The eighth episode of the NTV drama series "PUNCH-DRUNK WOMAN - XX Days Until Escape -" (Sundays at 10:30 PM), starring actress Ryoko Shinohara, aired on March 15th. In the final scenes of the episode, Kozue Fuyuki (Shinohara), a prison guard at Hikawa Detention Center, tells Detective Saeki (Naohito Fujiki) something, which has caused a stir on social media.
◇The following contains spoilers.
In episode 8, Kozue resolves to help Reiji Kusaka (Jesse), an inmate who has been framed for a crime he did not commit and caught up in a systematic conspiracy, escape outside the prison walls. Meanwhile, Kozue runs for the position of next warden in order to gain the authority of the current warden, and ends up competing against Koyanagi (Takeshi Ukaji) in the election.
Meanwhile, the police decide to close the investigation after Reiji pleaded guilty in court. Unable to accept this, Saeki begins to notice a change in Kozue...and so the story unfolds.
In this episode, Kozue, having uncovered the fact that Koyanagi had been demanding kickbacks from suppliers, frames him and declines the position of next warden. She then recommends the district mayor, Shinya Sekikawa (played by Shinya Niiro), as the next warden to hold him responsible for the escape. As the time for the escape approaches, Reiji confesses his feelings to Kozue, saying, "You believed in me and even risked your life for me. And yet, I can't give you anything in return." This makes Kozue realize the true nature of the "desire" that drives her to "run away with him."
Later, Saeki visits Kozue's room. As Saeki becomes suspicious of Kozue's actions, saying, "You were actually there to be with your mother in her final moments of your own free will, weren't you? Why didn't you tell me the truth?", a noise comes from the closet, and the "escape route plan" that was sticking out is in danger of being discovered. Panicked that Saeki must not find out about the escape plan, Kozue impulsively hugs him and says, "I didn't want to burden you with my mother's situation. Marry me." And as she embraces Saeki, Kozue thinks to herself, "I don't care if I go to hell. I want to live with him. For that, I'll tell any lie."
Social media was abuzz with comments about Kozue's willingness to use any means necessary to help Reiji escape from prison. Comments included: "She's such a villain," "She's become such a villain," "Kozue is scary," "Poor Saeki," "Kozue is even using Saeki's feelings," "Kozue is getting serious!", and "Kozue's talent for being a villain is amazing."
