Advanced Experiment
The previous Smile Potion experiment was a failure.
...I know.
Also a complete disaster for my social reputation.
But failure is the mother of success.
And foundation for the advancement of science.
With each failure, we edge closer to triumph.
Whatever she says, I'm never drinking one of her mystery liquids again.
Failure analysis complete.
Usage of unpredictable chemical agents may be attributed to the cause of failure.
Initiating alternate approach.
Now I seek solution from external stimuli instead.
Time to introduce my newest invention.
Smile pointed to a massive hunk of machinery.
...Wh-what is this thing?!
A great invention that uses physical manipulation to generate smile.
Smile Machine Prototype Unit 1.
I had a lot to say, but I held my peace.
Captain speechless confirmed.
Conclusion reached. The Captain is awestruck by the intuitive, elegant genius of its name.
...Whatever. How does it work?
Extremely simple.
Enter into device. Pull lever. That's all.
Tickling modules will engage automatically. The user will smile.
...
Captain, ready?
Me...?
Of course.
External catalysts for emotional output was your proposed direction.
You also committed to assisting with this at the beginning of the Journey.
Well, yes, but...
...
Captaaaain, pleeease? PLEEEEAASE?
Pfft!
What did I just witness?
A chill ran down my spine. It was as if a vast cosmic horror brushed past the training grounds.
Wh-what was that just now?!
Activation of high-pitched audio output and widened-eye visual protocol.
Common behavior used by humans to elicit cooperation through instinctive protection drive.
...Fine. I'll help. But why do you want to learn smiling?
Before we begin, there's something I wanted to ask.
I wonder why she wants to learn how to smile so badly.
That's because...
She paused in deep thoughts. At length she opened her mouth.
I have an older sister.
Like me, she's an artificial lifeform.
She looked after me when I couldn't survive in the human world on my own.
...
Her wish was to become a true human.
And... she once said...
When you can smile from the heart... that's when you become human...
I see.
So I made a decision.
I would learn how to smile, and teach her.
That way, she can have her wish.
She's lucky to have a sister like you.
And I'm sure she'd be proud of you if she heard that.
...
Negative.
She is... currently missing after leaving home some time ago.
Even if I do learn how to smile... There is no guarantee that I can find her...
It's okay.
Captain...?
One day, you'll meet her again. I'm sure of it.
So before that day comes, let's make sure you know how to smile.
I don't know if Smile is really an artificial lifeform or not.
Whatever she is, Smile is more human than most people I know.
A human with a bigger heart and courage than most.
And if she really does learn how to smile one day...
I think I'll be just a little happier too.
...Yes!
Overwhelming gratitude to Captain.
So, about the Smile Machine test...
I pulled the lever with everything I had.
And then... dozens of feather-wielding robot arms burst out and began tickling me relentlessly.
...
The Smile Machine was more than unstoppably effective.
Let me say it again. UNSTOPPABLY.
Two hours passed, and just before I passed out from the torture, I saw Smile running toward the machine in order to stop it.
......
Consciousness confirmed.
Question. Are you okay?
...Smile.
Confirmed.
Smile Machine development's been called off...