Before the competition started, Xia Yu received an invitation and took a seat in the guest area instead of staying in the team's designated seats.
He sat next to Governor Ishino Harumi of Hokkaido, originally Ishino Ai's seat, but the little girl had graciously given it up and was now sitting on her mother's lap, swinging her legs.
At that moment, the camera shifted from the judges to the guest area, and a cheer erupted from the arena. Xia Yu and Ishino Harumi, who were in conversation, had to pause and smile for the camera. Ishino Harumi's smile was dignified and reserved, while Xia Yu's had a hint of helplessness.
"Your popularity is quite high," Ishino Harumi said with a smile, glancing over at the judges.
Xia Yu noticed that she was also curious about the identity of those five judges.
"Chef Xia, do you know who those five are?"
"Do you not know, Governor Ishino?"
