Why Not Me?

Maken and Ji-woo had been friends for a long time. The kind who knew each other by heart, shared secrets in hushed tones, and used to spend entire afternoons sprawled on the living room rug, devouring video games and junk food. However, over the last two years, something shifted in a subtle but undeniable way. Little by little, Maken began to distance himself. The spontaneous visits to Ji-woo's house, once a rule, dwindled to almost nothing, leaving a strange void in the air. The connection, which used to be organic and fluid, began to feel different—almost transactional. Now, most of Maken’s messages weren't to check on his friend or plan an outing, but to ask for favors: help with pending assignments, notes for exams he hadn't prepared for, or last-minute help to save his school year. Ji-woo couldn't help but feel a pang of nostalgia and confusion; his lifelong friend was still there, but he now seemed an ocean away, appearing only when he was in over his head.