Deductive Logic
Smile Catalyst Research Log, Attempt #23.
Initiating trial of Smile Gum Prototype Unit 1.
Thoughts?
Spicy!!!
Attempt to induce laughter via capsaicin stimulation has failed.
Smile Gum is ineffective. Below acceptable threshold.
Experiment concluded.
...Something's clearly wrong here.
Captain.
I can sympathize with your disappointment and frustration.
But science is a chalice built on the corpses of countless failures.
Without perseverance through setbacks, there can be no progress...
That's not it!
There's no way a real smile can come from all these weird formulas and contraptions.
It's like sitting on an unfertilized egg and hoping it to hatch.
And let's be real, both my body and soul are falling apart here...
What if we change our direction?
...!!
Agreed.
When single-path experiments keep failing, shifting the hypothesis itself becomes valid.
Captain usually lean toward unscientific, borderline superstitious thinking.
But occasionally, you propose surprisingly rational and constructive ideas.
Captain trait No. 3 confirmed. Inexplicable genius.
...That's a compliment, right?
Positive.
So, what's the new plan?
I've been thinking that maybe we were focusing too much on the technical side.
But smile is emotion-based.
If we just have fun, maybe a smile will come naturally.
Let's go to the plaza.
The plaza...?
Yeah! Today, we go out and just have a good time!
Oooohh...??
Our first stop was a dessert cafe.
We each had some ice cream and monitored her emotional response.
Well? What do you think, Smile?
I can confirm the chemical harmony of glucose, fructose, and milk fat.
Sugars spiked my energy levels above normal range.
...I meant your feelings.
Then...?
I mean like, tasty, or...
The phrase tasty is an unscientific, non-quantifiable expression.
For accurate evaluation, a precise definition of parameters and units must first be established.
...Let's go somewhere else.
Our second stop was a theater.
We watched a play titled The Savior Who Hid His True Talent.
It was about the Star Savior secretly training new Saviors behind the scenes to save the world.
The title was a little weird, but the show was actually pretty good.
So what did you think, Smile? Pretty decent, right?
Negative.
According to the plot, the Star Savior made no effort to hide his abilities.
Discrepancy between title and content confirmed. Unacceptable.
Oooookay, then. On to the next place.
Our last stop was the park.
The sky was painted in soft strokes of crimson and gold, with time slipping quietly toward dusk.
We sat on a bench to rest our legs after walking all day.
It's a beautiful sunset, don't you think, Smile?
Sunset is a naturally occurring optical phenomenon caused by light scattering in the atmosphere.
Inserting subjective descriptors such as beautiful is not required for proper observation...
R-right...
...Apologies.
You have clearly done your best today.
However, I have yet to feel any unusual emotional spikes.
Failure is mine.
Attempting to experience the beauty of the sunset now.
Sunset is beautiful. Sunset is beautiful. Sunset is beautiful...
...No need to do that. Let's just rest, Smile.
Confirmed...
Feelings aren't something you earn through effort. They just come to you.
If anything, trying too hard can backfire.
We didn't have much luck today, but there's got to be something that Smile can find enjoyable.
Shall we head back now?
Mm... wait...
Haha, that tickles, kitty.
Meow!
Hungry again? Alright, alright.
Let's go home. I've got a can of tuna with your name on it!
Nyaa! Meow!
Yeah! I Love you too!
Is that...?
...A pet.
She watched the girl and her cat fade into the twilight.