Kohei Matsushita's message to the children who co-starred with him in "After School Karte"! “Believe in what you think is the best and move forward.”

■“After school medical record” is all up! “I am truly grateful to be able to play the leading role in this work for the first time.” (Kohei Matsushita)

The drama “Hokago Karte” is broadcast on Nippon Television every Saturday from 9pm.

Ahead of the final episode airing on December 21st, the lead actor Kohei Matsushita, co-star Aoi Morikawa, and everyone who played the elementary school children are gearing up.

The scene in the infirmary, which is the last scene of the final episode, has reached its climax. This is the scene where the children arrive at the school nurse’s office where Makino (Kohei Matsushita) and Shinoya (Aoi Morikawa) are.

When all was up, Matsushita and Morikawa handed out a bouquet of flowers to each child who had gathered in the courtyard amidst applause. “You did your best!” and “Thank you for your hard work!” were said to the children with kind smiles.The children all shed tears and greeted each other with “I had a lot of fun these past three months” and “I’ll do my best to see you again!” did.

Next, Morikawa, who played Mr. Shinoya, was presented with a bouquet of flowers and messages from the children. Morikawa, who often spent time with children in the classroom, said, “At first I thought, “I wonder if I could be a teacher,” but during the time we spent together, everyone started calling me “teacher,” so I decided to become Professor Shinoya. I think I was able to become someone like that,” he said, expressing his gratitude to all the children.

Lastly, Matsushita, who played Mr. Makino, was also presented with a bouquet of flowers and messages from the children. In addition to thanking Morikawa, who co-starred with him, and the production team, Matsushita also said to the children who worked with him during the three-month shoot: “Please continue to believe in what you think is the best and move forward. Have that confidence.” I absolutely believe that no matter what happens, we’ll be fine,” he passionately sent a message.

The final episode of “Houkago Karte” will be broadcast from 9pm on December 21st.

■Kohei Matsushita comment
This work was the first time that I had the opportunity to play the lead role alone on terrestrial television. I am truly grateful to be able to play the leading role in this work for the first time. I feel that way because of the constant help from the cast and staff.
There was one thing I had decided upon before participating in this drama. That is, “all the child actors play the leading roles.” I’m really happy that I was able to work with everyone who is always working so hard for three months. thank you very much.
Please continue to believe in what you think is the best and move forward no matter what others say. I believe that if you have that confidence, you will be fine no matter what happens.
Thank you very much for the past three months.
■Aoi Morikawa comment
During the three months I spent with the students in Class 6 and Class 2, I was able to form relationships like those between a real teacher and the students. At the beginning, I thought, “I wonder if I can be a teacher?” but I think I was able to become Mr. Shinoya because everyone called me “Sensei” during the time we spent together.
When we started filming, they looked like cute elementary school kids, but before I knew it, they were all adults and had grown up a lot.
I look forward to seeing everyone’s future. I’m sure it will be difficult at times, but I’m sure it will be okay, so please remember this drama and get through it. I’m rooting for you.
It was a really fun time. thank you very much.

■Episode 10 (final episode) synopsis
As the graduation ceremony approaches, school nurse Iwami (Shoko Haida), who will return from maternity leave in the new school year, comes to Makino (Kohei Matsushita) in the school nurse’s office to say hello. Meanwhile, Makino goes to ask Sakima (Yu Yoshizawa) about the condition of Makoto (Kira Miura), a past patient who was the reason Makino went to school, and discovers that Makoto is hiding “chest pain.” Know. Suspecting that there may be a psychological cause, Makino asks Takasaki (Seiichi Tanabe) to take care of Makoto, saying that it is his job to eliminate that “pain.”