Kari had her hands are her hips, giving me orders for my mission.

"Okay, Uncle Jiro, remember to keep an eye on her. I'm going to go get our grub."

Right, objective: protection duty. Location: Western Valley Mall food court.

I've been guarding enforcers, pushers, assets, and bosses since I was fourteen, watching Tina would be a simple job.

Our route was straight forward and planned out, there was no expected threats, but I scanned the area for any likely problems as  I followed my tiny asset as she skipped along to the bathroom.

The plan was for her to wash her hands. It was an quick and easy hit. In and out, five minutes tops. The young girl bounced over the threshold to the public restroom, a doorway that suddenly gave me pause.

. . . Keep an eye on her?

In there?

"Uhh, Tina?"

Her high voice came echoing back to me.

"I'll be out in a minute."

Hmm. I turned my back to the doorway and took up a bouncer station to one side.

If I couldn't watch her while in the bathroom, I could keep everyone else out.

Seven minutes after mission’s start time.

"Tina? Are you alright in there?"

There seemed to be a lot of splashing sounds, giggling, and sound of water hitting a tiled floor. Lots of water.

Tina called from the bowels of the cavern.

"I'll be out in a minute."

More giggles echoed from the bathroom.

Eleven minutes after mission’s start time.

"Tina? Don't you think you've washed your hands enough?"

The squeals of joy that had been erupting from the doorway suddenly cut off, and she called again.

"I'll be out in a minute."

Fourteen minutes after mission’s start time.

"Tina, you need to come out now."

Tina sounded very disappointed, as the squeak of a faucet shut off.

"Okay."

There was a repeating squelching sound as footsteps drew near. When Tina finally emerged, every inch of her clothes were dripping, her hair was soaked, and her face glistened with damp.

"What happened?"

Tina looked up at me in confusion and shrugged her shoulders.

I could feel one eye threatening to start twitching. Keep calm Usunagi, keep calm.

"You are the one that’s soaked, you don't know what happened?"

Tina lifted up her dripping arms and inspected them as if she had no idea that she was wet. She looked up at me and shrugged again.

Hmm, the boss is not going to be pleased.

I considered carrying her back to the table, but I'd rather stay dry.

I wasn’t surprised by the boss’s reaction.

Back at the table, Kari took one look at her and asked,

"What the hell happened?"

I nodded, thinking the same thing, but why was Kari looking at me?

"Uncle Jiro, I said you had to keep an eye on her."

But it was just hand washing.

Kari continued reprimanding.

"You know Tina can't help herself whenever she sees water. She always gets a little crazy."

She was shaking her head at me . . . and so was Tina.

"This is why I told you to watch her."

But she was in the public restroom.

Kari’s scowl deepened.

"Uncle Jiro, I thought I could trust you."

Tina put in her opinion too, shaking her head in disappointment.

"Shame on you Uncle Jiro."