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 episode featured a scene in which Eiji (Fumiyo Kohinata), the father of Hideto (Fumiyo Kohinata) and president of Akari Shopping Street Co., Ltd., makes a confession, which garnered a lot of attention on social media.
◇The following contains spoilers.
In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic completely changed daily life. The postponement of the Tokyo Olympics dealt 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 (played by Ouji Suzuka) comes to visit Hideto. In his previous life, Kosei developed a home-oriented business that was well-suited to the COVID-19 pandemic, and NEOXIS made a comeback. Hideto is puzzled to hear that Kosei (played by Takahashi in a dual role) in this era is holed up at home. However, when Hideto gives Kosei a hint for a miraculous comeback through Tomono, Kosei says, "I was thinking the same thing," and shows a triumphant attitude, having succeeded in a new business.
Then, Hideto learns from Tomono what he feared. 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 was only a short time left before 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, they are unable to find alternative land, and there is only one week left until the deadline.
Afterward, Hideto, wanting to prepare not to succumb to eviction, reveals to Eiji that he is considering investing in stocks to secure the future of Akari Shopping Street. Eiji replies that he is already investing in stocks, and confesses that he was advised by a foreign securities trader he met in Ginza to invest in the stocks of a Chinese company developing a COVID-19 vaccine. However, the company has gone bankrupt, and Hideto is left speechless when he hears from Eiji that he has lost all of Akari Shopping Street's savings and his earnings from the Togo Fund.
Eiji has a history of buying expensive suits and watches without permission and squandering his money at clubs in Ginza, accumulating a debt of 4 million yen. This has led to a flood of disbelief comments on social media. Comments such as, "I think it's actually Kohinata who's been harassing the shopping district, he's been acting so selfishly again this time," "He's unbelievably stupid and I'm just furious," "How stupid can he be?", "He's so stupid it's infuriating," "Eiji's actions are way too suspicious. It's like he's trying to destroy Akari Shopping District," and "Isn't it Eiji, not NEOXIS, who's putting Akari Shopping District in trouble!?" have been circulating and are attracting attention.
