Moreover, only Kanna and Takanashi Rikka, the two little ones responsible for tasting and scoring, were getting sleepy now.
In Arato Hisako's view, whether they were present or not didn't matter much, since Tohru was usually the one leading the scoring anyway.
Hayashi could see Arato Hisako's thoughts and didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
Whether continuing the competition or resting now, he had no problem with either.
He wanted to let Kanna and Takanashi Rikka, these two little cuties, go rest properly, while also letting Arato Hisako willingly continue the competition.
Otherwise, if Arato Hisako harbored dissatisfaction and resentment about this matter later, that wouldn't be good.
So he had to think of a solution that would satisfy everyone.
As a modern person, Hayashi naturally held the philosophy of wanting everything - only children make choices.
He could let the two little girls go sleep while simultaneously letting the competition continue.
Takanashi Touka and Nakiri Erina could serve as judges - Hayashi believed they would definitely uphold principles of fairness and justice.
Then Hayashi smiled and said:
"Alright, don't worry. Let's continue our competition."
After saying this, he patted Arato Hisako's little head, indicating she could relax.
Hayashi's words put Arato Hisako at ease, but she still looked worriedly at Kanna and Takanashi Rikka, asking:
"What about those two?"
Hayashi smiled slightly:
"Let's have Touka and Erina be the judges."
After saying this, Hayashi carried one in each arm, picking up Kanna and Takanashi Rikka and placing them on the bed, then returned to the kitchen to continue the competition.
Arato Hisako couldn't be happier about Hayashi's decision.
Hayashi was doing this completely to accommodate her.
Hayashi could have completely terminated the competition right then, and she wouldn't have been able to say anything.
Although she would have felt somewhat unhappy, she couldn't possibly throw a tantrum at this time and make everyone stay up late with her.
Especially since Hayashi could have taken this opportunity to rest properly - there was no need for him to push himself.
But Hayashi's decision now was completely to accommodate her feelings - how could Arato Hisako not be happy?
"Hehe~, as expected, Hayashi-kun still cares about me very much."
Arato Hisako's watery big eyes blinked as she looked at Hayashi, a blush appearing on her face.
Then she eagerly prepared to start her cooking competition.
If anyone cared most about this competition right now, it was naturally Arato Hisako.
The two newly appointed judges, Takanashi Touka and Nakiri Erina, were very excited at this moment.
Just watching Tohru, Kanna, and Takanashi Rikka taste various delicious foods had made them incredibly envious.
Every time they saw Tohru take a bite of Hayashi's cooking, she would be like she was under a spell, her eyes sparkling with bright stars as she excitedly exclaimed, as if that one bite could make her happy for life.
Takanashi Touka and Nakiri Erina naturally understood that feeling.
So while watching from the side, they always wanted to ask if they could also have a bite.
But unfortunately, every time they had this thought, Tohru or the other two girls would devour all the remaining food with ravenous appetites.
At the most exaggerated times, Tohru would even lick the plates completely clean - they didn't even need washing.
Now they finally had their chance, and both girls' faces were full of smiles.
At this time, Tohru said:
"Touka, Erina, welcome."
"Since the three of us are judges, let's score in the most fair and just way."
Tohru stared straight at both of them.
Although she also very much hoped that Arato Hisako, her good sister, and the girls' trio she represented could win.
But competitions ultimately had to be decided by strength.
Moreover, now two of the judges were also contestants, so Tohru inevitably worried that they might favor Arato Hisako in their hearts.
When it came to scoring, if they had some personal thoughts mixed in, wouldn't Hayashi-kun be at a big disadvantage?
Although she didn't want Arato Hisako to lose either, she even less wanted Hayashi to lose.
And with Hayashi's abilities, after the second match, under fair circumstances, victory should have been directly declared.
Being able to compete until now was completely due to her and the other two girls going easy, leading to this result.
There could be a first and second time, but not a third and fourth - Tohru was clear about this.
So she wanted to remind the two.
However, Nakiri Erina and Takanashi Touka completely missed Tohru's meaning, simply thinking Tohru was welcoming them.
As for Tohru's squinting eyes that represented her warning gaze.
To the two girls, this was completely a sign of sleepiness.
In an instant, both felt sorry for this cute little one and wanted to hold Tohru in their arms and love her properly.
Wow, Tohru is so cute.
Takanashi Touka looked with affection, an impulse rising in her heart.
She really wanted to hold Tohru in her arms and squeeze her thoroughly.
Nakiri Erina even directly reached out to pat Tohru's little head, excitedly squealing.
Hayashi chuckled lightly, looking speechlessly at the three girls playing together, not knowing whether to laugh or cry:
"Please, can't you see that your good teammate is already very nervous and looking forward to the competition starting?"
"You're still playing so happily - you really don't have the self-awareness that judges should have."
"Please, could you properly read 'Self-Cultivation of Judges'?"
Hayashi half-jokingly teased the two.
This also made Tohru, Takanashi Touka, and Nakiri Erina put away their playful mood and sit seriously at the judges' table - which was actually the bar counter.
They nodded very seriously.
Tohru raised her hand again and asked:
"Hayashi, Hisako, are you ready?"
Both Hayashi and Arato Hisako nodded.
Tohru immediately shouted loudly, waving her arm:
"Competition begins!"
Then came the usual basic procedures and preparation process.
Hayashi still gave Arato Hisako some leading opportunities.
Everyone was accustomed to this process and accepted it with peace of mind.
Arato Hisako wasn't surprised either.
She raced against time, striving to compress the most basic preparation process - things like washing vegetables - to the extreme.
Every second saved was a second gained.
This way she could have the energy and extra time to make her dish more perfect.
You had to know, this dish required a full hour to prepare.
Even for her, it was difficult to maintain such high-intensity focused work - she could easily enter a state of high-pressure fatigue.