Much of the tension in this episode involves the boys being pressured to sign documents that would lead to their expulsion. As noted in community discussions on Reddit , the power of "paper" in the series often manifests as official documents—like resignation letters—that the authorities use to manipulate the students.
In , the "paper" refers to a critical plot point involving a counterfeit figurine and a hidden message used by the characters to communicate during their imprisonment. The Role of Paper in Episode 5 Prison School Episode 5
The episode, titled "The School's Number One Traitor," centers on the Underground Student Council's attempt to expel the boys. The specific use of paper appears in these contexts: Much of the tension in this episode involves
There is also a focus on the printed materials (instructions/box art) associated with the figurine Gakuto is obsessed with, which serves as the catalyst for his "betrayal" and ultimate sacrifice in this episode. Episode Summary The Role of Paper in Episode 5 The
In this episode, Gakuto commits a "social suicide" to help Kiyoshi sneak out for a date with Chiyo. He ruins his own reputation (and his pants) to create a distraction, proving his ultimate loyalty through a series of increasingly absurd and high-stakes maneuvers involving these physical items.