No matter how the outside world viewed it or gossiped about it, time carried on as usual. The sun continued to rise and set.
A setting sun slowly descended in the west.
The evening glow lent a dreamy hue to Tokyo's iron forest.
Pedestrians and vehicles on the street hurried along, seemingly eager to get home.
In front of the large TV screens at plazas, parks, and shopping malls, black masses of people gathered.
The roadside izakayas and even various upscale restaurants paused their soothing music, removed the in-house bands, and all the televisions were locked onto the IGO's official Food Duel live broadcast channel.
At Uesugi Izakaya, a few regular customers loudly called to the busy young manager in the kitchen:
"Tetsuya!"
"It's starting!"
Uesugi Tetsuya came out with two plates of sashimi, seated himself, and looked up at the television in the store, silently cheering for his idol and the target of his efforts.
