2681/Konbini Time with Snack-Master General

Konbini Time with Snack-Master General
Date of Scene:	10 July 2025
Location:	Plot Room 2
Synopsis:	After the purification of Ace, he leaves to have a chat with Minako over the situation. A konbini is raided with many recommendations by Minako as far as snacks and drinks go. Ace comes to terms with his past a bit more and begins looking forward to the future.
Cast of Characters:	222, Minako Aino

---

Ace Saijou (222) has posed:
It's a thoughtful Ace that makes his way down the sidewalk, hands tucked into his pockets. He had taken his leave of Sailor Moon and company -- as much as he would have wanted to talk more with all of them (and he has quite a few things to catch up on, certainly), he had asked for time to get his thoughts in order. The purification may not have unfolded in quite the same way as it did with others, but it was a powerful, significant experience nonetheless.

As he turned away, he had spared Minako a single questioning, meaningful look. Asking without speaking aloud, for her to join him.

He had been silent as he walked however, yet for the first time since his return, he didn't seem troubled. A musing sort of air takes him, guiding him to walk with no particular destination in mind.

He pauses though, as the bright lights of a nearby convenience store catch his eye, and he leans over a bit to peer through the storefront windows. "It's a little late, but do you feel like having some coffee?" he asks aside, glancing at Minako. "Or maybe some hot chocolate, if they have it?"

Minako Aino has posed:
Minako Aino was rather skilled at reading such looks. She lingers long enough to thank Usagi for her help, glance to the others with a nod, and then she slips away to join Ace on his walk. A quiet walk. One she keeps to as she's uncertain what to talk about so she just waits for his lead.

When the konbini comes into view along with the offer of a drink, she's quick to nod in ready agreement. "That sounds good. Oh, or they have these iced drinks you can mix up together and make custom flavors these days," she's quick to inform with the typical gushing ramble of a teenager that may be addicted to sugar just a bit. "Whichever. It's cool enough now for hot drinks, too." At least it was night time.

Without hesitating she skips forward to head for the door to dip inside, keeping a hand on it long enough to let Ace through as well. "Oh, there's a eating area too! We can sit and talk."

Ace Saijou (222) has posed:
"Ah, there is? Good! I'd like that," Ace says simply, giving her a brief smile.

Nodding thanks as he steps through the held door, and giving a nod to the clerk on duty as well. Walking past the rows of various goods, the fridge with ready-made meals, magazines (glancing over those last out of habit, wanting to make sure there's nothing with his face on them so they *won't* be interrupted by anyone drawing an obvious conclusion). He pauses on the way to the coffee machine however, as a thought strikes.

"Actually -- could you pick out some snacks for us too?" he asks, looking back over his shoulder to Minako. "I'm not picky -- whatever you think looks good." He did get at least an idea of her love for sweets during their konpeito packing, not to mention her gushing just now. "My treat," he adds. "Sky's the limit!"

Famous last words?

Minako Aino has posed:
A light sparks in Minako's blue eyes at the suggestion of picking out snacks. Much like Usagi, Minako knew her snacks. "You won't be dissapointed! I'm a Snack-Master General!" She declares proudly before twirling around to vanish down the snack aisles, her long hair trailing after her.

It's easy to see where she's at. The burgundy hairbow with it's orange gem broach pinned in the middle is rather distinctive after all. As if that weren't enough there's a cheerful hum coming from there along with the occasional crinkle of cellophane wrapping as she plucks up a variety of options.

When she returns it's while clutching a fair bit of snacks in her arms. Some croissant looking bread with chocolate cream filling, a pack of 'pre-crumbled' ramen with seasoning to snack on, Melty Chocolate bonbons, Calbee chips, and some tuna onigiri.

That's just the *snacks* though. There's a couple packets of liquid drink in hand in different flavors, some popping candy, and two cups of ice to fill with them.

"I'm done!"

Ace Saijou (222) has posed:
Ace can't help but stare, looking back and forth between her and the double-armload of snacks that looks like it'd be enough for a whole slumber party instead of two people. "Wow, that's -- a pretty big variety!" he notes gamely. "But it all looks good!"

Reaching to helpfully take some of the load from her and heading to the counter to pay for the whole thing -- and reminding himself that he's *not* currently working right now, so he needs to start being a bit more careful with his spending. If nothing else he *should* be getting royalties from Kaitou Ace merchandise overseas, but the whole thing about being presumed dead only to discover that it *was* just a presumption, has left some legal tangles to work out. Fortunately, the Dark Agency *did* include some legitimate tangential businesses, so he has lawyers working on said tangles.

That said, he'd be fine even with selling blood if it meant he can see Minako looking that happy and excited.

He forgoes the coffee since two empty cups means he'll be getting to try some drink variety after all. And helps her carry the whole thing over to the eating area she spotted, featuring a little cafe-style table and chairs. Taking a moment to lay everything out, to see her seated before seating himself and reaching for something.

One of the tuna onigiri, to start with -- something akin to real food in his stomach, he decides before he starts bombing it with sugar.
"She's not what I expected," he notes idly as he fusses with the packaging. Glancing over towards the counter again before lowering his voice a bit more. "Sailor Moon, I mean. I guess it makes sense she'd be more like a regular girl, in this lifetime. But I can see why you still follow her -- there's... something about her, isn't there? Something that's still there from the old life. I never met the Moon Princess myself personally, but that's what it feels like."

Minako Aino has posed:
On the plus side, as much as she had gotten, they weren't that expensive. Mina was someone that was used to being careful with how she spent her meager allowance after all. Unless she was with one of the rich boy Shittenou she watched her spending diligently. So far as she knew? Ace wasn't a world star anymore, after all.

Once it's paid for she follows suit and slides into a seat opposite Ace. The onigiri was a solid start, and one she opts for as well knowing that too much sugar on an empty stomach was not going to be enjoyable. Fingernails deftly peel the plastic wrapping back as Ace begins to finally speak.

"It's not just about the past," Mina remarks quietly, seriously. "It is of course part of it, but before they all remembered, they got to know her as she is now. She really, genuinely cares about people. Not just her friends and family, but everyone. But she also wants to do what it takes to protect them." A pause comes as she adds, "I'm her body double. Izou can be, too, but I was the one trained to be her body double. That's why I pretended to be the Moon Princess when we were all awakening so that I could protect the Princess until we found her."

"Of course, there was no 'Sailor Moon' back then. That's her desire to stand with her friends instead of just being protected."

Ace Saijou (222) has posed:
"So the 'Moon Princess' has grown up, in a sense," Ace murmurs thoughtfully. "That's a very adult desire, after all, and it takes adult strength to see it through." If there is a plus to having been born a lowly soldier, it means a different view of things like courage and loyalty, and the true value behind those words. A more stark view, perhaps, but a more iron one as well, and a different grade of respect for those who embrace such things.

"Ahhh, that's right -- you mentioned something about body doubling before too," Ace remembers, switching tracks slightly. "I'm amazed Izou can do it so well! Amazed, and a little jealous. There was a script in the works before, about having Katou Ace disguise himself as a woman for an episode, to sneak into a ball. I was *dreading* the day that shooting would come!" he adds ruefully. "I didn't have a problem with it, except that I didn't think I could pull it off! Certainly I wouldn't have been able to pull it off as well as Izou does!"

"And you... " Here Ace pauses, as he gives Minako a thoughtful look. Clearly picturing what she would look like -- not in her classic Sailor V costume or her current Sailor Venus one, but in the Sailor Moon costume with her hair done up in the same twintails.

Whatever it is he pictures suddenly makes him blush, and he quickly ducks his head to busy himself with a bite of onigiri. " -- I think you'd look good," he mumbles through the mouthful of food.

Minako Aino has posed:
She grew up. That was so... so not right in any way shape or form, yet she had at least shifted her views a bit, perhaps. "Somewhat. She's still a giant scaredy cat. The thing is, she *does it anyway* and I think that's probably braver than someone that can just jump into battle without having to win that fight with themselves, first." If anyone had grown up maybe it's Minako. Even if she doesn't always show it.

A bite of the onigiri is taken which she quickly gulps down recalling she hadn't mixed up the drinks yet. It's placed down, and she holds up two of the packs of drinks. One reads 'strawberry apple soda' and the other 'melon soda'. "Take your pick! I almost grabbed a coffee one but that wouldn't work well with the popping candy I don't think." The idea is turned over in her head a moment only to earn a decisive crinkle of her nose. No, that didn't sound good at all.

It's about now that she glances up to catch Ace's expression with a little grin. "Izou actually had to help me get the hair right. I could do everything else but I mean. My hairstyle is pretty simple. I never had to do curls before. Getting the dango down was already a challenge!" A pause as she adds, "He's a very beautiful guy, yeah. I think you could do it if you wanted."

Ace Saijou (222) has posed:
"You, ah -- you really think so?" Ace quickly turns his attention away from the mental image as he swallows his mouthful. "Hm! I don't think I'll be doing any episodes anytime soon, but maybe I'll ask Izou for some tips sometime. Just for fun." Pausing though, and flashing her a grin. "Or maybe I can just ask you? You can probably give me some tips on hair and makeup, at least~."

Swallowing down the last of his onigiri means he's about ready for a drink, and Ace takes a look at the offered pack. He almost says 'you pick first,' but has to forcibly stop himself -- Minako *already* told him to take the pick, there's no sense in going back and forth with it.

Maybe he's growing up a little himself.

"Strawberry apple, please!" Ace can still be polite at least. But cocking his head now, all curious -- he actually *hasn't* had those drinks before, and Minako made it sound like something of an experience.

Minako Aino has posed:
Minako Aino regards Ace at his uncertainty about being able to cross dress. A little grin comes of sheer amusement. "You're very cute, Ace, we all know this. I'm sure we could make it work if you wanted. Heck even I can make a decent guy!" She proclaims proudly as if this were just a Known Fact.

The option is chose, and so she tears it open to pour over one cup of ice. It's a pleasant pinky-peach color. With a wicked little grin she grabs the pack of green apple poprocks that she then dumps into the top turning it into a REAL fizzy concoction. Thus made she slides it over toward Ace along with the straw.

"By the way," she decides to ask about this time. "I... You know I kind of 'saw' what happened during the purification, right? When our hands were linked with Mamoru-san. Do you want to talk about it?"

Ace Saijou (222) has posed:
The hand that had been reaching for that soda pauses -- Ace's gaze lifts from that colorful, extra-fizzy concoction, finding her own and holding it for a long moment.

The hand lowers to the table as he takes a deep breath, the last of smile fading as he lets out a long sigh. "I... I think I do, yes." It's a different sort of troubled look that takes him now -- not the look of one struggling with weight, but instead with voice, with the putting of things into words.

Until: " ...you saw what you say. I woke up among the dead, but was pulled right into light and laughter. The joy I felt... discovering I was *alive*... that wasn't a lie. I felt like I truly, truly had a chance to life my own life, for my own self."

"But as the days went on, I realized more and more of my memories were in 'shadow.' I don't remember my parents' faces," Ace murmurs. "I *don't,* and I should. At the very least, their *faces* -- that much at least would be normal, wouldn't it? But every time I try and remember it, it's in shadow -- exactly like that. In my mind, I can see them standing together in our house, but it's like there's just a -- a patch of darkness, over where their faces should be."

"And the more I thought about it, the more I realized just how many things were in shadow. I'm an actor, but what did I do, before Kaitou Ace? Where did I perform? Where was my first audition, and what did I do for it? These are important things to me, aren't they? I should *know* these things!"

Frustration leaks into his voice, at that, and Ace pauses, taking another breath to still it. " ...and the fact that I didn't... made me wonder... what if there *was* no Ace Saijou? What if he was just another role, like Kaitou Ace and the rest? What if I was nothing more than a puppet of the Dark Kingdom after all, a false life filled with just enough memories to be functional, a useful pawn and nothing else? What would I have left? The memories of my last life?" Giving a bleak little smile. "I don't regret those memories, but they wouldn't be enough. A dead soldier from a lost age, serving a Kingdom that didn't exist anymore.. might as *well* be a shadow, don't you think? That's what a 'ghost' is, after all."

"I.. had *hoped* the purification would drive the shadows away. Would let me see just how much of my life was real... "

Minako Aino has posed:
Minako Aino listens quietly, eyes attentively fixed on him... even as she tears open her own drink pack to pour over the ice without looking. It only took a bit of feeling and the view from the corner of her eyes to make sure she doesn't spill anything. It's just keeping her hands busy as she listens.

"That's not true. You're reincarnated just like us. You have memories of the Silver Millenium and of me back then. Even if I don't have memories of you specifically-" Something she felt immensely guilty about now that she spoke it out loud. "You remember events that not even the other senshi fully recall. Besides me."

"If that's not enough proof, you did come back to life. Youma can't come back to life, only people. So you weren't 'invented' by the Dark Company. Probably just brainwashed a *lot*." Pausing she considers a long, hard moment, chewing on her lower lip.

"I know it may be uncomfortable but you may want to talk to the Shittenou. Some of them speak of similar issues. It's not just a 'you' thing."

Ace Saijou (222) has posed:
"I was afraid to," Ace admits quietly. "I was afraid to talk to them. I thought that if I approached the Shittenou, the ones who were closest to me during the dark time... that they would look at me and see the truth. It's stupid, I know," he adds, waving a hand. "But I dreaded it -- the thought of looking at their eyes, and seeing expressions telling me they were looking at an empty shell."

"At least... that's what I was afraid of at the time."

The frustration in his voice had been recollection, remembering what he felt then -- his shoulders relax, as Ace gives her a grateful smile. "Because -- the purification *did* help! Some of the shadows are gone -- what's left is... dimmed, like a faded photograph, but they're there. Some shadows are still there... a *lot* are still there," he adds ruefully. "I think it's like you say -- brainwashing. I think it's something like -- like scars, left behind from it? But now... now it doesn't bother me so much."

"Because it's also like you say -- *everyone* has things they don't remember, don't they? Even people who aren't like us." Ace gives a nod aside -- towards the main konbini, towards the street outside, towards the rst of the world. "Conversations they had when they were children, grade-school tests, dreams of what they'll be someday and fear of what the next day holds -- things that must have seemed like all the world at the time, and just aren't there anymore. Not because they weren't important -- they just weren't *needed* anymore. They didn't need to be carried all the time, to make up their lives."

"And I realized, it's the same for me. I don't remember my parents' faces -- but I remember how proud they were of me, when I came home and told them I got my first part," Ace murmurs with a fond smile. "I remember the sound of my mother's laughter, the feel of my father's hand when he clapped me on the shoulder." His smile turning sad. " ...I remember how much it hurt, to lose them. I remember how much I cried... "

"So I'll go forward -- if I'm surrounded by shadows, I just need to seek out light, don't I? Daylight, starlight, or neon -- it doesn't matter," Ace says brightly. "I woke up among the dead, and immediately got plunged into light and music -- there's not a single reason for me to turn around and go back among the dead. So there's no reason to keep living like one -- and it's only the dead who don't move forward."

Silent for a moment... then once more looking her in the eye. "But -- if I'm being completely honest? What you said just now... that's the most reassuring thing of all. Youma don't come back -- that's just a simple fact for you, isn't it? And you would know! Of course you would. So... " Ace smiles, but still looks solemn as he bows his head. " ...thank you, my Princess. For easing this foolish heart."

Minako Aino has posed:
Minako Aino watches the shift from morose and somber to hopeful that comes over Ace as the situation is worked through. The memory of also seeing his other persona questioning him is fresh in her mind. It's one of those things she's curious about but can't really ask about, either, because she wasn't sure what questions to ask.

In the end it really doesn't matter. He'd come to a conclusion that seemed hopeful for the future.

"That's the spirit! You can't change the past, just learn from it, move on, and have a better future!" Grinning brightly she asks, "So are you still going to be Kaitou Ace sometimes? We can always use the help. But if you'd rather not that's okay too."

Then he calls her Princess causing her to flush with color. A little awkward sip of her drink is taken, and she allows her gaze to skirt away to the window. "That still feels so weird to hear. I mean. I know I was--Am? But I was always Sailor Venus first."

Ace Saijou (222) has posed:
"Whatever name you choose for yourself, you'll always be a Princess to me," Ace says solemnly. And finally reaching to take a sip from his own straw --

-- and blinking, clapping a hand over his mouth. "Oof, that's *sweet!* But good!" he adds hurriedly. Taking another, more careful sip, and privately reflecting that he probably should have saved a last bite of the onigiri. Going from *this* to a mouthful of chocolate is going to be... interesting.

Getting a little more serious though, when she mentions being able to use the help. "That's right... the Dark Kingdom is gone, but there's battles, aren't there?" he murmurs. He's had plenty on his plate between reclaiming his life and coming to terms with shadowed memories, but he hasn't just been walking the street in a daze, either, deaf to the happenings in the city. "Kaitou Ace will be there when you call," he assures her. "Anywhere, anytime."

A different sort of smile playing at his mouth however, as he takes a musing sip of his drink. "And maybe not just only then. Having fun is an important part of any new life, isn't it?"

Minako Aino has posed:
"It is! It's always good to have fun, and have a reason for fighting. Friends, and otherwise." Minako agrees with a firm nod. "I'm sure the others will feel the same. Even if some are prickly at first." Izou. She means Izou. Though Masato had his moments as well.

"I... Thanks, Ace. I'm glad you're back. I always felt bad about what happened."

Ace Saijou (222) has posed:
"The downside of coming back was getting to feel bad for what *I'd* done. It's part of the reason I stayed away," Ace murmured. "I was convinced you'd hate me. I surely had done enough to earn having my grave spit on, if I had one."

But, that is not here or now. And so Ace picks up his cup, lifting it in a little toast. "To moving forward!" he says simply.

"Now then... " Setting down the cup and looking over the arrayed snacks, brightening as one catches his eye. "Ooooh, choco coronets! I remember these!" And reaching eagerly for the pastry package. He'll split it with her, of course!

(Maybe.)