Talk of temples, historic battles, and collected relics shortens the time spent with Mr. Tagawa significantly, as Y/N's hotel is within most unwelcome sight in, seemingly, the blink of an eye. The remainder of your walk had been incredibly pleasant, as the rain seemed to retreat apologetically following your near miss with the earlier bolt of lightning. While you had said as much in jest, there was something knowing in Mr. Tagawa's smile that couldn't begin to be guessed at.
"I'll see you tomorrow then? In front of the Kasuga Taisha Museum?" Y/N repeated, her excitement palpable. As Mr. Tagawa bowed a confirmation, Y/N did her best to maintain composure and return the subdued response in kind, until her newfound companion's eyes locked in that inexplicably intimidating manner which he wielded so skillfully. It was disarming, chilling, and set her off-balance in the best way.
Y/N had difficulty wrenching her eyes from his piercing stare and deadly smile, and she was becoming more and more certain that he enjoyed the way her cheeks flushed as she gulped reflexively. Eventually, with a final bow, she retreated behind the automatic doors of her hotel entryway, and breathed deep the relief of a successful contact made, familiarity established, and incredibly, a date settled upon. "Keep it together, ol' girl…" Y/N snorted, finally unable to suppress a hearty, disbelieving laugh as she made her way to the elevators walking on air.
Exterior, Mr. Tagawa had not moved from where he had bid Y/N farewell. Though his expression never revealed this, Shang Tsung was perfectly aware of his repeated victorious marks against the girl's heart, having sneered in victorious triumph the moment she was out of sight. With a flourish, he produced the facsimile of a digital communication device, only for show to any that might be observing him.
"Reptile," he muttered low enough to ensure confidentiality. An entity made its presence known nearby, it's cloaked nature only revealed by the gentle ripples that appeared around an additional pair of outlined footwear in the puddles next to the enigmatic "Mr. Tagawa."
"Observe her, she is not to leave this facility without my knowledge. I must play this limited role a little longer for our jealous onlooker. Do not fail me…" The sorcerer made motions befitting of his acting role as he spoke, allowing various electronic messages of import to come and go on the screen as his unseen slave slipped stealthily back into obscurity. As Shang Tsung stood in the dimming evening light, he felt the intense scrutiny of attention on him finally dissipate, and allowed himself the barest of chuckles.
Indeed their dance had just begun, and if Raiden's ire was this great concerning the affections of an amiable, anonymous, mortal suitor towards his precious little diversion, Shang Tsung could only imagine the destruction to be wrought as he consumed Y/N's soul before the thunder god's very eyes.
Shang Tsung's expression twisted with glee, his eyes gleaming with anticipation. The game was on, and he knew that Y/N would be his key to victory over Raiden, a victory he could almost taste, one of clove, lavender, and frankincense…
High in the heavens, Raiden's eyes burned with a fiery intensity with every renewed meeting between the object of his affection and this sudden interloper. He'd never experienced such vexations, and often found himself so thoroughly distracted that his own affairs, being responsible for the realm at large, would go without addressal for an unacceptable and shameful span of time. Once again he had let slip too long his concept of time to the affairs of mere mortals, and it was this realization that would always bring him back to frustrating preoccupation with the one who had appeared from nowhere to brazenly shower Y/N with affections.
Over the following weeks, watching the scenes unfold below, Raiden's heart clenched with a mix of frustration and anger as he witnessed Y/N smiling, laughing, and eventually allowing the supple skin of her wrist to be graced with the kiss of another.
Was this what mortals inflicted upon themselves in their courting rituals? Endless bouts of worry and jealousy? Surely this couldn't be considered customary! Though he had little reference with which to gauge…
For eons Raiden had admonished his brother Fujin for spending so much time with the short-lived creatures. "Nothing good can come of familiarity, brother," Raiden would assert with all the misplaced confidence of a drunken braggart. Now as he found himself obsessing over a mortal, even more embarrassing, experiencing what could only be described as jealousy, desire, and for all intents and purposes, LOVE for her, he felt the true shortcomings of his otherwise omnipotent abilities.
The thought of summoning Fujin for a pointed inquiry passed his mind more than once, until his own thoughts began to propose a truly daft hypothesis: How could it be that at his moment of blossoming desire and development of the most unlikely of emotions... How was it possible that this very same event would be conjoined with the appearance of a hitherto unseen, unknown, and unexpected suitor? And one who seemed perfectly tailored towards Y/N's own interests and desires at that?
Raiden had maintained a modicum of decor during his unseemly and unprofessional bouts of emotion; he had not pried headlong into the private thoughts of Y/N, nor those of the mortal that now courted her affections so effectively. But now, with a brash crack of electricity, the thunder god wielded his elevated senses and mastery over the mortal realm in shameful selfishness, only to reel at the discovery that befell him.
"By the Elder Gods…!"
It had indeed been too coincidental, lamented Raiden. For as he allowed himself to peer into the heart of Mr. Tagawa, the sneering, belittling, and demeaning face of his greatest irritation came into focus. The skies were set aflame with wreaths of white, arcing light. Great red and orange nets of heat lightning soon followed, and it was all Raiden could do to calm himself before he accidentally opened the skies with the full tempest of his rage.
"Curse you, Shang Tsung…!" Raiden hissed to himself in carefully measured temperance, for it was clear that the deceit the sorcerer had weaved had been completely effective in ensnaring Y/N's affections. This wouldn't stand, but how to navigate such unfamiliar territory… As Lord Raiden agonized over how to retaliate, the sorcerer prepared his own devastating volley.
Y/N answered her phone with thinly veiled joy as Mr. Tagawa's number flashed upon the screen. Her eyes widened slightly along with the slight parting of her lips. Brows raising in genuine surprise, she found herself curling in at every limb as her admirer seemed to propose something truly unexpected.
"Yes… of course, I'd… I'd be delighted. 1900 at Nigatsu-do? …"
She smiled. She blushed. She nodded in the charged silence of one-half of a conversation.
"…I'll see you tonight…"