Purpose: Introduce protagonist, setting, core relationships, inciting incident (Sora learns he has the option to apply to an art school in Tokyo).
Purpose: Deepen relationships, show friction between Sora and Haru, reveal Aoi's hidden struggle, raise stakes (Haru receives unexpected job offer that could tie him to the town). shounen ga otona ni natta natsu cap 1 2 3 sub new
Purpose: Confrontation and turning point. Sora attends the Tokyo interview (or interviews locally via a recorded portfolio, depending on pacing), a literal summer storm forces characters to make choices, and a secret is revealed (Kei's city failure or Sora's stolen money revealed). Purpose: Introduce protagonist