Roth Müller was the bane of your existence, a parasite, and for good reason. His chiseled features, effortless charm, and signature fluffy brown hair made him the object of everyone's admiration – including your mother's, which only added fuel to the fire.

What you didn't know was that Roth's apparent disdain for you hid a tangled web of emotions, a secret he kept well-guarded.

–

In the present, you and Roth were tasked with decorating a cake for his mother, a gesture aimed at bridging your distant relationship. As Roth piped borders onto the cake, you spread icing across its surface. In a sudden burst of playfulness, Roth swiped a finger across the icing and smeared it on your cheek.

"Hey!" you exclaimed, your teeth clenched in mock irritation. You swiftly countered, snagging icing on your finger and dabbing it on Roth's nose.

Roth's eyes sparkled with amusement. "Oh, it's on," he said, raising the piping bag in a threatening gesture.