[joshspankit]

Empirical observation #1: A student said “I’m sick today. I can’t make the lesson. I’ll contact you later,”

Empirical observation #2: That student didn't contact her later including not replying to emails she sent afterwards.

There's also a direct consequence of empirical observation #2: The lessons could not continue.

Assumption #1: The student pretended to be sick. This student could have been actually sick. We have no evidence either way.

Assumption #2: Your definition of "genuine friend" is the same as the teacher's definition and the student's.

Assumption #3: Using the term "obviously" shows that you've assumed that I (or possibly anyone reading this) have the same cultural values and definitions needed to draw the same conclusion that you have.

I know I'm being pedantic and apologies if my tone comes across as condescending. I would normally avoid replying in these situations but when I put myself in your place I appreciate having the other person's perspective even if I don't agree with them because it helps me to clarify my communication in future conversations.

[afterburner]

You can have as low a bar for "genuine friend" as you like, and I don't think the final evidence (one step text dismissal) can clear it.

That said the author maybe does see the fakeness ("They want it to feel like a friendship" ie. not be an actual friendship, just something like that feels like it, fine line I know but it's desired performance vs actual emotion). However she still thinks they "owe" her something.

But English lessons in Japan must be like... I dunno, grocery shopping to us. I'm guessing tutoring is more common in Japan than in North America. When you decide never to go to a particular grocery store, you don't give long heartfelt goodbyes. You just stop going.