EPISODE CONTEXT

Sitting right at the midpoint of this 13-episode run, 'Growing Girl' directly follows the events of 'Tenko's Baby,' escalating the mysterious circumstances surrounding Ai into something the characters can no longer treat casually. It functions as a narrative bridge, deepening the emotional and supernatural stakes before leading into 'Important Friend,' where the implications of Ai's existence ripple outward into the broader character dynamics. This is where the series begins shifting from episodic charm toward a more connected, consequence-driven back half.