The Experiment Begins
Physical training protocol complete.
...That's a new record.
Agility training protocol complete.
...Another top score.
Magitech training complete.
All 36 sub-procedures verified.
Captain, your assessment?
...Perfect.
Getting it all perfectly isn't the problem.
Smile gets the top score every time, always with exactly the same numbers.
How is that even possible? At this point, she's basically...
...A machine.
Your vocal output was too low. Couldn't hear.
Please repeat.
N-nope! Nothing! I said nothing!
I was an inch away from making a horrible disaster.
Smile is human. A perfect and adorable human.
Just a little robotic in tone and bad at showing feelings. But that's all. Yep. Totally.
This concludes standard training protocols for the Journey.
Physical capacity increase confirmed. Statistically impressive.
Curious how basic training causes such efficient results in the Journey member.
Adding to research queue.
Honestly, I wonder the same.
Requesting next training.
Next training...?
...
In exchange for joining the Journey, you promised to train me in how to smile.
Captain, have you forgotten our agreement?
O-of course not!! Ahahah!
I forgot.
But seriously... how do you teach someone to smile?
I don't think smiling is something you can train like this.
...That hypothesis is plausible.
Please suggest alternate solution.
Maybe we just need to... find something that could help you?
...!!
Fascinating!
How did I not arrive at that conclusion sooner?
Captain, genius.
Hahaha... I mean, I'm not that amazing...
Sudden burst of inspiration.
Initiating development of a smile catalyst.
Smile... catalyst?
Without hesitation, Smile pulled out a bunch of unknown chemical vials and began mixing them right there on the spot.
...Complete!
Based on molecular biology and neurotransmitter mapping. Introducing experimental smile catalyst No. 1—
Smile Potion.
I was thinking of comic books or a fun ride.
Not this frankenstein science experiment.
...And what happens if you drink that?
Various chain reactions and neurological triggers will activate facial muscle contractions.
A smile, technically known as muscular distortion, is recreated with 80% accuracy.
Interesting... but do you think that counts as smiling?
Excellent question.
As always, science advances through trial and error.
To solve your question, requesting your cooperation for field testing.
Commencing experiment.
Captain, loosen your mandible.
Strange smoke curled from the flask in an ominous neon hue.
...This thing is safe, right?
...
Commencing experiment.
Hey, what was that pause?!
Aaah—
Mmmph! Hrrkkhh..
Commencing observation of subject's physiological response.
How do you feel, Captain?
Am I a guinea pig to her?!
The Smile Potion tasted like death itself, but nothing happened.
Actually seems... huh?
...
Hehe... hahahaha... HAHAHA!!
...Deviating from allowed range of output due to overstimulation.
The control group's expression no longer qualifies as a smile.
Suggested terminology is...
Mania.
HAHA! HAHAHA!!
Closing the Smile Potion experiment.
The experiment... unfortunately, a failure.
Thank you for your assistance, Captain.
H-Hahahaha?! Smile! When does this... stop?!
Easy question. The effect's duration equals potion's active window.
A-And how long is—hahahaha—that?
...
......
...Smile?!
After the test, I was stuck laughing for seven straight days.
"Since then, I think Lisa’s been avoiding me. And maybe the others, too.
Yeah... this is a problem.