EPISODE CONTEXT

Sitting at the rough midpoint of a 24-episode run, Episode 9 follows the aftermath of Tatsuhiro's mother's visit in Episode 8 — where Misaki helped him maintain appearances — and redirects attention toward the unspoken tensions simmering between the core trio. This episode deepens Tatsuhiro and Kaoru's respective emotional vulnerabilities, laying essential groundwork for Episode 10, where growing suspicion about Misaki's true motivations pushes the two into investigating her background. It's a transitional episode that prioritizes character over plot, setting the stage for the trust issues that will define the season's second half.