Tokyo-II
[Redacted] Restaurant
7:30 PM JST
Naoko stood proudly at the entrance, her son's arm locked with hers. Dozens of NERV Employees waited behind her as they watched the restaurant staff hurriedly clean up and prepare the tables.
They had essentially kicked out all the previous guests in preparation for the NERV Staff's arrival and sudden requisition of the restaurant.
News had spread like wildfire! The UN and JSSDF deploying into a city, An N2 mine going off, and NERV finally being put into action.
Something big happened, and whatever it was, NERV won and they were happy to host their celebration.
Naoko dressed up in a nice green casual dress, while Shinji dressed simply in something he just thought looked nice. Ritsuko stood by in her casual blue dress. Rei wore a simple but nice button-up flannel and skirt.
Misato was in her black minidress that she always wore, and Mari in a pink pantsuit. Her good mood dropped once she saw her least favorite person show up.
Gendo Ikari still had on his commander's uniform along with Fuyutsuki. Mari simply scoffed and turned her gaze away from him. Gendo either didn't notice or paid no real attention to her.
An anxious-looking hostess approached the large group, most of whom were still in their uniforms.
"Party of 50?..."
MATERNAL PROGRAMMING REVISION 2
EPISODE 3
"Government Funding"
Same Time
Same Place
The restaurant was filled to the brim with NERV Employees, all of them hungry and eager to pick out their orders. The menu's variety was something to consider, for it had plenty of meal choices from across the world.
Shinji sat with Rei, and the two sat by Naoko and Ritsuko. Mari and Misato sat near them.
Gendo and Fuyutsuki sat by themselves in a corner of the restaurant, not interacting with the others. Only Fuyutsuki gave the short wave and hello to others of the staff.
Gendo didn't even attempt to look at the menu, for he didn't have any appetite at the moment.
Waiters began pouring out from the kitchen, ready to take each table's orders.
Shinji had his mind set on a dish as did Ritsuko.
"You know, anytime I have the opportunity, I order lobster bisque. When I went to the NERV-01 Branch in the States I had one and fell in love with it."
Reminisced Ritsuko, remembering her time in the United States and her tour around their facilities.
"I'll just get something from there as well. I guess steak tips?"
"Good choice Shinji."
Naoko said, looking over her own menu.
"I'll just get a vegan option."
Ten minutes later
The restaurant was abuzz with chatter mixed in with the clinks and clatters of dinner plates and utensils. People enjoyed their meals and talked of the glorious victory they had today.
Mari and Misato enjoyed their glasses of beer, and Naoko and Ritsuko enjoyed some cocktails.
Rei and Shinji had already finished their meals and chatted with one another, talking about both the present and possible future.
The ringing of a glass being tapped filled the air and silenced the room from any noise and chatter.
Naoko stood up with pride in her stance and a confident grin on her face. Everyone knew what this meant, and held their glasses in anticipation.
"Everyone, I'd like to make a toast- A toast to our heroes of the day. To Shinji and Rei!"
Everyone in almost perfect unison raised their glasses-
"To Shinji and Rei!"
"Mommm…"
"Ms Akagi…"
The two teens groaned out in embarrassment while the rest of the crew and family chuckled in response, with the exemption of Gendo.
"I love you Shinji."
…
"I love you too, mom."
The Next Day
Holographic Secure Meeting Room
1:23 PM JST
"It seems our billions of dollars of investments have paid off."
"Indeed, Project E performed efficiently and swiftly, as did the pilots. Ayanami and Akagi did very well."
The meeting room was dark save for an ominous glow. A table was surrounded by six people, four of which were illuminated by several colors. They represented important people from a few select countries from across the world.
At the head of the table sat a man with a futuristic visor and gray hair. His posture emanated dominance and control.
On the far opposite side sat a man who countered the aura with an equal amount of control and dominance.
Gendo Ikari sat there with his hands folded and his framed glasses showing unwavering eyes. He wasn't going to let the Chairman break him.
"The Children have been in high spirits since then, I do believe a small gift from the UN is in order, or at least from my country as thanks."
The person who spoke had a sort of nasal voice to them. His aged face gave a slight hint of humanity compared to the rest of the men in the room as he gave a small smile. The rest of the council paused for a moment before slowly nodding.
"Yes, A simple gift should be in order. And it won't cost us a fraction of a fraction."
A wave of agreement came out before they all finally came to a deal.
"We can discuss what we will get the pilots later. But for now, our priority is getting down to business. Ikari, do you understand that there is no turning back now?"
The chairman, Keel Lorenz asked, knowing the answer already.
Gendo simply pushed up his glasses and smirked underneath his folded hands. He couldn't falter now.
"Of course. Things have been put into motion. We cannot back down now."
Same day
NERV Meeting Room
30 minutes later
Fuyutsuki stood at the head of the fully filled meeting table. Department heads sat patiently for the Sub-Commander to call on each of them. Each of them had their reports in hand.
The air was tense, with everyone wondering what would be said next.
Naoko sat with the IT team, while Ritsuko sat with Mari and the Evangelion Project team. The two pilots sat with Misato who subsequently was with the Command Bridge Team.
Fuyutsuki took a deep breath in and began to speak.
"So, as we are all aware of the fact we are all still here alive, The Evangelions were successful in defeating the Angel attack. The UN wishes to enquire about information regarding what had just occurred and the resources we will need to continue forward."
Everyone clutched their clipboards and tablets, anxiously awaiting their turn to speak.
"I wish to start first with the two who went and fought the threat firsthand. Pilots Akagi and Ayanami."
He gestured to the two children who immediately perked up at their names being called.
"Uhh… Well…"
Shinji awkwardly attempted to speak his mind, but didn't know what to say after being called upon so suddenly. Just as he was about to try to speak, Rei spoke for him.
"I think we would both benefit from better sensors, possibly something to see if the Angel has a weapon that produces energy of sorts."
Fuyutsuki nodded to himself, thinking over if it was possible to fit anything else onto the Evangelion itself.
"I'll take note of that. Anything else?"
Rei thought to themselves for a moment before shaking their head.
"Alright, now onto the rest of the staff. Who here wishes to go first?"
Almost immediately, everyone in the room raised their hand.
"Oh boy…"
The Next Day
Akagi Residence
7:14 AM JST
Shinji sat at the table eating his breakfast as he watched the TV which played the news. Despite it only being two days since the battle, the media couldn't stop talking about what had just happened. While they tried to cover it up subtly, leaked footage of the battle made its way to the internet and subsequently to reporters.
Luckily the videos didn't get a good look at him and Rei.
"NHK is still unable to confirm the two identities of the pilots. NERV declines to answer anything related to them other than they are safe and unharmed."
Shinji scoffed as he watched. But just as the reporter was going to speak again, the TV turned off.
Quickly scanning around to see what happened, Shinji saw Ritsuko holding the remote in her hands and a mischievous look on her face.
"Don't you know that TV rots the brain?"
Groan
"I was watching that. And that's a lie."
Ritsuko simply giggled and tossed the remote aside. Strutting over to the table, she grabbed a seat and sat down, still wanting to mess with her brother.
"Be thankful as well that there isn't any school today. Not until NERV says so-"
Shinji chuckled and rolled his eyes, amused at his sister's attempts to mess with him.
"Yeah, well it's probably best until things settle down. But I'm pretty sure my classmates will bombard me with tons of questions because I'm connected to NERV."
Ritsuko nodded in agreement. His identity will ultimately be revealed by someone in the school. Just as Ritsuko was about to give her piece, the doorbell rang.
Looking over, Shinji sprang up to see who it was.
"I'll get it."
Jogging over, he opened the door to see a warm and welcomed face. Pigtails, pink glasses, a walking cane and a tired yet smiling face.
"Hey Aunt Mari! Come on in!"
Shinji stepped aside to let the older woman hobble inside. The synchronized clicks of her shoes and cane could be heard throughout the house as she walked on through.
"Thank you ShinShin."
Mari gave the boy a pat on the head before walking in further.
"I come bearing good news for all ye sinners!"
She said in a playful voice before propping herself onto a chair and resting her cane on the countertop. Shinji went back to his seat and awaited what his aunt had to say.
"So guess who's coming?"
Berlin Germany
1:17 AM CET
Despite the rather early morning time, a certain redheaded teen was watching shaky video footage on her phone. A small yet confident grin formed on her face. The footage showed Evangelion Units 00 and 01 battling the Angel.
"Shinji Akagi … Just you wait…"
The girl muttered to herself, pride rising in her voice.
"I'll finally get my chance to prove who's better."
She clutched her hand in excitement, ready to show off to an old yet close friend of hers. One that she couldn't wait to see…
"Or my name isn't Asuka Langley Soryu, The Second Child and Pilot of Evangelion Unit 02!"
Asuka Langley Soryu had pride in her stance and voice. She grabbed her hair clips that doubled as A10 Nerve Connectors and placed them in her hair, turning to the mirror next to her.
A smile formed as she admired herself for the moment.
A knock came from the door, taking her out of her moment.
"You ready to head out, Asuka?"
Immediately she snapped out of it and grabbed her bags.
"Coming, Mr Kaji! Grab my other bags if you can!"
Kaji chuckled and entered, grabbing two bags and slinging them over his shoulder, ignoring the heavy weight of them.
"Ready to make it big in Japan kiddo?"
"I'm always ready! Let's go!"
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
I'm extremely sorry for the long wait for this chapter. A lot of things have been happening behind the scenes, but now, It's finally here!
Not much else to say besides that we now have a TV Tropes page for the Original Maternal Programming!
I wanna thank you all for your patience and support so far!
See you all in the next chapter!
-DerpymanMT