EPISODE CONTEXT

Sitting at episode 20 of 26, this lands squarely in the series' emotional endgame, transitioning from the revelations of Episode 19's 'Magic Picture Diary' — where Umi's true feelings about summer were laid bare — into active preparation for a ritual that will define the final arc. It serves as a critical bridge episode, deepening the Hairi-Shiroha relationship and establishing the emotional and thematic stakes that the remaining six episodes will pay off. Everything here is setup with purpose, positioning the characters for the challenges and confrontations ahead.