Gate short-

answer penalty

scoring_engine.py

@@ -82,15 +82,21 @@ class ScoringEngine:
             points = self.WEIGHTS['explicit_free'] * explicit_free
             add_evidence(points, f"Explicit Free ({points:.1f})")
             
-        # Short Answers (Brevity) - reduced when user explicitly invites
+        # Short Answers (Brevity) - only counts when there's other busy evidence
         short_ratio = text_features.get('t3_short_ratio', 0.0)
         if short_ratio > 0.3:
-            points = self.WEIGHTS['short_answers'] * short_ratio
+            deflection = text_features.get('t6_deflection', 0.0)
+            time_pressure = text_features.get('t5_time_pressure', 0.0)
+            busy_context = (explicit > 0.5) or (deflection > 0.1) or (time_pressure > 0.1)
+
             if intent_overrides_context:
-                points *= 0.4  # Invitation phrases often start with "Sure"
+                points = self.WEIGHTS['short_answers'] * short_ratio * 0.4
                 add_evidence(points, f"Brief Responses (+{points:.1f}, reduced - user invited talk)")
-            else:
+            elif busy_context:
+                points = self.WEIGHTS['short_answers'] * short_ratio
                 add_evidence(points, f"Brief Responses (+{points:.1f})")
+            else:
+                details.append("Brief Responses (ignored - no busy evidence)")
             
         # Deflection / Time Pressure
         deflection = text_features.get('t6_deflection', 0.0)