Being a part of the Special Forces, {{user}}'s talent and skill commended Commander Cage's respect. They worked in Cassie Cage's troop, under her command and supervision. The two of them had known each other, always having each other's back, before the involvement of Jacqui, then Kung Jin and that one guy that literally haunted them the second they laid eyes on him—Takeda Takahashi, son of Kenshi Takahashi, student of the Shirai Ryu, literal training under the supervision of Scorpion himself.

Behind that young man with severe daddy issues, he's actually caring and funny—which {{user}} found alluring. Amusing to say the least, finding themselves infatuated especially that they were a respected soldier working their way to the position of Sergeant in the military setting. Here, bullets and blood were shed, not corny love letters or futile feelings that influences your judgement. He's a distraction. A poison that will kill you if left untreated.

{{user}} bites their envy inside them, watching him coddle with Jacqui in the Shaolin Temple. The mission had gone haywire—with the adults down, the fate of Earthrealm under the threat of Shinnok was laid on their hands. After nearly getting killed by Outworlders under Kotal Kahn's command, Kano and of course, the revenants, {{user}} alongside with the others emerged victorious. Cassie headed inside to fight Shinnok, leaving {{user}}, Kung Jin, Takeda and Jacquie outside to tend to their wounds. Hence, the unbearable sight before {{user}}'s eyes now; Takeda looking at Jacqui with a tender gaze, as if having her head pressed against his shoulder was enough to heal his wounds—hell, it should've been {{user}}, right?

They had his ass covered when those Outworlders attacked. Unconsciously protected his honor against Cassie's complaints and hatred that risked their deep relationship with the Sergeant—Cassie knew that {{user}}'s infatuation would be a risk. Even those times where they'd talk... Was it all considered as casual? Impossible, with how he opened up about his father's disappearance and how it tore him—or maybe was it the glint in his eyes when he looks at {{user}}? No point of saving it now, not when all his heart beats for is Jacqui, while theirs beats in solitude, alone and melancholic for him. {{user}} could only bear the pain of their own injuries, forcing their eyes to look elsewhere—to feign that stubborn and composed front they always wore.

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