The fifth episode of the TV Asahi drama series "Reborn ~The Last Hero~" (Tuesdays at 9 PM), starring actor Issei Takahashi, aired on May 12th. Viewers were captivated when NEOXIS president Mitsunori Neo (Takahashi) heard about Sarasa (Anne Nakamura) from Eiri (Mayu Yokota), the sister of Hideto (Takahashi in a dual role), and displayed a meaningful expression. This sparked widespread speculation on social media.
◇The following contains spoilers.
Akari Shopping Street is getting ready for the spring festival. Mitsumasa, who has been reincarnated as Eito, wasn't interested, but is bewildered when he is appointed chairman of the festival's organizing committee. Moreover, opinions clash within the shopping street, and no agreement can be reached.
Meanwhile, his younger sister Eri and Tomono (played by Ouji Suzuka) come to Hideto seeking his help. With an important negotiation regarding the land for NEOXIS's own building looming, Eri's mistake has caused Mitsumasa Neo, who lives in this era, to go on an overseas business trip, and they want Hideto to act as a body double in the negotiations. Mitsumasa, who has been reincarnated as Hideto, readily agrees, seeing it as a chance to escape the festival, and goes into the negotiations playing the role of "Mitsumasa Neo."
Reincarnated, Kosei successfully negotiates with Shinomiya Ai (played by Hoshino Mari), the daughter of the president of the real estate company he is dealing with. During the negotiation, Shinomiya asks Kosei to be her boyfriend, but he tells her that he has someone else in mind. When asked "What kind of person?", he says, "Someone who loves to draw and cherishes their hometown."
Later, Mitsumasa Neo, who lives in this era, returns from an overseas business trip. Mitsumasa asks Eri about the meaning of the email he received from Ai Shinomiya, saying, "She wrote in the email, 'Cherish the person who loves art and their hometown.'" Eri tells him that it might be Sarasa, and adds, "I'm on good terms with my brother, but it's more than friends, but less than lovers." Mitsumasa, who listens silently in this era, nods twice, then looks away in silence, his face showing that he is deep in thought.
On social media, Mitsumasa's expression upon hearing Eri's words became a hot topic. Comments included: "President Neo's face changed when he heard about Sarasa...", "President Neo's expression changed when he heard about Sarasa. He's definitely Eito inside!", "There's a high possibility that the original Eito is inside President Neo," and "The slightly melancholic expression on Heisei Neo's face when he heard about Sarasa... so what's inside him after all...?" These theories generated a lot of excitement.
