I chose not to tick the spoiler option so that it would be seen more, but be warned that this does contain spoilers. I’ve seen a lot of people ask why Hijiri liked Akira, and how unusual it is for an adult to fall in love with someone of Akira’s age. I will agree with you all the way. But after watching the drama for the second time, this is what I observed.
At the start of the show, when Hijiri was 25 and Akira was 15, she was very insecure of her teaching ability and is noticeably trying incredibly hard to make a good impression. Despite her clear passion and her extreme dedication, she doubts if she’s good enough. This is worsened by the fact that a lot of people associate her good life to her fiancee rather than of her own capabilities, given that her fiancee is not only good looking but very reliable. Even then, everyone encourages her to just become a housewife even though she clearly states her passion for teaching (shown in ep. 2, lunch with the parents). On the other hand, her students treat her more like one of their peers rather than respecting her.
However, Akira was none of that. As shown in the first episode, Akira showed appreciation for the poem that she taught and has emotionally connected with it, as much as she loved it herself. Akira saw her capabilities and passion and believed in her intensely, leading her to believe in herself more. The love that Akira gave her made her visibly stronger, to which she thanked him for on ep. 11. However, one of the greatest things is that Akira saw her as herself, not as Shotaro’s future wife. It made her see that there was definitely more that she could do, and that she’s not as unreliable as she thinks (mentioned in ep. 3). It may also be because she saw Akira in moments that are easily overlooked by others (his willingness to protect those who are unjustly judged, as he punched Ebihara for posting malicious rumors about her, and his love for the sunset)
And for people that say that she treated Akira differently than the other students (indicating she’s pedo), rewatch the episodes including Tachibana. Those episodes show that Hijiri is always willing to go out of her way for her troubled students, and not just because she’s attracted to them. It is just of unfortunate timing that she fell in love with Akira.
What did Akira give to Hijiri at the end of episode 11?
The written oath that Hijiri gave to Akira’s mom. The written oath holds that Hijiri promises to never see Akira again. However, Akira giving Hijiri the written oath means that his mother has finally approved of Hijiri, should both of them want to return to the relationship. At that moment anyways, Akira is already 23 :)
why Hijiri even likes Kuroiwa in the first place in still dont get it? they never explain it enough or what am…
At the start of the show (when she was still 25 and Akira was 15), she was very insecure, thinking of herself as unreliable even though being a teacher was her only dream. Not only that, but it was fueled by the fact that most people associate her good life to her fiancée, as if everything that’s happening to her life was because he loved her. Even then, everybody expects her to be a housewife after marriage even though she clearly wants to teach. Akira was none of that. He relied on her multiple times and has always accepted Hijiri even with her flaws. He always saw the things she was good at, making her realize her worth. He made her realize that she was more than just Shotaro’s future wife. Therefore, as she said on ep 3, “before I realized it, my gaze kept following him.”
Can I just say how happy I was about the ending... Akira did become a proper adult that became worthy of his mother’s approval! I had goosebumps seeing him all suited up. Akira became a man that can now love Hijiri freely. ???
1
I chose not to tick the spoiler option so that it would be seen more, but be warned that this does contain spoilers. I’ve seen a lot of people ask why Hijiri liked Akira, and how unusual it is for an adult to fall in love with someone of Akira’s age. I will agree with you all the way. But after watching the drama for the second time, this is what I observed.
At the start of the show, when Hijiri was 25 and Akira was 15, she was very insecure of her teaching ability and is noticeably trying incredibly hard to make a good impression. Despite her clear passion and her extreme dedication, she doubts if she’s good enough. This is worsened by the fact that a lot of people associate her good life to her fiancee rather than of her own capabilities, given that her fiancee is not only good looking but very reliable. Even then, everyone encourages her to just become a housewife even though she clearly states her passion for teaching (shown in ep. 2, lunch with the parents). On the other hand, her students treat her more like one of their peers rather than respecting her.
However, Akira was none of that. As shown in the first episode, Akira showed appreciation for the poem that she taught and has emotionally connected with it, as much as she loved it herself. Akira saw her capabilities and passion and believed in her intensely, leading her to believe in herself more. The love that Akira gave her made her visibly stronger, to which she thanked him for on ep. 11. However, one of the greatest things is that Akira saw her as herself, not as Shotaro’s future wife. It made her see that there was definitely more that she could do, and that she’s not as unreliable as she thinks (mentioned in ep. 3). It may also be because she saw Akira in moments that are easily overlooked by others (his willingness to protect those who are unjustly judged, as he punched Ebihara for posting malicious rumors about her, and his love for the sunset)
And for people that say that she treated Akira differently than the other students (indicating she’s pedo), rewatch the episodes including Tachibana. Those episodes show that Hijiri is always willing to go out of her way for her troubled students, and not just because she’s attracted to them. It is just of unfortunate timing that she fell in love with Akira.