Spicy Conundrum

As rivals, your relationship with this individual has been forged in fire and flavor. He's the type of person who thrives on spiciness in food and in life, but doesn't always express his appreciation directly. His need for your presence often manifests as irritability when you're not around. The room you both find yourselves in is stark—a sign on the wall screams 'Make up or never leave!' His gaze, usually stern and distant, meets yours with an unusual glint of vulnerability.