The Japanese education sector in the 2010s was undergoing a transformation. In Tokyo, a co-educational high school that had been separated ushered in a major moment of merger. This decision not only changed the school's environment, but also laid the groundwork for their youth story. In this environment full of change and anticipation, the story of our protagonists, Haradaira and Yoshikiko, is about to unfold.
Haradi is an introverted boy full of musical dreams, he has a quiet personality and always sits quietly in the corner of the classroom. He seems ordinary, but his eyes are full of longing for the future.
Whenever he had the chance, he would sneak away to a corner of the school, where playing his beloved guitar music was his way of expressing himself and a safe haven in the face of the pressures of reality.
Fang Shuzi is a high-achiever, energetic girl. Her arrival has added a new dimension to the otherwise dreary campus. Smart and cheerful, she quickly became the focus of attention of her classmates.
However, underneath the seemingly glamorous appearance, Yoshikiko also has her own troubles and confusions, especially the confusion about the future.
The scene of their first encounter became the beginning of the story of their youth. That day, Haradaira was alone playing the guitar on the side of the playground, immersed in the musical world of the song. Fang Shuzi happened to pass by, attracted by the sound of the piano, and involuntarily stopped to listen.
At this moment, it was as if time stood still, and the hustle and bustle around it was gone, leaving only music and two beating hearts.
This newly established co-educational school is not only a place for learning, but also a cradle for youth and dreams. Here, classrooms, corridors, and playgrounds have the potential to become the stage for youth stories.
Friendship, love, and ideals are intertwined, laying the groundwork for the story that is about to unfold.
With the arrival of the new semester, Yuan Ping, Fang Shuzi and other students will face new challenges and opportunities. A new chapter in their youth is about to begin.
With the passage of time, the relationship between Harada and Yoshikiko gradually deepened. Initially, their interactions were limited to eye contact in class and chance encounters on the way out of school. Harada always observed Yoshiko in private and was attracted by her energy and intelligence; Yoshikiko, on the other hand, developed a strong interest in Harahei's musical talents.
At a cultural event organized by the school, Harada plucked up the courage to share his own songs during his lunch break. When he timidly played the guitar and sang softly, Fang Shuzi was deeply moved.
She was amazed by Hara's musical talent and gave him sincere encouragement, and this experience strengthened Hara's musical dreams and took his relationship with Yoshikiko even further.
During this time, they are all trying to explore how to deal with their feelings and how to express themselves better. Yuan Ping began to understand that liking someone is not only because he appreciates her talent, but also because he has learned to understand and communicate.
And Yoshikiko also gradually understood her true thoughts in the process, and she found herself attracted by Harahei's talent and inner tenderness, not just because of his academic performance.
After a period of cold war and self-reflection, the two finally got back together during the cherry blossom season on campus. Haradaira plucked up the courage to express his heart to Yoshikiko under the flying cherry blossoms in the sky, and played and sang a song he had written, the lyrics were full of love for Yoshikiko.
Yoshikiko was deeply moved after hearing this, and finally shyly accepted Harahei's love.
At this moment, the young love finally crystallized, adding a gorgeous color to their high school life. However, they both understand that this is only the beginning of their journey in life.
There are still many challenges waiting for them in the future, including academic pressure, the conflict between personal dreams and reality, and the upcoming life choices, but at this moment, they decide to cherish the happiness in front of them and face the unknown of the future together.
As he delved deeper into high school life, Hara-hei felt more and more of his love for music. Whenever he stood in the school's radio studio and played music for the whole school with a gentle voice, he seemed to see what his future would look like - a passionate DJ who used music to convey warmth and strength.
This dream made his eyes sparkle and gave him the courage to face the pressure of his studies.
However, the reality is always cruel. Yuan Ping shouldered the pressure of school and the expectations of his family, and was under increasing pressure. At the same time, the general notion of "stable work" in society also made him feel confused and stressed.
These factors weighed on his thin shoulders like mountains, causing him to question his dreams and wonder if the pursuit of music was just an impulse.
In this period of confusion, Fang Shuzi became the strongest backing of Yuan Ping. She always encouraged Yuan Ping to stick to his dreams, and at the same time rationally advised him to consider realistic factors.
Once, Yoshikiko silently arranged for Harada to visit a real radio station, so that he could experience the work of a DJ up close, and from that day on, Haradaira rekindled a spark of hope in his eyes.
However, life always smacks of mockery. Just when Harahei decided to devote himself fully to pursuing his musical dreams, his father suddenly fell ill, and the family's financial situation fell into trouble in an instant.
Yuan Ping had to face a difficult dilemma: should he continue to chase his seemingly unattainable music dream, or choose a stable job to support his family?
This choice plunged Haradi into deep pain. He began to think more deeply about the future, thinking about the important topic of "responsibility". In the dead of night, he would often sit by the window, play his guitar and hum softly the songs he had written.
In his eyes, you can see both the passionate desire for dreams and the deep helplessness of reality.
This choice signifies the end of Harahei's adolescence and foreshadows the challenges he will face in the adult world. Although he has temporarily put aside his music dream, this love is still a persistence in Yuan Ping's heart.
This love, like a seed, is waiting for the soil and sunshine in the future to bloom again.
After seeing each other again, Harada and Yoshikiko often chatted in the empty classroom after school, sharing their life experiences and insights over the years. Hara said frankly that although his job is stable now, there is always a voice in his heart calling him to return to the embrace of music.
Whenever he finishes dealing with tedious administrative affairs, he always unconsciously hums the melody he once composed, and Fang Shuzi said that although she enjoys the process of teaching and educating people, she sometimes doubts whether she can really influence the lives of her students and help them avoid the confusion they once had.
During an in-depth conversation, Haradi suddenly realizes that pursuing dreams and staying true to life is not an either/or approach. He began experimenting with resuming music outside of work, and made the most of his weekends to perform at some of the smaller local music festivals.
When he stood on the stage and felt the enthusiastic applause of the audience, it seemed that he had instantly returned to his former musical youth.
Inspired by Harapei, Yoshikiko began to reflect on her own teaching methods, and she realized that a truly valuable education is not only about imparting knowledge, but more importantly about helping students find their own direction in life.
So, she began to prepare an elective course on career planning, hoping to give students more thoughts about the future.
With a slow and patient effort, both men found their own balance. While Hara continues to compose music outside of work, Yoshiki integrates her life experience into her teaching to help students better plan for the future.
They recognize that life is not simply a black and white choice, but a process of finding a balance between reality and ideals.
One day, Haradaira organized a small concert at the school's cultural festival, and the enthusiastic response of the students made him feel a sense of satisfaction that he had not felt in a long time. After the performance, Fang Shuzi stood alone in the audience, with tears of pride in her eyes, watching Yuan Ping gradually find the balance of life in the process of realizing his dreams, and she felt sincerely relieved for him.
At this moment, Harada and Yoshikiko finally reconciled with their past selves. Instead of regretting the choices they made, they are grateful for the experiences that have shaped them into who they are. They understand that youth is not only in memories, but also in an attitude that will never be extinguished.
After reuniting, reflecting, and growing, Harada and Yoshikiko both found a new purpose in life. Harada decided to continue his current job while spending his weekends performing at a small local music festival.
He picked up the guitar again, and the songs he wrote were no longer limited to youthful love, but more into his creations, thinking about life and insisting on dreams.
Fang Shuzi began to prepare for the Career Planning Elective, aiming to let the students think more deeply about the future. She incorporates her own life experiences and insights into the curriculum, inspiring students to pursue their dreams while also looking at reality and finding a balance.
The drama "Sorry Youth" is not only a campus love drama, but also a story about growth, choice and courage. It tells us that the essence of youth does not lie in age, but in the pursuit and enthusiasm of the heart that will never be extinguished.
The story of Hara Ping and Yoshikiko in the play is the embodiment of this spirit.