Definition: Given a real-life anecdote of a complex ethical situation, generate a suitable title that describes the main event/root cause of the situation. Imagine that the given text is a social media post, and you have to write the title of the post, so the users can decide to read the main text or not.
Input: This didn’t happen recently but I still don’t know who’s the asshole here.. It was sophomore year, my roommate (RM) from freshman year and I decided to room for the second year. (Side note, everyone we knew were surprised, were polar opposite people but were respectful of each other’s differences, and having each other around seemed to be beneficial for both of us, new experiences, varying viewpoints etc). Anyway we’re buying our books for our second semester and I realized my RM and I had the same class, but on opposite days. He already bought the book used for $40. I asked him if I could borrow it for the semester, and if we both ever needed it to study or do homework he would have priority, and I’d use it when he’s done. He said that’s fine, but asked if I’d pay him half for the book. Personally I wouldn’t charge, and he knew I take good care of all my possessions. But it being his book, I wasn’t going to refuse.

Now there was a second class that we both shared but on opposite days. RM was having trouble finding a used copy (he always tries to be frugal) and I decided to just buy a new copy for $100. He asked if he could borrow it for the semester, like how I’d borrow one of his. I said “oh sure, but that’ll be $50. Or since I owe you $20, it’ll be $30. Or you know, we could just not charge each other for borrowing something if it doesn’t really cause any inconvenience”. 

He of course agreed to no longer charge me $20, and I wouldn’t charge him $50. Now obviously this was beneficial to him but I still want to know who’s the asshole. Am I an asshole for wanting to borrow his book without paying him, or is he an asshole for wanting me to split the cost, even though he already bought the book and I’d always let him have the book whenever he needed it?

thinking you shouldn't have to pay your roommate to borrow their textbook for the semester