[II. The Aiko Saga] Discipline

Aiko was a Japanese American and a third-generation immigrant. Despite her parents’ diligence, the family hadn’t advanced much, which is why they found themselves in Hazelville. More importantly, this was why she found herself babysitting eighteen-year-old Roxanne, the daughter of one of the most powerful men in town.

Unlike other girls her age of immigrant heritage, she was a full-blooded American. Gone had the quietness, nervousness, and willingness to bend to just about anyone. She had a mouth on her and an assertiveness that everyone expected from American children.

But Aiko had kept one thing from her heritage. In Japan, children were to be seen and not heard. Japanese parents didn’t play games, and even younger siblings were expected to respect their elders due to the natural order of things. As a twenty-year-old babysitter, she didn’t care why Roxanne needed a babysitter.

She would respect her.

And Aiko was already prepared. The stories of Roxanne had already reached her. Most recently, she’d heard about the high schooler Katie, who had been utterly humiliated at her hands. The same thing wouldn’t happen to her because she was already prepared for the silly pranks and tricks the punk princess might throw her way.

But why would she take such a job after everything that had happened and risk getting stripped down herself?

Like most people her age, she needed the money. On the other hand, she believed in herself. She was a straight-A student, and she wasn’t about to let this spoiled punk girl get one over on her.

Aiko had already followed the protocol and obtained the key from the box outside. Now, she found herself looking up at the front door. The Japanese-American babysitter dressed in a black zip-up hoodie, a white t-shirt that showed the outline of her bra underneath, green cargo pants, and white sneakers.

Above all, she would tame this self-proclaimed punk princess, even if it meant tearing her apart.