Chapter 3: Oyakodon and Yakitori

"Hey guys! Alicia Testarossa here and welcome to a very special cooking session from the Testarossa household!" She bowed in front of the Riot Force VI members. "The author couldn't be here today due to several issues so I've been charged with taking over this event... and soon the world-ita!" She almost bit her tongue when a harisen struck her on her head. "Ok, ok..." She rubbed her head as she accepted the glare from her mother. "In any case, we are having a little family competition today" she turned towards the teams. "between the Takamachi family"

"Hiiiii~" Vivio waved while being held up by Nanoha and being patted on the head by Momoko.

"...and the Testarossa-Harlaown family." Alicia nodded towards Precia, Fate, and Erio. "We also have our special guests for the event." She redirected to her left. "Time Space Administration Bureau Admiral, Lindy Harlaown!"

Lindy waved towards the camera.

"Time Space Administration Bureau Admiral, Leti Lowran!"

Leti smiled and adjusted her glasses.

"And a very special guest all the way from England in the non-administrated world #97-which you people call 'Earth', Retired Time Space Administration Bureau Admiral, Gil Graham! Accompanied by his two familiars, Aria and Lotte Liese!"

A round of applause echoed throughout the house.

"Now... here are the rules." Alicia took a step to her side as a large monitor appeared behind her, displaying the challenge. "The first generation, the mothers, will be the ones providing the instructions. The second generation, " she nodded to Fate and Nanoha "will be the ones doing the cooking while the third generation will be providing the supplies and assisting in any way possible."

Erio and Vivio looked at each other before nodding.

"You have one hour to complete this task or you will fail...and we'll get hungry." The blonde looked at the clock above her head. "Ready... START!"

Cheers and applause echoed as the two teams began their competition, both sides eager to win and maybe even learn something new.

"Now, then." Alicia walked over. "Let's start with the Takamachi family." She stopped in front of Momoko. "Please tell us about your recipe."

"Well..." The woman started. "We are going to be making Oyakodon today." She looked at Nanoha and Vivio. "The ingredients we will need are as follows:

1/4 small onion, cut into rings.
8 oz chicken thigh or leg, fat trimmed and cut into bite-sized pieces.
3 large eggs, lightly beaten.
Scant 3/4 cup water.
1 stalk scallion, cut diagonally."

"Would you beat the eggs, Vivio?" Nanoha looked over at the ingredient listing. "I don't want you handling sharp objects yet."

"Umm, sure!" The girl smiled happily and walked over towards the refrigerator and took out a carton.

"You are one to talk, my dear." The older Takamachi joked. "I remember the time I asked you to peel a potato and it ended up in cubes instead, ha ha!"

"That was ten years ago, mom! I've improved since then!" Nanoha tried to hide her embarrassment through a small fit of anger as she grabbed the onions and began to chop away at them. "I'm not a-"

*SMASH*

A thunderous noise filled the air, effectively cutting off all communications and directing all eyes to its source.

"Hrrrm..." Vivio looked at what remained of the egg she hammered. "That didn't quite go as expected, Eizen." She spoke to the mallet now resting on her shoulder.

"EIZEN!" Vita roared before the device could respond. "What are you doing over there?!" She ran to the kitchen and disarmed the kaiser. "Seriously... don't be using our devices for weird projects." She trotted back, sparing a moment to glance at Signum. "Might want to keep Laevantine in check." She turned to the two teams resuming their cooking. "Who knows what might happen next."

"In... any case." Alicia sweat-dropped. "What do you do next?" She asked Momoko, who was monitoring the younger generations pass on the secret to egg breaking.

"Well, once you get all the ingredients together" she gathered all the prepared parts into a small bowl "Thank you." she nodded to Nanoha as the last egg was added "You stir it all together and mix it well." She handed the bowl and a pair of chopsticks over to Vivio and guided the child's hand.

"What do I do next, mom?" Nanoha chimed in after wiping her hands.

"Now heat up a small saucepan on high heat and bring the water to boil." The woman answered. "And when that is ready, add the sliced onion, chicken, the sauce, and cook for 2 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked."

"Got it!" The instructor nodded and began to carry out her role.

"Oh, and don't forget to skim off the scum." Momoko added.

"Right."

"Come here, Vivio." The older woman smiled and led the child towards the prepared saucepan. "Now pour the eggs slowly in a circular motion, covering the chicken." She guided the little arms as they shook slightly under the weight of the dish. "Good." She smiled. "Now lower the heat to simmer and cover the saucepan with its lid. Cook for 2 minutes, or until the eggs are cooked." She picked Vivio up and placed the cover. "Then add the scallions afterwards and that's it."

"Now, how would you serve this dish to people?" Alicia pointed towards the three people sitting at the special table.

"Well, you pretty much add steamed rice to two rice bowls and top it with the simmered chicken and eggs, then serve immediately. That's about it."

"Great!" Alicia nodded. "While you finish up the dish, let's go see how the other team is doing." She walked up to Precia. "How are things over here?"

"Well" she replied "we are making Yakitori." She nodded as younger generations began preparing to receive instructions. "The ingredients you will need for this one are:

1/4 cup sake (rice wine).

1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce.

3 tablespoons sugar.

2 tablespoons grated peeled fresh ginger.

1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper.

2 garlic cloves, minced.

1 pound skinless, boneless chicken thighs, cut into 24 bite-sized pieces.

5 green onions, each cut into 4 (2-inch) pieces.

Cooking spray."

Alicia watched as her sister and nephew ran around the kitchen gathering the items.

"Mom, the sake is missing." Fate frowned.

"Don't worry, I've got it." Precia extended her hand and produced a partially empty bottle.

"MOM!" The Testarossa twins shouted in unison.

"I'm fine!" She waved her hand. "In any case, let's get started." Her expression became stern as if she were issuing military orders. "First, you combine the first 6 ingredients in a small saucepan."

"Got it." Fate began gathering the items and slowly mixing them together while Erio prepared the green onions. "Mom" she glared "the sake?"

Precia reluctantly handed over the bottle as she continued her instructions. "Now, bring it to a boil; then cook until its reduced to 1/4 cup-about 2 1/2 minutes-then remove from heat to cool." She paused when she noticed that they were having problems with the flame. "What's wrong?"

"It won't light." Erio answered while Fate kept playing with the switches. "It seems to be clicking but it doesn't seem to be igniting."

"It just needs a spark, right?" Fate looked at the ports. "Is the gas on?"

"Yes, it is." The boy walked around the back and confirmed it was indeed on before noticing that the appliance was not plugged in. "Aha! Hey, I found the-"

"Thunder Rage!" A spark of electricity flowed from the blonde's body and towards the accumulation of gas.

*BOOM*

A small explosion rocked the other half of the kitchen as the gas pocket ignited in a blaze of glory. A smoke cloud covered the area, but was quickly vented thanks to Shamal's support magic. The damage to the area was minimal due to the barrier Precia established which, unfortunately for Fate, trapped her inside along with the blast.

"...problem." Erio finished his sentence while holding the plug in his hand. "Are you ok, Fate-san?" He rushed over to his mom and helped her sit down.

"Yeah..." Fate coughed. "I'm fine" She cleared her lungs a few times. "Thanks, mom." She growled as she was helped to her feet.

"Try not to do that again." Precia smiled in a way that caused the twins, as well as everyone else that knew her personally, to shudder at the implications of what would happen the next time that happens. "Now, then." She continued as she prepared a new batch. "Where were we?" She looked. "Ah, right. Combine the soy sauce mixture and the chicken. Cover and marinate it in refrigerator for 1 hour."

"That long?" Alicia frowned. "But it won't be ready in time."

"I knew this was going to happen so I already had these two prepare some ahead of time." The woman nodded as Erio came back with another pot from the fridge. "Heat a large grill pan over medium-high heat." She smiled over at Fate as if to say 'Try it again, why don't you'.

"Erio, dear, please plug it in." Fate tried to shake the feeling of dread off as she turned on the stove. "There we go." She sighed in relief as the blue flames danced around.

"Now for the last part." Precia looked over, satisfied. "Thread 6 chicken cubes and 5 green onion pieces alternately onto each of 4 or more (10-inch) skewers and be sure to brush kebabs with the soy mixture." She watched as Erio organized the meats and Fate prepared the pan. "Coat the pan with cooking spray, place the kebabs in pan, and cook 4 minutes on each side or until the chicken is done."

"Looks like both sides are just about finished." Alicia nodded as the dishes were brought out in large quantities to the living room table. "It's time for our guests to have the first bite and then the rest of us can dig in." She nodded towards Arf and Yuuno. "But first" she waited as two extra chairs were brought out and placed on the side of the table. "You two should sit." She smiled. "Happy Mother's day~"

"Thank you~" Momoko smiled and took her seat next to Lindy.

"Before we do" Precia walked over to the counter and poured herself a glass of sake "I have a message from the author." she pulled an envelope from under the collar of her shirt and slowly opened it to gather everyone's attention.

"What is it mom?" Alicia tilted her head and turned her mic off.

"It says: Dedicated to my mother who passed away March 3 2013" she put the letter down and raised her glass " 'The Greatest Cook in the World'."