I stared at my computer screen.

Then at the clock.

Then at Junseo.

Then immediately back at my computer.

Okay.

It's just a conversation.

I could do that.

I talked to people all the time.

I wasn't shy around everyone.

I could make friends.

I could joke with coworkers.

I had survived university presentations without fainting.

I had even talked to strangers when I needed directions.

So why did talking to one particular person suddenly feel like I was preparing for a national examination?

I glanced at the notification again.

DAILY TASK

Have one genuine conversation.

Target: Lee Junseo

Reward: 1 Love Stamp

One conversation.

That's it.

I could do it.

Probably.

I looked toward Junseo.

He was standing near Manager Kim's desk, discussing the venue proposal.

He looked completely relaxed.

Of course he did.

He had no idea that I was currently fighting for my life because of a stupid phone application.

I took a deep breath.

Okay, Yumi.

Just walk over there.

I pushed my chair back.

Then stopped.

What am I going to say?

"Hi."

Too simple.

"How was the venue?"

Normal.

"What did you eat for lunch?"

Why would I ask that?

"Do you like me?"

I immediately slapped my forehead.

"No!"

A few people nearby looked at me.

I froze.

"...I mean..."

Nobody had asked me anything.

"I dropped my pen."

I pointed at the pen on my desk.

It was sitting perfectly still.

One employee gave me a strange look before returning to work.

I slowly sat down.

Great.

I'm already losing.

A few minutes later, Junseo returned to his desk.

He placed the venue documents beside his computer and sat down.

I watched him from the corner of my eye.

He opened his laptop.

Checked his email.

Typed something.

Drank water.

That was it.

He wasn't doing anything remotely interesting.

So why was I staring?

I immediately looked away.

Stop.

Just talk to him.

My phone vibrated.

Buzz.

I looked down.

DAILY TASK REMINDER

Progress: 0%

You haven't started.

"...I know."

I whispered under my breath.

A second notification appeared.

TIME REMAINING: 6 HOURS 42 MINUTES

"Stop pressuring me."

The screen went dark.

I sighed.

Fine.

I'd do it.

Now.

I stood up.

Walked three steps.

Stopped.

Turned around.

Walked back to my desk.

Sat down.

"..."

I stared at my computer.

What am I doing?

I had just walked halfway across the office and retreated like a soldier abandoning a battlefield.

Seo-ah suddenly rolled her chair beside me.

"What are you doing?"

"Nothing."

"You just stood up."

"I wanted to stretch."

"You walked toward Junseo."

"I was stretching in his direction."

She stared at me.

I stared back.

"..."

She slowly smiled.

"Oh."

"No."

"I didn't say anything."

"But you're thinking something."

"I'm thinking you're acting suspicious."

"I'm not."

"Mhm."

She leaned closer.

"Do you want me to help?"

"No."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

"Because you're staring at Senior Lee like you're trying to communicate telepathically."

I immediately looked away.

"I'm not staring."

"Sure."

She laughed and rolled back toward her desk.

I waited until she was gone.

Then quietly muttered,

"I hate this office."

Around thirty minutes later, I finally gathered enough courage.

I stood up again.

This time...

I wasn't going back.

I walked toward Junseo's desk.

He looked up when I stopped beside him.

"Miss Kang?"

My heart jumped.

"Hi."

Smooth.

Very smooth.

He smiled.

"Hi."

...

Now what?

My brain went completely blank.

Say something.

Anything.

I looked at the papers on his desk.

"How was the venue?"

There.

A normal question.

Junseo leaned back slightly.

"It was good."

Good.

Good.

We were having a conversation.

I smiled.

"That's great."

Silence.

...

...

This was not going well.

Junseo looked at me.

I looked at him.

Neither of us spoke.

My phone vibrated inside my pocket.

Buzz.

I ignored it.

Junseo glanced at my pocket.

"Your phone?"

"No."

He blinked.

"...No?"

"I mean—yes."

I wanted to disappear.

He smiled.

"You're funny, Miss Kang."

"I'm not trying to be."

"That's what makes it funny."

I laughed awkwardly.

"Anyway..."

I pointed toward the documents on his desk.

"Was the venue difficult to arrange?"

His expression changed slightly.

He seemed relieved to have an actual topic to talk about.

"Not really. The space is good. We just need to adjust the layout."

"Oh."

He showed me the floor plan.

"The entrance is here."

I leaned closer.

"And the main stage?"

"Here."

"And the influencer area?"

"Over there."

I nodded.

"That actually makes sense."

"We're still waiting for the final approval."

"From Manager Kim?"

"Manager Kim and the client."

I smiled.

"You've been working hard."

Junseo looked slightly surprised.

Then he smiled.

"Thank you."

For some reason...

That smile felt different.

Softer.

I smiled back.

"You're welcome."

A tiny vibration came from my pocket.

I resisted the urge to check.

I didn't want to ruin the conversation.

Junseo continued explaining the venue.

And surprisingly...

I actually enjoyed listening.

He knew a lot about the project.

And unlike the confident version of him I'd imagined in my head...

He wasn't trying to show off.

He just genuinely cared about doing his job well.

After a few minutes, he looked at me.

"You've been working on influencer research, right?"

"Yes."

"How's it going?"

I brightened.

"Actually, pretty well."

"I heard you found several creators with strong engagement."

I blinked.

"You heard?"

"Seo-ah mentioned it."

"Oh."

I smiled.

"Maybe I'm not completely useless."

He laughed.

"I never thought you were."

My heart skipped.

Oh.

That sounded...

Nice.

Really nice.

Before I could respond—

Buzz.

This time, I couldn't resist.

I secretly checked my phone.

LOVE RECEIPT

Daily Task Completed.

Genuine Conversation Detected.

Reward: +1 Love Stamp

Love Stamps: 1 / 5

I smiled.

I did it.

One tiny conversation.

One tiny stamp.

I slipped my phone away.

Junseo looked at me curiously.

"Something funny?"

I shook my head.

"No."

Then I smiled.

"Just..."

"I think my day is going pretty well."

He smiled back.

"Good."

And for some reason...

That one word made my heart beat a little faster.

I returned to my desk.

Maybe the Love Receipt wasn't completely terrible.

Maybe I could work with this.

Then my phone vibrated again.

I frowned.

Already?

I checked the screen.

NEXT DAILY TASK WILL BE AVAILABLE TOMORROW.

Good luck, Kang Yumi.

I smiled.

Then another line appeared.

P.S.

Try not to panic next time.

My smile disappeared.

"..."

"This app is getting too comfortable."