Belle Shiori Yumeoji/Bond Story

*Belle's song soothed the hearts of all who heard it. She could even bring a smile to the Beast that dwelled in the gloomy mansion deep within the forest.*

* Chapter 1
* Chapter 2
* Bond Level 15 Talk
* Bond Level 30 Talk

And She Later Befriended the White Steed

 **Shiori:**(I wonder if Yukishiro-senpai will be in soon… She usually comes around now.)

***\*clatter\****

 **Shiori:**(Ah!)

 **Michiru:**Oh? You’re here early, Shiori ♪

 **Shiori:**M-Michiru-senpai! Hi…

 **Michiru:**Waiting for somebody?

 **Shiori:**What!? How could you tell?

 **Michiru:**You're kind of an open book. In a good way!

 **Michiru:**What's that you've got?

 **Shiori:**Oh, this is a pamphlet for a stable. For horseback riding.

 **Michiru:**Ah right, I forgot you were into that equestrian stuff.

 **Shiori:**Yes!

 **Shiori:**During one of the rehearsal breaks, I noticed Yukishiro-senpai kept staring at the backdrop painting…

 **Michiru:**Oh, for the scene where Belle frolics with the animals?

 **Shiori:**Yes. All the animals in the painting are very cute…

 **Shiori:**It had me wondering if Yukishiro-senpai is an animal person. So I thought I'd ask if she wanted to go ride horses sometime…

 **Michiru:**I think that's great! And she'll be happy to get an invite from you.

 **Shiori:**Thank you! Hearing that is a nice confidence boost.

 **Michiru:**Happy to be of help!

 **Michiru:**But, why horses? I know you like them, but there were a bunch of different animals in that backdrop.

 **Shiori:**I know! It had squirrels and songbirds and all sorts of things…

 **Shiori:**but I feel like a horse would suit Yukishiro-senpai perfectly.

 **Michiru:**I totally get that! What color! White, right?

 **Shiori:**Yes! I have exactly the same mental image!

 **Michiru:**And not just any old white horse. If we were doing the Three Kingdoms, she’d get Zhao Yun’s steed, White Dragon.

 **Shiori:**Or the Pegasus from Greek Mythology!

 **Michiru:**Absolutely. Though a jet black horse could work, too.

 **Shiori:**That sounds awesome!

 **Shiori:**Actually, would you be interested in joining us?

 **Michiru:**Horseback riding? Hmm…

 **Shiori:**Not interested?

 **Michiru:**It's not that. I actually enjoy equestrian stuff myself.

 **Shiori:**You've ridden before, then?

 **Michiru:**Yep! So it's not about my interest level.

 **Michiru:**You did a tea tasting with Akira before, didn't you? Were you guys able to talk then?

 **Shiori:**Ah, yes! She was interested in the tea, and the conversation took off from there.

 **Michiru:**Right? I think it'd be great if riding course horses could give you two another chance to get closer.

 **Michiru:**Plus some conversations are just more fun between two people ♪

 **Michiru:**I've been with Akira for forever, so we're pretty much already in sync.

 **Michiru:**But you and she still need to get to know each other better, no?

 **Michiru:**Why don't you make this outing something for just the two of you?

 **Shiori:**Aw, Michiru-senpai!

 **Michiru:**So stop waiting around and go invite her ♪

 **Michiru:**She just got to the locker room, so she's probably still there changing now.

 **Michiru:**No time like the present, right?

 **Shiori:**Right! I'm on my way! Thank you so much, Michiru-senpai!

 **Michiru:**You’re welcome.

 **Michiru:**...Akira the animal lover, huh?

 **Michiru:**She's not QUITE right, but better for those two to figure it out together than for me to butt in ♪

The Youngest Always Gets Spoiled

 **Akira:**One more set! Focus, ladies!

***Got it!***

 **Yachiyo:**Yeah, yeah.

 **Michiru:**One, two, three! One, two, three!

 **Shiori:**Ngh… \*pant\*

 **Akira:**…………

 **Shiori:**Ngh! \*huff\* \*gasp\*

 **Michiru:**Okay, that’s all for today! Remember to stretch.

 **Mei Fan:**\*pant\* Whew! Thanks, guys!

 **Yachiyo:**Thaaanks!

 **Shiori:**\*pant\* \*gasp\*

 **Michiru:**Shiiiori!

 **Shiori:**\*huff\* Michiru… senpai…

 **Michiru:**Today’s lesson was a tiny bit tough, but you managed to keep up! Great job ♪

 **Shiori:**That’s… \*huff\* That’s very… Kind of… you to…

 **Michiru:**You can wait till you’ve caught your breath. Here, have some water.

 **Yachiyo:**Seeing such a frail kid blossom like this… Ooh, I’m like a proud big sister here!

 **Shiori:**Y-Yachiyo-senpai! You… You knew?

 **Mei Fan:**You’re in poor health, Shiori!?

 **Mei Fan:**You mustn’t push yourself. Here, I’ll wrap you in a towel. Come and sit here.

 **Shiori:**Oh, no. Thank you, but I haven’t had health issues since I was little. I’m perfectly fine now…

 **Yachiyo:**You never know. Here’s some candy. Suck on it, don’t bite it.

 **Akira:**Ridiculous…

 **Akira:**She says she’s fine. Don’t blow things out of proportion.

 **Mei Fan:**Still, you can never be too careful.

 **Akira:**Relax. She’s out of breath because she isn’t breathing from the diaphragm properly.

 **Yachiyo:**Is that true, Shiori?

 **Shiori:**I thought I was doing it the way I was taught, but...

 **Akira:**Then I’ll give you another demonstration.

 **Michiru:**Ooh, private lessons from Akira? And a first-hand demo, no less! Talk about a rare sight ♪

 **Akira:**Hardly.

 **Mei Fan:**Sh-Shiori! I’m so jealous!

 **Yachiyo:**Akira-senpaaai. Can I get a refresher course too?

 **Michiru:**Me too!

 **Akira:**What are you lot on about? ...Fine. I’m only doing this once, so watch closely.

 **Shiori:**(It’s not break time yet, but it feels like it…)

 **Akira:**Ready? Anyone can breathe from the belly. But we must do so consistently during high-intensity practice.

 **Shiori:**(Is this…)

 **Shiori:**(Are they all doing this to give me time to rest?)

 **Mei Fan:**?

 **Shiori:**(If so, it’s incredibly nice of them. I have to work much, much harder to repay them!)

 **Mei Fan:**Are you all right, Shiori?

 **Shiori:**Yes! I’ll work even harder!

 **Shiori:**The thorns have been stripped from all the roses we’re using on stage… I really appreciate the extra work that took.

 **Shiori:**Thanks to the others' help, I’ve finally got the role of Belle down!

 **Shiori:**I’m just so happy, I had to come tell you… I hope it’s not a bother?

 **Shiori:**Oh, good. It isn’t long until we perform it, but I’ll be spending every second to make it even better!