Aiko nodded. "Because if you have the right friends, you can make way more money!"
The boy gave her a dubious look. She bit into her ice cream, enjoyed its smooth texture and rich flavor, then swallowed and raised an eyebrow.
"What?"
Little Ling stared at her for a second more, then sighed and looked away.
"Nothing. It's just that I don't think you're really suited to be a teacher, Auntie."
Aiko looked at him in indignation.
"What? Why?"
The boy sighed again. "Maybe I should ask Grandpa Julius to give you lessons, too."
Aiko scoffed.
"Who is going to teach whom? Let me tell you, wolfie. I had the best tutors in NQSC when I was your age. Well, before my family went bankrupt. Money is important - you have to have money to get educated, first!"
She shook her head and looked around. The neighborhood they were in was close to the lakefront, so she knew it well from before the war. It was close to a ferry station and near one of the main streets, as well - foot traffic here was excellent, and the location offered easy access to several popular landmarks. More than that, one of the runic tramways was set to be built just outside the small park. That was the reason Aiko had purchased the ice cream shop on the corner. Not only was it going to bring in good income, but having a covert safe house here would be quite convenient for members of the Shadow Clan operating in Bastion.
Granted the neighborhood had become less picturesque since Aiko left the city. She had never seen graffiti here before, for example, but now several were marring the walls of the surrounding buildings. Little Ling was staring at one such questionable art piece, as well.
"Auntie Aiko. what letters are those? Auntie Spell is not translating them."
She blinked a couple of times.
"Wha."
What the hell was he talking about?
"First of all, the Nightmare Spell is not your auntie. It is ancient, so at best, it's your grandma. Grandpa? Anyway, don't put me in the same category as the Spell, please."
She frowned. "Secondly, don't go around reading graffiti. Those are usually bad words! What will happen to me if you learn a bad word on my watch? Goodness gracious. Your mom will kill me."
Little Ling blinked a few times and looked at her with wide eyes.
"Auntie Aiko. what are bad words?"
Aiko froze.
"Huh?"
Clutching his melting ice cream, the little boy leaned forward excitedly.
"Bad words. What are they?"
She coughed. "What, you have never heard a bad word before?"
Little Ling shook his head energetically.
"Nope! But! Now that I know that they exist, I really want to learn! Grandpa Julius says that learning is a noble calling! Will you teach me?"
Aiko gulped, suddenly feeling cold despite the warm day.
"You. eat your ice cream before it melts, wolfie. Forget I said anything."
"Oh, no."
Effie was definitely going to kill her.