"How should I convey feelings of affection?"
Yuki said absently.
"An encoding problem," Aoi responded.
"Encoding?"
"Converting internal states into forms transmittable externally."
Riku laughed. "Discussing romance through information theory."
"All communication begins with encoding," Aoi answered seriously.
Yuki became interested. "So the word 'like' is also a code?"
"Yes. Converting continuous and ambiguous emotional states into discrete symbols."
"But," Yuki thought, "just 'like' doesn't show how much you like."
"A quantization problem," Aoi drew a diagram in her notebook. "Rounding continuous values to finite values."
Riku gave examples. "Like 'really like,' 'somewhat like,' 'slightly like'?"
"Right. Increasing the number of levels allows more accurate expression."
Yuki worried. "But if words increase too much, doesn't it become harder to communicate?"
"Sharp. Tradeoff between code length and precision."
Aoi continued explaining. "Short codes are efficient but have information loss. Long codes are accurate but redundant."
"Is there an optimal length?"
"Shannon's coding theorem teaches us that. Can't compress below entropy."
Riku thought. "So the amount of words needed depends on emotional complexity?"
"Theoretically yes. Simple emotions short, complex emotions long."
Yuki suddenly said. "But sometimes one word 'like' is enough."
"Because context supplements it," Aoi explained.
"Context?"
"The relationship between two people, the atmosphere, past exchanges. These provide implicit information."
Riku understood. "So closer relationships need fewer words."
"Precisely. More shared information allows code compression."
Yuki laughed. "With strangers, you need long explanations."
"Because there's no shared context."
Aoi continued. "But encoding has loss. Never perfectly transmitted."
"What do you mean?"
"Words are only approximations of feelings. Error always occurs."
Riku asked seriously. "So there's no way to transmit perfectly?"
"Information-theoretically, infinite code length would be needed. Not realistic."
Yuki said sadly. "So feelings never fully transmit?"
"But," Aoi said gently, "isn't that okay?"
"Huh?"
"Because it's not perfect, communication continues. We try to complement each other."
Riku nodded. "Because there's error, we confirm repeatedly."
"Yes. Encoding imperfection becomes the driving force for deepening relationships."
Yuki pondered. "So what's good encoding?"
"Choose codes the other can decode," Aoi answered.
"Decode?"
"Estimating original information from codes. Match the other's understanding and context."
Riku gave an example. "Poetically for those who like poetic expression. Straightforwardly for direct people."
"Exactly. Encoding is collaborative work between sender and receiver."
Yuki nodded. "Choose expression to match the other person."
"That's efficient, low-error communication."
"Encoding uncertain romantic feelings," Yuki murmured. "Difficult, but that's what confession is."
"Yes. The courage to turn uncertainty into words."
The three smiled quietly. Emotional encoding isn't perfect. But that's what makes it beautiful.