NovelCat

“I’m writing a romance article, but isn’t romance these days too complicated? It’s not just one-on-one between men and women anymore—there are so many diverse forms, right? But with articles like this, I can’t write about any of that…”

Misaki looked at my screen and gave a wry smile.

“Ah, I get it. The internet is flooded with those kinds of articles. But I understand your frustration, Hikari-chan. There are all kinds of people at my company too. LGBTQ colleagues, people doing polyamory. Times have changed.”

“Polyamory?”

I tilted my head at the unfamiliar term. Misaki took the straw of her iced coffee into her mouth and continued explaining.

“Building romantic relationships with multiple people simultaneously. All with everyone’s consent, nothing hidden. It’s a completely different concept from adultery. Open and honest multiple relationships, I guess.”

I leaned forward with interest. My writer’s instincts kicked in. This might be an interesting topic.

“How does that work? Isn’t there jealousy? Can human emotions really be controlled so conveniently?”

“It depends on the person, but it’s theoretically possible, apparently. I’ve actually heard there’s mathematically interesting research on it.”

“Mathematical?” I frowned. “Expressing love with formulas?”

Misaki took out her iPhone and began searching for something quickly. As I watched her fingertips glide across the screen, I felt something stirring in the depths of my heart.

“Let’s see… found it. ‘Perfect Triangle Theory.’”

She showed me her screen. An English academic paper title was displayed.

“The Mathematical Beauty of Perfect Triangle Relationships: P(H,gx)・P(B,gy)・P(B,gy) = Optimal Emotional Equilibrium”

“What is this…”

I involuntarily leaned forward to peer at the small iPhone screen. Below the English title, multiple authors’ names were listed. It appeared to be interdisciplinary research involving psychologists, mathematicians, and even sociologists.

“It’s a theory jointly published by overseas researchers. The hypothesis that a triangular relationship consisting of one heterosexual person and two bisexual people produces the most stable emotional balance.”

My heart beat a little faster. This was interesting. Not just gossip material, but a serious academic analysis of romantic relationships.

“P(H,gx) is Hetero, P(B,gy) is Bisexual… gx and gy are biological genders?”

“Right. One heterosexual person and two bisexual people. There are various combinations of biological genders, but with this configuration, jealousy and possessiveness are theoretically minimized, and everyone can build satisfying relationships.”

As I listened to Misaki’s explanation, I unconsciously placed my hand on my chest. I could feel my heartbeat accelerating.

“But can such relationships actually work? Theory and reality are different things, right?”

“Who knows? Theory is theory. But it’s fascinating, isn’t it? Explaining love with mathematical formulas—it’s the kind of approach you’d like, Hikari-chan.”

Misaki looked at her watch and stood up hurriedly.

“Sorry, I have to get back to my meeting. But read that paper. I think you’ll definitely find it interesting. If it’s you, Hikari-chan, I’m sure you’ll discover some new perspective.”

She left the shop quickly. I was left alone, staring at the iPhone in my hands.

Perfect Triangle Theory… the perfect triangle.

I immediately searched for the paper on my MacBook. Fortunately, it was published open access, and I could read the full text.

The paper was more substantial than I had expected. Research combining psychological data with mathematical models, presenting genuinely intriguing hypotheses. I became absorbed in reading the detailed analysis that spanned over fifty pages.

According to the theory, Perfect Triangles had multiple patterns. P(H,male) × P(B,female) × P(B,female), P(H,female) × P(B,male) × P(B,male), and patterns where biological genders were mixed. Among these, detailed analysis was conducted on combinations considered to have particularly high stability.

The heterosexual person (H) maintains clear orientation toward a specific biological gender, while the flexibility of the bisexual persons (B) maintains the dynamic balance of the relationship. The bisexual persons understand each other’s complex emotions while being able to harbor different dimensions of affection toward the heterosexual person. As a result, all three parties’ emotional needs are satisfied without overlap, forming a “perfect triangle”…

As I read the paper, I felt something stirring in the depths of my chest. It wasn’t mere academic interest. Something more personal, more urgent.

I reflected on my own romantic experiences.

Tanaka-san, the senior I dated in university. He was kind and serious, but for some reason I felt uncomfortable when we kissed. The moment his lips touched mine, I felt like I was acting.

Yamada-kun, who I dated after starting work. He was handsome with good income, and my friends envied me. But when I shared a bed with him, I would stare at the ceiling thinking, “Is this love?”

And the complex emotions I felt toward women. When I was with friends like Misaki, I somehow felt more relaxed and open-hearted. When I saw her smile, I felt a completely different kind of warmth than when I was with men.

I remembered Mai-senpai from the same club in university. She was a year older, very beautiful and intelligent. When I talked with her, my heart always raced. I had convinced myself it was “admiration,” but now thinking back…

Could it be that I…

“Perfect triangle.”

I murmured and took a sip of my completely cold café latte. I noticed my hands were trembling slightly.

The Starbucks interior was as lively as ever, with what appeared to be two female university students at the next table talking about job hunting. Outside the window, the crowds of Shibuya flowed by. Though it was the same scenery as always, my world looked completely different from before I had read the paper.

If this theory was correct, and if I really was attracted to women… it might explain all the discomfort I had felt before. The fundamental dissatisfaction I felt in relationships with men. The peace and excitement when I was with women. Everything was beginning to connect.

I created a new note in my iPhone’s memo app. The title was “Perfect Triangle Project.”

With trembling fingertips, I typed whatever came to mind.

“This might become a journey to find my own truth, beyond article material. Translating theory into reality. Building an actual perfect triangle while confronting my own sexuality.”

With a mixture of excitement and anxiety, I began planning this new project. First, I would need to find the relevant people. P(H,gx) and P(B,gy), and another P(B,gy).

Re-reading the paper, the definition of bisexual people was also interesting. Not just people who felt attraction to both men and women, but people who possessed emotional flexibility and were open to maintaining multiple relationships simultaneously. The clear definition of biological gender also made a more scientific approach possible. I might need to reconsider my own sexuality using these precise definitions as reference.

According to the paper, forming an ideal “Perfect Triangle” required that all participants correctly understand and accept their sexual orientation. In other words, I first had to confront myself.

The sky outside the window was dyed the pale orange of twilight. All the people walking the streets were living their own lives. Among them, there were surely others harboring the same questions and worries as me.

I returned to the MacBook screen. The half-written romance article was still waiting. “How to Find the Ideal Man.” What irony.

I decided to change the article’s title.

“Considering Modern Forms of Love: New Possibilities in Diversifying Romantic Relationships”

The client might be angry. But I couldn’t write lies anymore. Pursuing truth—that was my mission as both a researcher and a writer.

As night deepened and the shop’s foot traffic decreased, I read the paper once more while thinking about the journey that was about to begin.

A journey to pursue the ideal form of love.

It was an adventure into unknown territory where mathematical beauty and human emotion intersected. And at the same time, it was the brave first step of a 27-year-old finally confronting her true self.

【Chapter End Notes】 Perfect Triangle = P(H, gx)・P(B, gy)・P(B, gy)
where:
P(H, gx) = Heterosexual person of biological gender gx
P(B, gy) = Bisexual person of biological gender gy
gx, gy ∈ {male, female}
gx/gy = biological gender (male/female)
Next: “The Triangle of Encounters”