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. 
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!