A Change in Approach
A technical approach had failed.
An emotional one, too.
Teaching Smile how to smile isn't going to be easy.
But that didn't mean I was giving up.
Somewhere out there, there had to be something that would spark joy in her.
With that in mind, we headed to the training ground...
...Is that a net?
That primitive term fails to capture the complexity of this invention.
Then?
Biological smile catalyst capture unit. Smile Catcher Prototype Unit 1.
Yes.
Statistical analysis confirms that pets increase emotional activity in humans.
Among them, cats shows a significant level of preference among many humans.
Of course, joy isn't a scientific term.
But, I understand what you are saying. If you want to smile, you have to feel joy first.
So interaction with a pet is the next logical step.
All right. I'll help you catch one!
Smile showing motivation is a good sign.
So I headed out to the streets with Smile and her net to catch...
No, with her Smile Catcher Unit 1.
And we failed.
We missed again and again!
Cat agility exceeds initial projections by 250%.
Smile Catcher Unit 1 is too slow to make a successful capture.
...
We spent the whole day chasing cats, but it was hopeless. The net was too small and the cats were too fast.
And Smile, clearly disappointed, stared silently at her invention.
After a moment of thinking, I had an idea.
Smile, let's try something different.
Captain...?
We went around the local stores, picking up what we needed.
Fabric, stuffing, buttons, thread, and a needle.
It was my first time, so I wasn’t sure... but I thought it was worth a shot.
With Smile watching curiously from beside me, I got to work.
And I finally made it.
Done! Behold! The pseudo-biological joy catalyst Stuffed Kitty Unit 1!
Th-this is...!!
It's not a real cat, but... would you take it anyway?
Smile gently took the stuffed cat doll I'd made.
Bits of stuffing poked out from the seams, and the stitching was uneven at best.
The eyes were just mismatched buttons, and the shape was a bit lumpy where the cotton had clumped.
It was only an amateur's work. Hardly a masterpiece...
But it did kind of look like a cat.
I hope this stuffed cat helps Smile. Even if only a little.
Okay...
Thanks, Captain.
Smile held the stuffed cat in her hands, quietly looking at it for a long time.