume if he'd admitted his feelings to her.

I know I am on Walter's murder list now, and I'd die trying to expose him.

[crosshimes-fanwritings]

Imperfect Nothing: Forgiveness

Fandoms: The Duke of Death and His Maid, Zatch Bell!, Yandere Simulator, Shadows House, and Urusei Yatsura. Rating: M Summary: High school isn't so peaceful now, thanks to Walter's and his teacher's secret affair being exposed while Suzume is still hurting mentally and emotionally in a mental hospital. Walter thinks he would never forgive himself. He isn't a gentlemen anymore. Verse: Surviveverse (Part of Vicinityverse) TW/CW: This one-shot also contains possible OOCness, a teacher-student relationship, su*cide bait, implied underage sex, drama, bullying, pregnancy, and implied su*cide in the alternate ending. It is pretty much problematic, so please do not read if any of these warnings trigger you and block/unfollow me for your safety. Note: A old fanwriting that I originally posted on AO3.

"You son of a bitch!" Ataru punched Walter in front of everyone in the locker corridor, causing the boy to fall on his bottom. "Go near my friend again, and I will fucking decimate you!" Ataru threatened before he walked away with his friends.

"Are you okay, Walter?" Viktor offered his hand to help his younger brother, concerned with his well bring.

"Do I look like I am fucking okay, Viktor?!" Walter growled in anger, stood up, and walked to his classroom.

Everyone looked at each other before they gathered their books and supplies and headed toward their classrooms. They knew why Ataru punched Walter while Ryoba stood in the corner with an atrocious smirk.

Walter's eyes widened slowly, horrified by the comments on his desk, written with black marker.

Kill yourself!

Go jump off a cliff!

Get lost, you two-timing, conniving teacher fucker!

Go to fucking hell, you two-faced scumbag!

Get lost, you piece of rotten shit!

He smiled bitterly, his eyes in distress. He deserved the bullying. Walter will never forgive himself for what he did. Suzume, the girl he loved, was no longer here by his side. Daleth, the teacher whom he cheated on Suzume with, was also no longer here was a teacher.

Walter heard callous giggling and looked at Evelyn, Pfeifer, Millie, and Sarah stood at the way door, pointing at him, insulting and humiliating him. Walter left the classroom as the girls stalked him, throwing paper balls and chalk specks of dust at him, laughing at him ruthlessly.

Walter was too broken to react to the bullying anymore.

"You're a disgrace to our family!" Gerbera rebuked her son in front of his siblings. "What the hell is wrong with you?! Because of your and your teacher's actions, we've become a laughingstock!" 

"I'm sorry, mother." 

"Your apology will not redo the damage, Walter." Gerbera facepalmed, too stressed to deal with Walter any longer. "Do whatever you want." 

"Or go visit your teacher in prison," Viktor muttered disgustingly, glaring at Walter before he left the living room. 

"Poor Suzume," Viola added sadly, following Viktor. 

"As you know, Walter," Gerbera spoke to him, still furious. "The Mizuno family had forbidden you from visiting their daughter."

"They can't just do that, mother!" Walter snapped. "I need her more than ever!" 

"You sure didn't need Miss Mizuno when you fool around with your teacher." Gerbera shot a glare at her son. "Accept the consequences of your actions, Walter. Now, get the hell out of my face!" 

When Walter received a text message from Ryoba, he knew she was responsible for damaging his reputation and exposing his secrets to their schoolmates. Suzume once caught Walter and Daleth in the act, but she kept his secret and pretended it didn't happen.

"Miss Foster isn't a sexual predator if you and she have consensual sex, right?"

Walter remembered the exact words from Suzume as he walked to an abandoned warehouse to meet Ryoba. He didn't even care if she had set him up to get beat up by her boyfriend and his delinquent friends.

"Want a moon pie?" Suzume offered him one. "It is a banana favored."

"Thanks." Walter accepted the moon pie. "Are you heading off campus for lunch?"

"Yes." Suzume turned her eyes away and covered her mouth with her long blazer sleeve, blushing. "Are you busy?"

"Meh." Walter smiled at her. "I'll go with you. I don't want other guys to take you away from me."

"Okay," Suzume smiled at him cheerfully and took his hand. "I'll pay for our lunches. That's the least I can do for you."

"Oh, come on. I'm a gentleman, Suzume. There's no need for you to pay for the lunches. Let me do it."

"Okay, you win." Suzume grinned and kissed him quickly.

"Suzume, we're still in front of people." Walter blushed, eying at Viola, Himeko, Itsumi, and Ritsuko, who grinned at him.

"I know." Suzume put her hands on his arm and pulled him close to her.

The girls giggled and walked passed the couple. Suzume and Walter walked to the opposite path, heading towards a Chinese food restaurant.

Walter stepped into the abandoned warehouse and called out to Ryoba, who stepped out of the shadows. Her arms were folded, and she glowered at him.

"As if the breakup wasn't enough for me, Miss Aishi…" Walter glared at her.

"You think you'd just get away with cheating on my friend with a teacher, Radwell?" Ryoba countered. "You and Miss Whitaker manipulated Suzume into thinking a teacher-student relationship was normal. I guess your first time with Suzume wasn't enough-"

"My sex life isn't your business, Miss Aishi." Walter spat in disgust. "It was a mistake with Miss Daleth Whitaker. It only happened once."

"Once, you say?!" Ryoba's expression darkened with rage. She laughed bitterly. "You dare to give me that shit, Radwell?! Sakanoue and I've gathered evidence! You fucked Miss Whitaker more than once. All because Suzume was too shy and cautious after you did her once. Poor Suzume, dating a fucking horndog!"

"I admit I was infatuated with Daleth." Walter has spoken guilty. "But, believe me, Miss Aishi, Suzume is the one I am in love with! How do you think I feel, having my heart ripped apart by her in front of everyone at school?!"

"You got a nerve," Ryoba walked closer to him and grabbed him by his collar. "To play the victim!" Ryoba shouted at him, her eyes full of fury and her expression still enraged. "You're a fucking idiot, thinking you can fool me with your sob story! We all know who you are, what you are now, Walter Radwell. You aren't better than Viktor. You're worse than him."

Walter became enraged at Ryoba. There she goes, comparing him to his older brother just like the others had done in the past. Suzume was the first girl to acknowledge Walter as his own person, not a backup or a spare to his family's corporation title. That alone was what made Walter fall in love with Suzume.

'Do you want to try my bento box? I made it for both of us. I'm not a good cook, so I've been practicing."

"Sure. I promise I will stomach it. Just don't feed me. It's embarrassing."

"But, I only brought chopsticks for me only…"

Walter laughed. He knew Suzume wanted to feed him. Suzume blushed heavily as her long hair blew in the breeze. Walter placed his arm around her shoulder and pulled her close to him. He gazed into her eyes and smirked at her.

"Cute, are you?" He kissed her passionately.

"I want to see her, Miss Aishi," Walter told Ryoba in a depressed tone. "Her family doesn't allow me to visit her at the hospital. Her friends don't want me near her. You don't know a damn thing about me and how I was raised. Suzume was the one who became my light at the end of my dark tunnel. I think about her every day. I think about the moments we shared."

"Hmph. Let's see about your true feelings in court, Mr. Radwell." Ryoba warned. "She will be there to testify against Miss Whitaker. I do wonder…" Ryoba gives him a mocking smirk. "Would you side with your ex-girlfriend or your teacher? You also have to testify against your precious teacher."

Walter twitched in fear. He had forgotten about the upcoming trial.

Let's see if you would indeed tell the truth or poison the whole courtroom with your lies. Choose wisely, Mr. Radwell." Ryoba added before she exited the warehouse.

"Ugh." Suzume lay on the bed next to Walter. She looked so bored and just stared at the ceiling.

"What's wrong?"

"Alice had done it with her boyfriend and told me it feels good." Suzume flushed. "Sure, it hurts for the first time, but the pleasure comes after. Of course, they used protection." Suzume explained, flustered with the idea of premarital sex. "Walter, do you want to do it?"

"What?!" Walter widened his eyes in shock at Suzume's suggestion.

Suzume unbuttoned her white blouse, showing her white and blue lace bra, causing Walter to look away, blushing heavily. His heart was pounding. She grabbed his hand and placed it on her breast.

"You can touch and squeeze it, you know." She whispered into his ear, encouraging him.

"You want to do it with a guy like me?" Walter snapped out of his shock and stared at her in question.

She climbed atop him and kissed him in response to his question. She smiled at him brightly and her gaze full of affection.

"Yes."

That's all he needed from her. At the moment, Walter didn't care about the negative opinions on premarital sex. He was already sexually aroused. He kissed Suzume back, his tongue crashing against hers while unbuttoning the rest of her blouse and Suzume working on his pants.

"Hey, Dearest brother!" Viola walked in. "Mother and Father will be out of town a week-" She gawked at the scene in surprise.

"Damn it, Viola! Get the fuck out!" Walter shouted at her.

"Sorry, big brother! Have fun! It was a good thing I brought condoms for you! The condoms are under your bed!~" Viola grinned at him and Suzume and closed the door.

Suzume rested her head on his chest, feeling embarrassed now. Walter caressed her hair.

"Sorry, I should have locked the door."

"Lock it then." Suzume sucked on his neck, causing him to moan. "It looked like I may found a weak spot." She smirked.

"….Please get off me so I can lock the door…" Walter pleaded, his face completely red.

Walter remembered the night he and Suzume first made love. He lay under his blanket, staring at the ceiling blankly. Then, he closed his eyes, and a smiling, cheerful Suzume flashed in his thoughts.

The trial was indeed hell on earth. Walter and Suzume reunited in a courtroom, their eyes glued on each other as Suzume testified against Daleth. Suzume certainly looked mentally ill. When Walter noticed Suzume had her hand on her stomach the entire time, his heart broke. After his testimony and the court ended, Walter called out to Suzume.

"….." Suzume turned her head slowly at him, still having her hand on her stomach, which was a little bigger now.

Evelyn Shadow stood guarded along with Gilbert, Susanna, and Bertram. Ryoba and Sonoko were standing in the corner, watching Walter like a hawk as he approached Suzume.

"Please tell me one thing," Walter pleaded. "Is the child mine?"

"…Yes." Suzume's eyes teared. "The baby is yours, Walter…" She rubbed her stomach.

Walter stood there with a blank expression. Now, he remembered. He and Suzume forgot to use a condom that night. So much for Viola buying him condoms, His face completely pink, recalling the details of their lovemaking.

"I'm glad you are okay, Suzume." Walter's eyes were teary. "I miss you so much."

"I forgive you." Suzume cried, closing her eyes. "I love you."

A year had passed since the scandal and the trial. Everyone moved on. Viktor, Alice, and their class graduated from high school. Walter and his class were now seniors in the new school year. Walter's schoolmates slowly started to respect him again. Of course, some students still resented him, and the Freshmen kept their distance from him. Suzume decided to homeschool her education. She has given birth to a baby girl named Haruka.

"She looks like you." Walter smiled, holding his newborn daughter.

"I want to hold my niece," Viola whined, crossing her arms and pouting.

"Me too," Viktor smiled.

While Viola held Haruka and commented on her looks, Suzume lay on the bed, smiling weakly. Walter kissed her on the forehead.

"I visited Miss Whitake in prison."

"What?"

"I told her that I've forgiven her."

"You are indeed a kindhearted girl, Suzume."

"I know."

Alice giggled as Viktor held Haruka. Soon, more visitors came to see the newborn baby.

Suzume and Walter were in her bedroom, cuddling on her bed, while Haruka slept in a baby's room. Suzume's parents had gone out of town for a week along with Walter's parents. They were all alone in the Mizuno residence.

"I can't believe we're back together." Walter closed his eyes and sighed dreamily, sniffing Suzume's hair. "Your hair smells so good."

"You're a weirdo." Suzume giggled. "My hair doesn't smell that good. I used a cheap shampoo."

"It doesn't matter. It's your hair, Suzume. Our daughter has your hair color."

"And she has your eye color, Walter."

"Well, yes," Walter smirked at the ceiling, brushing Suzume's hair with his fingers.

As Suzume fell asleep, Walter gazed at her. She may forgive him, but he hasn't forgiven himself. He still feels guilty and has flashbacks of his and Daleth's wrongdoings.

'I'll marry you one day, Suzume. I promise you.'

Alternate Ending

Meanwhile, in an alternate universe…

Walter stood before Suzume's body in a coffin. He was all alone in a church. He had to sneak in when everyone was gone. A few weeks ago, Suzume committed suicide. When Walter's secret relationship with Daleth was exposed, he went into hiding while Daleth was arrested.

"I'm sorry, Suzume. You poor thing. You couldn't take it anymore." Walter rested his forehead on Suzume's forehead as tears fell from his eyes. "Only if I could take it back, but it's too late for that, huh? You won't be alone for too long…" Walter kissed her lips and walked away, the guilt and the passion hitting him the hardest. "After all, I can't live without you, Suzume…"

A week later, a horrified Viktor and Viola found Walter's hanging body in his bedroom.

[crosshimes-fanwritings]

No Vacant Allowed

Fandoms: Zatch Bell and Professor Layton Rating: T Summary: A 18 year old Japanese girl just want to be a miss independent and a 14 year old British boy just want to help her like a gentlemen he is. Disclaimer: I do not own Zatch Bell and Professor Layton. Verse: Vacantverse Ship: Luke (Professor Layton) / Suzume (Zatch Bell) Crossover Ships Week 2023: Day I (First Meeting) Note: LOL I know crossover week 2023 ended already and late submissions are accepted until August so here is my shitty writing for day 1. @crossover-ships-brainrot. Also, this crossAU takes place in the new Professor Layton game setting (I know NWOS isn't out yet but I don't give a fuck lmao)

Visiting Steam Bison, America wasn't no summer vacation for 18-year-old Suzume Mizuno. She decided not to invite her best friend, Mariko Nakamura, and her high school classmates to fool around in America, which most likely they would if she did request their presence. Suzume has no plans to relax in a foreign country. She was only here for one purpose; to search for her missing father.

Tetsuya Mizuno, the father of Suzume, was last heard from Steam Bison, according to the address on his postcard that Suzume received from him four months ago. When Suzume didn't get a response from her father, she assured herself that he was just too busy. However, Suzume knew her father better. Tetsuya would never take too long to write back to his daughter.

'Why did I bother to come here?' Suzume sighed in grief. 'The moment I arrived on American soil, a group of thugs forced me into this alley and robbed me. The jerks stole my passport, visa, and money.' When Suzume realized her suitcase was also stolen, she scowled in anger. 'Those assholes also took my clothes!'

14-year-old Suzume would cry and beg for help, but 18-year-old Suzume would swear and refuse assistance. She stomped out of the alley, ignoring curious, dirty, and apathetic looks from the bystanders. She's going to search for the thieves on her own.

14-year-old Luke Triton was on his way home from the city hall when he noticed a foreign girl standing on a barrel. She was peeking into an abandoned building's window, and she had an angry expression. Luke approached the girl quietly.

"Miss, that's dangerous."

"I know, it is dangerous. I'm not dumb. Those bastards robbed me."

"How could they do such a thing to a pretty young lady?"

"Pretty?!" The startled girl turned her head towards him, giving him a gape. "You need to get your eyes checked, kid!"

"I didn't mean to offend-"

And because the girl was so flustered with his compliment, she lost her balance and was about to fall on her butt, but Luke caught her in time.

"Are you all right?"

"….I'm fine. Wait a second" The girl glared back at the window. "They were counting money. THEY WERE COUNTING THE MONEY THEY STOLE FROM ME!"

"WHAT THE FUCK WAS THAT?!" An angry voice bellowed from the inside.

"Boss, I swore I heard Triton's and a lass's voices." A second voice spoke, clearly frightened.

"That fucking kid and his Lovelady! Get them!"

And Luke didn't waste no time. He held the girl's hand and led her to safety.

Suzume was a foolish young woman. She had exposed herself and the young boy by screaming her head off. Well, she did have the right to get angry. Those thugs still have her savings for her trip. She can't shower and change clothes in a hotel. Not until her belongings and money were returned to her.

Gurgled. Suzume's stomach gurgled. She blushed, feeling embarrassed.

"Are you hungry, Miss?"

Damn. The boy must have heard the gurgle. Suzume turned her eyes away from him in shame.

"Yes. Unfortunately, it looks like I'm starving for a while." She added a nervous giggle. "Can't buy food without the money, after all."

"Oh, there's no need to worry, Miss. You can stay with me for a while."

"Huh?" Suzume froze for a second. "No way. I mustn't," She shook her head in disapproval. "I'm a young adult here. I should be taking care of myself."

"My family wouldn't mind."

"Why are you helping me?"

"Do I need a reason to help someone? It's just common decency.'

"…Hold on. I forgot I am in America and speak English fluently. Can you understand my English?"

"I can understand your English pretty well."

Finally! Suzume's two years of learning the English language paid off.

"Oh. That's good! I was afraid that I may be butchering the English language."

"Triton," A policeman caught up with the two. "You're needed back at the city hall."

"Are you being arrested?" Suzume questioned the boy, confused about why a policeman was there.

"Pardon me, Miss?!!" The Policemen responded to her question in disbelief. "Now, why would I arrest Detective Luke, who had helped the police to solve the toughest mysteries in this wonderful city?"

"Wait," Suzume gawked at the boy. "you're a detective?"

"Yes, it looks like the cat's out of the bag, huh? I'm sorry for not introducing myself earlier. I'm Luke Triton. It's nice to meet you, Miss."

"…Suzume.Mizuno," Suzume responded in an awkward tone. "Well, I guess I'll see you around…"

"What are you talking about, Miss Mizuno? You're coming with me. It's too dangerous for a young lady to be alone on these streets."

"How old are you?" Suzume narrowed her eyes at Luke in doubt.

"I'm fourteen."

"Aren't you too young for detective work?"

"Age doesn't matter when it comes to detective work."

"It sure as hell does."

"Miss, you shouldn't use such language."

"I'm 18 years old. I can use whichever language I want, and I'm quite moody right now."

"Umm, we should head over to the city hall now…" The police officer reminded the two awkwardly.

"There's better be food and drinks at the city hall," Suzume grumbled.

"I'm sure they will have refreshments, Miss Mizuno." Luke smiled gently.

A few hours later, Suzume and Luke arrived at a manor. A butler named Doland Noble greeted them at the front door.

"Welcome back, Master Luke. Oh, you brought a guest?"

"Oh, yes. Miss Mizuno will be staying with us for a while."

"That is indeed kind of you, Master Luke. Please do accept the Master's hospitality, Miss Mizuno."

Suzume didn't respond. Her mind was racing. She didn't feel comfortable with this hospitality. It felt wrong to freeload off a 14-year-old boy and his family. Where were Luke's parents anyway? Should he be getting their approval first?

"Are you coming in, Miss Mizuno?" Luke asked, smiling at her.

Suzume stepped away from the front door. She clasped her hands and shook her head nervously.

"Ah, Miss Mizuno doesn't speak English?" Doland wondered.

"She does, Mr. Doland. She's just nervous. Please prepare a bedroom for Miss Mizuno."

"Very well. I shall leave you two be." Doland bowed politely and went back inside.

"…All I need is a shower and a change of clothes, but those thugs also stole my suitcase." Suzume pouted, still quite upset.

"You can borrow one of my mother's dresses. Beth can wash your dress for you."

"No, no. It's fine!" She sighed in frustration. "I have no idea why I'm even here in America. All I wanted to search for my missing father in peace."

"Huh?" Luke's eyes went widened in surprise. "So, you aren't here for a vacation?"

"No. I'm not."

"What is your father's name?"

"Tetsuya Mizuno."

And Luke just took out his notebook and wrote Suzume's father's name.

"Hey, what are you doing?"

"I'm going to help you search for your father, Miss Mizuno." Luke grinned at her. "I will also help you to retrieve your belongings from the thieves. After all, a gentleman must help a lady in distress."

"How cute, Triton," Suzume giggled. "You want to help an old hag like me."

"You aren't an old hag…"

"I know, Triton. It was only a joke. Forgive me for trying to be so mature."

"Well," Luke smiled delightfully. "There is a greenhouse and a garden in the backyard. You can enjoy your time there until you're ready to walk into my house."

Suzume gasped. Her eyes glittered. She felt a little better. This Triton boy knew how to comfort someone well. She smiled brightly at him.

"Okay, Triton! You can tell me about the mysteries you solve!"

Two hours later, Suzume finally tracked down the thieves in a hideout and crashed their meeting.

"GIVE ME BACK MY BELONGINGS AND MONEY, YOU SHITLOGS!"

The thieves froze in fear, gawking at a young Japanese woman in a long pleated dress carrying a baseball bat. Luke was facepalming outside of the house alongside the officers.

"So much for protecting Miss Mizuno…"

"Triton, should we go in and arrest the thieves?"

"I'm not the Chief of Police, sir, but sure."

"Luke, my boy." Luke's mentor, Professor Hershel Layton, stood next to him. "Do you know the young lady?"

"Yes, professor. I just barely met Miss Mizuno hours ago."

30 minutes later, back at the Triton household…

"Are you actually British, Triton?" Suzume asked in curiosity.

"Yes. I'm just living in America because of family reasons." Luke answered. "How did you know?"

"I can tell by your accent."

"Oh, so you are pretty smart."

"Not really…

"Miss Mizuno, would you like to try this puzzle?" Layton offered, giving her a kind smile.

"Sure…" Suzume accepted. She needed to test her brain anyway.

And Suzume indeed did get her passport, visa, money, and clothes back.

"Why I'm still freeloading here, Triton?"

"Because I invited you, silly. That's why."

"Tritoooon," Suzume whined.

And it wouldn't be the first time Luke would hear his surname being called like that. And Layton has a flashback of Anton, Don Paolo, and Descole calling him Laaaayton. The professor smiled and sipped his tea while observing Suzume and Luke interact friendly.

And the adventures of an 18-year-old Japanese girl, a 14-year-old British detective boy, and his unknown mentor began in AMERICA.

Well, maybe they'd meet more new friends in the future.