The fifth episode of the Nippon Television drama series "Punch-Drunk Woman: XX Days Left Until Prison Break" (Sundays at 10:30 PM), starring actress Shinohara Ryoko, aired on February 22nd. Towards the end of the episode, a scene was depicted in which Kusaka Reiji (played by Jesse), a suspect in the murder of his father, was talking alone with prison guard Fuyuki Kozue (played by Shinohara), and Reiji's subsequent actions sparked a stir on social media.
◇The following contains spoilers.
In episode 5, Kozue Fuyuki, a prison guard at Hikawa Detention Center, falls into a trap set by a cult attempting to escape and is assaulted by a group of members, but is saved by Reiji. The traitor who set Kozue up was her subordinate, prison guard Hidehiko Ebiwara (Yuta Koseki). Unaware of this, Kozue is falsely accused of being a traitor and faces the risk of disciplinary action.
Meanwhile, detective Saeki Yusuke (Fujiki Naohito), who is investigating Reiji's case, discovers signs of abuse on the body of Reiji's sister, Kusaka Suzu (Kajiwara Kanagisa). If Reiji had been abused by his father, Kusaka Haruomi (Takezai Terunosuke), then it is possible that Suzu may have assaulted Haruomi, and Saeki begins searching for witnesses to the incident on the day of the incident.
Meanwhile, the cult's trial date approaches... and so the story unfolds.
Later in the story, Kozue speaks alone with Reiji, who has been thrown in the punishment room for attacking Ebiwara. Reiji admits that the cult is planning an escape while he is being escorted, and that Ebiwara is a member. He also replies that he was a member of the escape team but changed his mind. Reiji also denies the charge of murdering his father, saying that he was protecting his sister Suzu. Kozue believes him, but Reiji suddenly punches her in the stomach, catching her off guard, and mutters, "Sorry, I betrayed you." As Kozue loses consciousness, she asks, "Why..." to which Reiji replies, "Who cares? I've been planning to escape since I was detained here."
Meanwhile, Saeki, who is re-investigating Reiji's case, obtains a video of Reiji carrying a bag full of money on the day of the crime. Saeki then calls Kozue's smartphone answering machine to warn her, "I'm sure he killed Haruomi for money after all. Don't contact him until I get there," but Kozue is unconscious and being held captive in the detention center.
On social media, many people expressed shock at Reiji's sudden betrayal. Comments included, "Seriously?", "What's he trying to do?!", "Is Reiji a good or bad person? Which is it?", "It's been a series of betrayals!", "Reiji, why...?", "Too scary," and "Maybe he betrayed his father to stop him from being killed." Furthermore, the video obtained by Saeki, which shows Reiji carrying a bag full of money, drew comments such as, "Did he kill his father for the money after all?", "Reiji! It was black," "What's going to happen?", "That's a lie, right?", "I'm so curious to know what happens next," "Who should I believe in what, and who should I believe in it," and "Reiji is such a mystery."
