Meet Me After School

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Synopsis

Hijiri is a middle school teacher who’s engaged to Shotaro. Currently in a long-distance relationship, matters get complicated when Hijiri starts falling in love with one of her students named Akira. 

My Opinion (No Spoiler)

Where to begin with this drama. When I first started it, I knew the plot was going to be complex, as it focuses on the love story between a teacher and her student. I was a bit reluctant in the beginning, and couldn’t really root for the main leads’ love. The male character was only 15 and even for me, it was too young. Naturally, it also made sense to the screenwriter. That’s why, there’s a time jump 3 years later. And that’s when my point of view started to change. Even after all this time, both lovers have remained the same. Despite their parents’, colleagues’ and society’s disapproval, their feelings are the same. The drama also focuses on the development of that love parallel to the growing up of the male lead, and the female lead’s attachment to her life-long dream of being a teacher. All of that combined makes for a warm, melodramatic, romantic and intense plot on first-love, on the impact someone has on your personal growth, and how sometimes you simply meet the right person, just not at the right time. Moreover, I think the drama did a great job at making the public understand characters’ intentions and behaviors (like Akira’s mother’s). It puts you in their shoes and forces you to see through their eyes. Finally, I would add that Haraguchi was an awesome second lead, and my favorite character of all. I would’ve watched the drama just for her. All in all, I recommend you watch that drama. It’s full of good feelings and nice reflections on society, love, morality,…

Analysis

• Love at first sight
• A forbidden love
  Because of Hijiri’s situation
  Because of Kuroiwa’s mother
  Because of society
• A long-lasting love
• A complicated love

Love at first sight: Meet Me After School showcases a love story that starts in a rather atypical way. But, it describes first and foremost the story of a first love. Akira Kuroiwa (Kenshi Okada) is a 15-year old high school student. He’s quiet and nonchalant, and doesn’t seem to be passionate about anything. Though he has good grades and is sociable, he’s blasé about life. That is until the arrival of his new teacher Hijiri Suenaga (Kasumi Arimura). She is a 25-year old bright and bubbly woman. She’s always dreamed of becoming a teacher, and has at heart to guide her students and help them grow. For the teenager, it is clearly love at first sight. Their first encounter is actually quite meaningful, and already hints at future events and the development of the relationship. Kuroiwa is so absorbed and under his teacher’s spell that he falls off his chair. Hijiri goes to him right away, reaches out her hand and puts him back on his feet. Such is the beginning of this romance between a teacher always pulling Kuroiwa up, and a student unconditionally in love with her. And to be honest, this configuration remained throughout the entire drama despite the difficulties.

The first part of the plot explores Kuroiwa’s discovery of love and its associated feelings. He’s pretty much lovesick. Indeed, he constantly thinks about Hijiri, gets shy when she’s close to him, and feels jealous whenever he hears about Hijiri’s boyfriend. Kuroiwa is so troubled that he even slaps her after panicking. I honestly didn’t appreciate that part at all, and thought it was totally disrespectful and unnecessary no matter how old you are and the feelings you have for someone (positive and/or negative). Anyway. Even if Kuroiwa tends to go to pieces at the beginning, his love is so strong that he ends up confessing. He can’t keep his heart quiet anymore. That scene was a pivotal moment in the drama, as it gives Kuroiwa the courage to assume his feelings, and prepare for eventual setbacks (and there were many!). After that, the young man is never swayed. Despite the distance and the passing of time, his love remains intact. To me, Kuroiwa’s behavior throughout the drama is the perfect epitome of the power of first love. He never bends, never gives up, never forgets.

A forbidden love: Though the love story between Hijiri and Kuroiwa is intense and genuine, there are many barriers that come up between them. Most of them are external, and have nothing to do with their feelings, but still have a great impact on their romance considered by many as forbidden.

Because of Hijiri’s situation: When Hijiri meets Kuroiwa for the first time, she’s his newly appointed high school teacher. She is 10 years older than him (around 25), and leads a rather peaceful life. She has been in a relationship with Shotaro Kawai (Keita Machida) for 3 years, and they are soon to be married. Though they are currently living in different cities due to work, they get along well. Hijiri’s life is set. She has a job she loves – she’s always dreamed of becoming a teacher – a kind and affectionate boyfriend, a quiet relationship with no bumps on the road and a future all mapped out. Unexpectedly though, she falls in love with her student. She gives in to Kuroiwa’s passionate confessions, and reciprocates his feelings. Despite her reluctance, she can’t help but accept that he makes her feel seen, heard, and loved. Of course, Hijiri is conscious that she is betraying her fiancé, that she’s Kuroiwa’s teacher, and that he’s still a minor. That’s why she tries to bury her emotions, and even intends on leaving with Shotaro when the truth is out. Yet, she decides not to deceive herself. She would rather put an end to her current relationship and leave than to live a lie. Out of respect for her ex, for herself, and out of love for Kuroiwa, she runs away from the situation and cuts ties with everyone. The aftermath of that forbidden love are clearly visible mid-drama, as Hijiri’s life is turned upside down. She has lost everything: Her career, her dream, her lover(s), her family who disapproves of the broken engagement, her future, and her tranquillity.

Because of Kuroiwa’s mother: Among all the characters who were adamantly against the relationship, there is Kuroiwa’s mother Aiko (Yui Natsukawa). She will be the main obstacle between lovers until the very end. She’s the root cause of their 2 separations. Though she appears to be the villain in the drama, Aiko’s reasons are actually very understandable. Putting myself in her shoes, I would also be quite reluctant to see my immature 15-year-old kid date an adult woman. That being said, Kuroiwa’s mother plays a pivotal role in the evolution and transformation of the main characters. First, her refusal to let his son be with Hijiri forces him to grow up more rapidly. Kuroiwa needs to prove to his mother than he is capable to support himself, if he wants to be free of choosing his life partner. It starts with high school, then university, then finding a job. Aiko wants her child to become someone, and make something out of his life. She refuses to see him throw away his potential just to be consumed by the fire of love. And it’s true that Kuroiwa is often tempted to give it all up (especially his future) for Hijiri. The latter sides with Aiko on this point, and would rather stay away from Kuroiwa to let him grow than destroy his bright future. Hence their second separation. Second, Aiko has an indirect impact on Hijiri. By confronting her constantly, she pushes the teacher to question herself and her true desires. Does she really want to give it all up for a boy or would she rather fulfill her dream of becoming a teacher? Cornered, Hijiri makes her decision at the end of the drama. Once again, she chooses to leave to start from scratch. Finally, Aiko shows a more vulnerable side of her when she tells Kuroiwa her own story. Just like him, she fell in love with another man while married. This love destroyed her life and she lost everything. As she doesn’t want that to happen to him as well, she fights against the romance.
In the end, I think Aiko was right all along. Kuroiwa and Hijiri were indeed too immature when they met. Neither of them knew what they wanted in life, and they were too unstable together. If they had started dating right away, they would’ve destroyed their love and their lives. Aiko only did what any mother would do. She forced them to have space, to know themselves first, before rekindling the flame. And it worked. At the end of the drama, Aiko proves that she in fact never disapproves the relationship. She just thought that it was not happening at the right time, in the right place. When Kuroiwa is finally settled, she gives him back the promise letter signed by Hijiri saying she’d cut ties with his son. This gesture shows that she believes them ready, and accepts their love. It was just a question of timing. And as a viewer, I can only agree with that.

Because of society: Of course, it’s obvious that the relationship between Hijiri and Kuroiwa should not happen, as the male lead is a minor. In Japan (when the drama was released) majority was set at 20 (it’s 18 since 2022). That being said, Hijiri’s feelings towards a minor and behavior (kisses for instance) could be punishable by law. This is the last card played by Aiko to split them. She calls the police and informs them that Hijiri has kidnapped her son, and is being ‘sexually indecent’. Legally speaking, it’s indeed a crime. Yes, Kuroiwa consents to, if not pushes for, the relationship. Still, his status makes his mother the guardian with the power.
Apart from law, society is one of the main reasons why Hijiri and Kuroiwa can’t be together right away. Their age gap is a topic of gossip that, as we all know, can destroy one’s reputation in a matter of minutes. Take the example of the mother at Hijiri’s new school. She is accused of sleeping around with different men, after having had an affair and divorced thereafter. Rumors, but also ethics and decorum can be mentioned as part of society’s best weapons to disapprove this relationship.

A long-lasting love: When Kuroiwa and Hijiri meet for the first time, neither of them is mature nor prepared enough for a relationship. Kuroiwa is a young 15-year-old teenager, dependent on his mother, who has accomplished nothing in his life yet (not even his studies). As for Hijiri, she is not sufficiently determined, driven or assertive to know what she wants in life and in a relationship. Though she’s to be married, she lets others dictate her choices, and just goes with the flow. That being said, the love story between these 2 unstable characters actually proves to have quite the positive impact, as the hardships they face force them to reflect on their future, feelings, and behavior. 3 years after their first break-up, Kuroiwa has grown up, and become more decisive; while Hijiri has learned how to muster up her courage, and find her path. But, the world around them – and biological circumstances (let’s not forget that Kuroiwa is still a minor) – are against their romance which can’t bloom yet. In the end, their real story can only start 8 years after their encounter. Kuroiwa is now a 23-year-old working adult, stable and accomplished; while Hijiri has fulfilled her life-long dream of becoming a teacher. In the final scene, Kuroiwa finds Hijiri in Thailand. Both are still in love, finally ready to start life together, and enjoy their happiness.

A complicated love: Haraguchi and Shotaro may be second leads, but there’s a lot going on in their relationship. First, Shotaro is already dating, and soon-to-be engaged to Hijiri, when he first meets his boss. Same for the latter, who’s already with a woman (FYI, Haraguchi is bisexual). Big thumbs up on this one by the way, as Haraguchi’s sexual orientation doesn’t create any debate, controversy or criticism in the story. Anyway. On top of already being taken, both characters turn out to be working for the same company: Haruguchi being the confident and talented boss freshly arrived from the US, and Shotaro the brilliant and promising employee. Little by little, Haraguchi becomes Shotaro’s confident and friend. He mentions his relationship problems to her, and even asks for advice. However, the more they get to know each other, the more they realize how compatible they are. This leads later on to a kiss (while Shotaro is still engaged) and a complicated start as a couple. Indeed, it takes about 3 years to Shotaro to realize that he has to move on and forget Hijiri. Upon discovering that he’s had feelings for Haraguchi for a long time, he goes all in and pursues her. Haraguchi is rational and reasonable, so she warns him that she is looking for something serious. A point on which Shotaro reassures her. And yet. When Hijiri unexpectedly resurfaces in Shotaro’s life, the latter finds himself in a troubling situation. On the one side, he is reminded of his past lover and his lingering feelings for her. On the other side, he relies on Haraguchi and wishes to move forward. This indecisiveness – and inability to look towards the future – is a breaking point for Haraguchi. She refuses to become a jealous girlfriend or to resent Shotaro for his love. So, she prefers to put an end to their romance. That is until she discovers that she’s pregnant, and that Shotaro is an excellent candidate for a promotion abroad. Of course, Shotaro intends on winning her back, but Haraguchi is crystal clear. She is capable of taking care of herself and her baby.

Now that you have read the overview of their relationship, I need to address a few points that bothered me all along:
1. Shotaro constantly criticized Hijiri for her love towards Kuroiwa. According to the drama, she’s the one who broke the relationship and is responsible for everything. However, Shotaro tends to forget that he also fell in love – and kissed – Haraguchi while being engaged. Though Hijiri was in a much tougher position because Kuroiwa was 15, Shotaro was not totally innocent all along.
2. When Shotaro and Haraguchi finally decided to get together, I was actually glad. The female character is the epitome of the strong, badass, self-confident and assertive working woman with a big heart. Considering her affection towards Shotaro, she really deserved the attention and care. Yet, Shotaro disappointed me once again by getting involved in his ex’ life, and forgetting the promise he’d made.

Despite all that, both characters grew up in the drama. Shotaro learned to be more decisive, while Haraguchi learned that she doesn’t need anyone to support herself.

P.S.: Among all the characters, I think Haraguchi was definitely my favorite. She was the best friend, best confident, best partner, best boss, best helper (especially in the leads’ romance) that one can wish to have in his/her life.

Sorry, I couldn’t find a proper teaser 😦