The seventh episode of the TV Asahi drama series "Reborn ~The Last Hero~" (Tuesdays at 9 PM), starring actor Issei Takahashi, aired on May 26th. The final scene, in which Tomono (Ouji Suzuka) of NEOXIS visits Mitsunori Neo (also played by Takahashi), who has been reincarnated as Hideto (Takahashi), and expresses a certain feeling, has garnered a lot of attention on social media.
◇The following contains spoilers.
Reincarnated as Eijin, Kosei attempts to prevent NEOXIS from entering the Tokyo Olympics-related business and acquiring banks, but fails. As history slowly changes due to Kosei's life as Eijin, he becomes anxious about the future of Akari Shopping Street.
Then in 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic completely changed daily life. The Tokyo Olympics were postponed, dealing a major blow to NEOXIS, and the shopping district saw a complete halt in customers. However, they managed to overcome another crisis by selling a large quantity of infection prevention goods in the shopping district.
Meanwhile, Tomono came to visit Hideto. In his previous life, Kosei had developed a home-oriented business that was well-suited to the COVID-19 pandemic, and NEOXIS had recovered. However, Hideto was puzzled to hear that Kosei in this era was holed up at home. But when Hideto gave Kosei a hint for a miraculous comeback through Tomono, Kosei said, "I was thinking the same thing," and showed a triumphant attitude, having succeeded in a new business.
Just then, Hideto receives the news he feared from Tomono. NEOXIS, which is proceeding with the acquisition of the bank, has named Akari Shopping Street as a strong candidate for the land required for the acquisition. Based on his memories from his past life, there is only a short time left until the deadline for deciding on the acquisition plan for the shopping street. Hideto asks Togo (Masachika Ichimura) and Ichimanda (Yoshiyuki Tsubokura) for their cooperation and works tirelessly to save the shopping street. However, the deadline arrives without them being able to find alternative land, and the acquisition land is decided to be Akari Shopping Street and Akari Housing Complex.
Later, Tomono, who was appointed by Kosei of this era to negotiate the eviction of the Akari Shopping Street residents, goes to see Hideto. Tomono, who is engaged to Hideto's sister, Eri (played by Mayu Yokota), reveals to Hideto that NEOXIS is moving to acquire the Akari Shopping Street. He continues, "President Neo may have thought that by having me in charge, we could conduct eviction negotiations in a way that is considerate of everyone in the shopping street. I want to believe that. But... but if this is harassment against Hideto and me... I will not forgive President Neo."
Upon hearing Tomono's words, Hideto recalled the time before his reincarnation when someone pushed him down the stairs, and he began to suspect that Tomono might be the "culprit" who pushed him, thinking, "Could it be... Tomono-kun?"
Social media was abuzz with comments about Tomono's words in the final scene. Comments included: "It looks like Tomono pushed him," "Tomono is the culprit," and "It must be Tomono after all..." There were also comments like: "Everyone's suspicious now," "Looking at the falling scene, the person he pushed looks like a woman," "He must have pushed him himself," "I have a feeling it was a woman who pushed him," and "Did Neo Kosei push himself?"
