Da Vinci Karen Aijo/Bond Story

*The representative artist of the Italian Renaissance. A genius with both curiosity and creativity, leaving behind achievements not only in the arts, but also music, mathematics, astronomy and various other fields — a great influence to future generations of artists.*

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

Understanding a Genius

 **Karen:**Hmm... Mrrgh...

 **Nana:**Karen-chan, what's wrong? It's rare for you to make such a serious face.

 **Karen:**Oh, Banana! Help me!

 **Nana:**W-what is it? What happened?

 **Karen:**I don't understand Leonardo da Vinci at all!

 **Nana:**Da Vinci? Ah, so you did research on the Renaissance.

 **Karen:**Yeah, I thought if I could understand the character I'm playing, I'd understand the script a bit more.

 **Nana:**But it's not going so well?

 **Karen:**Yeah. Leonardo da Vinci, also known as the "All-Around Genius", can do everything and anything.

 **Karen:**And they're all outstanding achievements.

 **Nana:**That's true. He excels in not only painting and the arts, but also mathematics, astronomy, and physics.

 **Karen:**That's right! He's a genius at everything! A perfect superhuman who can do anything!

 **Karen:**That's why I can't understand him at all.

 **Karen:**How should I feel when I'm acting out da Vinci?

 **Nana:**Hm, I see. But this is kind of surprising.

 **Karen:**Huh? What is?

 **Nana:**If anything, I thought you're kind of like da Vinci.

 **Karen:**What? How?

 **Nana:**Hm, it's kind of difficult to explain but if I have to say, then a genius disposition?

 **Karen:**G-genius!? No way Banana! I'm not! Ridiculous! What are you saying!?

 **Nana:**Huh? Did I say something that strange?

 **Karen:**There's no way I'm a genius. No, no, not at all.

 **Nana:**For you, what kind of person is a genius?

 **Karen:**Huh? Um... Let's see... Someone who's smart and knows a lot of things?

 **Nana:**I think a genius is someone who enjoys anything.

 **Karen:**Enjoy?

 **Nana:**When it comes to fun things, even if you're tired or it's difficult, you end up doing more and more, no?

 **Karen:**You're right! When it comes to stage-related classes, I'm totally fine!

 **Karen:**Oh, I see. So that's what you mean.

 **Nana:**Da Vinci enjoys all sorts of things - not only the arts. I think he's a master at enjoyment.

 **Karen:**I see... I thought a genius is an odd person who you never know what's going on in their head.

 **Nana:**Yeah, that's why you're a genius.

 **Karen:**Yes, yes. Yes? What do you mean by—?

 **Nana:**Let's just leave that behind. You can understand da Vinci's feelings now, right?

 **Karen:**Yeah, I feel close to him all of a sudden!

 **Karen:**Thanks, Banana! I feel like I can become good friends with da Vinci now!

 **Nana:**Not at all. You're welcome.

 **Karen:**I'm going to re-read the script right away!

 **Nana:**Bana-nice Renaissance!

Renaissance Study Group

 **Junna:**Wow, it's rare to see you in the library, Karen. What's the matter?

 **Karen:**Hi, Jun-Jun. I'm looking up things about the Renaissance.

 **Junna:**About the Renaissance? Is it for that script?

 **Karen:**Yeah, I thought it might help me figure out the script.

 **Junna:**What a commendable attitude. It's important to keep learning.

 **Junna:**So how's it going? Did you gain anything?

 **Karen:**That's the thing... I don't even know where to start.

 **Junna:**You're right. Of course it'd be difficult to find what you need when there's so much material.

 **Karen:**Right? Please! Could you tell me about the Renaissance?

 **Junna:**Hmm, but I also have things that I need to look up myself...

 **Karen:**I'm begging you, Junna-Sensei!

 **Junna:**S-sensei... Oh, fine. I'll teach you just this once.

 **Karen:**Yay! Thank you!

 **Junna:**I'm sure you're aware of it already, but it's difficult to sum it up in one sentence.

 **Junna:**This period called the Renaissance was longer than 200 years.

 **Karen:**200 years!? That long!?

 **Junna:**Tendo-san mentioned this before already.

 **Karen:**Oh, really? Did she?

 **Junna:**Anyway, the Renaissance isn't only the arts but includes various genres such as culture, music, and drama!

 **Junna:**On top of that, it started in Italy but spread to Germany, France, England — all over Europe.

 **Karen:**Whoa! There really IS a lot.

 **Junna:**And while it's important to gather information, I think there's something else that's even more important.

 **Karen:**More important?

 **Junna:**Tendo-san also talked about it the other day, right? The script is only the material.

 **Junna:**What's important is the kind of approach we take towards the material as Stage Girls.

 **Junna:**It's only a hunch but...the key to reaching the essence of the Renaissance—

 **Junna:**Depends on whether or not you're able to grasp that.

 **Karen:**The essence...

 **Karen:**Alright, I've decided! I'll study next time.

 **Junna:**What!? Are you giving up?

 **Karen:**No, that's not it. I just don't want to force it into something yet.

 **Karen:**I want it to remain as a loose Renaissance for a while longer...so that I can capture the essence of it.

 **Junna:**Karen...

 **Karen:**So... I purposely won't look at it.

 **Karen:**And you were going to teach me about it too. I'm sorry, Jun-Jun.

 **Junna:**No, I actually feel like I learned something in return.

 **Junna:**To purposely not look at it... I see. I didn't think of that.

 **Junna:**Surprisingly enough, you might be able to reach the essence more with your method.

 **Karen:**I...finally feel like I understand da Vinci a little bit.

 **Karen:**Da Vinci must've loved fun things.

 **Karen:**He had so many things he was interested in and he gave his all to everything! That's why he made such remarkable achievements in all sorts of areas.

 **Karen:**When I think of it like that, I feel closer to him all of a sudden. Because I also love fun things!