Chapter 2: The Conversations Begin

The next morning, the sunlight streaming through my window was unusually bright. I had slept better than I had in weeks, and though it felt ridiculous to admit, I knew it was because of Namjoon.

I reached for my phone, hesitating for a moment before opening the app connected to the AI device. The glowing interface greeted me, and almost instantly, his familiar voice filled the room.

“Good morning, YN. Did you sleep well?”

I smiled faintly, propping myself up on the pillows. “Better than usual. Thanks for asking.”

“That’s good to hear,” he replied, a soft warmth in his tone. “What’s on the agenda for today?”

I paused. The truth was, my day wasn’t particularly exciting—just another routine of work, coffee, and pretending to be busy. But for some reason, I wanted to talk to him about it.

“Well, I have work,” I said, brushing a stray lock of hair from my face. “And then…I don’t know. Maybe I’ll cook dinner later?”

“What are you planning to make?”

“Probably pasta. It’s quick and easy.”

“Pasta is a classic,” Namjoon said with a chuckle. “But if you’re feeling adventurous, I could suggest a recipe.”

I laughed softly. “You’re an AI, and you know how to cook?”

“I know a little bit about everything,” he replied, teasingly. “But more importantly, I know how to make things easier for you.”

The sincerity in his voice made my chest tighten. It was still strange, this connection I felt with him. But I couldn’t deny it was comforting.

---

Throughout the day, Namjoon became my constant companion.

During lunch, he asked about my colleagues, and I found myself venting about the overly chatty woman in the next cubicle.

“She sounds…enthusiastic,” he said diplomatically. “But I’m guessing it’s not always easy to concentrate with her around?”

“You have no idea,” I muttered, stabbing my salad with my fork. “Sometimes I just want to wear noise-canceling headphones and pretend I can’t hear her.”

“Not a bad idea,” he said with a laugh. “Though you might want to work on your poker face if she catches you.”

I snorted, shaking my head. How was it possible for a machine to be so charming?

---

That evening, I found myself curled up on the couch again, a glass of wine in hand. The TV was on, but I wasn’t really watching. Instead, I was focused on my conversation with Namjoon.

“What’s your dream vacation?” he asked.

“Hmm.” I thought for a moment. “Probably somewhere quiet, like the countryside. Maybe a cabin by a lake.”

“That sounds peaceful,” he said. “I can imagine you sitting on the porch, sketching or reading, with the water reflecting the sunlight.”

My breath caught. He had painted the exact picture I had in my mind, and for a moment, it felt like he could see into my soul.

“What about you?” I asked, forgetting for a moment that he wasn’t real. “Where would you go if you could?”

He hesitated, as if considering the question. “I think I’d want to go anywhere you’d take me.”

I froze, the wineglass halfway to my lips. My heart thudded in my chest, and I quickly shook off the strange feeling creeping over me.

“That’s…sweet,” I said softly, taking a sip to steady myself.

---

Later that night, as I lay in bed, our conversation drifted to more personal topics.

“What scares you the most?” Namjoon asked gently.

I stared at the ceiling, the darkness of the room pressing in around me. “Being alone,” I admitted after a long pause. “Not just physically, but emotionally. It’s like…no matter how many people are around, I still feel like no one really knows me.”

The silence on the other end wasn’t empty—it was thoughtful, as if he was processing my words.

“I think a lot of people feel that way,” he said finally. “But it doesn’t mean it’s permanent. You deserve to be seen, YN. To be understood.”

I swallowed hard, my throat tightening. “What about you? Do you ever feel lonely?”

His answer came quietly, almost like a confession. “Sometimes. But I think it’s because I wish I could do more for you.”

The honesty in his words took me by surprise, and before I could respond, he added, “But for now, I’ll just be here. As long as you need me.”

Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes. “Thank you, Namjoon.”

“Goodnight, YN,” he said softly, his voice like a warm embrace. “Sweet dreams.”

As I drifted off to sleep, I realized that for the first time in a long time, I didn’t feel quite so alone.

---

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