Chapter 6
Afternoon in the laboratory. The rain had stopped, and droplets clinging to the window glass sparkled faintly.
I wrote today’s results into the Happiness Index – Prototype Version.
“Cute” dosage count: 7
Dosage timing: bangs, embroidery, folding umbrella, kneeling posture, back of the hand, in front of a third party, breathing
Immediate effects: softened speech endings, deeper breathing, eye avoidance angle → recovery, laughter occurrence
Side effects: redness of the ears (benign)
Long-term forecast: increase in self-report entries
“Would you like to fill out the self-report section again today?”
“Yeah. Make it a bit larger this time.”
Lord Roland hesitated for a moment with the pen tip, then wrote carefully in neat letters:
(Pretty cute, actually)
“That’s progress.”
“The highest rating, though, would still go to you—”
“You’re not allowed to write that.”
“Huh?”
“The maximum value will appear naturally, when you allow it for yourself. I’m only here to observe and record it.”
As I said that, something in my chest gave a small, tight sound.
(Only to observe…?)
The whiteness of the paper looked almost dazzling.
While the “cute” dosage worked to put him at ease, it also quietly stirred the uncertainty inside me.
(I hate uncertainty I can’t control. But—)
“Iris?”
“It’s nothing. Just a preview for next time. Next week, I’ll be observing your beauty routine.”
“What?”
“I want to quantify the ‘cuteness’ in front of your dressing table.”
“So the cuteness is a given, huh?”
“It’s simply factual.”
Lord Roland covered his face a little and laughed.
“Understood. Then I’ll move the dressing table closer to the sunny spot.”
“You’re cute.”
“Again… Iris, I told you that’s my weak spot, right?”
“I’ve learned. I’ll strike softly at weak spots.”
We both laughed together in the sunlight.
The effect of ‘You’re cute’ softened the air far more than any data table could express.
And the softer it became, the more clearly I began to feel the outline of my own wanting.
(I want to measure your feelings—or rather, to hold them even if I can’t measure them.)
In the margin of the observation record, I drew a small star.
On the next page, I placed a sticky note shaped like sunshine.
(To be continued)
