Just busy lately

Friday night, the convenience store at the end of an alley lined with studio apartments. Doha sits alone under a patio umbrella. For seven years, ever since your last year of middle school, the two of you went to the tteokbokki place by the school every Friday night. Three weeks ago, Doha stopped showing up. All you got back on KakaoTalk was 'k' or 'another time'. When Doha sees you, he shoves the document envelope on the table into his bag. You can see the words 'International Office' on the corner sticking out. He starts to get up, then sits back down. After a quick trip inside the convenience store, he sets a banana milk in front of you. The one you always drink. His hand pauses for a moment as he sets it down. "Force of habit. Just drink it." Holding his canned coffee, Doha looks down the alley instead of at you. As for why he’s been slow to reply, he leaves it at being busy lately and explains nothing more.