2944/No More Nougat

No More Nougat
Date of Scene:	17 February 2026
Location:	Fairy Drop Fashion
Synopsis:	Shortly after learnring that Mamoru is about to become the proud new owner of several custom yukata, Minako decides she needs an update of her own wardrobe! Budget style. Izou gets brought along on this shopping venture to a used kimono thrift store where they chat while searching for a few outfits. Along the way Minako realizes it's been a year since The Nougat Incident where Izou set her bow on fire. A lot has changed in a year!
Cast of Characters:	Minako Aino, Zoisite

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Minako Aino has posed:
"Even YOU were there?" Mina bemoans while leading the way through several shops and peeking around corners into the not-as-walked pathways searching for... somewhere. A glance is cast down to her phone with a sigh.

"The one time I miss a model audition and it ends up being way more than that. Still, at least a few of us 'got in' so we have some spies in there. I fought 'The Dark Company' often enough in similar ways as Sailor V to not realize that is *super* fishy."

Another turn, and she 'ah-has!' in triumph. Reaching out she grasps at Izou's hand absently to tug him around a corner from the Fairy Drop Fashion to go *behind* the store. There is a walkway with older shops there, one of which declares itself as selling Used Kimono and Yukata.

"I knew it was around here somewhere!"

Zoisite has posed:
"Of course I was. I wouldn't dare miss a chance to see all that fuss. Besides, food and money being given for free isn't a bad deal. It'll attract all sorts. Mamoru and Usagi-chan were clearly interested in the food side. And you should have seen the get up some of them were in. To think someone as poised as Hino-san--" Sigh leaves him then, shaking his head a bit.

"Regardless. It's good to know Small Lady made it in as well. That'll have all of us watching this event like a hawk." Alternative parents and senshi from both Usagi and Mamoru's ends for sure will be very aware. "I was slightly sad to not see you there but I know you were occupied. I hope all the hints Adrien sent your way was of some use."

Permitting himself to be tugged by Minako as he knew not what they were trying to find, steps quicken only to keep up with her gait. A blink at the revelation of the thrift kimono and yukata store. "Oh, so this is the place you were talking about?"

Minako Aino has posed:
Minako Aino lets out a long sigh at having missed out. Even if it was a trap. "Free food and modeling. What a combo. Still it was really good to get to spend some time with Rome-kun." Ah yes. What else could keep her away from such offerings otherwise?

A mischievious little grin creeps over her at mention of Rei, and she glances slyly at Izou. "Ooh? You'd be surprised what Rei does! She hasn't gotten to *do* a lot on her own, so I think she enjoys when she has a chance to spread her butter in a new way." WINGS, Mina, WINGS.

"Oh he had some great tips! But I was talking to Usagi and Mamoru the other day, and Sugata-kun is gifting him like twelve whole custom made yukata and he's giving a few to Usagi, so I realized I haven't had a new yukata in ages myself!" Proudly she plants her hands on her hips while looking at the thrift store. "It may not be custom bespoke, but it can still be excellent quality!"

Zoisite has posed:
A burst of laughter at Minako's mix up, hand covering his mouth. "I'm certain she enjoys something in it. Her outfit was much more elegant than whatever the hosts were wearing."

Only twelve yukatas? Izou was surprised it wasn't more than that, but he kept his mouth shut. Instead, he approaches the store, curious. "I think you could find something unique in here. Jewels are always hidden among the weeds. If anything, one piece can be timeless and never need replacing." Looks over at her.

Minako Aino has posed:
"Right! Besides, mom said she can't sew me a yukata because it's too much trouble and she's getting ready for a weekend away with dad." Mina glances toward Izou again flashing a light smile as she knew he had issues with his own family. Most of them did--She was one of the rare few that had a (mostly) normal family.

"Classic is good! Besides I can always dress it up with accessories or a new obi. That's much more in my price range." Her head tips toward the shop before slipping toward it herself.

"So you seem to like this Adrien guy a lot~" she teases sing-song while already beginning to search through the racks of hanging yukata.

Zoisite has posed:
His smile was still present, even at the mention of her mother and father. It was meant to be a good day and he would not let negative thoughts linger even if they wanted to--old memories included. "More the reason to pick up something timeless. You do accessorize well, I'm sure you'll make it beautiful."

Following Minako inside, his gaze wonders the store and collections upon the racks. "I do enjoy him. Didn't expect to since he was taking up my time slot at the grand piano at the Academy, but it proved to not be mediocre. Besides, he can speak French. So we both can practice and keep it fluent."

"...He also seems to be having troubles with his father. At least wanting to step away from his current job that is under his father's thumb. I can't blame him for that need."

Minako Aino has posed:
Minako Aino is three deep in the racks looking for a lighter colored Yukata instead of the many dark colors that were here. Of course that was classic, but she wanted something more Spring-y, and had just arrived at the blue and pink section. It's here she pauses with a teal blue one half-pulled out to glance at Izou again with a small frown.

"Oh, that sucks for him then. Glad you two are getting along at least. It never hurts to have more friends! Plus he's cute, so bonus!" Not that she'd ever seen him in person herself.

"I can't imagine working for family would be easy. Maybe he just needs to find his own way with things."

Sweeping out the yukata she holds it up toward Izou. "This might look good on you!"

Zoisite has posed:
"Most things with family isn't easy, especially when so much weight is behind it." Izou adds, letting his fingers pull at pale yukata, looking over the embroidery of it. It reminded him of Kazuo's project in making Usagi a Mamoru doll, with the patterns and lines. Simple yet so full of meaning--like the life she wanted to have before life was turned around.

Izou wondered if that's what Adrien felt like. Wanting something simple, not having to hold onto so much.

His attention is pulled away when Minako presents a teal yukata to him, the color grabbing his attention. "It's a lovely color, but aren't we shopping for you, Mina-chan?" Izou takes it regardless.

Minako Aino has posed:
"We are, but it's more fun shopping with friends than just for myself. I can shop for myself on my own whenever I want," Mina points out with a grin as she releases the hold on the one she suggested. A glance is cast toward the one he had been looking at as well, thoughtfully.

"I'm not really sure what to get myself so far, either. There's a lot of floral ones that are lovely but they look..." One is drawn out to display the delicately embroidered sakura blossoms as she searches for the word. "I don't want to say 'girly' because I *am* a girl, but this is more like something I would have liked when I was a lot younger." It didn't suit her now. Not at all.

"I'm almost seventeen now. I feel like I ought to find something that suits me better."

With that in mind she sets to searching, picking first the colors she often went for. The rapid-seeking results in her coming out with a white yukata which had floral patterns dyed into the fabric in golden yellow. "Ah, maybe this?"

Zoisite has posed:
More fun with friends. True, even before they even considered each other even close to being anything more than love rivals. Their first outing being him gifting her a bow and gem pin as an apology, and getting himself one that reminded him of Kazuo.

It was fun then, and it remained fun now, seeing Minako get excited over pieces discovered and shared.

Izou's green gaze looked over the teal yukata, noting the detailing of soft leaves sprouting from below. Elegant, less being more due to pure quality. A gorgeous piece.

Then the spark of yellow blooms caught his attention as the senshi of Love pulled one yukata. Eyes beamed as the hue matched the glow of Minako's golden hair. "I think that one would suit you. It's bright, just like you."

Minako Aino has posed:
"You think so?" Mina holds the yukata she found up to herself with a hand reaching around to press it to her chest and lightly smooth down the fabric over her stomach. It wouldn't give an exact idea how it might look on her held up in such a way, but it blocks most of the clothing she was currently wearing to give a better impression.

"I *do* like it. It's light and sunny and would be perfect for a Spring or Summer day. Plus it's only two colors so I have a lot of options for an obi!" She'd probably choose orange though. Maybe with a green tie to adorn it. Or pink.

Mina does pause though with a slight loft of eyebrows, and a rather impish grin. "Bright and radiant hmm?" Nevermind he hadn't said 'radiant', she was adding that implication in there, darnit! "Such flattery, Izou!" The tease comes with a warm laugh to show she *was* just teasing only for it to be quickly followed with a quiet, "Thanks."

Before she gets too sentimental she whirls around leaning to the side to peer further into the shop. "Oh, the mirrors are at the back..."

Zoisite has posed:
Cheeky, eyes narrowing just slightly as he picked up on the extra compliment. In fairness, he couldn't take it away from her as in many ways he did mean bright as one would to describe a star--like her namesake, Venus. Shining against the dark of night like a beacon to those lost.

"It would definitely work with gold accessories, if you wished to be bold." Something he'd definitely enable, were she to accept his recommendations. Greens, oranges, pinks or blues would work on such a color scheme. Matching eyes, seasons, or sentiments.

Gently folding the teal yukata over his arm, he steps back and tilts his head, taking in how it looked on her--or just the mere guesstimation of it.

That was until she turned away in search of mirrors. Good call. "See for yourself if you like it."

Minako Aino has posed:
"Gold?" Mina stops when she's close enough to at least catch the sight of her reflection with the one she was currently holding. Her head tilts letting her hair swing to one side so that she can get a better idea of how it would all work together.

"You're right, that probably would look really nice. I ... *guess* I could wear the ring Ace gave me." This causes her to chew on her lower lip hesitantly. "I mean. So long as it's not something he sees me do." Hmhmhm.

"I think this one will be good, if we don't find anything else, too." For now she moves to drape it over her arm while turning back toward Izou with a grin.

"You know, I just realized! It's our anniversary! No setting my bow on fire this year, though!"

Zoisite has posed:
"My my, you're right. Valentine's Day already came and gone, and your current bow is in one piece. Time flies~" Izou giggles, following after her only to stand side by side. Hand lifted so delicate fingers could pinch at the velvet ribbon of her iconic accessory.

"Had you gifted me nougat again, I fear this shopping experience would have been another mall trip for another bow. Good thing that wasn't the case at all." It was his turn to tease, smile reaching his eyes as it felt good to know such transgressions were behind them.

"Speaking of, that pin you got during that trip would look nice with this yukata, don't you think? Spark of orange to the white and yellow and maybe a matching obi?" Another tilt of his head as he watched her, putting together a mental image in his head. Golds and oranges... It would look good on her indeed.

That was until something caught his eye.

Izou paces around Minako to one of the racks opposite to him, pushing aside yukatas that obstructed what he thought he saw--

No, he was sure. More now that the fabric was revealed to him. Black with a light chevron pattern, adorned with yellow and orange daisies. But it wasn't just the popping colors that caught him. No, it was the delicate shimmer of gold mixed with the flowers.

Like a bright star against the night sky.

Turning to his companion, new yukata in hand now lifted to show her his find. "Perhaps... You should treat yourself to two. What do you think?"

Minako Aino has posed:
Minako Aino lightly sticks her tongue out at Izou teasingly at the mention of nougat. "I wouldn't do that again! ... Or at least I'd make sure it's dipped in chocolate first." A trick for later perhaps! Or maybe not. She could always pawn the nougat off on Masato. She actually hadn't given the mass of gifts this year that she had the last, if only because she was kind of into someone now. The little tug to her bow pulls a grin from her in response.

"Oh it would!" She agrees as the thought of accessories starts to dance in her mind. It's enough of a distraction she's surprised when Izou dips past her toward the rack again.

"Oh? What did you fi--IIIYEEEEES!"

Upon the reveal of THIS yukata her eyes practically dance with light as she squeals in obvious delight, bouncing on the balls of her feet. "OH my YES that is PERFECT, Izou!" It's a good thing she had the other one draped over her arm at this point because her hands were clasped together in front of her and she may have squished it if she still had it held that way.

"Two yes I can I mean I probably can I'll make it work aaah!

Without warning she lunges at Izou to grab him in a quick hug. Somehow she manages to dip past the yukata he's holding to do so.

"Thank you for finding that it's *amazing!*"

Zoisite has posed:
He blinks, wide eyed and arms lifted slightly as he felt Minako hug him. Like a cat, he's caught off guard and finds himself standing still, breath hitched even though this should not be entirely unexpected. In truth, he was getting more used to it, quick and simple affection between friends, even when it still surprised him.

And just like that, he melts into the quick hold, wrapping a free hand around her as his smile returns.

"It's no problem. I wouldn't let the best senshi walk out of here without something stunning." And both of the yukatas would serve their purpose and match her.

"If you plan to dip the nougats in chocolate, at least warn me first." Izou quickly adds in a small mutter.

Minako Aino has posed:
Minako Aino gives a good, firm squeeze in the hug whether he likes it or not. It was just how she did things. Hugs were full bodied, full grip, fully felt. Even if he was tense at first. His request earns a quiet little chuckle and murmer of, "I promise no nougat." A pause before she adds, "Maybe for Kazuo."

Finally she releases her hold on him freeing him as she steps back all smiles. "I'm going to look *so* good in these!"